Hashem appeared to Avrahom on the third day following his bris,[1] to fulfill the custom of visiting the sick[1] and inquired about his welfare.[1] This even occurred during Pesach.[18]

[1] It was a very hot day since Hashem took the sun out of its sheath to avoid troubling[1] Avrahom with his constant campaign of servicing guests[1] by keeping all travelers indoors due to the intense heat. Avrahom was sitting at the entrance of his tent, gazing for passerby who could be invited to his home,[1] which was located in the plains of Mamre, who merited Hashem's revelation on his property[1] because he advised Avrahom to proceed with the bris. When Hashem came to him, Avraham wanted to stand up but Hashem told him to remain sitting as He stood. This was a sign for the future; where Hashem stands in Beis Din as Avrahom's descendants, the judges sit.[1]

Entrance of the Tent
Avrahom reached the level of Hashem openly appearing to him by first entering the Chambers of Exchange and separating the good from the bad and extracting the holiness from there.[2] Just like all those who wish to enter the Side of Holiness, Avrahom had to remain for a great many days[3] at the entrance of the tent of Holiness, during which he was bombarded with intense opposition from the Other Side, and burning Yetzer Hara[2] which got stronger as he neared the entrance.[2] Such opposition caused many others to retreat;[4] either because they did not realize they were right near the entrance or because the opposition was too intense.[2] Avrahom patiently waited at the entrance, with great determination and did not retreat.[2] This great opposition from the Other Side just caused him to be more vigorous in his efforts to come close to Hashem and circumcise his heart.[2]

When Hashem saw how troubled Avraham was that no guests were coming, He brought him angels appearing as men.[1] Avrahom lifted his eyes and saw three men standing before him.[5] He observed that they were standing in one place, and understood[5] that they did not wish to burden him.[5] Although they knew Avrahom would come out toward them, they stood in their place out of respect, to show him that they did not wish to trouble him.[5] When they saw Avrahom untying and tying his bandages[5], they started moving away.[5] Avrahom went out first[5] from the entrance of the tent and immediately ran toward them,[5] with great speed and happiness in doing a mitzva, the ultimate true eternal goal.[2] Avraham first asked Hashem to wait for him until he brought in the guests,[6] also requesting that this great revelation should not completely leave him and residue should remain. that he can constantly use to energize himself with.[2]

Avrahom prostrated himself to the ground and greeted them as lords[6] and then turning to the main angel,[6] requested if he found favor in his eyes, he should not pass away from him without being hosted. If the main angel would agree to remain, his companions would remain with him.[6]

Since a single angel can not run more then one unrelated errand,[5] three separate angels were sent. One to bring the news of Yitzchak's birth to Sarah, one to overturn Sodom, and Refoel[5] to heal Avrahom and to save Lot.[5]

Avraham requested from a servant to bring them a little water.[12] By doing this he was manifesting the bringing down of energy from his great spiritual revelation of Hashem appearing to him.[2] Since Avrahom brought the water through a messenger, instead of brining it himself, Hashem later only gave water to the Jews through a messenger by asking Moshe to hit the rock.[12]  Thinking that they were Arabs, who bow themselves to the dust of their feet,[12] Avrahom told the 3 men to bathe their feet since he was strict not to allow any idolatry into his house.[12] He then told them to recline under the tree.[12]

Avrahom requested[13] that they eat in his honor,[13] the piece of bread that he will give them, since[13] they had passed by his tent. This bread will sustain and strengthen[13] their hearts. Afterwards they can go[13] and continue on their journey. Since angels are not controlled by the evil inclination, the Torah wrote 'heart' in singular term.[13] The men agreed and told Avrahom to proceed as he had spoken. Avrahom hurried to the tent and asked Sarah to quickly bring three seah of whole wheat flower to create the dough used by cooks to for covering a pot in order to draw out the waste,[14] and refined flower that she should[14] knead and make into cakes.

Avrahom ran to the cattle and took three[15] good and tender calves, so he could feed each of his three guests a tongue with mustard[15] sauce. He gave it to the youth Yishmoel,[15] in order to train him to perform mitzvos,[15] who quickly prepared it. Avrahom took the cream he skimmed off the top of milk,[16] as well as actual milk along the calves that he had prepared. He brought each one as he finished preparing it,[16] placing it before the men. Avrahom did not bring the bread that Sarah had prepared since her menstrual period returned to her on that day, causing the dough to become impure.[16] He stood over them under the tree as the angles made it seem like they were eating, in order to not deviate from custom of the place.[16]

The men asked Avrahom where his wife Sara was. Avrahom replied that she was in the tent, since she is modest.[17] The angels knew where Sarah was, but asked Avrahom in order to enunciate that she was modest and thereby make her dear to her husband.[17]  They also asked in order to send her the cup of wine upon which the blessing after meal was recited.[17] Likewise the angels also asked Sarah where her husband Avrahom was, since it is customer for guest to ask their host about his wife and their hostess about her husband.[17]

The angel who was appointed to inform Avrahom about the birth of Yitzchak[5] spoke in the name of Hashem,[18] saying; that he will return to him at this time next year,[18] at which they are guaranteed to all be alive and well[18] and his wife Sarah will have a son. This promise was given on Pesach and indeed a year later, on the following Pesach, Yitzchak was born.[18]

At that point Avrahom and Sarah were old and aged in years. Sarah had already ceased[19] having menstrual cycles[19] which is the way of women. Sarah heard the promise from the entrance of the tent, which was behind the angel.[18] Sarah looked at her stomach[20] and wondered how it was possible for her insides to carry a child and her body which was dried up, to produce milk.[20] She then laughed to herself, saying was it possible for her to now have smooth[20] skin after she had already become worn out and how will she once again start having menstrual periods.[20] Also Avrahom her master is old. 

Hashem asked Avrahom; why did Sarah laugh and say if it was really true[21] that she will give birth even though she is old. There is nothing distance, unattainable or concealed from Hashem that can prevent Him from carrying out His will.[22] Therefore at the appointed time,[22]  that was previously set[22] on the day of the Bris, at this time next year, Hashem will return to Avrahom and Sarah will have a son.

When Sara had heard the promise, she did not believe and laughed with ridicule, unlike Avrohom that had believed and laughed out of joy and happiness.[9] Therefore Hashem was upset at Sarah but not at Avrohom.[9] Although Sarah had also mentioned Avrahom's age as an issue, Hashem changed her statement to instead base her doubt on her own age, in order to retain peace between them.[21] Sarah denied that she laughed because[23] she was afraid. He responded that it was not like her words, rather[23] she did laugh.

The men arose and gazed maliciously[24] upon Sodom. Avrahom went with them to escort them since he thought they were guests.[24] Hashem asked[25] if he should conceal from Avraham what He is planning on doing to Sodom.[25] Hashem had bequeathed Eretz Yisroel to Avrahom and Sodom and its four suburbs were within its borders.[25] Additionally Avraham had been renamed the 'Father of many Nations' and how can sons be destroyed without first informing their father who loves Hashem,[25] therefore it would be improper to do so without his knowledge.[25] Additionally Avraham is so beloved to Hashem,[26] that he will become a great and powerful nation and all the nations of the world will be blessed through[26] him, so how can Hashem conceal this from Avrahom.[26] Since it is customary to bless a Tzadik when mentioned,  it provided an additional reason for including the blessing.[26]  Hashem knew Avraham out of affection[27] and drew him close,[27] since[27] Avraham commands[27] his sons and household that will come after him, continuously,[27] to keep the way of Hashem and to perform righteousness and justice. He would tell them to do so,[27] in order that Hashem should bring upon Avraham what He spoke regarding him. When this would come true on the descendants of Avrahom, it would be as if it was fulfilled on Avrahom himself, since whoever raises a righteous son, it is considered as if he never died.[27]

In accordance with His commitment not to conceal His plans from Avrahom,[28] Hashem told Avraham[28] that the cry of Sodom and Amorrah had already[28] become great and their sins were very severe. Therefore Hashem will now descend and evaluate their deeds in depth[29] to see if they are deserving annihilation. Although Hashem did not have to descend since everything is already revealed to him, He did so in order to instruct judges, to not issue a capital punishment verdict unless they first clearly see[29] all the evidence, just like He did with the 'Generation of the Dispersion'.[29] Hashem will check if the cry that has come before Him from the State[29] of Sodom and its 4 suburbs, had been committed.[29]  If the Sadomites remain in their state of rebellion, Hashem will bring destruction upon them.[29] However if they do not remain in their state of rebellion, Hashem knows what to do to them. He will punish them with suffering, but will not destroy them.[29]  Out of all their sins, their most blaring sin was what they had committed to a young girl[29] whom they caught smuggling food to the poor in her jug when she went out of to draw water. They coated her body with honey and placed her on the city's wall, where she was stung to death by bees.[30]

Once Avrahom finished escorting his guests,[31] the men left from there and went to Sodom. Avrahom was still standing before Hashem, who had appeared to him and informed him about the cry of Sodom and Amorrah.[31] Avrahom approached Hashem, ready to appease and prayer to him and if necessary speak harshly,[32] and request justice. He asked Hashem if His wrath will entice[32] Him to also[32] destroy the righteous along with the wicked. Avrahom inquired if maybe there were fifty righteous men in the city, ten for each of the five cities[33] in the State of Sodom. Would Hashem also destroy them and not forgive the city for the sake of the fifty righteous men who are in its midst. 

Avrahom continued arguing; that even if the 50 righteous were not enough merit to save the 5 wicked cities, at least Hashem should not kill the righteous themselves.[34] Since it is far from Hashem and is profane[34] and unfitting for the Judge of the entire earth to do such a thing, or anything similar,[34] to kill the righteous along with the wicked, treating the righteous just like the wicked. How can a judge[34] not to perform justice with the people of Sodom and with all future generations.[34] People will then say that it is His custom to annihilate everyone, righteous along with the wicked and so He did to the Generation of the Flood and to the Generation of the Dispersion.[34] Hashem replied that if He finds fifty righteous men within the any of the 5 cities, for example in their capital Sodom,[35] He will forgive all five cites[35] of the entire State for their sake.

Avrahom responded; saying that he had started talking to Hashem and wanted to do so,[36] since he had already seen the mercy of Hashem. Avrahom  had already been destined of turning into dust, had be been killed during the War of the Kings.[36] Likewise he had been destined of being burned to ashes when Nimrod threw him into the furnace,[36] were it not for the great mercy of Hashem that stood by him and saved him.[36]

Avrahom continued to argue about what would occur in the case where there the amount of 50 righteous residents would be missing 5 and total only 45. Would Hashem destroy the entire city because they were lacking only 5 righteous people? If there were 45 righteous individuals, then each of the 5 cities of Sodom would have 9 righteous individuals to protect it and Hashem who is the 'Righteous One of the Universe' would join them to achieve a total of the 10[37] needed to protect each city. Hashem responded that He would not destroy the region if He find 45 righteous individuals living there. 

Avrahom continued to speak to Hashem, asking what would happen in a case where only 40 righteous individuals would be found. Would Hashem agree to spare 4 of the cities, in their merit?[38] Hashem responded that he would not take action against 4 cities, for the sake of the 40 righteous people. 

Avrahom requested that Hashem should not be angry and should allow him to speak. He then asked Hashem if would be willing to spare 3 cities[38] since maybe 30 righteous individuals were found there. Hashem responded that he would not take action against 3 cities, if He finds there 30 righteous individuals.

Avrahom then said that he would like[39] to continue speaking further to Hashem asking Him, if He would be willing to spare 2 cities[38] since maybe 20 righteous individuals could be found there. Hashem responded that He will not destroy those 2 cities in merit of the 20 righteous individuals. 

Avrahom continued requested that Hashem should not be angry and should allow him to speak this one final time. Maybe 10 righteous individuals could be found there, would Hashem spare one city in their merit.[38] Hashem responded that He will not destroy that city in merit of the 10 righteous individuals. 

Once Avrahom realized that Sodom did not contain even 10 righteous individuals, he stopped asking Hashem to spare the cities. He did not reuse the argument of 9 righteous individuals joined by Hashem[40] to reach 10 and spare at least one city, since he had already used that argument with the appeal of finding 45 righteous individuals[37] and it had been accepted by Hashem, and if He would have found 9 it would have been applied here. It was therefore obvious that Hashem had not found[40] even 9 righteous individuals. Avrahom did not ask about 8 righteous individuals since he had already seen that Noach, his 3 sons and their wives did not have enough merit to save their generation.[40] 

Once the Avrahom the advocate became silent, Hashem the Judge,[41] finished talking to him and departed. Once the Judge had left, Avrahom the advocate left[41] returning to his dwelling place. Now the prosecutor was able to accuse and therefore the two angles arrived in Sodom to destroy.[41] 

The two angels arrived in Sodom only[42] at nightfall. Although it took much less time to travel from Chevron to Sodom, they were angles of mercy and waited so that perhaps Avrohom could plead in defense[42] of the people of Sodom.

One angel came to destroy Sodom and the second angel who had previously cured Avrahom, now came to save lot.[42] The third angel who had come to inform Sarah that she would give birth, had already left after completing his mission.[42] When the angels were around the Shichina - Divine Presence[42] or[43] around Avrahom who possessed great powers and was frequented by angels as if they were people, they were referred to simply as 'men'.[42] However by Lot they were referenced as 'angles'.[42]

Lot who that very day had been appointed as a the judge of Sodom,[42] was sitting at his designated location at the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw the angles he rose to great them and prostrated himself on the ground, since he had learned from Avrahom's house to attend to guests.[42]

Unlike Avrohom who was strict not to allow any idolatry into his home and therefor asked his guests to first wash their feet from the dust that they worshiped, Lot did not care and therefore told them to lodge before washing the dust off their feed.[12]

Weaning Party
People started whispering that Avrohom and Sarah could not have had a child at such an old age and Yitzchak was not really their son but rather an abandoned baby they had adopted from the street. Sarah then made use of the blessing Hashem had previously given her[8] and nursed the babies of all the guests,[8] proving that she had given birth to her own son.

Banishing of Hagar

She reverted to the idols of her father’s house and her mouth returned to its other original state of giving thanks to idolatry.[10] 

Avrohom took the seedling for the Ashel tree from Gan Eden.[7]

Hashem will bless him and multiply his offspring's that will descend from Yitzchok.[11]

[2] Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Ishus 4:19

[3] Alim Letrufa, Letter 28

[4] Likutay Moharan II 48

[5] Rashi Berashis 18:2

[6] Rashi Berashis 18:3

[7] Baal Haturim Berashis 9:20

[8] Rashi Berashis 17:16

[9] Rashi Berashis 17:17

[10] Baal Haturim Berashis 16:1

[11] Baal Haturim Berashis 17:4

[12] Rashi Berashis 18:4

[13] Rashi Berashis 18:5

[14] Rashi Berashis 18:6

[15] Rashi Berashis 18:7

[16] Rashi Berashis 18:8

[17] Rashi Berashis 18:9

[18] Rashi Berashis 18:10

[19] Rashi Berashis 18:11

[20] Rashi Berashis 18:12

[21] Rashi Berashis 18:13

[22] Rashi Berashis 18:14

[23] Rashi Berashis 18:15

[24] Rashi Berashis 18:16

[25] Rashi Berashis 18:17

[26] Rashi Berashis 18:18

[27] Rashi Berashis 18:19

[28] Rashi Berashis 18:20

[29] Rashi Berashis 18:21

[30] Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 109B

[31] Rashi Berashis 18:22

[32] Rashi Berashis 18:23

[33] Rashi Berashis 18:24

[34] Rashi Berashis 18:25

[35] Rashi Berashis 18:26

[36] Rashi Berashis 18:27

[37] Rashi Berashis 18:28

[38] Rashi Berashis 18:29

[39] Rashi Berashis 18:31

[40] Rashi Berashis 18:32

[41] Rashi Berashis 18:33

[42] Rashi Berashis 19:1

[43] Shover Zadim Parshas Vayeira