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Aside from the fact that Avraham at his core is a man of kindness, one who chases after kindness, the Torah teaches us an additional point regarding Avraham (Bereishit 18:19):
"For I have known him for he commands his sons and his household after him, to keep the way of Hashem to do righteousness and justice (tzedaka and mishpat)…"
Avraham Avinu is searching for the way of Hashem. Avraham Avinu is exploring the way of Hashem, and trying to follow it. The Gemara says that it is appropriate to do acts of kindness, in order to emulate the attributes of HaKadosh Baruch Hu (Sotah 14a):
It is also possible to understand this on a deeper level. HaKadosh Baruch Hu created man in His image, b’tzelem Elokim. That means that latent in every one of us there are divine qualities. The Gemara teaches us, that HaKadosh Baruch Hu does kindness, comforts mourners, and the like, and in so doing it teaches us that these qualities are natural to us, they are a tangible part of us.
This quality gives us a unique strength to do kindness. We do not need to acquire from outside ourselves traits of kindness. Rather, we need to reveal the qualities of kindness that exist within us.
The Rambam (Megilla V’Chanuka 2:17) writes that the greatest joy is to gladden others, to make the poor happy:
It is better for one to increase gifts to the poor, matanot la’evyonim, than for one to increase his meal and sending gifts to his friends, his mishloach manot, for there is no greater and splendid joy than to gladden the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows and the converts, for one who gladdens the heart of these cheerless people is likened to the Divine Presence, as it is stated, "To revive the spirit of the downtrodden and to enliven the hearts of the despondent" (Yeshayahu 57:15).
Why is the cause of the greatest joy gladdening others?
One can assume that when one finds himself in the presence of sad people, it is sad for them, too. But if he gladdens them, everyone becomes happy, which also includes him. But, in order to be happy, one doesn’t need to make others happy. One simply needs to go to a place where people are happy!
Why is there a special happiness when gladdening others? We explained previously, that HaKadosh Baruch Hu created us in His likeness, with Divine qualities. And we saw, that HaKadosh Baruch Hu has an attribute of kindness. That being the case, kindness is something natural to us. Therefore, when one performs kindness and gladdens others, they utilize their own natural qualities, and it follows that they become more complete and happier.
There is an additional explanation why one who brings happiness to others will be happier himself. One may feel a low sense of self-worth, yet when he gladdens others, one uncovers renewed strength and understands that they possess more power than they previously thought. This results in great happiness, the ability to help others more, and to be even happier.
Avraham Avinu- is the source of kindness in the world. Avraham Avinu searches for the will of G-d, and understands that the will of G-d fits our natural qualities. Avraham invests in kindness, but it is clear from all the parshiyot that it is kindness that enlivens Avraham. We shall strive to walk in the path of G-d, in the path of Torah and good deeds, in the path of kindness and justice, "’For I Hashem does kindness, justice and righteousness in the land- for these I yearned,’ such is the word of G-d." (Yirmiyahu 9:23)
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
