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Genesis 18:5 - Abraham's humble hospitality

Genesis 18:5 - בראשית 18:5

Hebrew Text

וְאֶקְחָה פַת־לֶחֶם וְסַעֲדוּ לִבְּכֶם אַחַר תַּעֲבֹרוּ כִּי־עַל־כֵּן עֲבַרְתֶּם עַל־עַבְדְּכֶם וַיֹּאמְרוּ כֵּן תַּעֲשֶׂה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ׃

English Translation

and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort your hearts; after that you shall pass on: seeing that you are come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

Transliteration

Ve'ekcha pat lechem vesa'adu libchem achar ta'avoru ki-al-ken avartem al-avdechem vayomeru ken ta'ase ka'asher dibarta.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶקְחָ֨ה פַת־לֶ֜חֶם וְסַעֲד֤וּ לִבְּכֶם֙ אַחַ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּ֥ן עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם עַֽל־עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֵּ֥ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃
וְאֶקְחָ֨ה פַת־לֶ֜חֶם וְסַעֲד֤וּ לִבְּכֶם֙ אַחַ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּ֥ן עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם עַֽל־עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֵּ֥ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Genesis 18:5) is part of the narrative where Avraham Avinu welcomes three angelic visitors disguised as travelers. Avraham, known for his exceptional hospitality (chesed), invites them to rest and partake of food before continuing their journey. The phrase "וְאֶקְחָה פַת־לֶחֶם" ("I will fetch a morsel of bread") reflects Avraham's humility, as he downplays the lavish meal he actually prepares (as described later in the parsha).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Genesis 18:5) notes that Avraham's offer of "a morsel of bread" was intentionally modest to avoid imposing on his guests. In reality, Avraham instructed Sarah to prepare fine flour cakes and had a calf slaughtered for the meal (Genesis 18:6-7). Rashi emphasizes that tzaddikim say little but do much, a hallmark of Avraham's character.

Rambam on Hospitality

Rambam (Hilchot Avel 14:2) derives from this episode that welcoming guests is greater than receiving the Divine Presence, as Avraham interrupted his communion with Hashem to attend to the travelers. The phrase "כִּי־עַל־כֵּן עֲבַרְתֶּם" ("seeing that you are come") reflects Avraham's view that their arrival was divinely orchestrated, obligating him to serve them.

Talmudic Insights

  • The Talmud (Bava Metzia 86b) states that these visitors were angels Michael, Rafael, and Gavriel, each with a specific mission. Michael came to announce Sarah's impending pregnancy, Rafael to heal Avraham, and Gavriel to overturn Sedom.
  • The phrase "סַעֲדוּ לִבְּכֶם" ("comfort your hearts") is interpreted in Berachot 37b as referring to the mitzvah of "nichum aveilim" (comforting mourners), suggesting Avraham's hospitality embodied multiple forms of kindness.

Midrashic Perspectives

Midrash Bereishit Rabbah (48:9) highlights that Avraham's tent was open on all four sides to welcome travelers from any direction. His statement "עַל־עַבְדְּכֶם" ("to your servant") demonstrates his humility, considering himself a servant even to passing strangers. The guests' response ("כֵּן תַּעֲשֶׂה") affirms the importance of accepting hospitality to avoid embarrassing the host.

Chassidic Interpretation

The Sefat Emet teaches that Avraham's "פַת־לֶחֶם" symbolizes both physical and spiritual nourishment. By inviting guests to "comfort your hearts," he sought to uplift their souls through kindness, modeling how material acts of chesed can lead to divine connection.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 18:5 teach us about hospitality?
A: Genesis 18:5 demonstrates the importance of hospitality (hachnasat orchim) in Judaism. Avraham invites the guests (who were angels) to rest and eat before continuing their journey. Rashi explains that Avraham's actions set a model for kindness—offering food and comfort to travelers. The Talmud (Shabbat 127a) teaches that hospitality is even greater than receiving the Divine Presence, as Avraham interrupted his conversation with Hashem to tend to guests.
Q: Why did Avraham offer bread to his guests in Genesis 18:5?
A: Avraham offered bread (פת לחם) as a basic act of nourishment and kindness. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 48:10) notes that Avraham went beyond the minimum—he intended to prepare a lavish meal (as seen in later verses), but first offered simple bread to immediately satisfy his guests. Rambam (Hilchot Avel 14:2) derives from this that we should comfort others promptly, even with modest means.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'comfort your hearts' in Genesis 18:5?
A: The term 'comfort your hearts' (וסעדו לבכם) refers to both physical and emotional refreshment. Rashi explains that food 'strengthens the heart' (based on Tehillim 104:15). The Sforno adds that Avraham sought to relieve their fatigue from traveling. This teaches that true hospitality addresses both bodily needs and the guest's emotional well-being.
Q: How does Genesis 18:5 apply to kindness today?
A: This verse teaches timeless lessons: 1) Prioritize helping others (Avraham interrupted his Divine encounter for guests). 2) Act quickly ('I will fetch...' shows urgency). 3) Be humble ('your servant'—Avraham served despite his high status). The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 247) rules that these principles obligate us to welcome guests warmly, as Avraham did.
Q: Why did the guests agree to stay in Genesis 18:5?
A: The angels agreed ('So do, as you have said') to allow Avraham to fulfill the mitzvah of hospitality. The Kli Yakar explains that refusing kindness would have denied Avraham his reward. This reflects a Jewish ethic: when someone sincerely offers help, we should sometimes accept to enable their mitzvah—provided it's not a burden (Talmud, Ketubot 67b).