Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

We open this parsha with Avraham Avinu sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day, recovering from his bris milah. Hashem comes to visit him in his weakness, showing us the great yesod of bikur cholim. Even in his pain, Avraham is looking out for guests, and as soon as he sees three travelers, he runs to welcome them with unbelievable warmth and hachnasas orchim.

We see the incredible zrizus of Avraham and Sarah as they quickly prepare a lavish meal for these guests, who are actually malachim in disguise. The aliyah wraps up with the malach giving the bsorah that Sarah will have a son, leading to Sarah's wonderment and Hashem's response that nothing is too wondrous for Him.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיֵּרָאAnd appearedאֵלָיוto himיְהוָהHashemבְּאֵלֹנֵיby the plains ofמַמְרֵאMamreוְהוּאand heיֹשֵׁבwas sittingפֶּתַחat the entrance ofהָאֹהֶלthe tentכְּחֹםin the heat ofהַיּוֹם׃the day

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd He appearedאליו.to himלְבַקֵּרto visitאֶת—הַחוֹלֶה.the sick personאָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiחָמָאChamaבַּרson ofחֲנִינָא,Chaninaיוֹםdayשְׁלִישִׁיthe thirdלְמִילָתוֹto his circumcisionהָיָה,it wasוּבָאand cameהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heוְשָׁאַלand askedבִּשְׁלוֹמוֹof his welfareבבאBavaמציעאMetziaפ"ו86b:

רַשִׁ״י

באלוניBy the plains ofממרא.Mamreהוּאheשֶׁנָּתַןwho gaveלוֹto himעֵצָהcounselעַלregardingהַמִּילָה,the circumcisionלְפִיכָךְthereforeנִגְלָהHe revealed Himselfעָלָיוto himבְּחֶלְקוֹin his portionבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

יושב.sittingישבhe satכְּתִיב,it is writtenבִּקֵּשׁhe wishedלַעֲמֹד,to standאָמַרsaidלוֹto himהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heשֵׁבsitוַאֲנִיand Iאֶעֱמֹד,will standוְאַתָּהand youסִימָןa signלְבָנֶיךָto your childrenשֶׁעָתִידthat in the futureאֲנִיIלְהִתְיַצֵּבwill standבַּעֲדַתin the assembly ofהַדַּיָּנִיםthe judgesוְהֵןand theyיוֹשְׁבִין,will sitשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidאֱלֹהִיםGodנִצָּבstandsבַּעֲדַתin the assembly ofאֵלGodתהיליםTehillimפ"בchapter 82בראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

פתחAt the entrance ofהאהל.the tentלִרְאוֹתto seeאִםifיֵשׁthere isעוֹבֵרone passingוָשָׁבand returningוְיַכְנִיסֵםand he would bring themבְּבֵיתוֹ:into his house

רַשִׁ״י

כחוםIn the heat ofהיום.the dayהוֹצִיאbrought outהַקָבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heחַמָּהthe sunמִנַּרְתִּיקָהּ,from its sheathשֶׁלֹּאso as notלְהַטְרִיחוֹto trouble himבְּאוֹרְחִים,with guestsוּלְפִיand becauseשֶׁרָאָהוּthat He saw himמִצְטַעֵרgrievedשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיוּwereאוֹרְחִיםguestsבָּאִים,comingהֵבִיאHe broughtהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsעָלָיוto himבִּדְמוּתin the likeness ofאֲנָשִׁיםmenבבאBavaמציעאMetziaשםthere:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he liftedעֵינָיוhis eyesוַיַּרְאand he sawוְהִנֵּהand beholdשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeאֲנָשִׁיםmenנִצָּבִיםstandingעָלָיוover himוַיַּרְאand he sawוַיָּרָץand he ranלִקְרָאתָםto greet themמִפֶּתַחfrom the entrance ofהָאֹהֶלthe tentוַיִּשְׁתַּחוּand he bowedאָרְצָה׃to the ground

רַשִׁ״י

והנהAnd beholdשלשהthreeאנשים.menאֶחָדoneלְבַשֵּׂרto announceאֶת—שָׂרָהSarahוְאֶחָדand oneלַהֲפֹךְto overthrowאֶת—סְדוֹםSodomוְאֶחָדand oneלְרַפְּאוֹתto healאֶת—אַבְרָהָם,Avrahamשֶׁאֵיןfor notמַלְאָךְangelאֶחָדoneעוֹשֶׂהperformsשְׁתֵּיtwoשְׁלִיחֻיּוֹתcommissionsבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah.תֵּדַעYou may knowלְךָ,to youשֶׁכֵּןthat soכָּלallהַפָּרָשָׁהthe sectionהוּאitמַזְכִּירָןmentions themבִּלְשׁוֹןin language ofרַבִּיםpluralוַיֹּאכֵלוּ,and they ateוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidאֵלָיו,to himוּבַבְּשׂוֹרָהand in the announcementנֶאֱמַרit is saidוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidשׁוֹבsurelyאָשׁוּבI will returnאֵלֶיךָ,to youוּבַהֲפִיכַתand in the overthrow ofסְדוֹםSodomהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysכִּיforלֹאnotאוּכַלI canלַעֲשׂוֹתto doדָּבָרanythingלְבִלְתִּיnot toהָפְכִּי,my overthrowingוּרְפָאֵלAnd Raphaelשֶׁרִפֵּאwho healedאֶת—אַבְרָהָםAvrahamהָלַךְwentמִשָּׁםfrom thereלְהַצִּילto rescueאֶת—לוֹט;Lotהוּאthat isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhat is statedוַיְהִיand it wasכְהוֹצִיאָםwhen they broughtאֹתָםthemהַחוּצָהoutsideוַיֹּאמֶרthat he saidהִמָּלֵטescapeעַלforנַפְשֶׁךָ,your lifeלָמַדְתָּyou learnשֶׁהָאֶחָדthat the oneהָיָהwasמַצִּילdeliveringבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

נצביםstandingעליו.over himלְפָנָיו,before himאֲבָלbutלָשׁוֹןan expressionנְקִיָּהrefinedהוּאit isכְּלַפֵּיregardingהַמַּלְאָכִים:the angels

רַשִׁ״י

וירא.And he sawמַהוּwhat is itוַיַּרְאand he sawוַיַּרְאand he sawשְׁתֵּיtwoפְעָמִים?timesהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstכְּמַשְׁמָעוֹaccording to its literal meaningוְהַשֵּׁנִיand the secondלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהֲבָנָה,understandingנִסְתַּכֵּלhe lookedשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereנִצָּבִיםstandingבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאֶחָדoneוְהֵבִיןand he understoodשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיוּthey wereרוֹצִיםwantingלְהַטְרִיחוֹ,to trouble himוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁיּוֹדְעִיםthat they knewהָיוּthey wereשֶׁיֵּצֵאthat he would go outלִקְרָאתָםtowards themעָמְדוּthey stoodבִמְקוֹמָםin their placeלְכְבוֹדוֹ,for his honorלְהַרְאוֹתוֹto show himשֶׁלֹּאthat notרָצוּthey wantedלְהַטְרִיחוֹ,to trouble himוְקָדַםand precededהוּאheוְרָץand ranלִקְרָאתָם,towards themבְּבָבָאin Bavaמְצִיעָא,Metziaכְתִיבit is writtenנִצָּבִיםstandingעָלָיו,by himוּכְתִיבand it is writtenוַיָּרָץand he ranלִקְרָאתָם?towards themכַּדwhenחַזְיוּהוּthey saw himדַּהֲוָהthat he wasשָׁרֵיuntyingוְאָסַרand bindingפֵּרְשׁוּthey separatedהֵימֶנּוּ,from himמִיָּדimmediatelyוַיָּרָץand he ranלִקְרָאתָם:towards them

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֹּאמַרAnd he saidאֲדֹנָיmy lordsאִםifנָאpleaseמָצָאתִיI have foundחֵןfavorבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesאַלdo notנָאpleaseתַעֲבֹרpassמֵעַלfrom overעַבְדֶּךָ׃your servant

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרAnd he saidאדניmy lordאםifנאnowוגו'.etc.לַגָּדוֹלto the greatestשֶׁבָּהֶםamong themאָמַרhe spokeוּקְרָאָםand he called themכֻּלָּםall of themאֲדוֹנִיםlordsוְלַגָּדוֹלand to the greatestאָמַרhe saidאַלdo notנָאpleaseתַעֲבֹר,pass byוְכֵיוָןand sinceשֶׁלֹּאthat notיַעֲבֹרhe would passהוּאheיַעַמְדוּwould standחֲבֵרָיוhis companionsעִמּוֹ,with himוּבְלָשׁוֹןand in usageזֶהthisהוּאitחֹלprofaneשבועותShevuosל"ה35b.דָּ"אַanother explanationקֹדֶשׁholyהוּא,it isוְהָיָהand he wasאוֹמֵרsayingלְהַקָּבָּ"הto the Holy Oneלְהַמְתִּיןto waitלוֹfor himעַדuntilשֶׁיָּרוּץthat he runsוְיַכְנִיסand brings inאֶת—הָאוֹרְחִיםthe guestsוְאַעַ"פִּand even thoughשֶׁכָּתוּבthat it is writtenאַחַרafterוַיָּרָץand he ranלִקְרָאתָם,to meet themהָאֲמִירָהthe speakingקֹדֶםbeforeלָכֵןthisהָיְתָה,wasוְדֶרֶךְand the way ofהַמִּקְרָאוֹתthe Scripturesלְדַבֵּרto speakכֵּן,thusכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּיthat I explainedאֵצֶלbyלֹאnotיָדוֹןshall contendרוּחִיMy spiritבָאָדָם,in manשֶׁנִּכְתַּבwhich was writtenאַחַרafterוַיּוֹלֶדand he begotנֹחַ,Noachוְאִיand it is impossibleאֶפְשַׁר·לוֹמַרto sayאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁהָיְתָהthat wasהַגְּזֵרָהthe decreeקֹדֶםbeforeלַלֵּדָהthe birthכ'twentyשָׁנָה,yearsוּשְׁתֵּיand bothהַלְּשׁוֹנוֹתthe interpretationsבִּבְ"רַ:are in Bereishis Rabbah

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

יֻקַּחlet be broughtנָאpleaseמְעַטa littleמַיִםwaterוְרַחֲצוּand washרַגְלֵיכֶםyour feetוְהִשָּׁעֲנוּand reclineתַּחַתunderהָעֵץ׃the tree

רַשִׁ״י

יקחlet be fetchedנא.pleaseעַלbyיְדֵיthe hand ofשָׁלִיחַ,a messengerוְהַקָּבָּ"הand the Holy One blessed be Heשִׁלֵּםrecompensedלְבָנָיוhis childrenעַלbyיְדֵיthe hand ofשָׁלִיחַ,a messengerשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוַיָּרֶםand he liftedמֹשֶׁהMosheאֶת—יָדוֹhis handוַיַּךְand he smoteאֶת—הַסֶּלַעthe rockבמדברBamidbarכ'20:

רַשִׁ״י

ורחצוAnd washרגליכם.your feetכַּסָּבוּרHe thoughtשֶׁהֵםthat theyעַרְבִיִּיםwere Arabiansשֶׁמִּשְׁתַּחֲוִיםwho bow downלַאֲבַקto the dust ofרַגְלֵיהֶםtheir feetוִהִקְפִּידand he was particularשֶׁלֹאnotלְהַכְנִיסto bring inעֲ"זָidolatryלְבֵיתוֹ;into his houseאֲבָלbutלוֹטLotשֶׁלֹּאwho was notהִקְפִּיד,particularהִקְדִּיםmentioned firstלִינָהlodgingלִרְחִיצָה,before washingשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוְלִינוּand tarry all nightוְרַחֲצוּand washרַגְלֵיכֶם:your feet

רַשִׁ״י

תחתUnderהעץ.the treeתַּחַתbeneathהָאִילָן:the tree

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וְאֶקְחָהand let me fetchפַתa morsel ofלֶחֶםbreadוְסַעֲדוּand sustainלִבְּכֶםyour heartאַחַרafterwardsתַּעֲבֹרוּyou shall pass onכִּיbecauseעַל·כֵּןthereforeעֲבַרְתֶּםyou have passedעַלbyעַבְדְּכֶםyour servantוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidכֵּןsoתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall doכַּאֲשֶׁרjust asדִּבַּרְתָּ׃you have spoken

רַשִׁ״י

וסעדוAnd sustainלבכם.your heartבַּתּוֹרָה,In the Torahבַנְּבִיאִיםin the Prophetsוּבַכְּתוּבִיםand in the Writingsמָצִינוּwe findדְּפִתָּאthat breadסַעֲדָתָאis the sustenanceדְלִבָּא.of the heartבַּתּוֹרָהIn the Torahוְסַעֲדוּand sustainלִבְּכֶם,your heartבַּנְּבִיאִיםIn the ProphetsסְעָדSustainלִבְּךָyour heartפַּתwith a morselלֶחֶםof breadשופטיםShoftimי"ט19,בַּכְּתוּבִיםIn the Writingsוְלֶחֶםand breadלְבַבthe heart ofאֱנוֹשׁmanיִסְעָדsustainsתהל'Tehillimק"ד104.אָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiחָמָא,Chamaלְבַבְכֶםyour heartsאֵיןis notכְּתִיבwrittenכָּאןhereאֶלָּאbut ratherלִבְּכֶם,your heartמַגִּידteachingשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noיֵצֶרinclinationהָרַעevilשׁוֹלֵטrulingבַּמַּלְאָכִיםover the angelsבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

אחרafterתעבורו.you shall passאַחַרafterכֵּןsoתֵּלְכוּ:you shall go

רַשִׁ״י

כיForעל·כןthereforeעברתם.you passedכִּיbecauseהַדָּבָרthe thingהַזֶּהthisאֲנִיIמְבַקֵּשׁrequestמִכֶּםfrom youמֵאַחַרsinceשֶׁעֲבַרְתֶּםthat you passedעָלַיby meלִכְבוֹדִי:for my honor

רַשִׁ״י

כיforעל·כן.thereforeכְּמוֹis likeעַלbecauseאֲשֶׁר,thatוְכֵןand soכָּלeveryכִּיforעַל·כֵּןthereforeשֶׁבַּמִּקְרָא,that is in Scriptureכִּיforעַל·כֵּןthereforeבָּאוּthey cameבְּצֵלunder the shadow ofקֹרָתִיmy roofבראשיתBereishisי"ט19,כִּיforעַל·כֵּןthereforeרָאִיתִיI have seenפָנֶיךָyour faceבראשיתBereishisל״ג:י׳33,כִּי10עַלforכֵּן·לֹאthereforeנְתַתִּיהָnotשםI gave herל"חthere,כִּי38עַלforכֵּן·יָדַעְתָּthereforeחֲנֹתֵנוּyou knowבמדברour encampmentי'Bamidbar:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיְמַהֵרAnd hastenedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamהָאֹהֱלָהto the tentאֶלtoשָׂרָהSarahוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidמַהֲרִיhurryשְׁלֹשׁthreeסְאִיםseahs ofקֶמַחflourסֹלֶתfine flourלוּשִׁיkneadוַעֲשִׂיand makeעֻגוֹת׃cakes

רַשִׁ״י

קמחMealסלת.fine flourסֹלֶתfine flourלְעֻגוֹת,for cakesקֶמַחmealלַעֲמִילָןfor the doughשֶׁלofטַבָּחִים,cooksלְכַסּוֹתto coverאֶת—הַקְּדֵרָהthe potלִשְׁאֹבto absorbאֶת—הַזֻּהֲמָא:the scum

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְאֶלand toהַבָּקָרthe herdרָץranאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיִּקַּחand he tookבֶּןa son ofבָּקָרcattleרַךְtenderוָטוֹבand goodוַיִּתֵּןand he gaveאֶלtoהַנַּעַרthe youthוַיְמַהֵרand he hastenedלַעֲשׂוֹתto prepareאֹתוֹ׃it

רַשִׁ״י

בןA son ofבקרcattleרךtenderוטוב.and goodג'threeפָּרִיםbullsהָיוּ,there wereכְדֵיin orderלְהַאֲכִילָןto feed themג'threeלְשׁוֹנוֹתtonguesבְּחַרְדָּלwith mustardבבאBavaמציעאMetziaפ"זchapter seven:

רַשִׁ״י

אלToהנער.the young manזֶהthisיִשְׁמָעֵאל,Yishmaelלְחַנְּכוֹto train himבְּמִצְוֹתin mitzvosבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיִּקַּחAnd he tookחֶמְאָהcurdsוְחָלָבand milkוּבֶןand the son ofהַבָּקָרthe herdאֲשֶׁרwhichעָשָׂהhe had preparedוַיִּתֵּןand he setלִפְנֵיהֶםbefore themוְהוּאand heעֹמֵדwas standingעֲלֵיהֶםover themתַּחַתunderהָעֵץthe treeוַיֹּאכֵלוּ׃and they ate

רַשִׁ״י

ויקחAnd he tookחמאהbutterוגו'.etceteraוְלֶחֶםbut breadלֹאnotהֵבִיא,did he bringלְפִיbecauseשֶׁפֵּרְסָהthat sawשָׂרָהSarahנִדָּה,menstruationשֶׁחָזַרfor returnedלָהּto herאֹרַחthe mannerכַּנָּשִׁיםof womenאוֹתוֹthatהַיּוֹם,dayוְנִטְמֵאתand became impureהָעִסָּהthe doughבבאBavaמציעאMetziaשםthere:

רַשִׁ״י

חמאה.Butterשֻׁמַּןthe fat ofהֶחָלָבthe milkשֶׁקּוֹלְטִיןwhich they skimמֵעַלfrom uponפָּנָיו:its surface

רַשִׁ״י

ובןAnd the son ofהבקרthe herdאשרwhichעשה.he madeאֲשֶׁרwhichתִּקֵּן;he preparedקַמָּאthe firstקַמָּאfirstשֶׁתִּקֵןthat he preparedאַמְטִיhe broughtוְאַיְיתִיand placedקָמַיְהוּ:before them

רַשִׁ״י

ויאכלו.And they ateנִרְאוּthey appearedכְמִיlike oneשֶׁאָכְלוּ,who ateמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְשַׁנֶּהshould deviateאָדָםa personמִןfromהַמִּנְהָגthe customבבאBavaמציעאMetziaשםthere:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיֹּאמְרוּAnd they saidאֵלָיוto himאַיֵּהwhere isשָׂרָהSarahאִשְׁתֶּךָyour wifeוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidהִנֵּהbeholdבָאֹהֶל׃in the tent

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרוAnd they saidאליו.to himנָקוּדdottedעַלuponאי"וaleph yud vavשֶׁבְּאֵלָיו,which are in to-himוְתַנְיָאand it was taughtרַ"שִׁRabbi Shimonבֶּןson ofאֶלְעָזָרElazarאוֹמֵרsaysכָּלeveryמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁכְּתָבwhere the writingרַבֶּהis greaterעַלoverהַנְּקֻדָּה,the dottingאַתָּהyouדוֹרֵשׁexpoundהַכְּתָב;the writingוְכָאןand hereהַנְּקֻדָּהthe dottingרַבָּהis greaterעַלoverהַכְּתָבthe writingאַתָּהyouדּוֹרֵשׁexpoundהַנְּקֻדָּה,the dottingשֶׁאַףthat evenלְשָׂרָהabout Sarahשָׁאֲלוּthey askedאַיּוֹwhere is heאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamלָמַדְנוּwe learnedשֶׁיִּשְׁאַלthat should inquireאָדָםa manבְּאַכְסַנְיָאat the lodgingשֶׁלּוֹhisלָאִישׁof the manעַלaboutהָאִשָּׁהthe womanוְלָאִשָּׁהand of the womanעַלaboutהָאִישׁ.the manבְּבָבָאin BavaמְצִיעָאMetziaאוֹמְרִיםthey sayיוֹדְעִיםknowingהָיוּwereמַלְאֲכֵיthe angels ofהַשָּׁרֵתthe serviceשָׂרָהSarahאִמֵּנוּour motherהֵיכָןwhereהָיְתָה,she wasאֶלָּאbutלְהוֹדִיעַto make knownשֶׁצְּנוּעָהthat modestהָיְתָה,she wasכְּדֵיin orderלְחַבְּבָהּto endear herעַלuponבַּעֲלָה.her husbandאָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiיוֹסֵיYoseiבַּרson ofחֲנִינָא,Chaninaכְּדֵיin orderלְשַׁגֵּרto sendלָהּto herכּוֹסa cupשֶׁלofבְּרָכָה:blessing

רַשִׁ״י

הנהBeholdבאהל.in the tentצְנוּעָהmodestהִיא:she is

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidשׁוֹבsurelyאָשׁוּבI will returnאֵלֶיךָto youכָּעֵתat this timeחַיָּהnext yearוְהִנֵּהand beholdבֵןa sonלְשָׂרָהfor Sarahאִשְׁתֶּךָyour wifeוְשָׂרָהand Sarahשֹׁמַעַתwas listeningפֶּתַחat the entrance ofהָאֹהֶלthe tentוְהוּאand itאַחֲרָיו׃was behind him

רַשִׁ״י

שובReturnאשוב.I will returnלֹאnotבִשְּׂרוֹannounced to himהַמַּלְאָךְthe angelשֶׁיָּשׁוּבthat he would returnאֵלָיו,to himאֶלָּאbutבִשְׁלִיחוּתוֹin the missionשֶׁלofמָקוֹםthe Omnipresentאָמַרhe saidלוֹ,to himכְּמוֹlikeוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidלָהּto herמַלְאַךְthe angel ofה'Hashemהַרְבָּהgreatlyאַרְבֶּה,I will multiplyוְהוּאand heאֵיןhas notבְּיָדוֹin his powerלְהַרְבּוֹת,to multiplyאֶלָּאbutבִּשְׁלִיחוּתוֹin the missionשֶׁלofמָקוֹם,the Omnipresentאַףevenכָּאןhereבִּשְׁלִיחוּתוֹin the missionשֶׁלofמָקוֹםthe Omnipresentאָמַרhe saidלוֹto himכֵּןsoבְּ"רַin Bereishis Rabbah.אֱלִישָׁעElishaאָמַרsaidלַשּׁוּנַמִּיתto the Shunamiteלַמּוֹעֵדat the seasonהַזֶּהthisכָּעֵתat the timeחַיָּהrevivingאַתְּyouחֹבֶקֶתshall embraceבֵּןa sonוַתֹּאמֶרand she saidאַלdo notאֲדֹנִיmy lordאִישׁman ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGodאַלdo notתְּכַזֵּבlieבְּשִׁפְחָתֶךָ,to your handmaidאוֹתָןthoseהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsשֶׁבִּשְּׂרוּwho announcedאֶת—שָׂרָהSarahאָמְרוּsaidלַמּוֹעֵדat the seasonאָשׁוּב,I will returnאָמַרsaidלָהּto herאֱלִישָׁעElishaאוֹתָםthoseהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsשֶׁהֵםwho theyחַיִּיםare livingוְקַיָּמִיםand enduringלְעוֹלָםforeverאָמְרוּsaidלַמּוֹעֵדat the seasonאָשׁוּב,I will returnאֲבָלbutאֲנִיIבָשָׂרfleshוָדָםand bloodשֶׁהַיּוֹםwho todayחַיis aliveוּמָחָרand tomorrowמֵתis dead–בֵּיןwhetherחַיaliveוּבֵיןor whetherמֵתdeadלַמּוֹעֵדat the seasonהַזֶּהthisוגו':etc.

רַשִׁ״י

כעתAt this timeחיה.livingכָּעֵתat this timeהַזֹּאתthisלַשָּׁנָהnext yearהַבָּאָה,the comingוּפֶסַחand Pesachהָיָה,it wasוּלְפֶסַחand by Pesachהַבָּאthe comingנוֹלַדwas bornיִצְחָק,Yitzchakמִדְּלָאsince notקָרֵינַןwe readכְּעֵתat a timeאֶלָּאbutכָּעֵת:at this time

רַשִׁ״י

כעתAt the timeחיה.of lifeכָּעֵתat the timeהַזֹּאתthisשֶׁתְּהֵאthat there will beחַיָּהlifeלָכֶם,to youשֶׁתִּהְיוּthat you will beכֻּלְּכֶםall of youשְׁלֵמִיםhealthyוְקַיָּמִים:and alive

רַשִׁ״י

והואand itאחריו.was behind himהַפֶּתַחthe doorהָיָהwasאַחַרbehindהַמַּלְאָךְ:the angel

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְאַבְרָהָםand Avrahamוְשָׂרָהand Sarahזְקֵנִיםwere oldבָּאִיםadvancedבַּיָּמִיםin yearsחָדַלhad ceasedלִהְיוֹתto beלְשָׂרָהfor Sarahאֹרַחthe mannerכַּנָּשִׁים׃of women

רַשִׁ״י

חדלceasedלהיות.to beפָּסַקstoppedמִמֶּנָה:from her

רַשִׁ״י

אורחthe manner ofכנשים.like womenאֹרַחthe manner ofנִדּוֹת:menstruant women

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַתִּצְחַקAnd laughedשָׂרָהSarahבְּקִרְבָּהּwithin herselfלֵאמֹרsayingאַחֲרֵיafterבְלֹתִיmy wearing outהָיְתָהshall there beלִּיto meעֶדְנָהsmooth skinוַאדֹנִיand my lordזָקֵן׃is old

רַשִׁ״י

בקרבה.within herselfמִסְתַּכֶּלֶתshe lookedבְּמֵעֶיהָat her innardsוְאָמְרָהand she saidאֶפְשַׁרis it possibleהַקְּרָבַיִםthe innardsהַלָּלוּtheseטְעוּנִיןcan carryוָלָד?a childהַשָּׁדַיִםthe breastsהַלָּלוּtheseשֶׁצָּמְקוּthat dried upמוֹשְׁכִיןcan drawחָלָב?milkתַּנְחוּמָא:Tanchuma

רַשִׁ״י

עדנה.glisteningצִחְצוּחַsmoothness ofבָּשָׂר,fleshוּלְשׁוֹןand the language ofמִשְׁנָהthe Mishnahמַשִּׁירit removesאֶת—הַשֵּׂעָרthe hairוּמְעַדֵּןand softensאֶת—הַבָּשָׂר.the fleshדָבָרanotherאַחֵרexplanationלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעִדָּן;timeזְמַןthe period ofוֶסֶתthe flow ofנִדּוּת:niddah

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלָמָּהwhyזֶּהis thisצָחֲקָהlaughedשָׂרָהSarahלֵאמֹרsayingהַאַףis it indeedאֻמְנָםtrueאֵלֵדI will give birthוַאֲנִיwhen Iזָקַנְתִּי׃have grown old

רַשִׁ״י

האףIs it evenאמנם.trueהֲגַםis it alsoאֱמֶתtruthאֵלֵד?I will give birth

רַשִׁ״י

ואניand Iזקנתיhave grown oldשִׁנָּהalteredהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureמִפְּנֵיfor the sake ofהַשָּׁלוֹם,peaceשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהִיאsheאָמְרָהsaidוַאדֹנִיand my lordזָקֵן:is old

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

הֲיִפָּלֵאIs there hiddenמֵיְהוָהfrom Hashemדָּבָרany matterלַמּוֹעֵדat the appointed timeאָשׁוּבI will returnאֵלֶיךָto youכָּעֵתat this timeחַיָּהnext yearוּלְשָׂרָהand to Sarahבֵן׃a son

רַשִׁ״י

היפלא.Is it too hardכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹas its translationהֲיִתְכַּסִּי?is it hiddenוְכִיis indeedשׁוּםanyדָּבָרthingמֻפְלָאwondrously distantוּמֻפְרָדand separatedוּמְכֻסֶּהand coveredמִמֶּנִּיfrom Meמִלַּעֲשׂוֹתfrom doingכִּרְצוֹנִי:according to My will

רַשִׁ״י

למועד.At the appointed timeלְאוֹתוֹat thatמוֹעֵדappointed timeהַמְיֻחָדspecificשֶׁקָּבַעְתִּיthat I establishedלְךָfor youאֶתְמוֹל,yesterdayלַמּוֹעֵדat the appointed timeהַזֶּהthisבַּשָּׁנָהin the yearהָאַחֶרֶת:next

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with Hashem appearing to Avraham Avinu by Mamre while he sits in the heat of the day. Seeing three men approaching, Avraham runs to greet them, offers them water to wash their feet, and invites them to rest under the tree. He and Sarah quickly prepare a generous meal of cakes and meat for them. After eating, the guests ask for Sarah and promise that she will have a son by next year, prompting Sarah to laugh to herself in her old age, which brings a gentle rebuke from Hashem, reminding us that nothing is beyond His power.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is showing us the incredible zrizus of Avraham Avinu. Think about the situation: he is ninety-nine years old, on the third day after his bris milah, and the heat of the day is unbearable. Yet, the moment he sees potential guests, he doesn't just walk; the pasuk says "vayaratz likrasam", he ran to greet them. He runs to Sarah, he runs to the cattle. This is not just hospitality; this is a burning, unstoppable passion for a mitzvah that overcomes all physical limitations.

Lichoira, we often wait for the perfect conditions to do a mitzvah or to help another Yid. We tell ourselves, "I'm too tired today," "I'm not feeling a hundred percent," or "the timing is just not right." But Avraham Avinu teaches us the yesod of zrizus: when a mitzvah comes your way, you run. You don't let the heat of the day or your own physical weakness hold you back. The energy we bring to a mitzvah actually infuses us with new life.

Today, when an opportunity for a mitzvah or chesed comes your way, don't hesitate or do it half-heartedly. Jump up and do it immediately with real warmth and excitement, even if you feel tired or busy.