Torah Tidbits

5 February 2012 / 12 Shevat 5772
Issue 0822
Issue 882 - Parshat Vayeira 5770
November 16, 2009
Lead Tidbits
Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary

Aliyah by Aliyah - Vayeira

Kohen - First Aliya - 14 p’sukim - 18:1-14
[P> 18:1 (71)] And G-d appeared to him (Avraham)...
SDT: The use of the pronoun “him” rather than using the name Avraham is significant…

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Sedra Stats

Sedra Stats - Vayeira

4th of the 54 sedras; 4th of 12 sedras in B’reishit…

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Other Tidbits
TTriddles "Report"

TTriddles - Parashat Vayeira

[1] How many tilapia in the sedra?
[2] See what she gave birth to…

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Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading

CHALILA LACH HASHOFET KOL HAARETZ LO YAASEH MISHPAT

“...it would be sacrilege to ascribe this to You! Shall the whole world’s Judge not act justly?”...That the last phrase of this pasuk ends with a question mark - or more accurately, with a question mark and an exclamation point

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Divrei Menachem

Divrei Menachem - Parashat Vayeira

These various phases of observation teach us something about relationships between Man and Man and Man and G-d.

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"From Machon Puah"

Who is his Mother? Part 2

There are dissenting halachic opinions that posit that the birth mother is the halachic mother; they bring a number of proofs for this position.
One source is the Mishna regarding the case of a young Orla tree that is grafted to an older non Orla tree (we have previously discussed this mishna in our review of fertility preservation and ovarian grafting).

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Parsha Points to Ponder

Parsha Points to Ponder - Vayeira

1) Why does G-D say I WILL SAVE THE ENTIRE PLACE on account of fifty righteous (18:26) people while Avraham asked WILL YOU NOT SAVE THE PLACE ON ACCOUNT OF FIFTY RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE (18:24) without mentioning THE ENTIRE PLACE?...

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Chizuk and Idud

Chizuk & Idud for Vayeira

Avraham and Sarah - and Yitzchak, too, for that matter - seem to live from one crisis to another. And yet, inexplicably, they laughed! When hearing that they will have a child in their old age, both Avraham and Sarah laugh! In fact, the very name of that child -Yitzchak - means “laughter!”.....History will show that those who connect their lives to Israel will have the last laugh.

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Wisdom & Wit

Wisdom & Wit - Vayeira

“The beginning of wisdom is fear of Hashem..”

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Ethical Teachings of the Torah

I pray you, curse this people for me" (Bamidbar 22:6) {2}

A story that highlights the role in religion and spirituality played by concepts like magic, sheidim and spirits, the validity of blessings and curses through human endeavors, and the existence and powers of dark super-natural forces.

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Jewish Law

Lesson # 497

In previous lessons we have been discussing betrothal on condition and how conditions are treated in other areas. Continuing with examples from the Shulhan Aruch:
A man says to a woman “you are betrothed unto me on condition that I am literate” -  There is an opinion that if he can read three verse and knows how to translate them with the Targum Onkeles, it is sufficient and the betrothal is valid.

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Word of the Month

Word of the Month - Vayeira

We feel a certain tension as Cheshvan procedes - when will it start raining in earnest.

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In This Issue of Torah Tidbits

Candle Lighting and Havdala

Candle Lighting Sponsored By:

Sedra Stats

4th of the 54 sedras; 4th of 12 sedras in B’reishit…

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Word of the Month

Cheshvan is a “nervous” month. The world is judged for rainfall on Sukkot and we hold back asking for rain until 7 Cheshvan. We feel a certain tension as Cheshvan procedes - when will it start raining in earnest. The Mishna says that if it hasn’t rained by the 17th of Cheshvan, individuals would accept upon themselves to fast. Ironic - that is the date that the Mabul began. Plenty of rain then. Far too much and not good rain at all.So the 17th of the month triggers the feeling of rain? No rain? Good rain? Bad rain? B"H, we have gotten a significant amount of rain - even before the 17th. And on it too. May it all be LIVRACHA.
Thank you, HaShem, for the rain we’ve received so far - especially its coming before 17 Cheshvan; please keep it coming - but only GISHMEI B’RACHA, beneficial, blessed rain.