The Torah tells us that Abraham, our patriarch, sat at the entrance to his tent on the third day after his circumcision. Rashi (Genesis 18:1) describes him watching for travelers he could welcome into his home. Hashem had taken the sun out of its sheath to spare him the trouble of caring for guests. But their absence distressed him, so Hashem sent three angels disguised as visitors.
Abraham ran to greet them and bowed to the ground. He asked them to stay, offering water to wash their feet, rest beneath a tree, and bread before they continued their journey.
Then he hurried to arrange their meal. He ran to the cattle and selected tender, good meat. Rashi (Genesis 18:7–8) describes three calves, prepared so that each guest could receive tongue with mustard. Abraham involved Ishmael in the preparation to train him in fulfilling Torah commandments. As each portion became ready, he brought it to his guests and stood beside them while they ate.
Abraham’s Hospitality and the Practice of Giving
Abraham’s care for strangers went beyond satisfying their hunger. He provided fruit, wine, delicacies, and lodging. He even provided a court where guests could resolve questions and disputes. People who arrived as strangers could enjoy good food, find somewhere to sleep, and receive help with difficulties they faced.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller emphasizes that Abraham followed Hashem’s example. Looking at the world, Abraham recognized the kindness of its Creator, who provided food, water, and countless things for people to enjoy. He studied that kindness and devoted himself to providing for others. The hospitality described in the Torah was part of his regular life, not an isolated occasion when three travelers happened to pass his tent.
Rambam (Commentary on Avot 3:15) describes how charitable giving develops generosity through repeated action. He compares giving a thousand coins at once with distributing that amount through a thousand separate acts. Although the total is the same, the repeated acts establish generosity within the giver more firmly.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller compares developing character to exercising muscles. Repeated use strengthens them; lack of use weakens them. Generosity grows through that same kind of practice. Each act of charitable giving exercises the quality we want to develop.
Why Giving Charity Matters in Judaism
Abraham gave his guests food, rest, and personal attention. Yet the holy Zohar (Vayera 104a) describes the visitors themselves as a gift to Abraham. What did their arrival give him?
When Hashem loves a person, He sends him someone in need, giving him an opportunity to gain merit through charitable giving. Hashem draws a cord of Divine kindness upon the giver, winds it around his head, and marks him. When judgment falls upon the world, the destroying angel sees the mark and avoids harming him.
Before bringing judgment upon Sodom, Hashem sent Abraham the three visitors so he could gain merit by welcoming them. Through Abraham’s merit, Hashem saved Lot, his nephew, who lived in Sodom.
The Torah says that Hashem remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the destruction (Genesis 19:29). It names Abraham, not Lot, as the one Hashem remembered. The holy Zohar connects that remembrance with Abraham’s hospitality to the three angels.
Interestingly, Lot had learned from Abraham to seek out guests. Even in Sodom, where hospitality was forbidden, he welcomed travelers into his home despite the danger.
How Giving Charity Benefits the Giver
When Ruth gathered grain in Boaz’s field, he offered more than food. He invited her to remain with his workers and drink from their water. He acknowledged her kindness to Naomi and her decision to leave her parents and homeland. He blessed her that Hashem would reward her deeds. Ruth answered that he had comforted her and spoken to her heart.
That evening, Naomi asked where she had gathered so much grain. Ruth identified Boaz and recounted his invitation to remain with his workers until the harvest ended.
The Midrash (Ruth Rabbah 5:9) draws attention to how Ruth described their encounter. She spoke of what she had done for Boaz that day. Although he had provided her with food, the Midrash describes her as having done him many favors through accepting it. From her words comes the teaching that the recipient does more for the giver than the giver does for the recipient.
The giver provides material help, while the recipient enables the giver to fulfill the Torah commandment of charitable giving and earn eternal reward. The Torah commands us to open our hands and provide according to the person’s needs (Deuteronomy 15:8).
Hashem remembers people’s charitable deeds when harsh judgment hangs over the world. Every Torah commandment a person fulfills is recorded above. In a time of harsh judgment, Hashem remembers the good that person has done and the merit he gained through others.