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Why did three malachim visit Avrohom when none of their missions were necessary? Parsha Vayeira marks the pivotal transfer of worldly governance from Hashem (ה׳) and the malachim alone to include Avrohom on the Beit Din. The malachim came to observe whether Avrohom was worthy of this partnership — and his hachnasas orchim demonstrated he surpassed even the malachim in godliness.
The shiur opens with a compelling question: why were three malachim needed to visit Avrohom Avinu? Refael came to heal Avrohom, but Hashem (ה׳) Himself was present ("Vayeira eilav Hashem") and could have healed him directly. Gavriel came to destroy Sodom, but didn't need to visit Avrohom first. Most puzzling, Michoel came to inform Sarah she would have a son — but Hashem had already told Avrohom at the end of Parshas Lech Lecha that he would have a son named Yitzchok. Avrohom, as a navi, could have delivered this message to Sarah himself, and she would have been obligated to accept it from a navi ("Eilav tishma"). There appears to be no reason for any of the three malachim to visit Avrohom. Rashi (רש"י)'s comment on "Vayeishev pesach (פסח) ha'ohel" provides the key insight. Rashi explains that Avrohom made a gesture to stand up, but Hashem told him to sit, establishing a sign for his descendants: "Elokim nitzav ba'adas Keil" — Hashem stands while the Beit Din sits. This message seems out of place in the context of bikur cholim, yet it reveals the fundamental purpose of the entire parsha.
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Parshas Vayeira 18:17
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