Va-Yerah / Genesis 18:1 ~ 22:24

Va-Yerah: He Saw

Abraham, still recovering from his circumcision, was sitting outside his tent, when he sees three strangers approaching. He offered them hospitality. As Sarah prepared a meal for of bread, milk and meat (this is before the laws of kashrut have been handed down), the strangers asked Abraham about her. They informed Abraham that within the year, Sarah will have a son. Sarah heard this and laughed, thinking that at her age, she is well beyond childbearing.

Suddenly, the story turns back to Lot and his family living in Sodom and Gomorrah. The strangers left Abraham and headed towards Sodom, where wickedness thrives. G~d told Abraham that He intended to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham argued with G~d, pleading against such blanket punishment, noting that such treatment would cause the deaths of innocents as well as the wicked. G~d agreed and promised that if there were 10 righteous people in the cities, he would spare the city from total destruction. Abraham's argument with G~d exemplifies a Jewish trait.

Meanwhile, two strangers entered Sodom and visited Lot. The townspeople cried out for the strangers. The text hints that the towns people want to rape Lot's guests. Lot, instead, offered the townspeople his virgin daughters instead of offering up his guests for the abuse. An angel intervened and protected the daughters. Lot and his family were allowed to leave the city, but were told not to look back as the city was destroyed. Lot's wife disobeyed and was turned into a pillar of salt. Believing that the entire world has been destroyed and they are the only survivors, Lot's daughters got their father drunk, then slept with him in order to procreate and re-populate the world. One daughter bore a son whom she named Moab, the ancestor of the Moabites. Ruth, who is an ancestor of King David, was a Moabite. The other daughter bore a son whom she namee Ben Ammi, who is the ancestor of the Ammonites.

Abraham and Sarah set out on a journey, settling in Gerar, where, once again, Abraham passed Sarah off as his sister. King Abimelech took Sarah, thinking she is available. G~d intercedes, and informed the king in a dream that Sarah was married to Abraham. The king gives Abraham gifts and they part.

Sarah finally bore a son, whom she names Isaac., meaning :Laughter." Hagar and Ishmael were sent away.

G~d tested Abraham, telling him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham and Isaac parted from Sarah and traveled for three days, finally arriving at Mount Moriah. There, at the top of the mountain, Abraham built an altar, bound Isaac to the altar, and drew his knife to Isaac's throat. At this moment, an angel called out Abraham's name. Abraham looked up and saw a ram in the bushes. Abraham exchanged the ram for Isaac and made his sacrifice. G~d then promised to make Abraham a great nation for sparing his son.

Interestingly, the Rabbis note at after this trauma, Torah does not record any further communication between Sarah and Abraham, and Sarah does shortly thereafter.