דבר תורה פרשת וירא
In the beginning of Parshat Vayeira, we have
the famous story of 3 visitors that come to the tent of Avraham. At quick
glance it looks like there are 3 different parts to this story. First, God
appears to Avraham. Then, Abraham meets and serves these men (angels). Lastly, Avraham
speaks to God, begging him not to destroy Sodom.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks points out that there is another
way to look at these pasukim. Look at them as if they come together to make one
story. God appears to Avaraham, and before He can start talking to Avraham,
these men enter the scene. Avraham serves these men and after they leave, God
speaks with Avraham.
If you take a close look at Pasuk Bet, that
might be what Avraham is saying to God. " My lord, if I please
you, do not go on past your servant (me, avraham) until I have given these
people food and drink." Avraham then turns to the men and offers to get
them something to drink.
How can that be? How can avraham out interrupt
God and say "Hey, wait a minute while I take care of these people."
This seems disrespectful.
Rabbi Sacks points out that this is the exact
point of the story. The order of the psukim is specifically this drastic to
show us that offering hospitality to human beings is very important. The
Talmud Shabbat 127a quotes this pasuk when it states, "Greater is
hospitality than the divine presence."
When Avraham asks God to wait for him, he was
showing us, by example, how we need to treat other human beings. We are the
only creation that was created in the image of God. By showing respect and kavod
to others we are in turn showing respect of God.
These are the messages that we are trying to
convey to our students over the course of this year with our monthly themes.
Each month, we are working on treating each other better and showing respect
and kindness to all.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Steven Penn
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