Under the Sun - Vayera

19 Cheshvan, 5784

November 3, 2023

Parshat Vayera

There is a lot of movement and description of that exertion in the beginning of Parshat Vayera.

Of course, it all starts with a sweltering day, when Avraham is sitting outside his tent. He was sitting there and looking. Then we find that Avraham suddenly catches a glimpse of three men and runs to them. After they accept his invitation to come join him, Avraham rushes over to Sarah in the tent and tells her to quickly prepare bread. Then again, Avraham runs to the flock and gives a calf to his na’ar, who quickly prepares the animal for their guests.

It is only once the guests are sitting down and eating that Avraham slows down and עומד עליהם – stands by to wait on them. It seems like at this point it is more of a passive involvement – maybe even a chance to catch his breath. However, the Ralbag says that he was standing there to see if anything was missing so that he could quickly get them.

When I teach this story every year to my students, it is interesting for me to see what they read into the story. I will ask them to act it out or imagine how Avraham felt or to fill in some other details. Without fail, they will explain that Avraham was happy and excited as he welcomed the guests. Perhaps it is just from the quickness that Avraham acted that paints that energy, because when you really want something, you act upon it right away.

Upcoming Events:

November 3-4 - KYMS Shabbaton

November 5 - Sunday Morning Tefillah in the Kohelet Yeshiva Beit Midrash at 9:00 AM

November 7 - Election Day - No School for K-12, Staff Inservice

November 10-12 - KYHS Shabbaton

November 10 - 4/5 Fridayton

November 11 - 4/5 Fridayton Motzei Shabbat Activity

November 13 - KYHS Parent Teacher Conferences, No Class for HS Students

November 15 - KYLS/MS Parent-Teacher Conferences (Zoom), No School for K-8

November 19 - KYHS Open House

November 22 - 12:30 PM Dismissal, No Aftercare, No Clubs

November 23-24 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

November 29 - Community-wide program featuring David M. Schizer

See what else is coming up at Kohelet Yeshiva here.

Visit Our Website

Click Here to View Our 2023-2024 Calendar

Support Kohelet Here

Rav Samson Refael Hirsch quotes the Gemara Shabbat on 30b: שֶׁאֵין שְׁכִינָה שׁוֹרָה לֹא מִתּוֹךְ עַצְבוּת וְלֹא מִתּוֹךְ עַצְלוּת וְלֹא מִתּוֹךְ שְׂחוֹק וְלֹא מִתּוֹךְ קַלּוּת רֹאשׁ וְלֹא מִתּוֹךְ שִׂיחָה וְלֹא מִתּוֹךְ דְּבָרִים בְּטֵלִים, אֶלָּא מִתּוֹךְ דְּבַר שִׂמְחָה שֶׁל מִצְוָה in connection to Avraham’s hospitality and how Chazal read into Avraham’s attitude toward the mitzvah in showing his energy and joy in the performance of mitzvot. He showed his joy and excitement towards Hachnasat Orchim to the fullest possible way.

Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev points to the wording that Avraham is עומד עליהם as a reference to Avraham’s sensitivity towards his guests. He was quick to get everything ready, but when they were sitting down to benefit from his hospitality, he had to take a step back and make sure that he was being completely kind and conscious of their needs and feelings. Even at the beginning, when welcoming the guests, he was placing the sincere sense of honor upon the guests – “it would be my honor to have you join me as guests.”

This year as we reread Parshat Vayera, hopefully we can see the energy and excitement coupled with the sensitivity to those around us as we truly strive to perform mitzvot to the fullest of our capabilities.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weiss (Rav Yaakov)

Kohelet Swag Sale

Click Here to Order Kohelet Swag

Open House

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE KYHS OPEN HOUSE

Kohelet Activities and Initiatives in Support of Israel

Coming Up

Please note that the Ilan Rasooly Pizza Day is for grades K-5.

News from Kohelet Yeshiva

Some of our high school students engaged in a fun and innovative Hands-On Halacha Eruv Building Project.

Our middle school students had a blast baking challah for their KYMS Shabbaton, which takes place this Shabbat.

Updates from the Kohelet Beit Midrash

Parnas HaYom

Sponsor a day or a week of learning at Kohelet Yeshiva. Contact Nachi Troodler at ntroodler@koheletyeshiva.org for details or click here to sign up.

Thank you to this past week's Parnas HaYom sponsors!

November 3rd

Frani Pollack and Joel Hecker

In honor of the upcoming marriage of their son, Shai, to Rachel Canter of Great Neck, NY.

-----

October 31st

Rachel and Eric Klein & Family

Irit and David Goldman & Family

In honor of the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Susan Moses (Zemira Leah bat Tzvi Halevi), beloved mother of Rebecca (Shalom) Goldberg and grandmother of Noam (KY '29), Maya (KY '31), and Leah (KY '34) Goldberg.

Kohelet Yeshiva | www.koheletyeshiva.org | 223 North Highland Ave, Merion Station, PA 19066