Parsha

Mazal Tov: Gil Segre and Raquel Marques for their birthdays. And Guto & Jaqueline Nery for celebrationg their 34th wedding anniversary.

Pray for Refuah Sheimah: Yossefa (Josie) bat Sharon, Rafael ben Gladis and Esther Bracha bat Sarah.

Continue Praying for: Miriam (Mariana) bat Zulay, Adina (Heidi) bat Sarah and Yosefa (Josie) bat Sharon.

Vayera

Genesis 18:1 - 22:24

Avraham travels to Philistia, and introduces Sarah as his sister. So, Avimelech, the King, abducts Sarah with intention to marry her. The Almighty comes to Avimelech in a dream and tells him that Sarah is a married woman and that he will die if he marries her. Avimelech returns her to Avraham and demands an explanation for claiming to be Sarah's brother. The Torah states:

"And Avraham said, 'Because I said there is no fear of G-d in this place, and they will slay me on account of my wife"  (Genesis 20:11).

Avraham told Avimelech that individuals or nations might appear to be great philosophers and humanitarians; they might even have proper manners and good character traits. However, as long as their morality is based on their own logic, we can never be certain that when their desire to do evil is strong, their logic will be able to overcome that desire.

There is only one restraint that we can rely upon to prevent a person from committing a crime: fear of G-d. When a person has an overpowering desire to do something wrong, but realizes that G-d is aware of every hidden act, he will be ashamed to commit the offense. Avraham, therefore, said in effect: "Even if you are righteous, since you lack fear of G-d, I fear that you will murder me to take my wife."

It is interesting to note that the Philistines were not without moral scruples. They would not marry another man's wife. However, they had no problem in murdering the man in order to make his wife free to be married. Such is the power of "ethics" when left to the desires and logic of society.

G-d asks no one whether he will accept life. This is not the choice. The only choice you have as you go through life is how you live it.

Reputation is valuable, but character is priceless!

Every day we should work on ourselves to grow spiritually and improve our Middot (character), so we will be holy and fulfill G-d's Commandments.

Shabbat Shalom

R. Ovadiah Tank

Online Learning

Rabbi Tank is dedicated to finding modern usefulness and meaning in ancient wisdom texts and he is happy to provide spiritual, cultural, social and educational programming for communities around the world. 

Rabbi Tank was educated in Chabad Yeshivas in New York and Miami. He has got a Degree in Biblical Archeology from Bar Ilan University and a Harvard Degree in Judaic Studies. He got his Bachelor's in Business Administration and he also earned a degree in International Economic Development from the University of Oxford. 

Rabbi Tank is a professor at American Jewish College where he teaches classes on Talmud, Jewish History and Contemporary Jewish Law. Rabbi Tank works also as a Kosher Supervisor and as a Chaplain, with active involvement in peace negotiations and humanitarian relief operations. 

Rabbi Tank is a Member of the National White House Faith Leaders, an Executive Office of the President of the United States.

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