Page 276 - BERESHIT
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Avraham made Eliezer swear that he would not take a wife for Yitzchak
from Canaan. The Ran asks, in what way were the daughters of Charan
superior to those of Canaan? Didn’t both of them serve idols?
I suggest that the middah of chessed was in their blood. The very attribute
of chessed is a step-up from the base character of man. This is hinted at
by the literal translation of the words , “A world is built
on chessed” (Tehillim 89:3). Our entire world, as well as the microcosmic
universe of each individual, is built on the middah of chessed.
Sodom and Emorrah were known as the antithesis of chessed. They
detested any form of charity or hospitality. Efron too showed his apathy
to the needs of others. This is why the Torah writes his name lacking
the letter . His friendliness and generosity were devoid of any virtue.
Lavan knew that Avraham and his men would not step into a house where
