Avraham Avinu and the Three “Guests”
Question
Shalom aleichem Rabbi Lauffer. Thank you for answering my last question. Rashi says that Avraham Avinu thought that the three angels were Arabs. How could Avraham think they were Arabs, though, when Arabs did not yet exist seemingly, as we hold that Arabs are the descendants of Yishmael, and Yishmael at this time had no children? Thanks a lot.
Answers
Rashi is citing Chazal, who use a generic term for the people who lived in that area. Because the “Arabians” were idol worshipers in his day, he was concerned that they worshiped the dust, which is why he told them to wash their feet.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team