Parshas Vayera

18 Cheshvan 5753
Saturday, November 14, 1992

Chaim S. Kaminetzky, National President
Gerald L. Kaufman, Chairman of the Board
Rabbi Ephraim H. Sturm
Executive Vice President, on Sabbatical
Rabbi Pesach Lerner
Acting Executive Vice President

Sponsored by UMB Bank and Trust Company -- America's only Shomer Shabbat Bank

Guest Rabbi:
Rabbi Hershel Becker
Young Israel of Kendall, Florida

Although we find a description of the life experience of Avraham Avinu in the Midrash, the Torah text itself is not explicit regarding his biography. Yet, in Parshat Vayeira, we find great detail concerning every move as Avraham Avinu entertained his guests. The Torah's message to us is readily apparent; Chesed- kindness to others- and Hachnosat Orchim- hospitality- require attention to detail. The greatness of our patriarch, Avraham, was that his closeness to Hashem was not an interpersonal relationship without connection to the world at large. Additionally, his great love of others stemmed from his desire to emulate the Creator and the fulfillment of the Mitzvot Bein Adam Lechaveiro- between man and his fellow man.

The Midrash, in Koheles, Perek 7, states: "If one denies the importance of kindness to others, it is as if he denies the Al-Mighty. Piety is non-existent if one is concerned only with oneself."

HaShem created the world with kindness; it is our task to pursue the traits of HaShem and perpetuate kindness as well.

In Bereishit 18:4 Avraham begs his guests to benefit from his hospitality. "Let some water be taken."

Avraham asked that water be brought for the guests to wash their feet. Rashi notes that because Avraham did not go himself to bring water but rather relied upon a messenger, so, too, did the Bnei Yisroel have to rely upon a messenger for water in the desert, generations later. Rather than receiving water directly from HaShem in the manner in which the manna was given, Moshe was assigned the task of supplying water through a rock.

Our reaction to the above incident might be to think that the action of Avraham was insignificant; the guests were taken care of, if indirectly. Let us examine the resulting situation to gain a proper assessment of Chesed. Had Avraham himself brought water to the guests, HaShem would have supplied water in the desert, Moshe wouldn't have hit the rock, Bnei Yisroel would have entered Eretz Yisroel under Moshe's leadership and complete redemption would have been at hand. As we look back upon all our suffering in the many years of galut, we can truly understand that there are major ramifications to our acts of Chesed.

In Bereishit 18:7 we learn that Avraham ran to the cattle and gave a choice tender calf to the young lad to prepare. Rashi tells us that the youngster mentioned was Yishmael. Why didn't Avraham prepare the meat himself? If this was an error, why is there no mention of a reaction as there was by the water? Rashi states that the task was given to Yishmael to train him in the performance of Mitzvot. With this goal in mind, not only was it permissible to give the task to another, it was, indeed, the parental obligation of Avraham toward his son. At times a parent might set different standards for the Mitzvot he performs and the Mitzvot his children perform. True chinuch and guidance demand that children be incorporated in the fulfillment of commandments at the highest level. By having a child take part in the actual performance of Mitzvot at an early age, by apportioning responsibility according to the child's capabilities, the Mitzvot and Chesed become part and parcel of his being.

As the parsha continues, we read of Lot, living in Sodom- infamous for its cruelty. Lot chose to live in this society and was even appointed as a judge. Yet, on the day of his appointment, when we know he was concerned with making a good impression on his constituents, we see Lot urging two guests to come to his home. Lot's wife would not even give salt to strangers. The society in which Lot lived was the very antitheses of Chesed. Why did Lot risk all for the sake of guests? Rashi explains in Bereishit 19:1 that Lot learned, in the house of Avraham, to seek guests. The practices of his youth made an indelible imprint upon his being that no external circumstances- not wife, not community- could erase.

In Yalkut Shimoni (Bechukosai), we read of an individual, together with his family, who was afflicted by famine. Eilyahu approached him and asked, "from what family are
you?"

He responded, "from family Ploni."

"How many were you?"

"3,000."

"How many remain alive?"

"Only me."

Eliyahu then asked, "would you like to say a statement and live?"

"Yes!" the man responded.

"Say, Shema Yisroel...and you will live!"

The man shouted in despair, "I can't. I won't. This is not what I learned in my father's home!" He embraced his idol and perished.

The importance of the home environment cannot be overemphasized. Our children will long remember how things were done in their home. The Chesed we involve our children in now will become ingrained in their souls to
be demonstrated in their future actions. Parental responsibility demands the realization that the manner in which we perform Mitzvot will, in all likelihood, be the pattern our children will follow. The chinuch of the house of Avraham was enough to save Lot even from the perils of Sodom. Such is the lasting power of Mitzvot and Chesed.

The Jewish community of Kendall has been beneficiary to Chasdei HaShem- the kindness of the Al-Mighty- having been spared from bodily harm during Hurricane Andrew. We, at the Young Israel of Kendall, also recognize the great Chesed of our family at the National Council of Young Israel. As our situation became known, the National Council of Young Israel mobilized to assist us in every way possible. We were contacted by many branches with offers of help and greatly appreciated words of encouragement. The kindness bestowed upon us has indeed had great impact on our community. We are grateful and proud to be part of Young Israel!

*The National Council of Young Israel would like to welcome Rabbi Mordechai Terebelo and Rabbi Harry Greenspan to the Young Israel Rabbinate. Rabbi Terebelo was recently appointed Rabbi of the Young Israel of Lawrenceville, New Jersey and Rabbi Greenspan was recently appointed Rabbi of the Young Israel of Long Beach, California. Congratulations to the Lawrenceville and Long Beach congregations on their new Rabbis.

*The Collegiates and Young Adults Department of the National Council of Young Israel is pleased to announce their Singles Thansgiving Weekend at the Homowack Hotel in the Catskills. For more information and to make a reservation, please call Adina at the National Council office, (212)929-1525 or 1(800)727-8567.

This page contains Divrei Torah. Please treat appropriately.