A few of the first portions in Bereshis describe for us the life of one of the greatest people who ever lived, our great forefather; Avraham. I would like to begin by making a simple observation. If I were to ask any young grade school child what Avraham Avinu was famous for, the child would probably respond that Avrohom was well known for his abundance of kindness. Additionally, were we to ask another person, he’d likely answer that Avraham was also famous for being the first person to discover the existence of God. What is so special about these two traits that for eternity we remember Avraham by them specifically?
The Gemara tells us that any convert to Judaism, is called a Bas Nadiv (lit. daughter of the generous one) which refers to Avraham Avinu. One may ask why is someone who has discovered God called a Bas Nadiv. What does generosity have to do with finding God?
It says “ואנשי סדום רעים וחטאים לה’ מאד”. Translated this means, “and the people of Sodom were very evil and wicked to God.” The Ramban (Nachmanides) tells us that Sodom’s wickedness was attributed to their not acting kind to one another and even more, they were cruel to one another. Let’s try and understand the connection between being cruel to mankind and being labeled as evil to God.
There is a concept discussed in the Gemara many times called כופין על מדת סדום which means that if someone is capable of accommodating someone at no loss or harm, he should do it for otherwise he will be acting in the same fashion as a Sodomi would. Rashi describes what exactly this terrible midda (character trait) of Sodom is in 2 short words; “שלי שלי – what’s mine is mine”.
What’s interesting is that a mishna in Pirkei Avos (Ethics of Our Fathers) says something that would appear slightly different. Someone who claims what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is yours is just regular guy (at least according to one opinion).
This seeming contradiction seems to be pretty extreme; on one hand this person seems to be just a regular guy and according to Rashi he seems to be a very wicked man. This issue can be explained as follows. There are two types of people that can say שלי שלי; one person can say look I grew up having to share everything and therefore my stuff is for me alone and your belongings are yours. And then you have another type of person who simply says without any deeper intent “my stuff is mine period! And keep a distance!!”
We can resolve this as follows. One who says שלי שלי alone is clearly stating that what’s mine is mine Period and in such a scenario there is no dispute that he has very poor character traits like in Sodom! The other who has had enough of sharing and wants that which is his for himself alone and has no desire for anyone else’s belongings just as well is more from the standard part of society; nothing wicked at all.
A person who lives a self centered life may also be disregarding the fact that there is a God who is particularly involved in his everyday life.
It is imperative for us to look a little deeper into the seemingly simple act of kindness. When a person does an act of kindness disregarding his situation to help another can help bring a person to see God and recognize His kindness as well.
Avraham Avinu was a tremendous doer of chesed – being the selfless person he was it is no wonder that he was able to discover the creator of the world Himself!
Good Shabbos – Moty Sweet
