This week Vayera opens with Avraham sitting in his tent. In the opening words of this parashah, God appeared to Avraham, but then in the next verse we read that Avraham lifted his eyes and perceived three men were standing over him. And then he ran towards them.
I find this sequence confusing – who actually appeared to Abraham? God? Three men? Three Angels? And if they were standing over him, to whom did Avraham run towards?More
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose… as we might say in Canada. In Egypt, Pharaoh struggles to maintain and hold his power, even as his sorcerers are no match for Moses, aided by the Divine One. And just as the ancient Israelites may have lost sight of the covenant promised to their ancestors, they will rediscover and renew that covenant once they leave Egypt and stand at Sinai.
Dear friends,
This week, Vayera, we continue to follow Avraham and Sarah as they welcome Yitzhak (“he will laugh”) into their family – their long awaited son. So much happens in this reading, but near the end we read of probably the most inexplicable command in Torah – God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son on Mount Moriah (in now-Jerusalem). How could this be that the same God who gave delight and hope to Sarah and Avraham, would now demand that their precious son become an offering, draped over an altar of branches.
Vayera
October 30, 2023 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk Tags: vayera •
Hello everyone, long-standing members, new members, those considering joining us – we are always glad to have you stand with us and join us. Last Shabbat service was a packed house; one little girl made our morning when she called out a “Thank you” to us all, as she waved her flag of Israel.
Imagine back to those early days of Avraham and Sarah as they settled down in the land of Israel, trying to see into their future, and make very hard decisions about their family.
They had no crystal balls, just a promise from God, a promise that was and is eternal. On Shabbat, I spoke about how my father taught me a very important lesson when I was 12, even as it was excruciatingly mortifying at the time. I could not see then what I know today.
My father would not let me enter the Miss Luxton Fair contest. He said entering was based on girls popularity and looks, not on their academic merit or service to community. So he refused to let my name stand. He said to me, “You must stand up for your beliefs, even if it means you stand alone.” His words sounded harsh at the time, but there have been many times over the years I have been grateful to my beloved father for teaching me this principle. It is one I hold with today. On Shabbat 40+ people came to services. I was not alone. We are not alone.
With love,
Rabbi Lynn Greenhough