Our portion continues the story of Abraham as he establishes the foundation for the Jewish nation. Having circumcised himself at God’s command, he now encounters three visitors as he recuperates. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed in this portion, and Abraham and Sarah find themselves sojourning in Gerar. The birth of Isaac is recorded in this portion, and Ishmael is forced to leave. Abraham signs a peace treaty, and finally, the portion ends with the binding of Isaac.
The Portion of Vayeira
וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה בְּאֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב פֶּתַח־הָאֹהֶל כְּחֹם הַיּוֹם׃ Hashem appeared to him by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot. va-yay-RA ay-LAV a-do-NAI b'-ay-lo-NAY mam-RAY v'-HU yo-SHAYV pe-takh ha-O-hel k'-KHOM ha-YOM וּפִילַגְשׁוֹ וּשְׁמָהּ רְאוּמָה וַתֵּלֶד גַּם־הִוא אֶת־טֶבַח וְאֶת־גַּחַם וְאֶת־תַּחַשׁ וְאֶת־מַעֲכָה׃ And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore children: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.