Did he run because he knew they were angels? Or did he run to exhibit hospitality to strangers in the desert?
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1I've always understood that it was because he was eager to give hospitality and that he wasn't aware that they were angels– Moses SupposesCommented Oct 31, 2023 at 20:39
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There's no evidence that he knew what they were, and if he did why would he offer them food?– AKACommented Oct 31, 2023 at 20:46
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@Shmuel I don't see that chidush in the Chasam Sofer. Where did you find it?– user6781Commented Oct 31, 2023 at 22:02
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The law of the desert is to give hospitality to travelers. thetorah.com/article/abraham-and-lots-bedouin-style-hospitality– Maurice MizrahiCommented Oct 31, 2023 at 22:31
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3 Answers
From the commentary of the Malbim:
וכאשר ראה אותם עוברים בצד האהל כרוצים לעבור לדרכם ,רץ לקראתם לעכבם שיסורו אל ביתו
When he (Avrohom) saw that they were passing by the tent as if they wished to resume their journey, he ran to prevent this so that they should turn into his dwelling.
It seems that he was acting out of hospitality.
answered Oct 31, 2023 at 20:58
As Sforno writes,
he began running from the entrance of his tent. When a person is observed to perform any task with speed, with keenness, this reflects that he considers what he is about to do as important. We have another example of such conduct in Exodus 34,8 וימהר משה ויקוד ארצה וישתחו, “Moses hastened to bow down and to prostrate himself.”
as to the question of how Avraham saw them, the Radak writes,
Our sages (Bereshit Rabbah 50,2) say that Avraham was so familiar with the sight of angels that their sudden appearance did not cause him to become disoriented, frightened and he perceived them essentially as אנשים, men.
Based on Rashi, the essential companion for any study of the Torah, Abraham thought they were strangers and did not know that they were Angels:
Genesis 18:16
The men rose from there and looked out upon Sedom, and Avraham was walking with them to send them on their way.
Rashi
TO ESCORT THEM - for he believed that they were travelers.
