Vayiera - the paper oak

“Adonay appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day” (Bereshit. 18:1).
The Oak of Mamre (also called the Oak of Sibta), at Hirbet es-Sibte, two kilometres southwest of Mamre also called The Oak of Abraham is an ancient tree which, in tradition, is said to mark the place where Abraham entertained the three angels or where Abraham pitched his tent. It is estimated that this oak is approximately 5,000 years old. 

Build an oak with children: a roll of paper, markers, scissors and true leaves picked from a tree. Add a squirrel to your oak if you like.

Vayerà

G‑d paid Abraham a visit, as he sat at the entrance of his tent. Abraham suddenly noticed three travelers passing by, and ran to invite them into his home. These passersby, who were actually angels in human disguise, accepted the invitation, and Abraham and Sarah prepared a sumptuous feast for them. The angels informed Abraham that Sarah would give birth to a child exactly one year later. Eighty-nine-year-old, post-menopausal Sarah, who was standing nearby, heard this assurance, and laughed. G‑d was displeased with Sarah's lack of faith.

Abraham's tents by Michael Muchnik

G.d appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. 

 THE OAK OF MAMRE

Oval wooden hand-painted with the children showing the oak of Mamre, and the three angels

Parashah Vayera - the angels visit

The tents of Avraham and Sarah 3D project
G‑d paid Abraham a visit, as he sat at the entrance of his tent. Abraham suddenly noticed three travelers passing by, and ran to invite them into his home. These passersby, who were actually angels in human disguise, accepted the invitation, and Abraham and Sarah prepared a sumptuous feast for them. The angels informed Abraham that Sarah would give birth to a child exactly one year later.

parashah vayera 2 - sundial

WOOD SUNDIAL for parashah Vayera.

This wood handmade sundial helps to teach the central hour of the day following the sun position in the sky

 

G-d revealed Himself to him by the Oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.

parashah Vayera - the welcoming tree board

Abraham welcomes three strangers, running to them, feeding them, and acting as their servant. We remember and emulate Abraham for his acts of hospitality as much as for his faith, both of which have served as a legacy for Judaism.
The Lord appeared to him [Abraham] by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot. Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and bowing to the ground, he said, "My lords, if it please you do not go on past your servant. Let a little water be brought, bathe your feet and recline under the tree. And let me fetch you a morsel of bread that you may refresh yourselves; then, go on, seeing you have come your servant's way." Anywhere you go in the world, a Jewish heritage is a ticket for hospitality.

 

The trait of hospitality is what allows the angels to enter that tent to inform Sarah of the miraculous tidings that she will bear a son in spite of her advanced years. The sin of hostility to any form of hospitality is what dooms Sodom to destruction. The humane response of Lot to the angels begging hospitality in Sodom is what saves him and his daughters from their destruction in Sodom. 

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see also

parashah VaYera 3

Lot's wife shaped with salt dough.

My daughters idea and their modelling craft for rapresenting Lot's wife turned into a salt statue while she looked back whem escaping from Sedom.

parashah VaYera 2

He said, 'Sir, if you would, do not go on without stopping by me.  Let some water be brought, and wash your feet. Rest under the tree.

Yukach-na me'at-mayim verachatsu ragleychem vehisha'anu tachat ha'ets.

We made for parashah VaYera the children footprints on paper with blue paint.

Parashah VaYera

HaShem appeared to Abraham in the Plains of Mamre while Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. The strangers got up to leave and Abraham got up to see them on their way.
HaShem said, "Should I hid from Abraham what I am going to do? Through him there will be a mighty nation." Then HaShem said, "The outcry against Sodom is great and their sin is grave. I shall go and see if it is true." The strangers departed for Sodom. HaShem and Abraham talked on.

The welcoming tree project 

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Avraham's tent 

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Akeidas Yitzack story
A summary of the basic story line of Akeidas Yitzchak with fill-ins to complete. This can be used as a guide when teaching or as review after the lesson.
The story can either be taught when learning Parshas Vayeira or when learning about
Rosh Hashanah. (The Midrash Says)

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Vayera sequencing 
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