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ב"ה

Vayeira 5766 - November 18, 2005

What Kind of G‑d Would Ask You to Sacrifice Your Son?

Skeptic: Now if that's not the epitome of everything wrong with religion... Believer: Aren't you leaving out a very important part of the story?
Parshah
Vayera in a Nutshell
Abraham is visited by three angels and is promised a son. The city of Sodom is destroyed, and Lot’s wife turns into a pillar of salt. Sarah gives birth to Isaac at the age of 90, Hagar and Ishmael are banished, and G‑d orders Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Life in Fragments

We don't see the connection between events in our lives. We view others as separate from ourselves. The past is a "memory" and there is no concept or vision of a future. Just like my 2-year-old daughter...
Looking for G-d in Central Park

Why is Gefilte Fish tied to a tree in Central Park? Find out in this exclusive news report for Parshat Vayeira!
Parenting
Everyone Can Win-Win

Chanie is playing ball in the living room; Mom is concerned that something might get broken. Who "owns" the problem? Chanie? Her mother? Or is it the relationship between parent and child that owns the problem?
Clay Vessels and You

My movements are sluggish. A thousand times I have done this. Thousands more I will . . . I yearn for “inspiration” . . .
Story
The German Newspapers

"Listen, my friend," I said, "your game is up. Either you explain the Eitz Chayim to me, or else the entire Lubavitch will hear about the interesting tricks you pull with your German newspapers..."
This is to teach us that taking in guests is greater than receiving the Divine Presence
— Talmud, Shevuot 35b, commenting on the fact that Abraham interrupted a visit from G-d to invite three passing wayfarers into his tent (Genesis 18:4)