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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment