PARSHA SUMMARY At the beginning of Parshat Vayera, we are told that Abraham, convalescing just three days after his circumcision, is in great pain. He is paid a “visit” by G-d. Shortly thereafter, three people pass by his tent and Abraham invites them in for a meal. Abraham initially says that he will give them bread and water and set them on their way, yet he ends up preparing an elaborate meal with fresh baked bread and choice meats. He waits on them and caters to all their needs. The three "men" are, in fact, angels disguised as people, each of whom is on a distinct mission. One angel has been sent to heal Abraham, another to inform Sarah that she will have a baby boy in a year, and the third angel is prepared to destroy the corrupt city of Sodom and its four sister cities. G-d informs Abraham of the impending destruction of the cities. Abraham pleads with G-d to spare them, arguing that it is unfair to harm the righteous people living there. "Why should the righteous be punished along with the guilty?" he asks. In fact, there are no righteous people in the cities, and all are wiped out. The only survivors are Lot and his two daughters, who are whisked out of Sodom by the angels just before the destruction occurs. As foretold, Sarah gives birth to a baby boy exactly one year later. He is named Isaac. As the boy grows up, Hagar’s son Ishmael becomes a spiritual threat to him. Sarah points this out to Abraham and asks that Ishmael be sent away. Abraham, initially reluctant to do so, is told by G-d that his wife’s perception is correct, for the holy Jewish People will descend from Isaac. Ishmael is also blessed to grow into a great nation. (The Moslem world claims to be descended from Ishmael.) The parsha concludes with the remarkable story of the akeida , where G-d tests Abraham by implying that Isaac should be brought to Him as a karban (offering). Abraham is willing to do so (although he is not required to follow through with the sacrifice), and G-d tells him that he has passed the divine test, saying: “Now I have seen that you are indeed one who fears G-d." G-d promises Abraham that his children multiply like the stars in the sky and the sand on the shore of the ocean and they will ultimately emerge victorious over their enemies. The Miraculous Birth A young student studying in the famed Ponivezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, Israel, shared good news with his rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Elazar Shach, of blessed memory (whose Yartzeit occurs this Friday). His wife had just given birth to their first child, a healthy baby girl. Rabbi Shach thanked him for sharing the good news with him and then inquired how everybody was doing. “Fine,” the student replied, and he informed Rabbi Shach of their plans to make a kiddush’l (a small Kiddush, a traditional celebration in honor of the baby) on the upcoming Shabbos. Rabbi Shach’s demeanor changed when he heard that. “A kiddush’l?” he asked. “Imagine the celebration you’d be making if you’d had to wait ten years for this child! So just because you had a child right away, should that change anything?” We’re so accustomed to little miracles taking place all the time that it’s almost as though we expect them. It’s only when things don’t go quite so smoothly that we begin to truly appreciate the marvel of the small wonders that we witness every day. This week’s portion tells of Abraham and Sarah having a child when he was 100 and she 90 – a truly miraculous feat to have a child at such an advanced age. Abraham had been promised that his descendents would inherit the Land of Israel, he still didn’t have his own prerequisite child! So it was truly a significant moment for both Abraham and the future of the Jewish Nation when Isaac was born. Perhaps this parsha can remind us to focus on the “everyday miracle” of birth that we tend to take for granted, especially when everything does go smoothly. So many different factors must work to perfection and in tandem to produce a healthy newborn. Each baby born is indeed a medical marvel. Yet, since the process goes smoothly most of the time, it almost becomes routine, more or less expected. It’s only when, G-d forbid, something goes wrong that we reflect and appreciate all of those “routine” births. The birth of Isaac was truly miraculous. Perhaps we should pause to reflect on the miracles that G-d performs in our days, each time a happy healthy baby enters the world. When we wish a “mazel tov” to the delighted parents, may it be conveyed with a heartfelt appreciation of just how wondrous it is to have a healthy birth. Dedication Opportunities $54 - weekly dedication¨$150 - 4 consecutive weekly¨$72 Phone: 888-374-2870 ext. 11  ¨ E-mail: mail@torahlinks.org Torah Links is a Jewish learning organization, which offers educational and social programs to Jews of all affiliations in a warm and inviting environment. Please contact us for the site nearest you! Phone (732) 367-0600, (888) 374-2870 ¨ E-mail: mail@torahlinks.org