What exactly was the 'Eishel' that Avraham built, and what purpose did it serve?
Rashi #1: An orchard, which provided fruit for his many guests.
Rashi #2, Targum Yonasan: An inn where his guests stayed, 1 which contained all kinds of fruit. 2
Rashbam: He planted an orchard in order to Daven there.
Targum Onkelus: A tree 3 next to which he Davened.
Lev Eliyahu (Bereishis, p. 41): Avraham made it after Shem told him that they left the ark in the merit of Tzedakah that they did with the animals. Avraham reasoned that all the more so, one should do so with people!
"Eishel," according to a Midrash and Rashi in Sotah 10a, is the acronym of 'Achilah, Shesiyah Leviyah' (eating, drinking and escort). Kol Eliyahu - Avraham wanted to fix the Chata'im of Adam (eating), Noach (drinking) and Sedom (Leviyah).
Which is how Rashi translates it in Avodah Zarah 7b.
What does the Pasuk mean when it writes that "he called out in the Name of HaSh-m, the everlasting G-d" (or, "the G-d of the world")?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: As a result of his Chesed activities, HaSh-m's Name became known in the world. When his guests had finished eating and drinking, he would ask them to bless their benefactor. 1
Seforno and Ramban #1: He would inform them that HaSh-m is the G-d of time and that He constantly recreates it. 2
Ramban #2: He taught them that HaSh-m is in full control of the entire world (both Heaven and earth).
Ramban (citing the Moreh Nevuchim): He taught them that HaSh-m preceded the beginning of time. 3
Targum Onkelus: It means simply that he Davened there to HaSh-m, the G-d of the world.
Rashi said that the Eishel was for Avraham's guests. Surely he had many guests over many years. Why is the Torah so concise about this, and yet writes an entire section about the Akeidah (Ch. 22)?
Chochmah u'Musar (Vol. 2, p. 284): The elaboration 1 teaches that Mitzvos Bein Adam La'Makom are greater than Mitzvos Bein Adam la'Chavero. 2
He adds that the Torah elaborates about hosting the angels, to teach that the intent is primary. There, the action was nothing, for they did not need to eat!
This is not in every respect. It is harder to do Teshuvah for Mitzvos Bein Adam l'Chavero, for one needs also pardon of the afflicted party. Some say that engaging in a Mitzvah Bein Adam La'Makom does not exempt from Mitzvos Bein Adam la'Chavero (in Yabi'a Omer 9:84). The Torah elaborates about episodes from which we learn Midos and Derech Eretz more than about Mitzvos Bein Adam La'Makom. Refer to 24:42:3:1**!
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Eishel' - Rav and Shmuel [dispute the meaning of this term]; one says, an orchard (Pardes); and one says, an inn (Pundak)." Why is this important; what is the deeper meaning behind these two opinions?
Gur Aryeh #1: The "orchard" and "inn" are apt descriptions of Avraham himself, and his role in world history. a) The world was created for Avraham's sake; 1 he was HaSh-m's initial "planting" 2 in the world, the foundation of all that would follow, from whom everyone else would be blessed. b) Avraham was the "father of the multitude of nations;" 3 like an inn, everyone gathered to him, and received sustenance.
Gur Aryeh #2: The "orchard" and "inn" allude to Avraham's approach in teaching others how to serve HaSh-m. a) The foundations of Chochmah are referred to by Chazal as "Pardes." 4 Basic concepts 5 are called "plantings," and concepts derived from those foundations are the "fruits." Avraham taught the wise men the foundations of Chochmah that he had developed. 6 b) Avraham primarily taught HaSh-m's laws of proper conduct; to all who came his way, be they great or simple, bringing them under the wings of the Shechinah.
Maharal (Nesivos Olam, Nesiv Gemilus Chasadim, Ch. 4, p. 158): What is the ideal way to provide hospitality (at which Avraham excelled)? a) With an orchard of luscious fruits - i.e. to maximize the guest's enjoyment; b) with an inn - i.e. to provide the guests with their necessities, without placing them in the uncomfortable position of placing extra burden on their host.
Refer to 2:4:1.3; refer to 11:32:2.2.:2.
Avraham connected the earth to the heavens (the source of blessing), just like a young sapling that is firmly attached to its source of nourishment. (EK)
Bereishis 17: 4-5.
Chagigah 14b.
"Muskalos ha'Metzi'us - Concepts that can be perceived, and all must admit to their veracity. (EK)
By contemplating HaSh-m's creations, and the Divine wisdom inherent in them, Avraham arrived at lofty realizations reacting to HaSh-m Himself.
