Parshat Vayeira (He Appeared)

The Torah portion is Vayeira, Genesis 18:1-22:24. In synagogues using the Triennial system, 5785 is year 3 and the Torah reading is Genesis 21:1-22:24.

This is a busy portion with the promise of a son for Sarah, the son Isaac's birth, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, casting out of Sarah's servant Hagar and Ishmael the son she bore Abraham, Alliance with Abimelech, the Akeidah (the binding of Isaac to offer as a burnt offering) and the birth of Isaac's future wife Rebecca.

The haftarah is II Kings 4:1-4:37. The story of a woman giving hospitality to the prophet Elisha, paralleling Abraham giving hospitality to three "men" (angels) at the beginning of the Torah portion.

In synagogues using the Sephardic tradition, the Haftarah is II Kings 4:1-4:23.