Hashem Visits Avraham
Parshat Vayeira opens with a remarkable scene. Avraham Avinu (our Patriarch Abraham), just three days post–brit milah (circumcision), on what Chazal (our Sages) say is the most painful day of recovery, is sitting outside in the heat of the day, yearning for guests. He’s distressed that no one is coming, unaware that Hashem had made it unusually hot to spare him the burden of hosting.
The Pasuk continues:
“Vayeira eilav Hashem” – Hashem (God) appeared to him.
Rashi explains that Hashem came to perform the mitzvah of bikur cholim – visiting the sick.
Three Guests Arrive
While Hashem is with Avraham, three men suddenly appear in the distance. They are Angels, though Avraham sees only travelers. He is overjoyed! Despite his pain, he runs to greet them, offers food and drink, and hosts them with warmth and generosity. The guests inform him that they are messengers of Hashem and give over the news that his wife Sarah, of 89 years old, will have a baby in a year. They then continue traveling toward Sedom, where they are headed to destroy the city.
After they leave, Hashem speaks to Avraham:
“Hamechaseh ani meiAvraham asher ani oseh?” – Shall I hide from Avraham what I am about to do?
Several questions arise from these pesukim (Torah verses):
- Why does Avraham leave Hashem to greet the guests? Isn’t that disrespectful?
- Why does the Torah highlight this chessed (kindness) in great detail when Avraham spent his entire life doing acts of kindness?
- And what does Hashem actually say to Avraham when He visits?
Let’s answer the first question.
Guests Come First
The Gemara teaches us:
“Gadol hachnasat orchim mikabalat penei HaShechinah” – Welcoming guests is greater than receiving the Divine Presence.
Avraham was in the presence of the Shechinah (Hashem), such a great pleasure! He left the Shechinah and ran toward the three ordinary-looking travelers because he was acting with pure greatness. True chessed means putting one’s own desires aside when someone else is in need. In Avraham’s case, leaving the Divine Presence was an act of putting his own desires aside, but he didn’t hesitate. Avraham built his life to serve others, and even this special moment of Divine encounter didn’t override his commitment to that mission.
A Life Of Kindness
Avraham’s life was one of ongoing kindness. He had a tent open on all sides. He fed and housed strangers constantly. So why does the Torah choose to spotlight this specific act?
Because this time it wasn’t easy or convenient for Avraham. This time was difficult and painful.
Avraham was recovering from surgery. It was unbearably hot. He was in pain. Any ordinary person would have been resting inside. But Avraham wasn’t ordinary. He went lemala miderech hateva – above and beyond what’s expected. And so Hashem responded in kind.
The Midrash reveals in exact detail: Because Avraham exceeded protocol, what was expected of him on that hot day, Hashem repaid each act with direct miracles for his descendants.
- Avraham personally slaughtered animals for the guests → Bnei Yisrael received the slav (quail) in the desert directly from Hashem.
- He made the butter and milk himself → They received manna straight from heaven.
- But when it came to water, Avraham delegated a messenger to give to the Angels, so Bnei Yisrael (the Jewish nation) received water in the desert through a messenger, Moshe Rabbeinu.
Of course, Avraham had offered water himself to guests on many other occasions. But this act, done in a moment of extreme difficulty, is why Hashem rewarded Avraham’s children, because it was done with mesirat nefesh.
Back to Hashem’s words: “Shall I hide from Avraham what I’m about to do?”
Mirroring Us
Hashem could have destroyed Sedom without saying a word. Why does Hashem feel ‘obligated’ to tell Avraham about it?
Because Hashem mirrors greatness.
Hashem promised Avraham the land that was about to be destroyed. Just as Avraham acted in ways beyond obligation, Hashem went beyond obligation too and told Avraham.
So what was the purpose of Hashem’s visit? To perform bikur cholim, or to inform him about Sedom?
The answer is both.
True Bikur Cholim
Hashem was doing bikur cholim. He visited Avraham, saw what he needed, and gave it to him. That’s the meaning of Bikur.
Avraham was unable to fulfill his mission of kindness and it was painful for him. So Hashem sent three guests. Then He informed Avraham about the destruction of Sedom because He saw how Avraham went above and beyond. It was payback.
Avraham’s legacy teaches us that chessed done when it’s hard, when it’s inconvenient, is in a category of its own. We all do good when it’s easy. But what about when we’re tired? Busy? In pain? That’s the test and that’s the opportunity.
Just like Hashem mirrored Avraham’s mesirat nefesh, we too can merit Hashem going beyond nature for us if we go beyond our own comfort zone for Him. Let’s strive to do all mitzvot not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard.
Because that’s when it really counts.
Written by RL Breski; based on the teachings of Rabbi Tzahn
