Boruch Hashem, we have the zchus to have the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Olshin shlita in our midst who gives remarkable Vaadim.   Rephrased with headings by Rabbi Yair Hoffman The Torah particularly focuses on Avrohom Avinu’s chesed with the three angels in this week’s parsha. The significance of this specific act is emphasized by the rewards his descendants received generations later. As the Midrash tells us, because Avrohom Avinu gave water to his guests, Klal Yisroel received the well in the desert. Because he told them to rest under a tree, they received the Clouds of Glory. Because he served them bread, they received the manna. And because he served them meat, they received the slav (quail). This raises two critical questions that need to be addressed: First, why does the Torah place such emphasis on this particular act of chesed when Avrohom spent his entire life performing acts of chesed? Second, why was it specifically this act of chesed for which his descendants were repaid so many generations later? The Question of Giving to Those Who Don’t Need A fundamental question arises from the Gemara in Bava Basra. The Gemara tells us that when Yirmiyahu encountered the evil people of Anatot, he prayed that even when they overcome their evil inclination and give charity, Hashem should cause them to give to undeserving recipients. This way, Yirmiyahu ensured their charity wouldn’t be considered true tzedakah and they would receive no reward. This presents a powerful question regarding Avrohom Avinu’s chesed with the angels: Since the angels had no need for food or drink, shouldn’t Avrohom Avinu’s chesed be considered like giving to “undeserving recipients”? Why then is this act considered so significant, and why did it merit such great reward? The Two Types of Giving: The Difference Between Iyov and Avrohom Avinu The Avos D’Rabbi Nasan at the beginning of Chapter 7 illustrates the distinction between Iyov and Avrohom Avinu’s approaches to chesed. Iyov’s house had doors on all sides so that no poor person would need to circle the home to find the entrance. Iyov made each visitor feel at home. When his hardships began, Iyov appealed to Hashem, saying he had fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, shared his bread with orphans, and clothed those in need. Hashem responded that Iyov’s chesed hadn’t reached even half the level of Avrohom Avinu’s. While Iyov waited at home for the poor to come, Avrohom Avinu actively searched for guests. Iyov served guests according to their usual standard – wheat bread for those accustomed to wheat bread, meat for those used to meat, wine for those who typically drank wine. Avrohom Avinu, however, served everyone the highest quality regardless of their usual standard. Understanding Different Levels of Chesed The Maharal provides a crucial distinction between tzedakah and chesed. Tzedakah, he explains, is specifically about filling someone’s needs – providing food for the hungry, clothing for those who lack garments. Chesed, on the other hand, represents an innate desire to do good for others, whether they have specific needs or not. It’s the inherent will to help and benefit others at any time. Iyov exemplified tzedakah at an incredible level, excelling at filling others’ needs precisely. If someone needed high-quality bread, meat, or wine based on their usual standard, Iyov provided […]