Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Daily Aliya for Vayeira, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: G‑d rained fire and sulfur on Sodom, and then overturned the entire region. Lot's wife looked back, and was transformed into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters took shelter in a cave. Assuming that the entire world was destroyed, Lot's daughter's intoxicated their father with wine, and seduced him – in order to repopulate the world. They each gave birth to a son – the antecedents of the Ammonite and Moabite nations. Avraham relocated to the Philistine city of Gerar. Avimelech, the king of the Philistines, took Sarah – who was presented as Avraham's sister – to his palace. G‑d afflicted the members of Avimelech's palace with a disease, and appeared to Avimelech in a dream warning him to return Sarah to her husband, Avraham. Avimelech obeyed, and also showered Avraham and Sarah with gifts, and he and his household were healed. Sarah conceived, and at the age of ninety gave birth to a son, who was named Isaac. Avraham circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old.

Avraham's having prayed on behalf of Avimelech for children is juxtaposed to Sarah conceiving. Our Sages teach us that selflessly praying for others can sometimes result in the same prayers being answered for yourself.

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