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In this week’s Torah reading, Vayeiro, we read that Hashem Himself appeared to Avrohom. The Torah portion begins by telling us[1] that “Hashem appeared to him (Avrohom) in the plains of Mamre. He was sitting at the entrance of the tent when the day was hot.”
Why did Hashem “visit” Avrohom? Rashi explains; G-d appeared to him in order to fulfill the Mitzvah of visiting the sick. Hashem performs all of the Mitzvos which He commands us to do (as so to speak). Avrohom had recently circumcised himself at the advanced age of 99. Just as Hashem commands us to bring comfort to the ill, so too did He perform this great Mitzvah.
Why did G-d find Avrohom sitting at the entrance of his tent? Rashi cites the words from this verse “at the entrance of the tent,” and explains that he was doing this in order “to see if there any passerby, whom he would bring into his house.”
The Midrash teaches us that Avrohom would regularly sit at the entrance of his tent in order to invite guests. After serving them food and drink, he would persuade them to thank Hashem. In this manner, he would spread G-d’s name throughout the world.
This teaches us a tremendous lesson. Suppose that an individual already spent many years bringing Jews closer to Torah and Mitzvos. Furthermore, suppose that he actually succeeded in his mission; he helped many people return to Hashem. This does not allow him to “take a break” from his holy work.
On the contrary; even if he has reached the age of 99, he must persist in his mission. He has to use the greatest amount of energy imaginable. It is necessary to continue reaching out to one and all, despite the fact that he is not as strong as he was. He cannot rest; he must be sure that there is not even one Jew whom he needs to draw close to Hashem and His service.
Each of us has inherited the traits of our forefathers, the first of whom is Avrohom. May we learn from his attributes, and persist in carrying out our mission whether or not we “feel up to it.” The more energy and excitement we invest in carrying out our mission, the faster we will succeed in bringing Moshiach now.
Wishing one and all a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
Adapted from Sefer Hasichos 5749, Volume I, beginning with Page 84
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR FATHER
Mr. Sholom Moshe Hacohen
ben Reb Shlomo Meir Hacohen ע”ה Cohen
Passed away Shabbos Parshas Beshalach, 13 Shevat, 5779
May His Soul be bound in the Eternal Bond of Life
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DEDICATED BY HIS SON-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTER
RABBI SHMUEL AND RIFKA שי’MENDELSOHN
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לעילוי נשמת
ר’ שלום משה הכהן בן ר’ שלמה מאיר הכהן ע”ה כהן
נפטר ש”ק פ’ בשלח, י”ג שבט, ה’תשע”ט
ת. נ. צ. ב. ה.
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יו”ל ע”י חתנו ובתו שיחיו
הרה”ת ר’ שמואל ורבקה שי’ מענדלסאהן
[1]. Our Parshah, Bereishis 18:1.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 