This week's Torah portion, Vayera, focuses on significant events in the life of Abraham: his circumcision at the age of 99, his encounter with three angels who reveal that he and Sarah will have a son, Isaac, and—most crucially—the moment when G-d commands Abraham to sacrifice his son. Although these events may seem disparate, they are united by a common thread: each story explores a path to revelation. This is particularly relevant for us, as spiritual seekers, because we all strive to uncover deeper truths in our lives. We find ourselves asking G-d: What is our purpose? What should we do now? Why is this happening to me? All of us experience anguish at times, and in our suffering, we seek revelation.

However, Vayera reminds us that simply asking these questions is not enough. Even as we seek answers, we may miss the messages G-d is sending us—messages that could be hidden because of our own attitudes or behaviors. This portion teaches us that, to truly receive revelation, we must first take action—just as Abraham did—even when that action challenges our instincts.

Often, we believe that pain is a path to revelation. Think about it—many of us assume that suffering will eventually lead to some kind of reward or spiritual growth. At first glance, this idea seems to fit Abraham’s situation. He underwent circumcision—without the modern conveniences of anesthesia or skilled surgeons, using only a sharp stone as his tool. It’s clear that Abraham endured tremendous pain. We might wonder, then, if the pain itself was the purpose of the circumcision. But that would be an incorrect interpretation. The suffering was not the ultimate goal. The reason G-d asked Abraham to circumcise himself was that it symbolized a physical "opening" of Abraham, making him more spiritually receptive. Through this act of vulnerability, Abraham became spiritually "uncovered," which prepared him to receive a revelation three days later. The circumcision wasn’t merely about enduring pain; it was about creating space for the Divine to enter.

After Abraham’s circumcision, he was visited by three angels. At first, he didn’t recognize them for who they were. These angels appeared as ordinary travelers, and Abraham could have easily dismissed them, especially since he had just undergone such a painful procedure. But despite his discomfort, he chose to welcome them with warmth and hospitality. He greeted them, offered them food, and even washed their feet. What does this teach us? It shows that Abraham’s openness went beyond the physical. He was open to receiving others, humble enough to understand that revelations could come from unexpected sources. His humility was confirmed when the angels revealed their true identity as messengers of G-d. They delivered a powerful message: despite their old age, Abraham and Sarah would soon have a son, Isaac.

When Isaac was born, many celebrated the miraculous event. Yet some people doubted. After all, Sarah was elderly and had been considered barren for most of her life. Could it really be true? It’s easy to understand why they might have struggled to believe. But those who doubted were punished for their lack of faith: G-d dried up the milk of the noble women, making them unable to nurse their own children. Meanwhile, Sarah’s milk flowed freely, and she was able to nurse the babies of others. This serves as a reminder to us: there are always unknown elements in life, and if we approach life with the mindset that we already know everything, we close ourselves off from new revelations. We block our ability to receive G-d’s messages. But when we remain open, even to what seems irrational, we make room for G-d’s plan to unfold.

The ultimate test of Abraham’s openness came when G-d commanded him to sacrifice his son. As we know, G-d had no intention of allowing the sacrifice to take place, but Abraham didn’t know that. He was given an unthinkable command, and we can only imagine the anguish he must have felt. Yet, despite his love for Isaac, Abraham bound him and prepared to carry out the sacrifice. He raised the knife, demonstrating his complete trust in G-d—even when doing so contradicted every instinct he had. At the last moment, G-d intervened, stopping Abraham and revealing that it had been a test. Abraham’s willingness to follow through with G-d’s command showed that he was open to the Divine plan, even when it defied reason. This act of unconditional faith was itself a revelation, a path to blessings and deeper understanding.

So, what can we learn from the many stories in Vayera? How can we apply their wisdom in our own lives? The message is clear: to receive Divine revelation, we must first open ourselves up to G-d’s word. This means becoming vulnerable—removing barriers, enduring discomfort, and allowing ourselves to be exposed, just as Abraham did. If we remain closed off and arrogant, we make ourselves unreachable, even to G-d. Humility is essential.

In practical terms, this means being willing to question our firmly held beliefs. As human beings, it is natural to become attached to ideas, but we must be careful not to let this attachment prevent us from growing. When we cling too tightly to our own views, we become rigid and spiritually stagnant. We stop moving forward on our journey.

Hospitality, too, plays a role in receiving revelations. Although we live in times of social distancing, there are still many ways we can connect with others and serve our communities. Abraham’s example teaches us that we must be willing to learn from others—even those whom society might consider “lesser.” Revelations can come from the most unexpected sources.

Finally, Vayera teaches us that adversity can be a path to revelation. Many of us face challenges and difficulties, but instead of seeing them as obstacles, we can recognize them as opportunities for growth. By overcoming adversity, we can learn important lessons that help us become more receptive to G-d’s will.

The most important lesson of Vayera is this: we must not live as though we already know everything. The spiritual life is about living with the humility to acknowledge that we know nothing at all—because it is through that humility that we open ourselves up to receiving everything. Only by remaining open-minded and humble can we become truly receptive to G-d’s revelations.