For full text in English and Hebrew, click here: Genesis 18:1-22:24
In this Torah portion, three guests arrive at Abraham and Sarah’s tent. They inform Abraham that God will give the elderly Sarah a child. The prophesy comes true, and they name their son Isaac. God informs Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed, though Abraham attempts to convince God otherwise. God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obliges but is told that it was a test of faith and offers a ram to sacrifice instead.
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Click here for a summary of Vayera. |
 Ram from the Akedah |
Text Studies |
Social Action and Environmentalism |
| Choosing Man Rabbi Menachem Evan-Israel, Hillel
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Challenging the Heavens Alana Alpert, AJWS
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| Seeing The Ram Rabbi Neal J. Loevinger, KOLEL
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Blessings for All Evan Wolkenstein, AJWS
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| And God Took Note? Rabbi William Dreskin, Union for Reform Judaism
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Alone in the Wilderness Rachel Farbiarz, AJWS
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| Service And Community–In The Desert Rabbi Jonathan Spira-Savett, socialaction.com
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| The Sin of Sodom Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Canfei Nesharim
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From the Denominations |
Pluralism and Outreach
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| Honesty As A Form Of Idolatry Rabbi Bradley Artson, American Jewish University
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A Lesson in Hospitality Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, Big Tent Judaism
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| The Needs of Home and Community Rabbi Joshua Heller, Jewish Theological Seminary
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Autonomy Vs. Heteronomy Irwin Kula, CLAL
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| Laughing At Logic Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Orthodox Union
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Violence Against Women Judith Plaskow, Women of Reform Judaism
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Family and Fun
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| Parshat Vayera Quiz Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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| Parshat Vayera Challah Julie Seltzer
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| Parshat Vayera for Families Torah Topics for Today
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| Being Absolutely Honest Torah Topics for Today
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| Avoiding Hurting Words Torah Topics for Today
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Haftarah
Pronounced: hahf-TOErah or hahf-TOE-ruh, Origin: Hebrew, a selection from one of the biblical books of the Prophets that is read in synagogue immediately following the Torah reading.
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Torah
Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses.
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