Parashat Vayera/ParashahSummary
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Parashat Vayera – Summary
Introduction
- Parashat Vayera provides an intimate portrait of Avraham's personality, especially his conscientious concern for both human individuals and humanity at large and his unswerving devotion to God.
- Avraham's Hospitality and his Petition on Behalf of Sedom – Chapter 18 tells of Avraham's hospitality to the three Divine messengers. The messengers inform Sarah that she will have a child within a year and then continue on their way to destroy the cities of the Sedom region. The chapter ends with Avraham's attempt to negotiate with God to save Sedom.
- Destruction of Sedom and the Flight of Lot – Chapter 19 opens with a description of Lot's hosting of the two messengers who have come to Sedom. The messengers urge Lot to flee the city immediately with his family before Sedom is destroyed. Lot and his unmarried daughters find shelter in a cave where his daughters get their father drunk and have relations with him, resulting in the births of Moav and Amon.
- Avimelech Takes Sarah – In Chapter 20, due to famine in the Land of Canaan, Avraham migrates to the Philistine region of Gerar. In an encounter reminiscent of the earlier incident with Paroh, Sarah is taken to Avimelech's harem. God, once again, protects Sarah, threatening Avimelech that he will die if he does not immediately return Sarah.
- Birth of Yitzchak and Banishment of Yishmael – Chapter 21 begins with Yitzchak's birth and the subsequent banishment of Hagar and Yishmael, whom Sarah considers a bad influence on Yitzchak. As Hagar wanders in the desert with a dying Yishmael, an angel appears to her and promises that Yishmael will live and father a great nation. This chapter ends with a treaty between Avraham and Avimelech.
- Binding of Yitzchak – In Chapter 22, God tests Avraham, commanding him to sacrifice Yitzchak. Avraham dutifully complies with God's command, but as he is about to slaughter Yitzchak, an angel calls to him and instructs him to stop, explaining that God's commandment was only a test of Avraham's commitment. The chapter concludes with a reiteration of God's blessing to Avraham and the birth of Rivka.
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