Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn about the final churban of Sodom and Gomorrah. The malach grants Lot's request to flee to Zoar, and as soon as Lot arrives, Hashem rains down sulfur and fire from the shamayim, completely wiping out the cities and their inhabitants. Lot's wife looks back and is turned into a pillar of salt. Avraham Avinu looks out the next morning and sees the smoke rising like a furnace, and the Torah emphasizes that Hashem saved Lot in the merit of Avraham. Afterward, Lot and his daughters hide in a cave, where the daughters, believing the entire world was destroyed, make their father drink wine and bear children from him, who become the nations of Moav and Ammon.

Following the destruction, Avraham journeys to Gerar, where he again says that Sarah is his sister to protect himself. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, takes Sarah, but Hashem warns him in a dream that he will die if he touches her. After Abimelech pleads his innocence, Hashem commands him to return Sarah to Avraham and ask him to mispallel on his behalf. Abimelech restores Sarah, gives Avraham gifts, and Avraham's tefillah heals the household of Abimelech. Immediately following this, Hashem remembers Sarah, and she gives birth to Yitzchak in Avraham's old age, who is circumcised on the eighth day.

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

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאֵלָיוto himהִנֵּהBeholdנָשָׂאתִיI have liftedפָנֶיךָyour faceגַּםalsoלַדָּבָרfor the matterהַזֶּהthisלְבִלְתִּיto notהָפְכִּיmy overturningאֶת—הָעִירthe cityאֲשֶׁרwhichדִּבַּרְתָּ׃you spoke of

רַשִׁ״י

גםAlsoלדברconcerning the thingהזה.thisלֹאnotדַּיְּךָis it enough for youשֶׁאַתָּהthat youנִצָּל,are savedאֶלָּאbutאַףevenכָּלall ofהָעִירthe cityאַצִּילI will saveבִּגְלָלְךָ:for your sake

רַשִׁ״י

הפכי.My overthrowingהוֹפֵךְoverthrowאֲנִי,Iכְּמוֹjust asעַדuntilבֹּאִיmy comingבראשיתBereishisמ"ח48,אַחֲרֵיafterרֹאִיmy seeingבראשיתBereishisט״ז:י״ג16,מִדֵּי13דַבְּרִיwheneverבּוֹmy speakingירמיהוof himל"אYirmeyahu:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

מַהֵרHurryהִמָּלֵטfleeשָׁמָּהthereכִּיforלֹאnotאוּכַלI am ableלַעֲשׂוֹתto doדָּבָרanythingעַדuntilבֹּאֲךָyour arrivalשָׁמָּהthereעַלthereforeכֵּן·קָרָאhe calledשֵׁםthe name ofהָעִירthe cityצוֹעַר׃Tzoar

רַשִׁ״י

כיForלאnotאוכלI canלעשות.to doזֶהThisעָנְשָׁןis the punishmentשֶׁלofמַלְאָכִיםthe angelsעַלforשֶׁאָמְרוּthat they saidכִּיForמַשְׁחִתִיםare destroyingאֲנַחְנוּ,weוְתָלוּand they attributedהַדָּבָרthe matterבְּעַצְמָן,to themselvesלְפִיכָךthereforeלֹאnotזָזוּdid they moveמִשָּׁםfrom thereעַדuntilשֶׁהֻזְקְקוּthey were forcedלוֹמַרto sayשֶׁאֵיןthat notהַדָּבָרthe matterבִּרְשׁוּתָן:is in their power

רַשִׁ״י

כיForלאnotאוכל.I canלְשׁוֹןan expression ofיָחִיד;singularמִכָּאןfrom hereאַתָּהyouלָמֵדlearnשֶׁהָאֶחָדthat the oneהוֹפֵךְoverthrowsוְהָאֶחָדand the oneמַצִּיל,savesשֶׁאֵיןfor there are notב'twoמַלְאָכִיםangelsנִשְׁלָחִיםsentלְדָבָרfor a missionא':one

רַשִׁ״י

עלThereforeכן·קראhe calledשםthe name ofהעירthe cityצוער.Tzoarעַלonשֵׁםthe name ofוְהִואand it isמִצְעָר:a little one

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

הַשֶּׁמֶשׁThe sunיָצָאwent outעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthוְלוֹטand Lotבָּאenteredצֹעֲרָה׃Zoar

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיהוָהAnd HashemהִמְטִירrainedעַלuponסְדֹםSodomוְעַלand uponעֲמֹרָהGomorrahגָּפְרִיתsulfurוָאֵשׁand fireמֵאֵתfromיְהוָהHashemמִןfromהַשָּׁמָיִם׃the heavens

רַשִׁ״י

וה'And Hashemהמטיר.caused to rainכָּלeveryמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidוַה'And Hashem–הוּאHeוּבֵיתand the court ofדִּינוֹ:His judgment

רַשִׁ״י

המטירHe caused to rainעלuponסדום.Sodomבַּעֲלוֹתat the rising ofהַשַּׁחַר,the dawnכְּמוֹasשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat it is saidוּכְמוֹand whenהַשַּׁחַרthe dawnעָלָה,roseשָׁעָהthe hourשֶׁהַלְּבָנָהthat the moonעוֹמֶדֶתstandsבָּרָקִיעַin the skyעִםwithהַחַמָּה,the sunלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthat there wereמֵהֶםof themעוֹבְדִיןworshippingלַחַמָּהthe sunוּמֵהֶםand of themלַלְּבָנָה,the moonאָמַרsaidהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be HeאִםifאֶפָּרַעI punishמֵהֶםthemבַּיּוֹם,by dayיִהְיוּwill beעוֹבְדֵיthe worshippers ofלְבָנָהthe moonאוֹמְרִיםsayingאִלּוּifהָיָהit wereבַלַּיְלָה,at nightכְּשֶׁהַלְּבָנָהwhen the moonמוֹשֶׁלֶת,rulesלֹאnotהָיִינוּwould we have beenחֲרֵבִין,destroyedוְאִםand ifאֶפָּרַעI punishמֵהֶםthemבַּלַּיְלָה,at nightיִהְיוּwill beעוֹבְדֵיthe worshippers ofהַחַמָּהthe sunאוֹמְרִיםsayingאִלּוּifהָיָהit wereבַּיּוֹם,by dayכְּשֶׁהַחַמָּהwhen the sunמוֹשֶׁלֶת,rulesלֹאnotהָיִינוּwould we have beenחֲרֵבִין;destroyedלְכָךְthereforeכְּתִיבit is writtenוּכְמוֹand whenהַשַּׁחַרthe dawnעָלָה,roseוְנִפְרַעand He punishedמֵהֶםthemבְּשָׁעָהat the hourשֶׁהַחַמָּהthat the sunוְהַלְּבָנָהand the moonמוֹשְׁלוֹת:rule

רַשִׁ״י

המטירHe rainedגפריתbrimstoneואש.and fireבַּתְּחִלָּהat firstמָטָר,rainוְנַעֲשָׂהand it becameגָּפְרִיתbrimstoneוָאֵשׁ:and fire

רַשִׁ״י

מאתFromה'.Hashemדֶּרֶךְthe way ofהַמִּקְרָאוֹתthe versesלְדַבֵּרto speakכֵּן,soכְּמוֹlikeנְשֵׁיwives ofלֶמֶךְ,Lemechוְלֹאand notאָמַרdid he sayנָשַׁי;my wivesוְכֵןand soאָמַרsaidדָּוִדDovidקְחוּtakeעִמָּכֶםwith youאֶת—עַבְדֵיthe servants ofאֲדֹנֵיכֶםyour lordמלכיםMelachimאIא'1,וְלֹאand notאָמַרdid he sayמֵעֲבָדַי;from my servantsוְכֵןand soאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁAchashveroshאָמַרsaidבְּשֵׁםin the name ofהַמֶּלֶךְ,the kingוְלֹאand notאָמַרdid he sayבִּשְׁמִי;in my nameאַףalsoכָּאןhereאָמַר,it saysמֵאֵתfromה'Hashemוְלֹאand notאָמַרdid He sayמֵאִתִּי:from Me

רַשִׁ״י

מןFromהשמים.the heavenהוּאit isשֶׁאָמַרthat saidהַכָּתוּבthe verseכִּיforבָםby themיָדִיןHe judgesעַמִּיםpeoplesוְגוֹ'etc.איובIyovל"ו36,כְּשֶׁבָּאwhen He comesלְיַסֵּרto chastiseהֵבְּרִיוֹתthe creaturesמֵבִיאHe bringsעֲלֵיהֶםupon themאֵשׁfireמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִם,the heavenכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁעָשָׂהHe didלִסְדוֹם,to Sedomוּכְשֶׁבָּאand when He comesלְהוֹרִידto bring downהַמָּןthe Mannaמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavenהִנְנִיbehold Iמַמְטִירwill rainלָכֶםfor youלֶחֶםbreadמִןfromהַשָּׁמָיִםthe heavenשמותShemosט"ז16:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיַּהֲפֹךְAnd He overturnedאֶת—הֶעָרִיםthe citiesהָאֵלtheseוְאֵתand —כָּלall ofהַכִּכָּרthe plainוְאֵתand —כָּלall ofיֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofהֶעָרִיםthe citiesוְצֶמַחand the vegetation ofהָאֲדָמָה׃the ground

רַשִׁ״י

ויהפךAnd He overthrewאת—העריםthe citiesוגו'.etc.אַרְבַּעְתָּםthe four of themיוֹשְׁבוֹתwere situatedבְּסֶלַעon a rockאֶחָדoneוַהֲפָכָןand He overturned themמִלְמַעְלָהfrom aboveלְמַטָּה,to belowשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבַּחַלָּמִישׁupon the flinty rockשָׁלַחHe put forthיָדוֹHis handוְגוֹ'etc.איובIyovכ'28:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַתַּבֵּטAnd she lookedאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeמֵאַחֲרָיוfrom behind himוַתְּהִיand she becameנְצִיבa pillar ofמֶלַח׃salt

רַשִׁ״י

ותבטAnd she lookedאשתוhis wifeמאחריו.from behind himשֶׁלofלוֹט:Lot

רַשִׁ״י

ותהיAnd she becameנציבa pillar ofמלח.saltבְּמֶלַחwith saltחָטְאָהshe sinnedוּבְמֶלַחand with saltלָקְתָה;she was punishedאָמַרHe saidלָהּto herתְּנִיGiveמְעַטa littleמֶלַחsaltלָאוֹרְחִיםto the guestsהַלָּלוּ,theseאָמְרָהShe saidלוֹto himאַףEvenהַמִּנְהָגthe customהָרַעbadהַזֶּהthisאַתָּהyouבָאcomeלְהַנְהִיגto introduceבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeהַזֶּהthisבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיַּשְׁכֵּםAnd he arose earlyאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרwhereעָמַדhe stoodשָׁםthereאֶת—פְּנֵיbeforeיְהוָה׃Hashem

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיַּשְׁקֵףAnd he lookedעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofסְדֹםSedomוַעֲמֹרָהand Amorahוְעַלand uponכָּלallפְּנֵיthe face ofאֶרֶץthe land ofהַכִּכָּרthe Plainוַיַּרְאand he sawוְהִנֵּהand beholdעָלָהroseקִיטֹרthe smoke ofהָאָרֶץthe landכְּקִיטֹרlike the smoke ofהַכִּבְשָׁן׃the furnace

רַשִׁ״י

קיטור.column of smokeתִּמּוּרa risingשֶׁלofעָשָׁן,smokeטורק"אtorcheבלע"ז:in foreign tongue

רַשִׁ״י

הכבשן.The furnaceחֲפִירָהan excavationשֶׁשּׂוֹרְפִיןthat they burnבָּהin itאֶת—הָאֲבָנִיםthe stonesלְסִיד,to limeוְכֵןand soכָּלeveryכִּבְשָׁןfurnaceשֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה:that is in the Torah

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיְהִיAnd it wasבְּשַׁחֵתwhen destroyingאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—עָרֵיthe cities ofהַכִּכָּרthe plainוַיִּזְכֹּרand He rememberedאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—אַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיְשַׁלַּחand He sentאֶת—לוֹטLotמִתּוֹךְfrom the midst ofהַהֲפֵכָהthe upheavalבַּהֲפֹךְwhen overturningאֶת—הֶעָרִיםthe citiesאֲשֶׁרthatיָשַׁבdweltבָּהֵןin themלוֹט׃Lot

רַשִׁ״י

ויזכורAnd rememberedאלהיםG-dאת—אברהם.Avrahamמַהוּwhat isזְכִירָתוֹHis rememberingשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamעַלregardingלוֹט?LotנִזְכַּרHe rememberedשֶׁהָיָהthat wasלוֹטLotיוֹדֵעַknowingשֶׁשָּׂרָהthat Sarahאִשְׁתּוֹwas the wifeשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְשָׁמַעand he heardשֶׁאָמַרthat saidאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבְּמִצְרַיִםin MitzrayimעַלregardingשָׂרָהSarahאֲחוֹתִיmy sisterהִיא,she isוְלֹאand notגִלָּהdid he revealהַדָּבָר,the matterשֶׁהָיָהbecause he wasחָסsparingעָלָיו,of himלְפִיכָךְthereforeחָסsparedהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneעָלָיוof himבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיַּעַלAnd he went upלוֹטLotמִצּוֹעַרfrom Zoarוַיֵּשֶׁבand he settledבָּהָרin the mountainוּשְׁתֵּיand his twoבְנֹתָיוdaughtersעִמּוֹwith himכִּיforיָרֵאhe was afraidלָשֶׁבֶתto dwellבְּצוֹעַרin Zoarוַיֵּשֶׁבand he livedבַּמְּעָרָהin the caveהוּאheוּשְׁתֵּיand his twoבְנֹתָיו׃daughters

רַשִׁ״י

כיforיראhe fearedלשבתto dwellבצוער.in Zoarלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיְתָהthat it wasקְרוֹבָהnearלִסְדוֹם:to Sodom

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַתֹּאמֶרAnd she saidהַבְּכִירָהthe older oneאֶלtoהַצְּעִירָהthe younger oneאָבִינוּour fatherזָקֵןis oldוְאִישׁand a manאֵיןthere is notבָּאָרֶץin the landלָבוֹאto comeעָלֵינוּupon usכְּדֶרֶךְaccording to the way ofכָּלallהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

אבינוour fatherזקן.is oldוְאִםand ifלֹאnotעַכְשָׁוnowאֵימָתַי?whenשֶׁמָּאperhapsיָמוּתhe will dieאוֹorיִפְסֹקhe will ceaseמֵהוֹלִיד:from begetting

רַשִׁ״י

ואישand a manאיןthere is notבארץ.in the earthסְבוּרוֹתof the opinionהָיוּthey wereשֶׁכָּלthat all ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldנֶחֱרַבwas destroyedכְּמוֹlikeבְּדוֹרin the generation ofהַמַּבּוּל:the FloodבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

לְכָהcomeנַשְׁקֶהlet us make drinkאֶת—אָבִינוּour fatherיַיִןwineוְנִשְׁכְּבָהand let us lieעִמּוֹwith himוּנְחַיֶּהand we may maintainמֵאָבִינוּfrom our fatherזָרַע׃offspring

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַתַּשְׁקֶיןָAnd they made drinkאֶת—אֲבִיהֶןtheir fatherיַיִןwineבַּלַּיְלָהin the nightהוּאthatוַתָּבֹאand she cameהַבְּכִירָהthe older oneוַתִּשְׁכַּבand she layאֶתwithאָבִיהָher fatherוְלֹאand notיָדַעhe knewבְּשִׁכְבָהּof her lying downוּבְקוּמָהּ׃or of her rising

רַשִׁ״י

ותשקיןAnd they made drinkוגו'.etc.יַיִןwineנִזְדַּמֵּןwas providedלָהֶןfor themבַּמְּעָרָהin the caveלְהוֹצִיאto bring forthמֵהֶןfrom themשְׁנֵיtwoאֻמּוֹת:nations

רַשִׁ״י

ותשכבAnd she layאת—אביה.her fatherוּבַצְּעִירָהand regarding the youngerכְתִיבit is writtenוַתִּשְׁכַּבand she layעִמּוֹ?with himצְעִירָה,the youngerלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notפָּתְחָהshe initiatedבִזְנוּתin unchastityאֶלָּאbutאֲחוֹתָהּher sisterלִמְּדַתָּהtaught herחָסַךְsparedעָלֶיהָupon herהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureוְלֹאand did notפֵּרֵשׁexplicitly mentionגְּנוּתָהּ;her shameאֲבָלbutבְּכִירָהthe elderשֶׁפָּתְחָהwho initiatedבִזְנוּתin unchastityפִּרְסְמָהּexposed herהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureבִּמְפֹרָשׁ.explicitly

רַשִׁ״י

ובקומה.and when she aroseשֶׁלofבְּכִירָהthe elderנָקוּד,is dottedלוֹמַר,to sayשֶׁבְּקוּמָהּthat when she aroseיָדַע,he knewוְאַעַפּ"כֵand even thoughלֹאnotנִשְׁמַרdid he guard himselfלַיִלthe nightשֵׁנִיthe secondמִלִּשְׁתּוֹת.from drinkingאָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiלֵוִיLeviכָּלwhoeverמִי·שֶׁהוּאthat he isלָהוּטinflamedאַחַרafterבּוּלְמוּסthe desireשֶׁלofעֲרָיוֹתforbidden relationshipsלַסּוֹףin the endמַאֲכִילִיםthey feedאוֹתוֹhimמִבְּשָׂרוֹ:from his own flesh

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיְהִיAnd it wasמִמָּחֳרָתon the morrowוַתֹּאמֶרand saidהַבְּכִירָהthe older oneאֶלtoהַצְּעִירָהthe younger oneהֵןbeholdשָׁכַבְתִּיI layאֶמֶשׁlast nightאֶת—אָבִיmy fatherנַשְׁקֶנּוּlet us make him drinkיַיִןwineגַּםalsoהַלַּיְלָהtonightוּבֹאִיand goשִׁכְבִיlieעִמּוֹwith himוּנְחַיֶּהthat we may maintainמֵאָבִינוּfrom our fatherזָרַע׃offspring

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַתַּשְׁקֶיןָAnd they made drinkגַּםalsoבַּלַּיְלָהon the nightהַהוּאthatאֶת—אֲבִיהֶןtheir fatherיָיִןwineוַתָּקָםand aroseהַצְּעִירָהthe youngerוַתִּשְׁכַּבand she layעִמּוֹwith himוְלֹאand notיָדַעhe knewבְּשִׁכְבָהּof her lying downוּבְקֻמָהּ׃or of her rising

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַתַּהֲרֶיןָAnd they became pregnantשְׁתֵּיthe two ofבְנוֹתthe daughters ofלוֹטLotמֵאֲבִיהֶן׃from their father

רַשִׁ״י

ותהריןAnd they conceivedוגו'.etc.אַעַ"פִּEven thoughשֶׁאֵיןthat notהָאִשָּׁהa womanמִתְעַבֶּרֶתbecomes pregnantמִבִּיאָהfrom relationsרִאשׁוֹנָה,firstאֵלּוּtheseשָׁלְטוּcontrolledבְעַצְמָןthemselvesוְהוֹצִיאוּand brought outעֶרְוָתָןtheir womb-openingלַחוּץto the outsideוְנִתְעַבְּרוּand became pregnantמִבִּיאָהfrom relationsרִאשׁוֹנָה:first

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַתֵּלֶדAnd she boreהַבְּכִירָהthe older oneבֵּןa sonוַתִּקְרָאand she calledשְׁמוֹhis nameמוֹאָבMoavהוּאheאֲבִיis the father ofמוֹאָבMoavעַדuntilהַיּוֹם׃the day

רַשִׁ״י

מואב.Moabזוֹthis oneשֶׁלֹּאwho notהָיְתָהwasצְנוּעָהmodestפֵּרְשָׁהexplainedשֶׁמֵּאָבִיהָthat from her fatherהוּא,he isאֲבָלbutצְעִירָהthe youngerקְרָאַתּוּcalled himבְלָשׁוֹןin languageנְקִיָּה,cleanוְקִבְּלָהand she receivedשָׂכָרrewardבִּימֵיin the days ofמֹשֶׁה,Mosheשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבִּבְנֵיregarding the children ofעַמּוֹןAmmonאַלdo notתִּתְגָּרcontendבָּםwith themדבריםDevarimב'two–כְּלָל,at allוּבְמוֹאָבand regarding MoabלֹאnotהִזְהִירHe warnedאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִלָּחֵםhe should wage warבָּם,with themאֲבָלbutלְצַעֲרָןto distress themהִתִּירHe permittedלוֹ:to him

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְהַצְּעִירָהAnd the youngerגַםalsoהִואsheיָלְדָהboreבֵּןa sonוַתִּקְרָאand she calledשְׁמוֹhis nameבֶּןBenעַמִּיammiהוּאheאֲבִיis the father ofבְנֵיthe children ofעַמּוֹןAmmonעַדuntilהַיּוֹם׃today

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיִּסַּעAnd journeyedמִשָּׁםfrom thereאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאַרְצָהto the land ofהַנֶּגֶבthe Negevוַיֵּשֶׁבand he settledבֵּיןbetweenקָדֵשׁKadeshוּבֵיןand betweenשׁוּרShurוַיָּגָרand he sojournedבִּגְרָר׃in Gerar

רַשִׁ״י

ויסעAnd journeyedמשםfrom thereאברהם.Avrahamכְּשֶׁרָאָהwhen he sawשֶׁחָרְבוּthat were destroyedהַכְּרַכִּיםthe citiesוּפָסְקוּand ceasedהָעוֹבְרִיםthe passersbyוְהַשָּׁבִים,and the returnersנָסַעhe journeyedלוֹfor himselfמִשָּׁם.from thereדָּ"אַanother explanationלְהִתְרַחֵקto distance himselfמִלּוֹט,from Lotשֶׁיָּצָאbecause went outעָלָיוupon himשֵׁםa reputationרָע,evilשֶׁבָּאthat he cameעַלuponבְּנוֹתָיו:his daughters

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶלofשָׂרָהSarahאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeאֲחֹתִיmy sisterהִואshe isוַיִּשְׁלַחand sentאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechמֶלֶךְking ofגְּרָרGerarוַיִּקַּחand tookאֶת—שָׂרָה׃Sarah

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרAnd he saidאברהם.Avrahamכָּאןhereלֹאnotנָטַלdid he takeרְשׁוּתpermissionאֶלָּאbut ratherעַלagainstכָּרְחָהּher willשֶׁלֹּאnotבְטוֹבָתָהּ,with her consentלְפִיbecauseשֶׁכְּבָרthat alreadyלֻקְּחָהshe was takenלְבֵיתto the house ofפַּרְעֹהParohעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofכֵן:this

רַשִׁ״י

אלToשרהSarahאשתו.his wifeעַלconcerningשָׂרָהSarahאִשְׁתּוֹ,his wifeכַּיוֹצֵאsimilarבוֹto itאֶלconcerningהִלָּקַחthe taking ofאֲרוֹןthe Ark ofוְגוֹ'etc.וְאֶלand concerningמוֹתthe death ofחָמִיהָher father-in-lawשמואלShmuelאIד'4,שְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themבִּלְשׁוֹןin the meaning ofעַל:concerning

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וַיָּבֹאAnd cameאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechבַּחֲלוֹםin a dream ofהַלָּיְלָהthe nightוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidלוֹto himהִנְּךָbehold youמֵתare to dieעַלbecause ofהָאִשָּׁהthe womanאֲשֶׁרwhomלָקַחְתָּyou have takenוְהִואand sheבְּעֻלַתis married toבָּעַל׃a husband

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וַאֲבִימֶלֶךְAnd Avimelechלֹאhad notקָרַבapproachedאֵלֶיהָherוַיֹּאמַרand he saidאֲדֹנָיmy Lordהֲגוֹיwill a nationגַּםevenצַדִּיקrighteousתַּהֲרֹג׃You slay

רַשִׁ״י

לאhad notקרבcome nearאליה.herהַמַּלְאָךְthe angelמְנָעוֹ,prevented himכְּמוֹasשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidלֹאnotנְתַתִּיךָI permitted youלִנְגֹּעַto touchאֵלֶיהָ:her

רַשִׁ״י

הגויWill the nationגםalsoצדיקrighteousתהרג.You slayאַףEvenאִםifהוּאitצַדִּיקis righteousתַּהַרְגֶנּוּ,will You slay itשֶׁמָּאperhapsכָךְsoדַּרְכְּךָis Your wayלְאַבֵּדto destroyהָאֻמּוֹתnationsחִנָּם?without causeכָּךְsoעָשִׂיתָYou didלְדוֹרto the generation ofהַמַּבּוּלthe Floodוּלְדוֹרand to the generation ofהַפַּלָּגָה,the DispersalאַףevenאֲנִיIאוֹמֵרsayשֶׁהֲרַגְתָּםthat You slew themעַלforלֹאnoדָבָר,thingכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאַתָּהthat Youאוֹמֵרthinkלְהָרְגֵנִי:to kill me

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

הֲלֹאDid notהוּאheאָמַרsayלִיto meאֲחֹתִיmy sisterהִואshe isוְהִיאand sheגַםalsoהִואherselfאָמְרָהsaidאָחִיmy brotherהוּאhe isבְּתָםwith the innocence ofלְבָבִיmy heartוּבְנִקְיֹןand with the cleanliness ofכַּפַּיmy handsעָשִׂיתִיI didזֹאת׃this

רַשִׁ״י

גםAlsoהוא.sheלְרַבּוֹתto includeעֲבַדִיםservantsוְגַמָּלִיםand camel-driversוְחַמָּרִיםand ass-driversשֶׁלָּהּ,of hersאֶת—כֻּלָּםall of themשָׁאַלְתִּיI askedוְאָמְרוּand they saidלִיto meאָחִיהָher brotherהוּא:he is

רַשִׁ״י

בתםIn the integrity ofלבבי.my heartשֶׁלֹּאthat notדִמִּיתִיI intendedלַחֲטֹא:to sin

רַשִׁ״י

ובנקיוןand in the innocency ofכפי.my handsנָקִיinnocentאֲנִיam Iמִןfromהַחֵטְא,the sinשֶׁלֹּאthat notנָגַעְתִּיdid I touchבָהּ:her

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidאֵלָיוto himהָאֱלֹהִיםGodבַּחֲלֹםin the dreamגַּםalsoאָנֹכִיIיָדַעְתִּיknewכִּיthatבְתָםwith the innocence ofלְבָבְךָyour heartעָשִׂיתָyou didזֹּאתthisוָאֶחְשֹׂךְand I withheldגַּםalsoאָנֹכִיIאוֹתְךָyouמֵחֲטוֹfrom sinningלִיagainst Meעַלthereforeכֵּן·לֹאnotנְתַתִּיךָI allowed youלִנְגֹּעַto touchאֵלֶיהָ׃her

רַשִׁ״י

ידעתיI knewכיthatבתםin the integrity ofלבבךyour heartוגו'.etc.אֱמֶתit is trueשֶׁלֹּאthat notדִמִּיתָdid you intendמִתְּחִלָּהfrom the beginningלַחֲטֹאto sinאֲבָלbutנִקְיוֹןcleanness ofכַּפַּיִםhandsאֵיןthere is notכָּאן:here

רַשִׁ״י

לאI did notנתתיך.permit youלֹאnotמִמְּךָfrom youהָיָהit wasשֶׁלֹּאthat notנָגַעְתָּyou touchedבָהּ,herאֶלָּאbutחָשַׂכְתִּיwithheldאֲנִיIאוֹתְךָ— youמֵחֲטֹאfrom sinningוְלֹאand notנָתַתִּיdid I giveלְךָto youכֹּחַ,powerוְכֵןand similarlyוְלֹאand notנְתָנוֹpermitted himאֱלֹהִיםGodבראשיתBereshisל״א:ז׳31,וְכֵן7וְלֹאand similarlyנְתָנוֹand notאָבִיהָpermitted himלָבוֹאher fatherשופטיםto enterט"וShoftim:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וְעַתָּהAnd nowהָשֵׁבreturnאֵשֶׁתthe wife ofהָאִישׁthe manכִּיforנָבִיאa prophetהוּאhe isוְיִתְפַּלֵּלand he will prayבַּעַדְךָfor youוֶחְיֵהand liveוְאִםand ifאֵינְךָyou do notמֵשִׁיבreturn herדַּעknowכִּיthatמוֹתsurelyתָּמוּתyou shall dieאַתָּהyouוְכָלand allאֲשֶׁרthat areלָךְ׃yours

רַשִׁ״י

השבRestoreאשתthe wife ofהאיש.the manוְאַלand do notתְּהֵאbeסָבוּרof the opinionשֶׁמָּאperhapsתִּתְגַּנֶּהshe will become repulsiveבְעֵינָיוin his eyesוְלֹאand notיְקַבְּלֶנָּהwill he take her backאוֹorיִשְׂנָאֲךָhe will hate youוְלֹאand notיִתְפַּלֵּלwill he prayעָלֶיךָ:for you

רַשִׁ״י

כיforנביאa prophetהוא.he isוְיוֹדֵעַand he knowsשֶׁלֹּאthat notנָגַעְתָּyou touchedבָהּ,herלְפִיכָךְthereforeויתפללand he will prayבעדךfor youבבאBavaקמאKammaצ"ב92:

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וַיַּשְׁכֵּםAnd he arose earlyאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיִּקְרָאand he calledלְכָלto all ofעֲבָדָיוhis servantsוַיְדַבֵּרand he spokeאֶת—כָּלall ofהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersהָאֵלֶּהtheseבְּאָזְנֵיהֶםin their earsוַיִּירְאוּand they fearedהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menמְאֹד׃greatly

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechלְאַבְרָהָםto Avrahamוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidלוֹto himמֶהWhatעָשִׂיתָhave you doneלָּנוּto usוּמֶהand whatחָטָאתִיhave I sinnedלָךְagainst youכִּיthatהֵבֵאתָyou have broughtעָלַיupon meוְעַלand uponמַמְלַכְתִּיmy kingdomחֲטָאָהa sinגְדֹלָהgreatמַעֲשִׂיםdeedsאֲשֶׁרthatלֹאnotיֵעָשׂוּshould be doneעָשִׂיתָyou have doneעִמָּדִי׃with me

רַשִׁ״י

מעשיםDeedsאשרthatלאnotיעשו.should be doneמַכָּהa plagueאֲשֶׁרthatלֹאnotהֻרְגְּלָהis customaryלָבֹאto comeעַלuponבְּרִיָהcreaturesבָּאָהhas comeלָנוּupon usעַלbyיָדְךָ,your handעֲצִירַתthe closing ofכָּלallנְקָבִיםorificesשֶׁלofזֶרַעsemenוְשֶׁלand ofקְטַנִּיםurineוּרְעִיand excrementוְאָזְנַיִםand earsוְחֹטֶם:and nose

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamמָהwhatרָאִיתָdid you seeכִּיthatעָשִׂיתָyou didאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe thingהַזֶּה׃this

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאַבְרָהָםAvrahamכִּיbecauseאָמַרְתִּיI saidרַקsurelyאֵיןthere is noיִרְאַתfear ofאֱלֹהִיםGodבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeהַזֶּהthisוַהֲרָגוּנִיand they will kill meעַלbecause ofדְּבַרthe matter ofאִשְׁתִּי׃my wife

רַשִׁ״י

רקSurelyאיןthere is noיראתfear ofאלהים.Godאַכְסְנַאיa guestשֶׁבָּאwho comesלָעִיר,to the cityעַלaboutעִסְקֵיmatters ofאֲכִילָהeatingוּשְׁתִיָּהand drinkingשׁוֹאֲלִיןdo they askאוֹתוֹhimאוֹorעַלaboutעִסְקֵיmatters ofאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeשׁוֹאֲלִיןdo they askאוֹתוֹ?himאִשְׁתְּךָyour wifeהִיאis sheאוֹorאֲחוֹתְךָyour sisterהִיא?is sheבבאBavaקמאKammaשםthere:

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וְגַםAnd alsoאָמְנָהindeedאֲחֹתִיshe is my sisterבַתthe daughter ofאָבִיmy fatherהִואshe isאַךְbutלֹאnotבַתthe daughter ofאִמִּיmy motherוַתְּהִיand she becameלִיto meלְאִשָּׁה׃for a wife

רַשִׁ״י

אחתיMy sisterבתthe daughter ofאביmy fatherהוא.she isוּבַתAnd the daughter ofאָבa fatherמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedלְבֶןto a son ofנֹחַ,Noachשֶׁאֵיןfor there is noאַבְהוּתpaternal relationshipלְגוֹי,to a non-Jewוּכְדֵיand in orderלְאַמֵּתto verifyדְּבָרָיוhis wordsהֱשִׁיבָםhe answered themכֵּן.thusוְאִםAnd ifתֹּאמַרyou will sayוַהֲלֹאbut was she notבַּתthe daughter ofאָחִיוhis brotherהָיְתָה?she wasבְּנֵיthe children ofבָנִיםchildrenהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןthey areכְּבָנִים,like childrenוַהֲרֵיand beholdהִיאshe isבִתּוֹthe daughter ofשֶׁלofתֶּרַחTerachוְכָךְand soהוּאheאוֹמֵרsaysלְלוֹטto Lotכִּיforאֲנָשִׁיםmenאַחִיםbrothersאֲנָחְנוּwe areבראשיתBereishisי״ג:ח׳13:

רַשִׁ״י

אךButלאnotבתthe daughter ofאמי.my motherהָרָןHaranמֵאֵםfrom a motherאֲחֶרֶתdifferentהָיָה:was

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וַיְהִיAnd it wasכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenהִתְעוּcaused to wanderאֹתִיmeאֱלֹהִיםGodמִבֵּיתfrom the house ofאָבִיmy fatherוָאֹמַרand I saidלָהּto herזֶהthisחַסְדֵּךְis your kindnessאֲשֶׁרwhichתַּעֲשִׂיyou shall doעִמָּדִיwith meאֶלtoכָּלeveryהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרthatנָבוֹאwe shall comeשָׁמָּהthereאִמְרִיsayלִיof meאָחִיmy brotherהוּא׃he is

רַשִׁ״י

ויהיAnd it wasכאשרwhenהתעוcaused to wanderוגו'.etc.אֻנְקְלוֹסOnkelosתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedמַהwhatשֶּׁתִּרְגֵּם;that he translatedוְיֵשׁand there isלְיַשְּׁבוֹto settle itעוֹדfurtherדָּבָרa matterדָּבוּרspokenעַלuponאָפְנָיו,its fit waysכְּשֶׁהוֹצִיאַנִיwhen He brought-me-forthהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneמִבֵּיתfrom the house ofאָבִיmy fatherלִהְיוֹתto beמְשׁוֹטֵטroamingוְנָדand wanderingמִמָּקוֹםfrom placeלְמָקוֹם,to placeיָדַעְתִּיI knewשֶׁאֶעֱבֹרthat I would passבִּמְקוֹםin a place ofרְשָׁעִיםwicked peopleואמרand I saidלהto herזהthis isחסדךyour kindness:

רַשִׁ״י

כאשרwhenהתעו.caused to wanderלְשׁוֹןis a term ofרַבִּים.pluralוְאַלand do notתִּתְמַהּ,be surprisedכִּיforהַרְבֵּהmanyמְקוֹמוֹתpassagesלְשׁוֹןa term ofאֱלֹהוּתGodshipוּלְשׁוֹןand a term ofמָרוּתauthorityקָרוּיis calledבִּלְשׁוֹןin a term ofרַבִּים,pluralאֲשֶׁרwhomהָלְכוּwentאֱלֹהִיםGodשמואלShmuelבIIז'7,אֱלֹהִיםGodחַיִּיםlivingדבריםDevarimה'5,אֱלֹהִיםGodקְדֹשִׁיםholyיהושעYehoshuaכ"ד24,וְכָלand everyלְשׁוֹןterm ofאַדְנוּתlordshipלְשׁוֹןis a term ofרַבִּים;pluralוְכֵןand soוַיִּקַּחand tookאֲדֹנֵיthe master ofיוֹסֵףYosefבראשיתBereishisל"ט39,וַאֲדֹנֵיand Lord ofהָאֲדֹנִיםthe lordsדבריםDevarimי'10,אֲדֹנֵיthe lord ofהָאָרֶץthe landבראשיתBereishisמ"ב42,וְכֵןand soבְּעָלָיוits ownerעִמּוֹis with itשמותShemosכ"ב22,וְהוּעַדand warning was givenבִּבְעָלָיוto its masterשםthereכ"א21.וְאִםand ifתֹּאמַרyou will sayמַהוּwhat isלְשׁוֹןthe termהִתְעוּ?caused to wanderכָּלanyoneהַגּוֹלֶהwho is exiledמִמְּקוֹמוֹfrom his placeוְאֵינוֹand is notמְיֻשָּׁבsettledקָרוּיis calledתּוֹעֶה,a wandererכְּמוֹlikeוַתֵּלֶךְand she wentוַתֵּתַעand she strayedבראשיתBereishisכ"א21,תָּעִיתִיI went astrayכְּשֶׂהlike a sheepאֹבֵדlostתהיליםTehillimקי"ט119,יִתְעוּthey wanderלִבְלִיfor lack ofאֹכֶלfoodאיובIyovל"ח38–יֵצְאוּthey go outוְיִתְעוּand wanderלְבַקֵּשׁto seekאָכְלָם:their food

רַשִׁ״י

אמריsayלי.regarding meעָלַי,about meוְכֵןand soוַיִּשְׁאֲלוּand they askedאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeלְאִשְׁתּוֹregarding his wifeבראשיתBereishisכ"ו26,עַלaboutאִשְׁתּוֹ,his wifeוְכֵןand soוְאָמַרand he will sayפַּרְעֹהPharaohלִבְנֵיregarding the children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשמותShemosי"ד14,כְּמוֹlikeעַלaboutבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל;Yisraelפֶּןlestיֹאמְרוּthey will sayלִיregarding meאִשָּׁהa womanהֲרָגָתְהוּkilled himשופטיםShoftimט'9:

פָּסוּק לב

Pasuk 32

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechצֹאןsheepוּבָקָרand oxenוַעֲבָדִיםand male slavesוּשְׁפָחֹתand female slavesוַיִּתֵּןand he gaveלְאַבְרָהָםto Avrahamוַיָּשֶׁבand he restoredלוֹto himאֵת—שָׂרָהSarahאִשְׁתּוֹ׃his wife

רַשִׁ״י

ויתןand he gaveלאברהם.to Avrahamכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיִּתְפַּיֵּסthat he be appeasedוְיִתְפַּלֵּלand prayעָלָיו:for him

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechהִנֵּהbeholdאַרְצִיmy landלְפָנֶיךָis before youבַּטּוֹבin the goodבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesשֵׁב׃settle

רַשִׁ״י

הנהBeholdארציmy landלפניך.is before youאֲבָלbutפַּרְעֹהPharaohאָמַרsaidלוֹto himהִנֵּהbeholdאִשְׁתְּךָyour wifeקַחtakeוָלֵךְ,and goלְפִיbecauseשֶׁנִּתְיָרֵא,that he fearedשֶׁהַמִּצְרִיִּיםthat the Egyptiansשְׁטוּפֵיwere addicted toזִמָּה:lewdness

פָּסוּק לד

Pasuk 34

וּלְשָׂרָהAnd to Sarahאָמַרhe saidהִנֵּהbeholdנָתַתִּיI have givenאֶלֶףa thousandכֶּסֶףpieces of silverלְאָחִיךְto your brotherהִנֵּהbeholdהוּאitלָךְis for youכְּסוּתa covering ofעֵינַיִםeyesלְכֹלto allאֲשֶׁרwhoאִתָּךְare with youוְאֵתand withכֹּלeveryoneוְנֹכָחַת׃and you are vindicated

רַשִׁ״י

ולשרהAnd to Sarahאמר.he saidאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechלִכְבוֹדָהּfor her honorכְּדֵיin orderלְפַיְּסָהּ,to appease herהִנֵּהbeholdעָשִׂיתִיI have madeלָךְfor youכָּבוֹדhonorזֶה,thisנָתַתִּיI have givenמָמוֹןmoneyלְאָחִיךְto your brotherשֶׁאָמַרְתְּwhom you saidעָלָיוabout himאָחִיmy brotherהוּא,he isהִנֵּהbeholdהַמָּמוֹןthe moneyוְהַכָּבוֹדand the honorהַזֶּהthisלךis to youכסותa coveringעיניםof eyes:

רַשִׁ״י

לכלto allאשרwhoאתך.are with youיְכַסּוּthey will coverעֵינֵיהֶםtheir eyesשֶׁלֹּאso that notיְקִלּוּךְ,they will slight youשֶׁאִלּוּfor ifהֲשִׁיבוֹתִיךְI had returned youרֵיקָנִית,empty-handedיֵשׁthere isלָהֶםto themלוֹמַרto sayלְאַחַרafterשֶׁנִּתְעַלַּלthat he abusedבָּהּherהֶחֱזִירָהּ;he returned herעַכְשָׁוnowשֶׁהֻצְרַכְתִּיthat I was forcedלְבַזְבֵּזto lavishמָמוֹןmoneyוּלְפַיְּסֵךְ,and to appease youיוֹדְעִיםknowingיִהְיוּthey will beשֶׁעַלthat againstכָּרְחִיmy willהֲשִׁיבוֹתִיךְI returned youוְעַלand byיְדֵיmeans ofנֵס:a miracle

רַשִׁ״י

ואתand withכל.allוְעִםand withכָּלall ofבָּאֵיthose who enterעוֹלָם:the world

רַשִׁ״י

ונכחת.and you may faceיְהִיthere will beלָךְto youפִּתְחוֹןan opening ofפֶּהmouthלְהִתְוַכֵּחַto argueוּלְהַרְאוֹתand to showדְבָרִיםmattersנִכָּרִיםevidentהַלָּלוּ;theseוּלְשׁוֹןand the expression ofהוֹכָחָהprovingבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceבֵּרוּרclarification ofדְּבָרִיםmattersובלע"זand in foreign tongueאשפרו"ביר,eprouverוְאֻנְקְלוֹסand Onkelosתִּרְגֵּםtranslatedבְּפָנִיםin a mannerאֲחֵרִים,differentוּלְשׁוֹןand the language ofהַמִּקְרָאthe verseכָּךְthusהוּאitנוֹפֵלfallsעַלuponהַתַּרְגּוּם,the translationהִנֵּהbeholdלָךְto youכְּסוּתa covering ofשֶׁלofכָּבוֹדhonorעַלon account ofהָעֵינַיִםthe eyesשֶׁלִּיof mineשֶׁשָּׁלְטוּthat gazedבָּךְupon youוּבְכֹלand upon allאֲשֶׁרwhoאִתָּךְ,are with youוְעַלand onכֵּןaccount of thisתִּרְגְּמוֹhe translated itוַחֲזֵיתbecause I sawיָתִיךְyouוְיַתand —כָּלallדְּעִמָּךְ.that are with youוְיֵשׁand there areמִ"אַMidrashic explanationsאֲבָלbutיִשּׁוּבthe proper settling ofלְשׁוֹןthe language ofהַמִּקְרָאthe verseפֵּרַשְׁתִּי:I have explained

פָּסוּק לה

Pasuk 35

וַיִּתְפַּלֵּלAnd prayedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶלtoהָאֱלֹהִיםGodוַיִּרְפָּאand healedאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—אֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechוְאֶתand —אִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeוְאַמְהֹתָיוand his handmaidsוַיֵּלֵדוּ׃and they bore

רַשִׁ״י

וילדו.and they brought forthכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targumוְאִתְרְוָחוּ,and they were relievedנִפְתְּחוּwere openedנִקְבֵיהֶםtheir orificesוְהוֹצִיאוּ,and they brought outוְהִיאand this isלֵדָהbringing forthשֶׁלָּהֶם:of theirs

פָּסוּק לו

Pasuk 36

כִּיforעָצֹרclosingעָצַרhad closedיְהוָהHashemבְּעַדfor the sake ofכָּלeveryרֶחֶםwombלְבֵיתof the house ofאֲבִימֶלֶךְAvimelechעַלbecause ofדְּבַרthe matter ofשָׂרָהSarahאֵשֶׁתthe wife ofאַבְרָהָם׃Avraham

רַשִׁ״י

בעדForכלeveryרחם.wombכְּנֶגֶדcorresponding toכָּלeveryפֶּתַח:opening

רַשִׁ״י

עלBecause ofדברthe word ofשרה.Sarahעַלbyפִּיthe mouth ofדִּבּוּרָהּher biddingשֶׁלofשָׂרָה:Sarah

פָּסוּק לז

Pasuk 37

וַיהוָהAnd Hashemפָּקַדrememberedאֶת—שָׂרָהSarahכַּאֲשֶׁרasאָמָרHe saidוַיַּעַשׂand didיְהוָהHashemלְשָׂרָהfor Sarahכַּאֲשֶׁרasדִּבֵּר׃He spoke

רַשִׁ״י

וה'And Hashemפקדrememberedאת—שרהSarahוגו'.etc.סָמַךHe juxtaposedפָּרָשָׁהthe sectionזוֹthisלְלַמֶּדְךָ,to teach youשֶׁכָּלthat anyoneהַמְבַקֵּשׁwho requestsרַחֲמִיםmercyעַלforחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowוְהוּאand heצָרִיךְneedsלְאוֹתוֹfor thatדָבָר,thingהוּאheנַעֲנֶהis answeredתְחִלָּהfirstבבאBavaקמאKammaצ"ב92,שֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוַיִּתְפַּלֵּלAnd he prayedוְגוֹ',etc.וּסְמִיךְand juxtaposedלֵיהּto itוה'And Hashemפָּקַדrememberedאֶת—שָׂרָה,Sarahשֶׁפְּקָדָהּthat He remembered herכְּבָרalreadyקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁרִפֵּאthat He healedאֶת—אֲבִימֶלֶךְ:Avimelech

רַשִׁ״י

פקדHe rememberedאת—שרהSarahכאשרasאמר.He saidבְּהֵרָיוֹן:with pregnancy

רַשִׁ״י

כאשרasדבר.He had spokenבְּלֵדָה.with birthוְהֵיכָןand whereהִיאisאֲמִירָה,sayingוְהֵיכָןand whereהוּאisדִּבּוּר?speakingאֲמִירָהsayingוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidאֱלֹהִיםGodאֲבָלnay butשָׂרָהSarahאִשְׁתְּךָyour wifeוְגוֹetc'בראשיתBereshisי"ז17,דִּבּוּרspeakingהָיָהwasדְבַרthe word ofה'HashemאֶלtoאַבְרָםAvramבִּבְרִיתat the CovenantבֵּיןBetweenהַבְּתָרִים,the Piecesוְשָׁםand thereנֶאֱמַרit was saidלֹאnotיִירָשְׁךָshall inherit youזֶהthis oneוְגוֹ'etcשםthereט"ו15,וְהֵבִיאand He broughtהַיּוֹרֵשׁthe heirמִשָּׂרָה:from Sarah

רַשִׁ״י

ויעשAnd He didה'Hashemלשרהto Sarahכאשרasדבר.He spokeלְאַבְרָהָם:to Avraham

פָּסוּק לח

Pasuk 38

וַתַּהַרAnd she conceivedוַתֵּלֶדand she boreשָׂרָהSarahלְאַבְרָהָםto Avrahamבֵּןa sonלִזְקֻנָיוin his old ageלַמּוֹעֵדat the set timeאֲשֶׁרwhichדִּבֶּרspokeאֹתוֹof itאֱלֹהִים׃God

רַשִׁ״י

למועדAt the appointed timeאשרwhichדברHe spokeאתו.with himדִּיwhichמַלִּילHe spokeיָתֵהּ,with himאֶת—הַמּוֹעֵדthe appointed timeדִּבֵּרHe spokeוְקָבַעand establishedכְּשֶׁאָמַרwhen He saidלוֹto himלַמּוֹעֵדat the appointed timeאָשׁוּבI will returnאֵלֶיךָto youשםthereי"ח18,שָׂרַטHe scratchedלוֹfor himשְׂרִיטָהa scratchבַּכֹּתֶל,on the wallאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himכְּשֶׁתַּגִּיעַwhen reachesחַמָּהthe sunלִשְׂרִיטָהto the scratchזוֹthisבַּשָּׁנָהin the yearהָאַחֶרֶת,the nextתֵּלֵד:she will give birth

רַשִׁ״י

לזקניו.to his eldersהיהwasזיוthe brightness ofאיקוניןthe featuresשלוof hisדומהsimilarלו:to him

פָּסוּק לט

Pasuk 39

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—שֶׁםthe name ofבְּנוֹhis sonהַנּוֹלַדwho was bornלוֹto himאֲשֶׁרwhomיָלְדָהboreלּוֹto himשָׂרָהSarahיִצְחָק׃Yitzchak

פָּסוּק מ

Pasuk 40

וַיָּמָלAnd circumcisedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—יִצְחָקYitzchakבְּנוֹhis sonבֶּןof age ofשְׁמֹנַתeightיָמִיםdaysכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוָּהcommandedאֹתוֹhimאֱלֹהִים׃God

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by sulfur and fire, the turning of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt, and Lot's escape to a cave with his daughters, leading to the birth of Moav and Ammon. Avraham then travels to Gerar, where Sarah is taken by Abimelech but protected by Hashem's warning in a dream. After Abimelech returns Sarah with gifts and Avraham davens for the healing of Abimelech's household, the parsha reaches a major climax as Hashem remembers Sarah, leading to the birth and bris milah of Yitzchak.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is showing us a tremendous, eye-opening yesod in how Hashem runs the world. Look at the sequence of the parsha: first, Avraham Avinu has to daven for Abimelech and his household to be healed so they can have children. Immediately after, the very next pasuk says, "V'Hashem pakad es Sarah", Hashem remembered Sarah and she finally gave birth to Yitzchak. The Gemara in Bava Kamma brings down from here the famous klal: anyone who needs rachamim for himself, but davens for his friend who needs that same thing, he is answered first.

Lichoira, this is a difficult sevara to understand. If a person is in deep pain and needs a yeshua, how is he expected to put his own tzaros aside and daven for someone else? The answer is that this is exactly what breaks the mechitzos. When we are wrapped up in our own worries, our tefillos can sometimes become narrow. But when you look at another Yid who is suffering from the exact same nisayon, and your heart genuinely goes out to them, you are acting with true, selfless ahavas Yisrael. Mimeila, you awaken a midda k'neged midda in Shamayim, and Hashem showers His chesed down on you first.

Today, take a moment before you daven for your own needs. Think of someone in your circle, a friend, a neighbor, or a chavrusa, who is going through the exact same struggle, whether it is parnassah, shidduchim, shalom bayis, or health. Put your own list aside for two minutes and daven with real warmth and heart specifically for them.