Machshavot HaLev - Yeshivat Lev HaTorah

33
Vayera
Tea for Two, Two for Tea
Rav Jake Vidomlanski
I t the midst of one of the greatest heat waves to hit the land of Canaan, on a
day when everyone was seeking shelter from the blistering sun, one solitary and lone
figure remained outside his tent – Avraham. It was not just the heat that should have
kept Avraham in the relative comfort of his tent. After all it was just three days after
his circumcision, the day when the pain was most pronounced. And yet, Avraham
was outside looking for travelers who may be in need of some respite from the
burning rays of the sun. What prompted Avraham to act in such a manner? Why
couldn’t Avraham allow himself some time to recover and then return to his routine
of generosity and hospitality?
The Midrash records the conversation that took place between Avraham and God
on that day. Despite the joy of fulfilling the command of God, Avraham had some
residual reservations: “Until my circumcision the wayfarers would come to my tent”
(Bereishit Rabbah 48:9; translation mine). In the wake of his circumcision Avraham
set himself apart from the rest of the world. Avraham feared that as a result of his
circumcision his relationship with mankind outside of his limited sphere would
disintegrate; he feared becoming isolated from his fellow men. This isolation could
be imposed by the outside world or even stem from within his own home. From the
outside world he feared being regarded as arrogant, or worse, to be relegated to the
realm of madman. Within his own home Avraham was apprehensive that his family
would no longer want to associate with the world outside. Perhaps they would feel,