fbpx

And They Appeared- A poem for Parsha Vayera

And They appeared, like magic...
[additional-authors]
November 6, 2025

Vayera — And He appeared (Genesis 18:1 – 22:24)

And They appeared, like magic
………..in the heat of the desert.

And They appeared, asking
………..for a sandwich.

And They appeared in the evil
………..of the salty town.

And They appeared, listening to
………..our pleas for mercy.

And They appeared in the dream
………..of the captor of the matriarch.

And They appeared in your own anger
………..in your own fury.

And They appeared on the television
………..in the mindless story arcs.

And They appeared in what connects
………..the shade and the sun.

And They appeared with six sheep
………..and some flour (but on different days).

and They appeared with laughter
………..after most of us would have
………..already left the mortal plane.

And They appeared in the line breaks
………..and in the spaces between the noise.

And They appeared in the rubble
………..of the people’s house.

And They appeared on a mountain
………..at just the right moment
………..as the knife was raised.

And They appeared – They always appear
………..before it’s too late.


Rick Lupert, a poet, songleader and graphic designer, is the author of 29 books including “God Wrestler: A Poem for Every Torah Portion.” Visit him at www.JewishPoetry.net

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

What Does Faith Have to Do with Ethics?

One by one, the Ten Commandments teach us how we bring God into our daily lives. Each additional commandment encourages us to climb further up the ladder of faith.

Craving Kitsch

Everywhere I turned was another kiosk selling either sticky sweet things or tourist trinkets. I was in tacky heaven and, somehow, it felt great.

Print Issue: Here He Is | February 6, 2026

Former Columbia Professor Shai Davidai became an unlikely Israel activist after Oct. 7, 2023. Now he has started “Here I Am” for Zionist activists who “choose action over outrage and substance over performance.”

The Charm of Shabbat Chamin

Ever since I was a small child, Dafina has been a favorite food. This Moroccan hamim (Shabbat stew) is the ultimate comfort food.

National Bagel and Lox Day

Of course, you don’t need a special holiday to enjoy this classic breakfast, brunch or post-fast holiday dish.

Shai Davidai: Here He Is

Former Columbia Professor Shai Davidai became an unlikely Israel activist after Oct. 7, 2023. Now he has started “Here I Am” for Zionist activists who “choose action over outrage and substance over performance.”

The Jewish Community Lags Behind on Disability Inclusion

As we honor Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month, the Jewish community must step up to support its members by making proactive, genuine commitments to inclusion – not because external pressure demands it, but because our values do.

Rosner’s Domain | The West, from Israel

Debates about the West’s collapse will remain muddled until we admit what we are really debating: not the fate of a civilization, but the meaning of its name.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.