Avraham as a Resident Alien
Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh | November 10, 2023
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Avraham as a Resident Alien

Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh | December 31, 2025

I am a resident alien among you. Give me a burial plot among you

Avraham Avinu introduced himself as a Ger and a Toshav. He was an immigrant who had settled in Eretz Cana’an. The Ohr Hachaim explains this based on the Rambam who paskens that a person may give a gift to a Ger Toshav, because it is a Mitzvah to help him live, so too may he give him gifts.

The Ohr Hachaim now makes an important point about the Torah. He writes that the Torah that we have, besides being commandments from Hashem as to how to live in this world, is also a guide toward the correct way for humans to live in this world.

Although Gentiles are not commanded to keep the Torah, the Torah is still a guide to morality and correct behavior for them. Avraham was telling them that they should treat him nicely because he is a Ger Toshav.

I am a resident alien among you. Give me a burial plot among you

Avraham Avinu introduced himself as a Ger and a Toshav. He was an immigrant who had settled in Eretz Cana’an. The Ohr Hachaim explains this based on the Rambam who paskens that a person may give a gift to a Ger Toshav, because it is a Mitzvah to help him live, so too may he give him gifts.

The Ohr Hachaim now makes an important point about the Torah. He writes that the Torah that we have, besides being commandments from Hashem as to how to live in this world, is also a guide toward the correct way for humans to live in this world.

Although Gentiles are not commanded to keep the Torah, the Torah is still a guide to morality and correct behavior for them. Avraham was telling them that they should treat him nicely because he is a Ger Toshav.

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