B"H

Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 14, 5780 / November 12, 2019

 

This week's Parsha, Vayeira, begins, "And G-d appeared to him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamrei, as he sat at the entrance of the tent as the day was very hot." According to our sages, G-d appeared to Abraham on the third day after his circumcision to fulfill the mitzvah of visiting the sick. 

 

The Torah continues, "And Abraham lifted his eyes and saw three men standing before him."   Abraham asked G-d to wait, while he "ran" toward them and invited them into his home. The Torah then describes how Abraham himself, at the age of 100, ran and fetched the calf and attended to his guests with great dedication and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.

 

Abraham was known for his special fondness for the mitzvah of "Hachnasat Orchim" (hospitality to guests).  Abraham's tent had four entrances, one on each side, so that travelers could easily enter.

 

Although Hachnasat Orchim is a big mitzvah, our sages ask why Abraham, who was in the presence of G-d, ran to invite them and then attended to his guests himself?  Didn't this show a lack of respect toward G-d? Abraham was a wealthy man and could have had his servants take care of the guests.

 

Perhaps we can understand this with the following Talmudic story (Kedushin 32): 

 

Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Tzadok were at a festive gathering at the home of Rabbi Gamliel's son.  Rabbi Gamliel, who was the dean of the Torah academy, filled a cup and handed it to Rabbi Eliezer.

 

Rabbi Eliezer refused to be served by the great scholar.  Rabbi Gamliel then handed the cup to Rabbi Yehoshua who accepted it.  Rabbi Eliezer turned to Rabbi Yehoshua and said, "How can you let such a great man like Rabbi Gamliel serve you?"

 

Rabbi Yehoshua replied: "Why not? We find that our forefather Abraham, the greatest person in his time, attended and "stood" by his guests.  So why should we refuse to be attended by Rabbi Gamliel."

 

Rabbi Tzadok then said: "I will give you a better reason why we may accept Rabbi Gamliel's service.  We see that G-d Himself creates winds, gives rain, makes things grow and provides food for each one of us.  There is no-one greater than G-d, yet, He attends to our needs.  So why shouldn't we let Rabbi Gamliel serve us?"

 

Similarly, when Abraham left G-d's presence to help others, he wasn't showing a lack of respect.  On the contrary, he was showing G-d how grateful he was! Just like G-d attended to Abraham's needs, he too would attend to the needs of others.

 

It’s a great lesson. Just as G-d attends to our needs, we too should help others in need, as well.

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY