It might be more surprising – and down-to-earth – than you think. Our text from Bereshit Rabbah, a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Genesis, dives into a fascinating verse: “He planted a tamarisk [eshel] in Beersheba, and he proclaimed there the name of the Lord, God of the universe” (Genesis 21:33).
What exactly is this eshel, this tamarisk tree? What's so special about it? Well, that's where the rabbis step in with their insights.
Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya offer differing interpretations. Rabbi Yehuda suggests eshel refers to an orchard. Imagine a welcoming oasis, bursting with figs, grapes, and pomegranates – all freely available. If you wanted something, you simply had to she’al, request it. Rabbi Neḥemya, however, sees eshel as an inn, a place of hospitality. Need bread, meat, wine, or eggs? Just ask! She’al.
But the interpretations don’t stop there. Rabbi Azarya, citing Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon, proposes a bolder idea: eshel represents a Sanhedrin, a court of law. Abraham, in this view, established a center of justice in Beersheba. This idea finds support in the book of Samuel, where we see Saul "sitting in judgment in Giva under the tamarisk [eshel] in Rama" (I Samuel 22:6).
Now, let’s focus on Rabbi Neḥemya’s view – the eshel as an inn. This interpretation gives us a beautiful picture of Abraham's method of spreading God's name. According to this, Abraham wasn't just offering food and drink; he was offering an experience.
He'd welcome travelers, weary and hungry. After they ate and drank their fill, Abraham would ask them to say a blessing. But what blessing should they say? That's where Abraham would gently guide them: "Blessed is the God of the universe, whose food we have eaten."
Think about that for a moment. It wasn't about preaching or lecturing. It was about creating a moment of gratitude, a recognition of the source of all blessings. And through that simple act, Abraham "proclaimed there the name of the Lord, God of the universe.”
The Midrash Rabbah is highlighting something profound here. It wasn’t grand pronouncements or theological debates that defined Abraham’s mission. It was the simple act of extending hospitality and inviting others to acknowledge the Divine presence in their lives.
The passage continues with a seemingly unrelated observation: "Abraham resided in the land of the Philistines many years" (Genesis 21:34). More specifically, more years than he spent in Hebron. We're told he stayed in Hebron for twenty-five years – from the time he arrived in Canaan at age 75 (Genesis 12:4; 13:18) until the destruction of Sodom, when he was 100. But in the land of the Philistines, he stayed twenty-six years.
Why is this detail included? Perhaps it's to emphasize Abraham's commitment to spreading God's name, even in a foreign land. He didn't just stay put in the "holy" places; he ventured out, engaging with different cultures and sharing his message of gratitude wherever he went.
So, what can we take away from this exploration of Bereshit Rabbah? Maybe it's a reminder that spreading goodness doesn't always require grand gestures. Sometimes, the most powerful acts are the simplest: offering hospitality, expressing gratitude, and inviting others to recognize the blessings in their own lives. Just like Abraham, planting seeds of kindness, one eshel at a time.