From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
"And the L-rd appeared to him," we read in this week's Torah portion, Vayeira. "And he lifted up his eyes and saw three men." Citing the Talmud, Rashi explains: "It was the third day after his circumcision, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, came and inquired of his welfare."
From the fact that G-d visited Abraham when he was ill we learn that we too must perform the mitzva of bikur cholim, visiting the sick. Moreover, the Torah does not refer to Abraham by name (the verse states only "to him") to teach us that G-d visited him not because of his superior qualities or virtue, but simply because he was sick. It is a mitzva to visit any Jew who is not well.
How does the Talmud derive that G-d appeared to Abraham on the third day after his brit mila?
The Torah's commandments are intended to be performed within the natural order, as opposed to in a miraculous manner. The purpose of mitzvot is to refine the physical world and imbue it with sanctity and holiness. The preparations for doing a mitzva, as well as its results or consequences, must also be within the natural order.
There is a famous story told about the Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chasidism, who was once traveling by boat when it came time to bless the new moon. The Alter Rebbe (as he is known) performed a miracle and brought the boat to a halt, but he did not recite the blessing until the captain agreed to stop the vessel. The Alter Rebbe's intention was that the preparation for the mitzva, i.e., stopping the boat, should also be carried out within the confines of nature.
Even if it is very difficult to do a mitzva, it is still meant to be performed within the natural order. For if the hardships were to be alleviated miraculously, it would detract from the mitzva's perfection.
Among the three angels who came to Abraham that day was Rafael, whose function is to heal. It is obvious that the angel would not have visited before the third day, as according to nature, a person who undergoes circumcision is considered sick for the first two days. It is inconceivable that G-d would have healed Abraham before then in a miraculous manner, as it would have detracted from the wholeness of his mitzva. As it is understood that the angel was not sent to alleviate the difficulties associated with the mitzva of brit mila, we know that his visit, and G-d's, was on the third day.
Reprinted from the Parshat Vayera 5762/2001 edition of L’Chaim. Adapted from Volume 5 of Likutei Sichot.
While he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day.
Rashi says Because Hashem saw Avraham was upset that there were no visitors coming, He brought the angels to him in the form of men. Why was Avraham upset that there were no guests. The Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim is not one that you must go search out to do. It is a Mitzvah that one must do if the situation arises. And what did Avraham accomplish by entertaining the angels.
There is no Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim - to entertain angels. Avraham had two purposes in fulfilling the Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim. One was to fulfill the Mitzvah. The second was to inspire others with the characteristic and trait of Chesed. He wanted people to see him and learn from him this trait.
The Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim only applies if there are guests. There is no Mitzvah to seek out guests. But Avraham wished to seek out people so that he could have an influence on them. He was upset that there were no people around. So, Hashem brought him angels in the form of men. (Rabbi Shlomo Heiman)
Reprinted from the Parashat Vayeira 5785 email of R’ Yedidye Hirtenfeld’s whY I Matter parsha sheet for the Young Israel of Midwood in Brooklyn, NY.
