Parashah Roundup: Vayera 5770

by Steve Brizel

An Overview of the Parsha

R Yitzhak Etshalom surveys the life of Avraham Avinu: link (PDF)

R Ezra Bick explains why Parshas Vayera, in the wake of Mitzvas Milah, represents a new stage in the life of Avraham Avinu and explores a dispute between Rambam and Ramban as to whether Avraham Avinu was actually visited by three angels: link 1, link 2

Click here to read moreThe Way of God

R Aharon Lichtenstein suggests that following the way of God requires a person to integrate the lofty message of Hilcos Teshuvah 10:3 and the orderly and structured path of Hilcos Deos 1:4: link

Bikur Cholim

R Hershel Schachter and R Daniel Z. Feldman discuss the halachos of Bikur Cholim: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Avraham and Chesed

R Yissocher Frand , based upon the teachings of R Meir Bergman in Shaarei Orah, explains why the ability to be a Baal Chesed requires one to foresee the needs of people: link

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, discusses how Avraham's acts of Chesed served as the basis for Tikun Olam: link

R Ephraim Buchwald explains that Avraham Avinu's actions as the host of the three Divine Messengers who visited him as he recuperated from his Bris Milah serve as a model for all of us who fulfill the Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim: link

R Asher Brander discusses why Chesed provides the greatest benefit to the the person who performs acts of Chesed: link

The Talmidim of Avraham Avinu

R Mordechai Willig urges us to remain loyal to the Midos of Avraham Avinu: link

The Eshel Model of Kiruv

R Hershel Schachter discusses various halachic issues related to Kiruv Rchokim: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio) and reminds us that one should not think that Kiruv means that one can rely on questionnable leniencies merely because of the importance of Kiruv: link

R Avishai David discusses guidelines for Kiruv Rchokim: link (audio)

R Ephraim Buchwald surveys the impact of the Baal Teshuvah movement: link (audio)

Lot and Avraham

R Berel Wein reminds us that Lot's spiritual heirs are searching for the legacy of Avraham Avinu: link

R Avraham Gordimer explores the contrast between Avraham Avinu and Lot: link

R Shlomoh Riskin suggests that Lot was the first inverted Marrano: link

Avraham's Prayers to Save Sdom

R Avigdor Nevenzal discusses why Avraham Avinu lowered the number of Tzadikim from 50 to 10 and the effects of sincere Tefilah: link

R Dovid Gottlieb explores the nature of the transgressions of Sdom, especially the lack of Tzedakah: link (audio)

R Baruch Simon analyzes why HaShem decided to destroy Sdom: link (audio)

Tzedaka and Mishpat

R Zvi Sobolofsky points to the two main contributions of Avraham Avinu: link

The Birth of Yitzchak

R Dr. Jonathan Sacks emphasizes that the long struggle of Avraham and Sarah to conceive and bear children serves as a reminder never to take children for granted and that bringing children into this world is the closest that we get to God-by bringing life into being via an act of love: link

Akedas Yitzchak

R Baruch Simon emphasizes that we learn from the prelude to the Akedah how to properly prepare for the performance of a mitzvah: link (audio)

R David Horwitz , based on Ibn Kaspi, suggests that the message of the Akedah is that God wants man to serve Him in his life, not by sacrificing human beings: link

R D Avraham Twerski explains why the Akedah is viewed as demonstrating Avraham Avinu's absolute faith in HaShem: link

Zrizin Makdimin Lmitzvos

R Asher Weiss investigates the Halachah of Zrizin Makdimin Lmitzvos: link (audio)