יבמות עט

It was a custom in many Jewish communities that the town שוחט would be responsible for הכנסת אורחים for travelers who came to town.  One שוחט approached the town רבי and complained that there were much wealthier men in town and he didn’t understand why the responsibility fell on him. The רבי explained:   In פרשת ראה, the תורה states הכה תכה את יושבי העיר ההיא לפי חרב.  It then goes on to state ונתן לך רחמים ורחמך.  This is because after so much killing, even לשם שמים, the attribute of mercy must be strengthened. Therefore, the שוחט, who is engaged in killing all day, was designated as the person to engage in רחמנות to strangers by means of הכנסת אורחים.

05/10/2021