At the beginning of Parshat Vayera, we are told that Abraham, convalescing just three days after his circumcision, is in great pain. He is paid a “visit” by G-d. Shortly thereafter, three people pass by his tent and Abraham invites them in for a meal. Abraham initially tells them that he will give them bread and water and set them on their way, yet he ends up preparing an elaborate meal with fresh baked bread and choice meats. He waits on them and caters to all their needs.

The three "men" are, in fact, angels disguised as people, each of whom is on a distinct mission. One angel has been sent to heal Abraham, another to inform Sarah that she will have a baby boy in a year, and the third angel is prepared to destroy the corrupt city of Sodom and its four sister cities. G-d informs Abraham of the impending destruction of the cities. Abraham pleads with G-d to spare them, arguing that it is unfair to harm the righteous people within them. "Why should the righteous be punished along with the guilty?" he asks. Truth be told, there were no righteous people in the cities, and all five were wiped out. The only survivors were Lot and his two daughters, who were whisked out of Sodom by the angels just before the destruction occurred.

As foretold, Sarah gives birth to a baby boy exactly one year later. He is named Isaac. As the boy grows up, Hagar’s son Ishmael becomes a spiritual threat to him. Sarah points this out to Abraham and asks that Ishmael be sent away. Abraham, initially reluctant to do so, is told by G-d that his wife’s perception is correct, for the holy Jewish people will emerge from Isaac. Ishmael is also blessed to grow into a great nation. (The Moslem world claims to be  descended from Ishmael.)

The Parsha concludes with the remarkable story of the Akeida, in which G-d tests Abraham by implying that Isaac should be brought to Him as a karban (offering). Abraham is willing to do so, and G-d tells him that he has passed the divine test, saying:"Now I have seen that you are indeed one who fears G-d." G-d promises Abraham that his children will multiply like the stars in the sky and the sand on the shores of the ocean and they will  ultimately emerge victorious over their enemies.