Abraham’s Dilemma: The Dark Side of Kindness
On Monday, March 18, 2026, Rabbi Mark Fishman, Manager of North American Engagement for Israel365 and Director of Israel365 Nashville, taught a compelling class for Nashville Sabbath Fellowship titled: Abraham’s Dilemma: The Dark Side of Kindness.
In this teaching, Rabbi Fishman explores the virtue of chesed—lovingkindness—through the life of Abraham and the troubling contrast between Abraham and his nephew Lot.
Drawing from Jewish sources, Rabbi Fishman examines Abraham as the embodiment of divine kindness: a man whose presence in the world allowed God’s attribute of chesed to say, “There is nothing I need to accomplish, for Abraham stands in my place.”
But kindness has a dark side when it becomes distorted, misdirected, or detached from holiness. Through the story of Lot, the cruelty of Sodom, and the rabbinic description of a society built on selfishness and perverted justice, this teaching asks: What happens when a person draws near to Abraham’s kindness but fails to become like Abraham?
The result is a searching lesson about generosity, moral responsibility, hospitality, selfishness, and the difference between true chesed and its counterfeit.
Watch the full teaching and download the source sheet below.
Video
Source Sheet
