Vayeira

The Gemara says because of Avraham’s chesed to the malachim, Hashem did chesed with Klal Yisroel. Hashem gave slav, mon, and water. The Chofetz Chaim asks: because Avraham Avinu gave some butter and milk and tongue one time Hashem gave food for over 600,000 people in the midbar for 40 years?

The Chofetz Chaim explains that Avraham didn’t do chesed only one time, he did chesed his whole life. Avos d’Rabi Nosson says he would search for guests. He opened an inn for all to come in. When he would find them he would bring them into his house. The people who generally ate bread made from barley were given bread made from wheat. The same with other foods; he gave them better foods than what they were used to. He built big houses on the road and left food and drink in them. All those who came in benched Hashem.

The passuk says, ויטע אשל בבאר שבע ויקרא שם בשם ה’…. Rashi explains that Avraham planted an orchard to give guests from its fruit. Another meaning is an inn for guests, and in the inn there were many types of fruit. Also the inn was for guests to sleep. Rashi says that the roshei taivos of אשל stand for אכילה שתיה לויה.

In the beginning of the parsha we find Avraham served the malachim בן בקר רך וטוב. The Gemara says this means he served them tongue with mustard. Simply we understand that he served them special delicacies. However the Peirush HaTur brings that Avraham roasted tongue, which doesn’t need to be skinned in order for it be prepared, whereas others meats do need to be skinned. He explains Avraham recognized that the guests were traveling and wanted to go on their way. We see from here another aspect of Avraham’s chesed. Not only did he give them to eat and drink and accompany them, but he thought into their situation as to what is best to do for them and feed them.

May Hashem help us learn from Avraham Avinu’s chesed and become better ba’alei chesed.