Writing a D’var on Va’yera
October 02, 2002
I’ve been asked by the rabbis at my shul (Congregation B’nai Jeshurun) to participate in a new initiative — online d’vrei torah, written by congregants....
Each week we will present a D’var Torah, an outline of the Torah portion, and questions for further study all written by a BJ community member. This teaching will allow us to study the week’s parasha together.
As Emmanuel Levinas teaches: “It is as though each person, through her uniqueness, ensures the revelation of a unique aspect of the truth.”
I selected va’yera — Genesis 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. I have the feeling a bit off a bit more than I’ve ever chewed before....
The drafts are due for submission soon. I’ve done copious amounts of research, and I’ve narrowed down my focus to Chapter 20, and I think I know what I want to say... but I’m still daunted. I’m going to ramble on about some of my thoughts, theories, interests, here, now....
Parsha Outline DRAFT
Chapter 18 — Birth and Death Announcements
During hottest part of the day, at the aperture of his tent, amongst the Trees of Mamre, Avraham lifts his eyes from a vision of YHVH, to see three figures approach. He calls to “his masters”, bows, implores them to wash and rest under the shade of his tree, to refresh their hearts with bread. “Yes,” they reply in one voice, “do as you have spoken.”
Avraham orchestrates a feast with haste. He rushes Sarah to make “three measures worth” of fine cakes — that’s eight pounds per guest! He takes and gives choice calves to “the youth”, possibly Ishmael, for preparation. Avraham takes the calf, with butter and milk, (note the absense of dietary laws) places the meal before them, and stands by, under the tree, while his guests eat.
“Where is Sarah, your wife?” the guests ask, in unison. “Behold! in the tent,” Avraham replies. One voice from the chorus speaks: “Behold! Sarah, your wife, with have a son.” Sarah, at the aperture of the tent, overhears and laughs to herself, “after Nothingness, am I to experience Edenic joy? And with Avraham so old?!” God, hearing Sarah’s internal disbelief, asks Avraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying ‘Shall I really birth a child at my age?!’ Is there anything apart from Me? I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” “I did not laugh,” Sarah denies in amazement, and he (Avraham? God? the text is unclear) said, “No, you did laugh.”
The guests stand, look towards Sodom, and Avraham walks them on their way. Thinking aloud, God decides to reveal to cherished Avraham — who directs a household and family in “righteous and just” ways — the great sin of Sodom and Ammorah. “Her outcry is great.” The guests turn away, but Avraham still stands before God.
Avraham confronts God the Judge to act justly, bartering for the lives of fifty, forty–five, forty, thirty, twenty, ten righteous people. God disengages, and Avraham returns “to his place.”
Chapter 19 — Sodom and Ammorah
Lot sits at the gate of the city of Sodom, sees two strangers approaching and implores them to be his guests. After much persuasion, they take the side–streets to Lot’s house; Lot prepares a feast, and they eat.
Before they have a chance to lie down, the entire city, young and old, even those from the edge of the city, converge on Lot’s house, demanding “Where are those men that came tonight?! Let us rape them!”
Lot goes outside, closing the door behind him, offering the mob his two virgin daughters, in order that they may leave his guests alone. “Move aside, foreigner! This immigrant thinks himself a judge! We’ll do you worse than them!” The crowd presses on Lot and nears to break the door.
Raising their hands, the visitors simultaneously bring Lot inside and blind the men outside, obscuring the entrance. “Remove your family from this place,” they implore before announcing their mission to destroy the city.
That’s all I can muster for tonight. I’ll get around to more tomorrow, from the JCC probably. I will probably shorten the text outline considerably. It’s hard rewriting Torah!
Posted October 2, 2002 05:15 PM
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