Torah Portion: Please read Genesis 18:1 – 22:24, known as Vayeira, in Hebrew. One modern commentator has subtitled this portion Between Laughter and Tears. This section tells several family stories, including 1) Abraham and Sarah becoming parents in their old age; 2) Lot offering his daughters to an angry mob in order to protect his two male guests; 3) Sarah and Abraham’s expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael into the desert; 4) Lot’s wife being turned into a pillar of salt; and 5) Abraham’s attempted sacrifice of his son Isaac.
We will talk about feelings, failings, resolutions, and consequences in each of these cases, and discuss how these stories relate to our lives today. Everyone is welcome to attend and share personal observations.
Rabbi Devon Lerner will lead the discussion.