Dvar for Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24)

velda — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:56:49 +0000

abraham and three angels

As Parshat Vayeira clearly demonstrates, one of Avraham’s most beautiful qualities was his kindness to others. This is demonstrated when his three guests came to visit: Almost everything was done with excitement, enthusiasm, and in excess, solely for the benefit of his guests. The only exception was that when Avraham offered the men water, he specified getting them “a little” water. Why did Avraham suddenly seem to get stingy?

The Lekach Tov explains that this act shows Avraham’s sensitivity to others even MORE because water was the only item that Avraham didn’t have time to fetch himself. Avraham’s thinking was that if he was going to trouble his servants to get the water, he had no right to ask them to bring more water then is actually needed. That’s why Avraham only offered a small quantity of water. Avraham’s lesson is simple:

Being kind to others only takes a little effort, so why be stingy about it?

Dvar for Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27)

velda — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:28:31 +0000

In Parshat Lech Lecha, among the blessings that Avraham was to receive for leaving all that he had was the blessing that he himself should be a blessing (12:2). How does one become a blessing? Furthermore, Rashi comments that G-d promised Avraham that although he would be identified with Yitzchak and Yakov, any such blessings would end with Avraham’s name at its conclusion. If the sages are correct that Yitzchak and Yakov reached higher levels than Avraham, what made him so special that any blessing would end with him?

Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that Avraham merited greater distinction because he was the first to establish faith in Hashem (G-d). Although those after him reached greater heights, Avraham’s accomplishments were more worthy. Maybe this can explain how Avraham himself became the blessing: Taking initiative and starting something you believe is important for society is a blessing on its own, because it lays the framework for others to build on it! G-d promised Avraham, and in turn promised us, that, if we become leaders and initiators, our initial efforts will never be forgotten and we will always be remembered as a blessing!

Gaea's » Abraham

Dvar for Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24)

Dvar for Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27)