The Book of Genesis’ parashot are divided neatly as follows: The first 2 parashot, Bereishit and Noach, tell the universal story of mankind before Abraham. The next 2 parashot, Lech Lecha and Vayeira, relate Abraham’s story. The next 2, Chayei Sarah and Toldot, tell us Isaac’s story. The next 2, Vayeitzei and Vayishlach are Jacob’s story. The final 4, Vayeishev, Mikeitz, Vayigash, and Vayechi relate the chronicles of the 12 Tribes, particularly Joseph. In relation to Abraham, we find that the value of the names of his 2 parashot, Lech Lecha (לֶךְ לְךָ) and Vayeira (וַיֵּרָא) is exactly the value of his most well-known connotation, “Abraham our father” (אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ).
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At the beginning of our parashah we learn that, “Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years” (וְאַבְרָהָם וְשָׂרָה זְקֵנִים בָּאִים בַּיָּמִים). The value of this phrase is the same as the well-known description of the end of days, “Then God will be sovereign over the entire Earth, on that day He will be one and His Name will be one” (וְהָיָה י-הוה לְמֶלֶךְ עַל־כָּל־הָאָרֶץ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה י-הוה אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד).
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Parashat Vayeira begins with three angels visiting Abraham and Sarah, each carrying a separate message. The angel that portended the birth of Isaac was Michael. The value of “Abraham Sarah and Michael” (אַבְרָהָם שָׂרָה מִיכָאֵל) is 854, the same as the first of the three Priestly Blessings (Numbers 6:24), “May God bless you and keep you” (יְבָרֶכְךָ י-הוה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ), which the sages explain means that “He should bless you with sons and keep you with daughters.”
