Omer 2016 Day 5: Sarah

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Day 5: Hod in Chesed, Glory in Kindness

Sarah, our first matriarch, embodies hod in chesed. According to midrash (oral Torah; stories that have been passed down orally, rather than written in the Torah), Sarah's tent was open on all four sides, allowing her and Abraham to receive guests arriving from all directions. She greeted guests graciously, her open tent symbolizing an openness, hospitality, and kindness that we should all strive to emulate. The midrash goes on to say that: 

"By merit of her good deeds, the people of Israel would merit certain boons; thus, for example, Israel received the manna in the wilderness by merit of the cakes that Sarah prepared for the angels." -Tamar Kadari, JWA 

Not only did Sarah gain a reputation for kindness in her own time, but her openness brought splendor and glory to Israel for all generations.