In the very beginning of this week's parsha, Parshat Vayera, Avraham rushes to perform the mitzvah of הכנסת אורחים, welcoming guests.
The first pesukim state: וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה בְּאֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב פֶּתַח־הָאֹהֶל כְּחֹם הַיּוֹם Hashem appeared to him by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day. וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים נִצָּבִים עָלָיו וַיַּרְא וַיָּרׇץ לִקְרָאתָם מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ אָרְצָה Looking up, he saw three figures standing near him. Perceiving this, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, וַיֹּאמַר אֲדֹנָי אִם־נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ אַל־נָא תַעֲבֹר מֵעַל עַבְדֶּךָ he said, “My lords! If it please you, do not go on past your servant."
Avraham then invites the guests to wash their feet in his tent, and offers them refreshments.
Chizkuni comments on the words כְּחֹם הַיּוֹם in the first pasuk. He explains that the detail of the heat has been added in order to emphasize Avraham’s good intentions and actions. At a time when the chance of potential guests being out in the sun was extremely slim, Avraham nonetheless positioned himself in extreme heat to ensure that he would not miss anyone who happened to be out in the sun.
Rav Shimshon Refael Hirsch further emphasizes Avraham’s good deed by reminding us that Avraham had just completed his brit milah, and sitting in the heat must have been even more of a sacrifice for him during a painful recovery.
Rav Hirsch also writes that our parsha is right after the parsha in which Avraham has a brit milah to teach us that those who separate themselves from the rest of the nations via brit milah will be humane and moral among humanity. Although Jews are somewhat separate from the rest of the world, they are prepared to act kindheartedly towards anyone.
Avraham did not sit by the opening of his tent in the heat without reason, Rav Hirsch continues: כי רוח זו של אהבת הבריות עברה בירושה לבניו אחריו. ואף שונאי ישראל שבכל הדורות לא שללו תכונה זו מן היהודים הבזויים Because this spirit of loving all creations was passed down to the next generations. And no hater of Israel in any generation could take this quality away from the despised Jewish nation.
Jews throughout the years have faced cruel, unwarranted hate, yet have persevered and managed to keep a high standard of moral values. Unfortunately we are living in a frightening time during which hate towards the Jewish community is very palpable. The recent horrific terrorist attacks in Israel and wave of antisemitism across the globe are heartbreaking and terrifying. People around the world are claiming that Jews are evil and deserve no place in the land of Israel simply because we are Jewish.
In spite of all the darkness trying to destroy us, Am Yisrael continues to spread light. Communities in Israel and around the world have come together to help those affected by the war and to share inspiring lessons of Torah. No matter what haters try to convince us of, we remember that Avraham’s humaneness, morality, and love for creation have been passed down to us. It is in our hands to remain righteous even in the most trying times.
May Hashem answer our tefillot and return our soldiers and those in captivity home quickly and safely. May there be peace for all of Am Yisrael very soon, b’ezrat Hashem.
Thank you to Rabbi Dov Huff who learned and discussed these ideas with me.
Shabbat shalom! | 
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