Why is this continuity so important? Because Parashat Vayera opens with an extraordinary event that flows directly from the end of Lech Lecha: the brit milah of Abraham Avinu. Without this link, the opening of our parasha remains incomprehensible.

At the end of the previous parasha, Abraham Avinu is 99 years old. HaShem commands him to perform the brit milah, and Abraham obeys immediately, despite his advanced age.

"And HaShem appeared to him in the plains of Mamre." Rashi explains:

Monsieur Himi emphasizes: HaShem Himself comes to visit the sick. This is where we learn the mitzvah of bikur cholim, visiting the sick.

When I read the word אֲדֹנָי, I must know whether it is a sacred Name — pronounced A-do-nai with reverence — or a profane word simply meaning "my master." Rashi offers two explanations.

First explanation: לַגָּדוֹל שֶׁבָּהֶם אָמַר — Abraham addresses "the greatest among them," the chief angel. This is then lashon chol, profane language.

Second explanation (davar acher): Abraham is not speaking to the angels — he is speaking to HaKadosh Baruch Hu Himself! He says to Him: "Wait a moment, I must first welcome these guests."

How do we decide between these two readings? Monsieur Himi reveals that the nikud is never trivial: each point carries a profound meaning.

There are ten types of nikud corresponding to the ten Sefirot. The highest Sefirah is Keter (the Crown), and its nikud is the Kamatz (קָ). Then come the Patach for Chochmah, the Tzerei for Binah, the Segol for Chesed, the Shva for Gevurah, the Cholam for Tiferet, the Chirik for Netzach, the Kibbutz for Hod, the Shuruk for Yesod, and Malchut remains without a vowel, corresponding to this world.

The nun bears a Kamatz (קָ)! This refers to Sefirat Keter: it is therefore a sacred Name. Abraham is indeed speaking to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

Here, the nun bears a Patach (פַּ)! The Patach corresponds to Chochmah, a level lower than Keter. This is lashon chol: Lot is speaking to the angels.

"O HaShem, open my lips." Here again, a Kamatz beneath the nun, thus Sefirat Keter: as we begin the Amidah, we speak directly to the Kadosh Baruch Hu, at the highest level.