“וירא אליו ד' באלוני ממרא, והוא יושב פתח האוהל כחם היום” – “Hashem appeared to him (Avrohom Avinu) in the plains of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day.” Rashi says on the word, “ישב” is written without a ו' to teach us that Avrohom Avinu wanted to stand up out of respect for the Shechinah which had come to visit him. However, Hakodosh Boruch Hu said to Avrohom: Sit and I will stand – as a Siman for your children for I am destined to stand in the assembly of judges, while they are sitting, as it says, “Hashem stands in the Divine assembly.” The judges in Klal Yisroel sit while judging. Hakodosh Boruch Hu had spoken to Avrohom Avinu prior to this. Why does the Torah wait until here to teach us this rule that the judges of Klal Yisroel are to sit in judgment? Avrohom Avinu was sitting at the entrance of his tent to welcome guests into his home – which is part of the Mitzvah of Tzedakah, and bringing Sholom, peace, as it says in Yeshaya 32:17 “והיה מעשה הצדקה שלום” – “And the act of Tzedakah is peace.” When one judges, he is also bringing about Sholom. Thus, it is specifically here, when Avrohom was bringing Sholom into the world, that we are taught about judges sitting when judging, as they bring Sholom into the world.
