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At the beginning of this week’s Parashah, we are greeted by a very specifically worded Pasuk: “VaYeira Eilav Hashem B’Elonei Mamre V’Hu Yoshev Petach Ha’Ohel K’Chom HaYom,” “And Hashem appeared to him in Elonei Mamre and he was sitting an the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day” (BeReishit 18:1). Rashi explains that this Pasuk took place three days after Avraham Avinu’s Brit Milah, on the most painful day, and yet he was still waiting by the door of his tent to greet guests. Similarly, Hashem also did many acts of kindness that day for Avraham. Firstly, he was Mevaker Cholim to Avraham, according to Rashi. He also made the day especially hot so that guests wouldn’t come, so that Avraham could rest. When he saw this distressed Avraham Avinu he brought the three Malachim to him. The Gemara in Sotah (14a) explains this Pasuk to mean that we should be like Hashem and that just as he is compassionate, so too we should strive to be compassionate. This Halachah is cited by the Rambam in his Sefer HaMitzvot (Mitzvah #8).
We can learn a very important message from Avraham Avinu’s actions. At this moment, Avraham had every excuse to give in to his Yetzer Hara and just rest, but instead he waited at the door, with incredible Mesirut Nefesh waiting to do the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim. When guests finally did come, “VaYaratz Lik’ratam MePetach Ha’Ohel”, “he ran to greet them from the entrance of the tent”. Even in his great pain from his Milah, his desire to do a Mitzvah took over. He was rewarded with a son, what he has been Davening for for many years, because of this great Midah. Hopefully, we can learn from the great role model of Avraham Avinu and maybe we will be Zocheh to be rewarded with what we have been davening for for thousands of years, the Ge’ulah Sheleimah quickly in our days.