Perhaps the most famous quote from a presidential inauguration is JFK’s historic “Ask not what your country could do for you - ask what you can do for your country.” A call to service, action, and dedication to a purpose higher than self.
The opening story of this week’s parsha happens three days after Avraham entered a covenant with G-d through circumcision. At the advanced age of ninety-nine, G-d communicated to him the mitzvah of Bris Milah, which he observed without hesitation. Following such a procedure it’s only natural to feel weak and ill, and the third day is the worst of all. G-d arranged for scorching weather to keep travelers off the road and away from Avraham’s hospitality tent, so he could rest and recuperate from the circumcision. But hospitality wasn’t just Avraham’s day job - it was a Mitzvah and his life mission. His greatest joy and pleasure was to welcome in weary travelers, seat them in the shade of his beautiful orchard and serve them the choicest delicacies. It was all done for free with the sole purpose of inspiring them to thank the creator of all things, Al-mighty G-d, for the food they ate and thus bringing the awareness of divine truth to a heathen world. Instead of resting in bed as his hotel remained empty due to the unbearable heat, Avraham sat at the entrance of his tent on the lookout for some brave travelers to express his unbridled kindness. In this setting the Torah states “the L-rd appeared to him in the plains of Mamre, and he was sitting at the entrance of the tent when the day was hot.” G-d observes all the Mitzvot, so G-d visited Avraham - who was ill due to the circumcision - in observance of the Mitzvah of “Bikkur Cholim” - visiting the sick. One can imagine what type of spiritual bliss such a revelation must have been for Avraham, but, shockingly, he never took his eyes off the road. Even while experiencing such an intense divine revelation he noticed three travelers approaching from a distance. He excused himself from G-d’s presence, ran to them and insisted they enter his tent to avail themselves of his hospitality. Although these three men were really angels, they were disguised as heathens who served the dust of their feet as deities; the most pathetic of society at the time. Nevertheless, Avraham tore himself away from an unprecedented divine revelation to express kindness to the scourge of humanity in keeping with his life mission. This is what a covenant with G-d is all about. The ability to rise above our own needs and desires - even if they may be of the most elevated spiritual nature - to do what is expected of us in making our world a better place for all. Be like Avraham and never allow anything to stand in the way of a Mitzvah that needs to be done now.