“And Hashem appeared to him...” (18:1)
The Torah relates that Avraham, after having fulfilled the mitzva of circumcision, was visited by Hashem. The Talmud explains that Hashem’s purpose for the visit was to perform the mitzva of “bikkur cholim” – “visiting the sick”. The subsequent verses depict Hashem’s revelation to Avraham of the impending destruction which would be unleashed upon S’dom and the surrounding vicinity. How do Chazal know that Hashem’s purpose for the visit was to perform the act of bikkur cholim? Perhaps the only reason for the visit was to inform Avraham of the destruction of S’dom?
The Rambam teaches that no person will ever attain the prophetic level of Moshe Rabbeinu. The Rambam explains that whereas Hashem’s communication with Moshe occurred while Moshe was fully conscious, all other prophets receive their Divine communication in a trance-like state. How could Avraham have communicated with Hashem while awake?
When Avraham saw the angels disguised as men approaching, he excused himself from before the Divine presence and rushed to invite the wayfarers into his home. Based upon this incident the Talmud formulates the dictum “gadol hachnasas orchim mikabalas pnei Hashechina” – “Inviting guests into one’s home is a greater feat than receiving the Divine presence.” In modern times the Shemoneh Esrai is our most intimate mode of communication with Hashem. The laws governing situations which allow for an interruption in the Shemoneh Esrai are very strict; it is prohibited to communicate with any person while reciting the Shemoneh Esrai. Why is there no dispensation for the invitation of guests while in the midst of reciting the Shemoneh Esrai?
Chazal understand that since Avraham received the Divine presence in a state of complete awareness, there had to be a purpose for this visit other than the transmission of information. The purpose of bikkur cholim is to ensure that all the needs of the patient are met; the patient must be the focus of the visit, for offering him this respect helps him with his convalescence. Therefore, it was imperative that Avraham be awake for this visit so that Hashem could fulfill the mitzva of bikkur cholim. Rashi comments that to spare Avraham the burden of receiving guests, Hashem raised the temperature so that the heat would keep travelers away. When He saw Avraham’s distress at being unable to perform his daily mitzva of hospitality, Hashem sent angels, catering to Avraham’s needs in the most personalized manner.
Since the purpose of Hashem’s visit was for Avraham’s benefit, Avraham showed no disrespect by leaving the Divine presence in order to cater to his guests’ needs. If the purpose of the visit would have been solely for the transmission of information, it would have been prohibited for Avraham to break off the communication in order to cater to a human being. Similarly, it is prohibited to communicate with another person when reciting the Shemoneh Esrai, for it would be highly disrespectful to turn away from Hashem, especially after having initiated the communication.
