Midreshet Amit

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Protection through Torah and Mitzvot

By: Mrs. Esther Grossman

The beginning of this weeks Parsha opens with Avraham Avinu receiving three guests who go on to impart the wonderful news of Sarah Imeinus impending pregnancy. As they prepare to take leave of Avraham’s tent the posuk tells us: “Vayakumu misham ha’anoshim, vayashkifu al pnei Sodom”, “and the men (the guests) rose up from there, and looked towards Sodom”. The Kli Chemdah, Rav Meir Dan Plotzky, asks what is the meaning of “misham”, “from there”, they simply got up ready to depart, why does the posuk add the word “misham”? The Kli Chemdah answers, that when Avraham’s guests, who the midrash identifies as angels, saw his righteousness and exemplary display of hachnosas orchim, they were reminded, by contrast, of the magnitude of the wickedness and evil of Sodom. As a result, they became exceedingly disappointed with the people of Sodom in relation to Avraham. Therefore, the posuk adds in “misham”, “from there”, to underscore from where these guests were parting, and to what they had been privy, the house of Avraham Avinu! The malachim’s exposure to Avraham’s tzidkus, strengthened their resolve to destroy the city and people of Sodom. Perhaps there lies within this idea something which we can learn from today. With the threat to Israel’s safety and security, we have as a form of protection our adherence to Torah and mitzvos. If we pattern each of our homes after the righteousness of Avraham, perhaps now in days too we will be able to do away with the evil that lurks adjunct to our streets, marketplaces and communities. Bez”H we should be zoche to “yehi shalom b’cheileich shalvah b’arminoseich”, “peace should be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces”. May we share besuros tovos, Shabbat Shalom.