DICTIONARY:
Opportunism is the art, policy, or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances, often with little regard for principles ….
Synonym for opportunism: exploitation
KINDNESS WITH STRANGERS
This Parasha provides us with some details of the personality of Abraham Abinu. Already close to 100 years of age, what does Abraham dedicate his life to? The man who discovered God, how does he spend his precious time? Abraham, the Tora tells us this week, is sitting in his tent actively looking for people who need help. We know the story of the three “visitors” of Abraham, but perhaps we do not absorb the enormous magnitude of what Abraham does. Let me explain: Abraham lifted his eyes, and behold, he saw in front of him three men [foreigners, people totally unknown to him]; he stood up and ran toward them, bowed down to them” and invited them to his house. We know the visitors were “angels” [messengers of God, prophets, etc.] but the main point of the story is that Abraham did not see anything special in these men. He did not reach out to them because they had money, and he wanted to take advantage of them: The Tora describes them as “walkers” – a sign of poverty – and not as traveling merchants riding on donkeys or camels. Abraham saw this, but far from discouraging him, the fact that these people were (or seemed) humble was the opportunity Abraham was waiting for! Abraham lived a very comfortable life in material terms. In passing, the Tora mentions that he had a house, food, livestock, workers, property, and silver. Abraham was sitting at his tent’s door, waiting for an opportunity to help others. This behavior is entirely abnormal!
OPPORTUNISM IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
“Opportunists see a chance to gain some advantage from a situation, often at the expense of ethics or morals. An opportunist seizes every opportunity to improve things for himself.”
A stranger you have never seen before is the perfect potential victim of tricksters or con artists who cheat, steal, and abuse. Without fear of retaliation because strangers are defenseless. Notice that the very word “opportunism” is always used negatively. Abraham’s opportunism, however, is 180 degrees different. Abraham was purposely on the lookout for someone who needed help. Please think if you have ever met someone like Abraham Abinu! Someone is standing outside a supermarket, for example, waiting for the opportunity to selflessly help people who need assistance getting their shopping bags to their car or something like that. Are there individuals like this? Human angels, who spend time “waiting for the opportunity to help the humble and the needy” selflessly?
CHESED IN YOUR DNA …
Abraham is proactive in his kindness; he does not wait at the door of his house for someone to come and ask for his help. The visitors did not even approach Abraham’s tent. It was Abraham who literally “ran” to meet these strangers; he offered them water, food, and shade as if he had something to sell! The Tora records this particular story because, in the end, these men announced to Abraham that Sara would have a son, but we must remember that this action of Abraham was not the exception but the rule. Abraham devoted his life to this Chesed. The Sages explained that Abraham invited foreigners to his house regularly. And they added that when the guests finished eating and wanted to bless Abraham for his generosity, he would tell them, “You don’t need me to thank me, we need to thank the Creator, who has provided us with this food” (nebarekh sheakhalnu mishelo). Abraham is from a different planet.
PROOF OF JUDAISM
Our Sages say that we, the descendants of Abraham Abinu, have inherited this virtue from him. The Sages affirm that the Jews possess three hereditary characteristics transmitted by our ancestors. So strong (and meaningful) is this genetic load that a Jew who does not have these virtues may not be a Jew: the first one of these traits is Gemilut Hassadim, the inclination of Jews to assist others, to proactively and selflessly care for those in need.
