Parshat Vayeira - Focusing on Kindness
by Rabbi Lobel

The Torah's portrayal of the ultimate achievement in what a human being should aspire to, in terms of the willingness and desire to act in a manner of chesed, is shown when Hashem tells us about Abraham's treatment of his guests, the three angels. Just beginning to understand the episode brings tremendous inspiration in demonstrating how one should deal with his fellow man.

Firstly, the Torah tells us that on the third day after Abraham's circumcision, which is the most painful day during a person's healing process, Hashem "removed the sun from its purse" creating a scorcher of a day. This was done in order that Abraham not be bothered with guests. Yet, Abraham was still sitting at his doorpost waiting to act for whoever was at need.

In Avos D'rebbe Nosson (Chapter 7) commenting on the mishna "your house should be wide spread open", it discusses the actions of Job and the extent of his kindness and hospitality. Job created entrances on all four sides of his house, East, West, North and South. He did this in order that the poor, in need of hospitality, should not find it difficult to enter his home. Everyone would be able to enter from the direction from which he traveled. And yet, when Job asked Hashem about is troubles, saying "why has so many troubles and difficulties befallen me? Didn't I feed the hungry and quench the thirst of those in need?" Hashem's response was "you're acts of kindness still did not reach half of that of Abraham. You, Job, would sit in your house and wait for guests to come. Then you would feed them only that which they were accustomed to eating. However, Abraham did not do so. Abraham would seek out guests and feed them more than that which they were accustomed to eating." We are able to see this on the third day of his recovery, when he finally saw guests; he ran after them and begged to be their host. Abraham offered them water to wash their feet and served them bread with freshly slaughtered tongue with butter and milk (a delicacy).

The Grandfather of Slobodka explains that the inspiration for Abraham to carry out such acts of kindness was due to the fact that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Hashem. Hashem created the world for the human being, with all the resources that one would need in order to overcome hardships, to be a better person, and to ultimately get rewarded for his actions. This is the true sense of kindness that every human being received; the opportunity to be on this world for the purpose of doing Hashem's will. So too, Abraham wanted to perform, to the best of his ability, kindness. The episode with the three angels illustrates that even during his hardest times to perform, Abraham did his utmost.

However, there is another true lesson to be learned here. Abraham's actions of kindness were not only to do God's will. It wasn't just the inspiration to practice the same traits which were shown to him of God's character, so to speak. The posuk states (18:5) that when Abraham offered his guests hospitality, he convinced them to partake with the comment "in as much as you have passed your servant's way." Rashi comments that what Abraham was saying was that it was an honor for him to serve such guests. If we examine the situation further we can understand that Abraham thought that these people were common men who worshipped idols. Abraham did not know that they were angels from God. Still Abraham thought it would be an honor to host them. It is also the supposition that Abraham truly meant what he said. His words were not a mere ploy to have guests. They were an expression of feelings of the heart. And yet, if we take a look at the difference of class, Abraham was a prince of God, the Chosen One; these men were just commoners, to his knowledge. Therefore, it can be understood that Abraham's regard for kindness was at the highest level- to do chesed simply because these individuals were perceived to be human beings, created by God. It was an honor to have the privilege to serve their needs. This is how Abraham took, very seriously, the extreme understanding of the meaning of chesed, which is serving God's creations.