Vayeira
וַיֵּרָא
I (God) Appeared [to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]
Genesis 18:1–22:24

When Is Vayeira Read?
/ 18 Heshvan 5783
/ 20 Heshvan 5784
/ 15 Heshvan 5785
Summary
- Abraham welcomes three visitors, who announce that Sarah will soon have a son. (18:1-15)
- Abraham argues with God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (18:16-33)
- Lot's home is attacked by the people of Sodom. Lot and his two daughters escape as the cities are being destroyed. Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt. (19:1-29)
- Lot impregnates his daughters, and they bear children who become the founders of the nations Moab and Ammon. (19:30-38)
- Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah as his wife after Abraham claims that she is his sister. (20:1-18)
- Isaac is born, circumcised, and weaned. Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are sent away; an angel saves their lives. (21:1-21)
- God tests Abraham, instructing him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. (22:1-19)
More Vayeira Commentaries
Video: Learn About Parashat Vayeira with Bim Bam
VAYERA: Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah: How Abraham Bargained with God
Sodom was a town filled with wicked people who drank too much, got into mischief and who knows what else. God didn't like it and planned to destroy the city and everyone in it. But then, Abraham decided to try to bargain with God to save his beloved nephew, Lot. Find out what happens in this parashah video featuring "Unorthodox" podcast host Mark Oppenheimer. Enjoy this video and others from Bim Bam.
Listen to Podcasts About Parashat Vayeira
Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs discuss Parashat Vayeira in these episodes of his podcast, On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah.
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Ten Minutes of Torah: Vayeira Commentary
Angel Spotting
By: Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar
I sat by the water, moving from sun to shadow, listening to the sound of the slight breeze creating a ripple effect. In the sky, an occasional seagull, butterfly of cinnamon color, or airplane would fly by. The world was in constant motion, and yet I sensed a stillness
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