B"H

Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 16, 5779 / October 25, 2018

This week’s Parsha, Vayeira, begins with G-d visiting Abraham after his circumcision, at the age of 99. The purpose for the visit was to perform the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim – visiting the sick. This story is recorded in the Torah to teach us the importance of this mitzvah.

Then we read in the Parsha about the three angels, disguised as ordinary travelers, who came to Abraham. Although Abraham was still recuperating from his circumcision, yet, when he saw them he ran toward them to invite them into his tent, so he can perform the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim – providing food and lodging to guests. Abraham specialized in the mitzvah of showing kindness to people.

The Torah tells us this story to impress upon us how important is the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim – being kind and helping people in need.

Later in the Parsha we read about the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Torah describes the people of Sodom and Gomorrah as, “The people of Sodom were extremely bad and sinful toward G-d.”

The sin of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah was that they were very stingy and wouldn’t let a stranger and wayfarer into their home. If anyone did give food or lodging to a stranger, they would be punished severely.

The Midrash tells of an episode in which a young girl gave food to a stranger who happened to pass through Sodom. When the people found out, they punished the girl by smearing honey all over her body and left her near a bee hive. She was so badly stung that she died.

It was then that G-d decided that He would destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. But G-d wanted to tell Abraham first what He was going to do to them.

When G-d told Abraham His plan, Abraham prayed for the people of these cities. He pleads with G-d that they should be spared in the merit of the righteous people found in these cities. G-d agreed, if He would find at least ten righteous people. But when Abraham realized that there weren’t even ten righteous people in those cities, he rested his case.

One of the lessons of this story is the importance of a “Minyan” – a congregation of ten. The merit of the Minyan has a great positive effect. This is why we make an effort to pray with a Minayn.

Toward the end of the Parsha is Yitzchak’s birth to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90 when Yitzchak was born. We also read about G-d testing Abraham  by commanding him to bring Yitzchak as a sacrifice.  At the last minute the angel tells Abraham that it was only a test.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY