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UNCALIBRATED COMPASSES

In this week’s Parsha HaShem brings total devastation to Sedom and its surrounding metropolis. The entire region becomes home to the Dead Sea. What was once a lush land is now totally dead. Even its water source turned into the Dead Sea. The prophet Yechezkel tells us that the sin for which Sedom was destroyed was that “Sedom was satisfied and comfortable and they did not support the hand of the needy.” While this attitude of not helping the needy is certainly not a nice attitude, how are we to understand it as the cause of such devastation?

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NEVER ALONE

In this week’s Parsha, Vayeira, we find our father Avraham praying to HaShem to reconsider His decision to destroy Sodom. Let us contemplate this request and discover how incredulous it was that Avraham should want Sodom to continue their existence.

The Mishna in Avos teaches us that Sodom’s State policy was “what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is yours” The implication of this policy was that each man is on his own. Let no man turn to his neighbor for help and certainly do not offer help to your neighbor.

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DIVINE INTUITION

Excerpted from Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky’s talk

The importance of these parshios is that they introduce us to the Fathers and Mothers of our nation. They are the foundation of our people and as such, as we gain insight into their strengths and their personalities we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.

As I read our Parsha, Vayeira, I am struck with a quandary. When HaShem informs Avraham of the impending destruction of Sodom, he pleads with HaShem to spare them. Later, when Ha-Shem instructs Avraham to bring his son Yitzchok as an offering he complies with not a word on behalf of his only beloved son! How do we make sense of this?

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WALKING HUMBLY

This week’s Parsha, Vayeira, continues with last week’s mission of drawing a picture of our father Avraham. Before launching into appreciating Avraham Avinu, I would like to dedicate this week’s Parsha thought to the memory of Reb Pinchos Marder whose memory is a blessing. Reb Pinchos was a person who resembled our father Avraham in the core of his personality.

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THE PAINTER’S SOUL IN HIS BRUSH

In this week’s Parsha, Vayeira, we find the degree of love that Avraham had for HaKadosh baruch Hu. When instructed by HaShem to bring his son as an offering, Avraham woke up early and saddled his donkey by himself. This is equivalent to the President of the United States going out to fill his limousine with gas. Avraham was a world class statesman who won the respect of all dignitaries in the world. He was the greatest warrior on Planet Earth. He was among the richest people living in his time. Why did he do it himself? Our Sages teach us that his love for HaKadosh baruch Hu was so great that he wanted to be involved in every step of the journey. It is no wonder that Avraham is called by HaShem Avraham, My beloved.

How does one come to love HaKadosh baruch Hu? Rambam gives us simple directions as follows.