Vayeira – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

“On the third day, Avraham raised his eyes and perceived the place from afar. And Avraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here by yourselves with the donkey.'” (22:4,5)

Chazal tell us that when Avraham approached the mountain, he saw a cloud hovering over it. He immediately recognized this as a signal of Hashem’s Presence. He asked Yitzchak, “My son, do you see what I see?” “Yes, Father,” he responded. This served as an indication that Yitzchak had achieved the degree of spiritual perception making him worthy to serve as a korban. Avraham subsequently turned to his two young men and questioned them concerning what they had seen. Their response was negative. They saw nothing. Hence, Avraham told them, “The donkey sees nothing ,and you see nothing. Stay here…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“He took cream and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed these before them.” (18:8)

Rashi explains that Avraham did not serve any bread, since Sarah had become a niddah, ritually unclean on that day. Therefore, her dough was considered to be tamei, unclean. The Talmud in Bava Metzia 87a states that Avraham Avinu was careful to eat chullin, unconsecrated food, only if it was ritually clean. Consequently, he would not give the bread that had become contaminated to his three guests. We may question the approach which caused Avraham to be so exacting with his guests. After all, according to halacha one may eat chullin that is tamei. Avraham Avinu had accepted upon himself…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“And they made their father (Lot) drink wine on that night and the first-born went in and lay with her father.” (19:33)

Rashi notes that regarding the younger sister, the Torah simply states, “And she lay with him, the younger (sister).” He explains that the younger sister did not initiate the immoral and forbidden act, but was rather “taught” by her older sister. The Torah, therefore, is lenient in not specifying her act. The repulsive act of the first-born sister, however, who also initiated it, is explicitly noted. The Talmud in Bava Kama 38b seems to imply the opposite of what Rashi is suggesting. The Talmud states that one should make mitzvah performance his greatest priority. Since the older daughter preceded her…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“And she (Sarah) said to Avraham, ‘Drive out the slave-woman with her son, for the son of that slave woman shall not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak …’ And Hashem said to Avraham, ‘Whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice.” (21:10,12)

It seems unusual that a tzaddeikes such as Sarah Imeinu would be so “mercenary” as to fear Yishmael’s inheriting Avraham’s possessions. Undoubtedly, as Rashi states, she was concerned about Yishmael’s evil influence over Yitzchak. Nonetheless, what is the meaning of Sarah’s statement, “For the son of that slave-woman shall not inherit with my son”? Horav Elyakim Schlesinger, Shlita, explains that as long as Yitzchak and Yishmael’s relationship did not involve monetary dealings, Sarah did not fear any harmful persuasion from Yishmael. Once they would begin sharing an inheritance, however, this distinction would have slowly diminished. Suddenly, Yitzchak would have been…

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Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5756

“And Avraham returned to his young men.” (22:19)

The Midrash notes that Yitzchak’s name is not mentioned in the description of Avraham’s return. Chazal explain that Avraham dispatched Yitzchak to the Yeshivah of Shem and Ever to study Torah. He said, “All I have accomplished, all of the wonderful things that have occurred, are only the result of my endeavors in the area of Torah and mitzvos. I, therefore, want my son to devote his life to Torah, so that Torah will remain with my descendants.” The Midrash compares this to a woman who became wealthy as a result of a certain spindle she owned which made very…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“Let a little water now be taken and wash your feet.” (18:4)

The pasuk implies that Avraham sent an agent (Yishmael) to bring the water. Rashi states that Avraham should have personally attended to the guests. As a result of his personal non-involvement, when Hashem responded to Avraham’s descendants, He also sent an agent (Moshe) to give water to them. Why is this? The act of chesed, kindness, was performed, albeit through an agent. Why then should there be negative repercussions? The Chofetz Chaim offers two insights. First, it is always more propitious to personally attend to the mitzvah, rather than to delegate it to an intermediary. Second, it is a greater…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born unto Avraham making sport.” (21:9)

Rashi explains that the term “making sport” denotes idol-worship. The question which confronts us upon reading the narrative is: Why was Sarah so inflexible regarding Yishmael’s iniquity? She noticed Yishmael “making sport,” i.e. worshipping idols and she immediately proceeded to request that Avraham drive him from their home. This attitude does not seem to be typical of Sarah Imeinu, who was noted for her proselytizing efforts on behalf of the One G-d. She worked side by side with her husband, Avraham, to inspire a world of non-believers to believe in the Almighty. Her compassion, understanding, and patience were exemplary in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“For she said, ‘Let me not see the death of the child’, and she sat at a distance, lifted her voice and wept…. ‘Fear not for Hashem has listened to the cry of the young boy because he is there.” (21:16,17)

The angel told Hagar not to worry, for Hashem had listened to the child. The Torah seems to imply that Hashem listened only to Yishmael, not to Hagar. Why were her cries ignored? Is there a more sensitive cry than a mother’s anguished plea for the life of her child? Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, responds that the answer lies in the text of the pasuk. Hashem answered Yishmael, “because he is there”. He was praying for himself, not for anyone else. This is consistent with the words of Chazal that Hashem listens to the prayers of someone who is sick…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“And Hashem opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” (21:19)

The Midrash derives from this pasuk that everyone is “blind” until Hashem ultimately “opens their eyes.” This means that Hashem did not suddenly create a new well or transfer it from another place. It was present the entire time that Hagar was there, but she was not “permitted” to see it until Hashem “opened her eyes.” The Sfas Emes cites his grandfather, the Chidushei Ha’Rim, who asserts that everyone’s truly essential needs are provided for him. Indeed, the fulfillment of his needs is within the grasp of each individual, but he does not have the ability to recognize this reality…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“And you did not withhold your son, your only one (son).” (22:16)

Avraham is commended for his devotion to Hashem in standing ready to perform every request made of him. He was even prepared to sacrifice his “only son,” Yitzchak, to conform to the will of Hashem. It seems strange that he is praised for not acceding to his parental emotions, rather than for his positive affirmation of Hashem’s will. Imagine giving someone a bag of precious diamonds. One would assume that the recipient would thank the benefactor for giving the gift, rather than for not withholding it. Why is Avraham not lauded for his positive orientation? Horav Mordechai Pogremonski z.l., explains…

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“On the third day, Avraham raised his eyes and perceived the place from afar. And Avraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here by yourselves with the donkey.'” (22:4,5)

“He took cream and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed these before them.” (18:8)

“And they made their father (Lot) drink wine on that night and the first-born went in and lay with her father.” (19:33)

“And she (Sarah) said to Avraham, ‘Drive out the slave-woman with her son, for the son of that slave woman shall not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak …’ And Hashem said to Avraham, ‘Whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice.” (21:10,12)

“And Avraham returned to his young men.” (22:19)

“Let a little water now be taken and wash your feet.” (18:4)

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born unto Avraham making sport.” (21:9)

“For she said, ‘Let me not see the death of the child’, and she sat at a distance, lifted her voice and wept…. ‘Fear not for Hashem has listened to the cry of the young boy because he is there.” (21:16,17)

“And Hashem opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” (21:19)

“And you did not withhold your son, your only one (son).” (22:16)

YEARS

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