Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.

We’re dedicating a new Sefer Torah on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this joyous occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to take a whirlwind trip through the Torah

Today’s portion is Vayeira from the book of Genesis. Today’s insight was generously provided by Jen S.

Verses of note: Genesis 21:9-21:21

What caught your attention in this parashah?

Parsha Vayeira contains many insightful stories about strangers visiting strange lands. We are reminded of our obligation – perhaps the most counter-intuitive obligation: to befriend a stranger, for we were strangers in the land of Egypt once. Counter-intuitive because it goes against our instincts to be safe. Yet, the Torah tells us repeatedly that we are obligated to provide to strangers. Parsha Vayeira opens with Abraham welcoming 3 strangers with utmost hospitality from the time they arrived to the moment they left. But who is a stranger? Who is Ha’ger? Who do you embrace and who do you turn away? Sandwiched between 2 epic stories, the birth of Isaac and the Akidah, is the plight of Hagar. Hagar, the Egyptian slave, Abraham’s concubine, the foreigner, was banished with her son and lost her way in the wilderness. Hagar and Ishmael, among the original refugees, were thrust from their home.

What’s one explanation for these verses?

This part of the Parsha with Sarah asking Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away has always bothered me. Blended families, like diverse nations, are fraught with tension, and this tension between Sarah and Hagar had been building up for a while. Unfortunately, this story of Hagar and Ishmael still happens today. Refugees flee their homeland so that their children can live and survive. How many news stories have we read where a child is passed off across the borders in the parents’ hope of their survival? Sadly, there are Ishmaels whose stories do not end well. Migration is deeply intertwined with every era of United States’ history. In light of the continued refugee crisis around the globe, we need to examine what we can do to ensure that people feel safe and welcomed in this country and our community.

The Torah commands us to love God, our friends, and the stranger – “ha’ger”. As Jews, we bear the history of the refugee, for we were also strangers in the land of Egypt. Sometimes, we need to look hard and recognize all those people who really are strangers, people who remain largely invisible: refugees, immigrants, people from different backgrounds or of a different economic status, the new kid in class, or anyone else who feel like they don’t belong. Behind every face we encounter, there is a story. You can look for the Ger in every situation and treat them with loving kindness. After all, we all start as strangers.

Where to Learn More

Send me an email and I can share my D’var on this portion: jentoinks@yahoo.com