This weeks Parshah is Parshas Vayeira. In the Parshah we continue to chronicle the life of Avroham. In fact, it a direct continuation of last weeks Parshah, seemingly telling two sides of the same story! Yet, the Torah chooses to separate them. Why would these two parshahs not be joined together?
The Torah is not a history book. It is the divine word of G-d and there is a reason for each anomaly. This is not just a second chapter in our forefather’s life but a unique self-contained entity with its own message.
But how do we find this elusive message? For the answer, we need to look no further then the name.
Last weeks Parshah was Lech Lecha: Go for yourself, describing Avroham’s trials, tribulations and travels leading up to his covenant with The Holy One Blessed Be He through circumcision.
Circumcision is more then a Mitzvah, it our most basic method of connection with G-d and includes in it the basic message of our religion. Spirituality is not confined to the heavenly realm but is tangible and even affects mans flesh and blood.
The Rebbe spoke many times against the ideal of shunning the world. Rather we must use every item at our disposal for the purpose of making this world a dwelling place for G-d.
That is why this Parshah’s name is Vayeira – and He appeared to him. This Parshah begins a new era in Avroham’s life, a time where his physical body became a vessel for spirituality through this covenant of circumcision. It was not merely another chapter but another life.
The lesson my friends is clear. As descendents of Avroham, Hashem’s presence is evident in our lives and everything we do. That is why Jewish children are drawn to kissing a mezuzah or the Torah. G-d appears to us the same way he did to our forefather the only difference is we can’t see him.
But as G-ds children, we can not be satisfied with this invisible connection. We must work to make our bodies proper receptacles for His glory and work to strengthen this age old connection. May we soon see the day where we too can see G-d as Avroham did like it says with the coming of Moshiach.