Vayeira 5782

Shortly after the parsha begins, Hashem decides to tell Avraham about His plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Avraham then prays to Hashem to spare them. But why does Hashem tell Avraham in the first place, almost to get some sort of feedback from Him? Rabbi Ben Keil, from the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway, explains that Hashem was teaching Avraham a very important lesson about prayer. Every day we pray for things in hopes that we receive what we ask for. However, the answer isn't always "yes". Though Avraham had prayed to spare the cities, Hashem's answer in this case was "no". This is why the Torah records Hashem's commentary about how Avraham will follow in His ways and lead his descendants in the path of Torah. This was a golden opportunity to teach a foundation of prayer and its mechanics.