והוא עומד עליהם תחת העץ ויאכלו (יח: ח)

Avraham Avinu performed Hachnosas Orchim for the three malachim.  The possuk is written in the past tense:”וימהר…רץ…ויקח…he took…he went…he hurried, etc.” The exception are the words “והוא עומד עליהם תחת העץ ויאכלו – And he stands above them….” These words are written in the present tense.  This implies that Avraham stands there until today when Yidden observe Hachnosas Orchim. He is present, for he wants to partake in the mitzvah.

The Sar Shalom of Belz zt’’l built the majestic Grand Shul in Belz. Two generations later, his grandson, Reb Yissachar Dov of Belz zt’’l, added the ‘Groiyse Shtib’ – a large room where tishen (Chassidic gatherings) were celebrated.  When the Groiysa Shtib was completed, Reb Yissachar Dov said, “A thousand years ago, on this spot, there lived a yid who excelled in the mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim like Avraham Avinu.  When my grandfather built the shul, this yid thought it was time for techiyas hameisim.  He got out of his grave and came to my grandfather.  The Sar Shalom told him it wasn’t techiyas hameisim yet, and the niftar returned to his grave.  In the merit of his Hachnosas Orchim, which he observed so dutifully,  he merited that the Groiyse Shtib be built on this location. Yidden will eat at the same place where he had fed hungry people.”

Go back to Parshas Vayera