B"H
Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 18, 5781 / November 5, 2020
This week’s Parsha, Vayeira, begins with G-d’s visit to Abraham after his circumcision. “G-d appeared to him at the planes of Mamre as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. And he lifted up his eyes and he saw three men. When he saw them he ran toward them...”
The Torah continues to tell us how Abraham pleaded with them to come into his tent, where he himself ran to fetch food for them. This took place on the third day after Abraham’s circumcision at the age of 99.
G-d appeared to Abraham on that day to visit him as he was recovering from his circumcision. The Parsha tells us that although Abraham was in G-d’s presence, yet when he saw three travelers he asked G-d to wait, he ran toward them, disregarding his physical condition, in order to provide them with food and lodging.
Based on this story, the Talmud tells us that, "Offering hospitality to guests is greater than being in the Divine Presence!" Although Abraham stood in G-d’s presence, yet as soon as he saw the three travelers, he ran toward them to invite them to be his guests while leaving G-d waiting.
The 613 commandments were given to the Jewish people many years later at Mount Sinai, yet, we already find here three mitzvot (commandments); The mitzvah of circumcision (“Brit Milah”); Visiting the sick (“Bikur Cholim”), and the mitzvah of hospitality (“Hachnasat Orchim”).
Our sages say that G-d also performs the mitzvot which He commanded us to perform. The reason G-d came to Abraham on the third day after his circumcision, was to perform the mitzvah of visiting the sick.
Each morning we recite the following Mishna: "These are the precepts whose fruits a person enjoys in This World but whose principal remains intact for him in the World to Come. They are: Honoring one's father and mother, performing acts of kindness (Gemilat Chasadim), early attendance at the house of study morning and evening, hospitality to guests (Hachnasat Orchim), and visiting the sick...”
Hospitality to the needy and visiting the sick, rewards a person in this world as well as in the World-to-Come..
The Torah says, “G-d appeared to him,” without mentioning Abraham’s name. Had the Torah specified that G-d appeared to Abraham, we may conclude that G-d performed this mitzvah only because of the greatness of Abraham. The Torah specifically omits that this involved Abraham to teach us that this mitzvah applies to everyone. It is a mitzvah to visit the sick no matter who they are.
The mitzvah of visiting the sick serves two main purposes. By visiting them we become aware of their needs and we can help them in whatever they need, thus speeding their recovery. Another purpose for visiting the sick is that it makes us aware of their condition so that we will pray for them.
Abraham's response also teaches us the importance of personally fulfilling a mitzvah. Performing G-d’s mitzvot should be viewed as an honor and privilege which unites us with G-d. Thus, our sages tell us that it is always better to perform the mitzvah ourselves than to delegate it to someone else on our behalf.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY