בראשית, פרק י״ח, פסוק ז׳

Abraham’s act of welcoming travelers represents the highest standard of kindness. Though elderly, in physical pain from his recent circumcision, and possessing vast wealth with hundreds of armed servants, he does not delegate the work. Instead, he personally runs to the herd to transform a simple meal into a royal feast, proving that the righteous say little but do much. His physical exertion highlights his speed, joy, and extraordinary generosity, driven by deep respect for his guests [רמב״ן, רבנו בחיי]. He also hurries because he had only promised them a little bread, and the travelers appear to be in a rush to continue their journey [רשב״ם]. According to a Midrashic tradition, the calf actually runs away from Abraham, leading him on a chase that ultimately results in his discovery of the Cave of Machpelah [הדר זקנים].

The specific animal chosen is a small, young male, selected because its tender meat cooks very quickly [רד״ק, שד״ל, חזקוני, שטיינזלץ]. It is also fat, beautiful, and of the highest quality [רד״ק, רלב״ג, ביאור יש״ר]. The primary approach among commentators is that Abraham does not take just one calf, but actually slaughters three different bulls. His goal is to serve the three guests a royal delicacy: three tongues prepared with mustard [רש״י, מזרחי, גור אריה]. Tongue is specifically chosen because it can be removed immediately after slaughter, bypassing the time-consuming process of skinning the entire animal, which perfectly suits the guests' hurry [הטור הארוך, חזקוני]. By preparing three separate tongues from three distinct animals, Abraham ensures that each guest receives a complete, honorable portion of his own. This shows that every individual is equally important in his eyes and prevents any feelings of jealousy between them [שפתי חכמים, גור אריה, אלשיך, דברי דוד]. The mustard serves as an essential spice to properly prepare the meat and neutralize any health risks associated with eating unspiced tongue [תורה תמימה].

After selecting the animals, the meat is handed over to a youth. While some identify this youth simply as a servant [רד״ק], a prominent approach suggests it is actually Ishmael, Abraham's only son at the time [רש״י, מזרחי, משכיל לדוד]. Abraham gives him the meat specifically to train him in the commandment of hospitality. Had Abraham handed the task to an ordinary servant after initiating the good deed himself, it would have diminished his own honor. However, passing the responsibility to his son for the sake of education is considered highly praiseworthy [ברטנורא, מזרחי, שפתי חכמים]. The final preparation involves slaughtering and cooking the meat [רד״ק, רלב״ג, בכור שור, שטיינזלץ]. Opinions differ on who completes this final step. Some suggest Abraham commands the youth to hurry and finish the cooking [העמק דבר, שד״ל]. Others maintain that Abraham himself rushes to prepare the meat, either because Ishmael is moving too slowly, or because God desires that the full merit of this great act of kindness remains exclusively with Abraham rather than passing to his son [אלשיך, שפתי כהן].