Three Angels Visit Abraham While He Recovers From Circumcision

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 18:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And he lifted up his eyes and saw" (Genesis 18:2). Because the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that Abraham was distressed that no guests were coming to his house, He commanded the ministering angels to come to his house in the manner of guests. "And behold, three men" — who were they? Michael in the middle, Gabriel on his right, Raphael on his left. Raphael came to heal Abraham, and Michael came to bring tidings to Sarah, and Gabriel came to overturn Sodom. "standing over him" — since they saw that he was greatly distressed because of the pain of the circumcision, they stood in their place and did not wish to enter to him. "and he saw and ran" — since they saw that he was very ill, they began to go away; and he, when he saw that they were going, immediately ran toward them. Another interpretation: because he saw that they were standing on his account, he ran toward them to bring them into his house.

Themes

HospitalityAngelsAbrahamDivine Compassion

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Yalkut Shimoni on TorahThe Lord Visits the Recovering Abraham on the Third DayThe opening of Vayera is read as the third day after Abraham's circumcision, the day a wound burns hottest, and the sages fill it with tenderness. God comes to Yalkut Shimoni on TorahLot Urges the Angels In and Bakes Them MatzahLot greets the two visitors at Sodom's gate and begs them to lodge with him. The sages catch a wary note in his welcome. He asks them to bend their route and slNoam Elimelech (Rebbe Elimelech)Abraham's Tent Open on All Four SidesThe opening of Parashat Vayera, "And God appeared to him at the terebinths of Mamre" (Genesis 18:1), seems straightforward. Abraham is sitting at his tent, and Midrash AggadahWhy Lot's Wife Was Punished With Salt of All ThingsThe angel's command was simple. Do not look behind you. Lot's wife looked anyway, and froze into a pillar of salt. Most people read it as a moment of weakness, Tanna DeBei Eliyahu RabbahAbraham's Table and the Gifts of the WildernessChoose your table carefully, the chapter begins. Sit with people of learning, not with those careless about the law, because the company you keep at a meal seepYalkut Shimoni on TorahOnce Abraham Was Circumcised God Appeared to Him in PersonAfter the pain of circumcision, Abraham worries over a loss that has nothing to do with his body. He was famous for his open tent and his welcome of travelers,