Parshas Vayera 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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The Torah describes Abraham’s love of kindness in great detail. Three days after Abraham had circumcised himself at the age of ninety-nine, he sat outside of his tent to see if there were any passersby in need of his hospitality. G-d realized that, despite his weakened condition, Abraham was bothered by the lack of visitors, and He sent him three angels disguised as idolatrous nomads. Although these people represented an ideology antithetical to that of his own monotheistic belief, and despite his advanced age and weakened body, Abraham rushed to greet them and helped prepare a full meal for them.

Similarly, when G-d informed Abraham of His intentions to destroy the wicked city of Sodom, Abraham pleaded and bargained with G-d on the city’s behalf, knowing fully well that they represented a lifestyle far different than his own. However, once it became clear that there were not even ten men in the whole metropolis worthy of being saved, Abraham did not even try to save them any more. If G-d did not feel they were deserving of His compassion, Abraham would not feel any differently.

Abraham’s self-control is also seen later, when he was ordered to send away his concubine, Hagar, and her son, Ishmael. Sarah, Abraham’s primary wife, was concerned that Ishmael was exerting a negative influence on her own son, Isaac. She instructed Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away from his home.

The Torah says that this was a very difficult decision for Abraham, as he loved Ishmael very much. Yet, when G-d concurred with Sarah’s suggestion, Abraham immediately ordered them out of his house with a little food, but no money. Here too, Abraham controlled his natural compassion and love to conform to G-d’s instructions.

This devotion ultimately proved itself when Abraham was commanded to bring his son Isaac as a sacrifice to G-d. This clearly contradicted everything that Abraham had always professed to the world about G-d. He had always distinguished his G-d from all of their idols as a G-d of peace who despised human sacrifice. For the loving and compassionate Abraham to cruelly slaughter his own son as a sacrifice to G-d, would undermine his own credibility and that of his G-d’s. Yet, here too, Abraham showed that his devotion to G-d took precedence over his own emotions. Abraham’s good character was not merely a natural inclination, but rather an expression of his total devotion to G-d.

“...please do not pass by your servant...I will bring you food” (Gen. 18:3-5)

Rav Yosef Dov Soloveichik, the Brisker Rav, once stopped at an inn for the evening. The innkeeper, however, was busy preparing for another illustrious guest, the Koidnover Rebbe. Not recognizing Rav Yosef Dov, he told him that the only place he had for him to sleep was on the floor, next to the furnace. Rav Yosef Dov lay down near the furnace.

When the Rebbe arrived, he noticed the Brisker Rav lying on the floor he was shocked, and immediately instructed the innkeeper to find him a place befitting his honor. The innkeeper apologized to Rav Yosef Dov. The Brisker Rav answered, “We see Abraham showed great hospitality, yet so did his nephew, Lot. Why is Abraham held up as the paradigm, though, and not Lot? It’s because Abraham was hospitable even towards dusty travelers, whereas Lot showed hospitality only when the guests appeared as angels. We must treat everyone equally well.”

Did You Know...

The Ashkenazic wedding custom is to hold the ceremony under the sky, as a sign that the couple should be blessed with children like the stars. This is learned from Abraham, who was taken outside to view the stars as a sign that his descendants would be numerous as the stars. Some authorities even refuse to officiate at an indoor wedding as they feel it is a breach of Jewish custom and tradition.

Sefardic communities, however, never adopted this custom, and they hold their weddings indoors. At a second wedding the ceremony need not be held outdoors.

Some opinions say that the wedding canopy should be made of cloth, and not flowers, since the canopy represents the groom spreading his garment over the bride, which would apply only to cloth.