Komentaryo sa Genesis 18:4: Rashi, Chizkuni, Kli Yakar & Kitzur Ba'al HaTurim

יקח נא LET BE FETCHED, I PRAY THEE — This implies bringing by a messenger: therefore did the Holy One, blessed be He, recompense his (Abraham’s) children by a messenger when they required water, as it is said, (Numbers 20:11) “And Moses lifted up his hand and smote the rock etc.” (Bava Metzia 86b)

ורחצו רגליכם, “and wash your feet.” This all occurred during the season of the desert winds, known as sharaf, as explained by Rashi. According to Rashi, G-d had made the day especially hot, so that the feet of travelers would be soaked in sand and sweat.

“Let a little water be brought.” Rashi explains that [Abraham] did not want to bring idolatry into his house, but this interpretation seems unlikely — for because of fools who have corrupted [themselves], should one not bring any dust into his house? And why then would one allow sunlight into his house, when there are many who worship the sun? Rather, [we know that] nevertheless it [the sun] is not forbidden, just as the earth itself cannot become forbidden [through idol worship]. It is more reasonable to suggest that he did not want to give his bread to those who were unworthy, as they might have been Arabs. Therefore, he wanted to inspire them to repent by having them remove the foreign gods from their midst. Since idol worship can be nullified with minimal effort, that is why it says a little water, and it says let it be brought — implying by someone else — because even if they remove the dust [of idol worship], what does it matter if this corrupted faith remains fixed in their hearts? The purification of the heart is not something in Abraham’s power, therefore let a little pure water be brought to purify their hearts, as this matter is entrusted to them and not to him.

ורחצו רגליכם AND WASH YOUR FEET — He thought they were Arabians who worship the dust of their feet, and he was particular not to have the object of idolatrous worship brought into his house (Bava Metzia 86b). Lot, however, who was not particular about this, mentioned “lodging” (i.e. entering the house) before “washing” the feet, as it is said (Genesis 19:2) “[And he said to the angels] tarry here all night and wash your feet.”