Abraham planted an eishel [a grove] in Be'er Sheva. The Midrash explains eishel was an inn, a place of lodging. Our Patriarch Abraham established his eishel in Be'er Sheva, in the heart of the desert, to cater to travelers in that inhospitable climate.
Abraham did not know these travelers personally. All he knew was that strangers would be hungry, thirsty and tired and he was to make their journey more pleasant. Abraham provided more than just bread and water; his visitors were offered meat, fine wines, fruit and a wide array of delicacies, as well as a place to rest. And next to the inn Abraham established a Sanhedrin, a court of law, so that wise men could answer the travelers' questions and find solutions to their problems.
This same attribute of kindness and justice is the birthright of every Jew, an inheritance from our forefather Abraham. And the Torah portion of Vayeira teaches us how we are supposed to fulfill the commandment of charity:
It isn't enough to provide a poor person with the basic requirements necessary to sustain life. We must offer him more than just the bare minimum, bringing him pleasure and enjoyment. And not only must his physical needs be met, but we must also try to help him resolve his spiritual struggles. This applies to every single Jew, even those we do not know personally, and constitutes the true meaning of the commandment of tzedaka.
No comments:
Post a Comment