Beit Ariel Erev Shabbat Service - Parashat Vayera

Parashat Vayera Genesis 18:1 - 22:24; 2 Kings 4:1-37; Luke 17:28-37 Parashat Vayera focuses on a phenomenal moment in Jewish tradition: Abraham's attempt to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. While G-d plans to indiscriminately wipe out the cities, Abraham cries out to G-d that no matter how few righteous dwell in these cities, they are worth saving, but only if the make teshuva (repent), as happened with Nineveh. The other vital incident is called Akeidat Yitzchak – the binding of Isaac. There we find perhaps the most poignant and moving conversation between father and son: “So Abraham did as he was told, journeying with his wood for the offering and with his son and his servants to the place that God had told him. On the third day, Abraham and Isaac left the servants and took the wood for the offering, some fire and a knife. So they went, both of them, together. Isaac spoke to his father, Abraham, “My father!” Abraham said, “Here I am, my son.” “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the offering?” asked Isaac. ”God Himself will provide aa lamb”, replied Abraham..