“…that you will not do us harm, just as we have not mistreated you but have always dealt kindly with you and sent you away in peace. From now on, be you blessed of Hashem!” (Bereishis 26:29)

Avimelech tells Yitzchak that he is expected not to do any harm to his people, as they only did good to him and sent him off in peace. But in reality Avimelech’s nation mistreated Yitzchak greatly, and Yitzchak should have received compensation. Why did Avimelech feel this was sufficient?

Rav Zalman Sorotzkin (1881–1966) explains this based on part of the Purim story. Bigson and Seresh plotted to kill Achashveirosh and by ‘chance’ Mordechai overheard their discussion. Esther related this to the king in the name of Mordechai. Then, one night when the king could not sleep, he asked to have the royal chronicles read to him, at which time he discovered that Mordechai was not rewarded (לֹא־נַעֲשָׂה עִמּוֹ דָּבָר Esther 6:3). The question is how could it be that such a mighty king did not show gratitude to the person who saved his life? To uncover the answer, one must consider who was saved, and who was the savior.

It seems to be quite a common occurrence throughout the course of history that Jews do good deeds for their fellow countrymen and are not rewarded for being good citizens. “Be thankful we haven’t harmed you, Jew!” is the typical response and repayment! We can clearly see this type of response in the two incidents mentioned: Achashveiros would say, “We didn’t harm Mordechai, and in fact let him go free – that is sufficient compensation!” Similarly, Avimelech would say to Yitzchak, “The fact that we let you leave with the shirt on your back is more than adequate compensation for a Jew who helped a gentile!” This was an appropriate answer from Avimelech’s standpoint and Yitzchak understood that.

We can apply this theme to our present situation. The Jews as a nation have gone out of their way to ensure the safety of the ‘civilians’ of Gaza, while the world looks at the Israeli army as committing genocide against an innocent people. This seems to be history repeating itself yet again!

We must remember that despite this attitude of the gentiles, Jews have an obligation to our fellow man which is borne out from our obligation to serve Hashem. Each person is a tzelem Elokim and deserves to be treated as such. We do not look for recognition from the gentiles nor do we expect to be repaid by them. Our reward and repayment come only from Hashem.

I believe it is time for us to strengthen our belief in Hashem, for He is the one who can make things work out for the best. As it says in Mishlei (21:2) פַּלְגֵי־מַיִם לֶב־מֶלֶךְ בְּיַד־ה’  (As water courses [in the hands of a man], so is the heart of a king in the hand of the L-rd). Let Hashem fill the Gentiles with a desire to treat His Jewish people in a pleasant way.