Return to D'var Torah Menu

VaYera (“And he appeared”)

07 NOV 2009

Genesis 18:1-22:24

Kings 4:1-37

Peter 2:4-11

Abraham’s life: although we have scant information before the command to go forth into the Promised Land, we do have a significant number of episodes which took place between the times he was 75 and 137.

I. Lech Lecha (Chapters 12-13)

A. Abraham leaving father and family

B. In Egypt (12: 10-20)-temporary separation from Sarah

C. Parting of ways from Lot (13:1-3)

D. Divine promises of the Land (13:14-18)

E. Settles in Kiryat Araba (Hebron)

II. War of the Kings (Chapter 14)-capturing Lot

III. Between the Pieces (Chapter 15)

IV. Hagar Episode (Chapter 16)-temporary exile of Hagar

V. Britt Mila (Chapter 17)-promise of Isaac and rejection of Ishmael

VI. Abraham and Sodom (Chapters 18-19)

A. Visitors to Abraham’s tent (Chapter 18:1-15)

B. Abraham pleas for Sodom (18:16-33)

C. Destruction of Sodom (19:1-29)

D. Lot and his daughters (19:30-38)

VII. Abraham in Gerar (Chapter 20)-temporary separation from Sarah

VIII. Parasha Yitzhak (Chapters 21-22)

A. Birth of Isaac (21:1-21)-permanent exile of Hagar and Ishmael

B. Pact with Philistines (21:22-34)

C. Akeidah (Binding of Isaac 22:1-19)-near death of Isaac

D. Announcement of Birth of Rivkah (22:20-24)

“Standing in the gap”

In this Parasha, HaShem promises Abraham and Sarah that the following year they will have the son that was promised to them many years before.  Also, HaShem states that He is now going to judge Sodom & Gomorrah!

We are told in the scriptures to rightly divide the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15). Part of being able to divide the word of G-d is that we first must have a proper reverence for Him.  We will all appear before Messiah Yeshua one day, and stand and be judged, everyone from Adam to the last man standing.

Our works will be judged (2Corinthians 5:10), the nations will be judged (Matthew 25:31-32), then finally the wicked, (Revelation 20:11-15).

Abraham, here in this Torah portion, shows how a man or woman of faith should show concern for those caught in the world of corruption.  Unlike Jonah who ran away when asked by G-d to call for repentance on the citizens of Nineveh, Abraham goes with the Angel of the Lord and pleads for the individuals in the wicked cities of Sodom & Gomorrah.  He started with fifty people and ended with ten.

Our G-d wishes that no individual perish but all should come to repentance, (2Peter 3:9).  Just as Abraham stood in the gap, so today G-d seeks for individuals to stand in the gap before Him.  We are to follow Abraham’s example and make a wall on behalf of the land, the nations and the peoples so that He should not destroy them!

Shall G-d find no one as stated in Ezekiel 22:30?  “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”  We should all emulate our father Abraham and plead for the cities (land) that are before us.  One person, committed, is all G-d needs to change the world.

Shalom U’Bracha

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

Return to D'var Torah Menu