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Vayeira (2025)

 Shabbat Vayeira

Dvar Torah
The portion of Vayeira opens with the famous scene of the ninety-nine-year-old Abraham standing at the crossroads on a sweltering summer day. Though still recovering from his circumcision just three days earlier, he eagerly awaits passing travelers so that he might invite them into his home. Soon, three angels appear on the horizon, disguised as men, and Abraham and Sarah rush to host them with enthusiasm, grace, and kindness. As they sit down to eat, the angels deliver the astonishing news that Sarah, in her old age, will bear a son — Isaac.

The Ramban notes that although Abraham had many servants at his disposal, he nonetheless chose to personally attend to the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim rather than delegate it to others. More than that, he performed it with zeal and wholehearted devotion.

We may extend the Ramban’s insight to a broader principle: when it comes to chesed — acts of kindness — personal involvement is paramount. Organization, delegation, and even financial support are praiseworthy, but they do not reach the highest level. No one is too important or too busy to take part directly. On the contrary, when people of stature personally engage in chesed, it adds dignity to the recipient and leaves a deeper, more lasting impact on the giver.

Biography
Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (1194–1270) — known as the Ramban or Nachmanides — was a towering rabbi, philosopher, and physician. Born in Girona, he is best known for his brilliant Torah commentary, which weaves together peshat (plain meaning), derash (interpretation), and mystical insight. Ramban also authored commentaries on the Talmud and other major Judaic works. After defending Judaism in the famous 1263 Barcelona debate and facing exile, he made aliyah to Eretz Yisrael, where he revitalized Jerusalem’s Jewish community before his passing.

Shabbat in/out times
Jerusalem 16:05/17:22
Tel-Aviv 16:24/17:23
Warsaw 15:38/16:48
London 16:05/17:14
NYC 16:27/17:26
Chicago 16:17/17:20
Buenos Aires 19:11/20:11
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Shabbat Shalom!

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