Vayera: Genesis 18:1-22:24
Parsha Summary:
Like much of the Book of Genesis, this portion covers lots of famous stories. After the circumcision, Abraham is sitting at the entrance to his tent. He sees three visitors approaching and warmly welcomes them. Here is the root of hospitality in Judaism. But what is it he sees? Is this just a mirage?
Later in the story, Hagar runs away from her mistress and she hears an angel telling her to go back to the harsh treatment of her mistress Sarah. What does she hear?
Sarah is told that she will have a child and she laughs. What did she really hear? Then she Is not happy with how Isaac and Ishmael are “playing” so Abraham kicks out Hagar and Ishmael. Out of food and water, Hagar puts her child under a bush and begs that she not look on while the lad dies. The text tells us that G-d heard the cries of the lad. But wait, wasn’t it Hagar who was speaking?
Still later Abraham hears G-d say to take his son, his only son, the one he loves, to take Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice. Again, what did he hear? Who is speaking? G-d or an angel?
Recently I had the experience of thinking I looked fat on a Zoom call when, in fact, I am at my lowest weight since ordination. What’s happening here? How does perception play a role in reality? There has been lots of scientific research on this topic with colleges running labs called Perception Labs. Here is what they are doing at Yale. http://perception.yale.edu/ There is lots of material here to whet your appetite. Including, almost a footnote of praising Jonathan Kominsky for opening his own perception lab. Jonathan is a research scientist active in this field and the son of Rabbi Neil Kominsky and Dr. Deborah Frank. A quick search yields that Carleton College, University of Iowa and others also have perception labs.
How our brains see or hear is a whole field of science. It is also art when you think about MC Ecsher’s art that is full of optical illusion. https://mcescher.com/ For instance, in his famous lithograph are those stairs ascending or descending?
Table Topics
- How do we see?
- How do we hear?
- Is there a difference between perception and reality?
- What role does G-d play in any of this?
Labs at Home:
Sent in by Dr. Jonathan Kominsky, Perception Scientist.
Try drawing a Necker Cube. All it takes is paper and a ruler. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necker_cube
Or for a little more complexity, try this one about cardboard arrows:
http://illusionoftheyear.com/2019/12/ambiguous-cardboard-arrows/
Song:
Esai Enai…I lift up my eyes…
Esa Eina by Neshama Carlebach at March of the Living Tribute to Ronald Lauder
Acts of Kindness:
Abraham and Sarah’s tent were open to all four sides so they could welcome the stranger. Three strangers, messengers, angels, came and Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw. Figure out one way to engage in “hachnasat orchim,” welcoming guests. How would you make people feel welcome in your home, especially during this time of COVID? What other ways could you extend the mitzvah without welcoming them to your home? What about outside dining? Taking a walk? Making a phone call?