[Avodah] avimielech and avraham

[Joel C. Salomon]

On 11/20/2011 06:28 PM, Harvey Benton wrote:
> avimelech and avraham:
> how could they swear to one another on what their
> "descendants" would do??

Note that Avimelekh did not obligate his descendants in any way.  Rav
S.R. Hirsch suggests that his allowing Avraham to live unmolested in his
territory was sufficient (in Avimelekh's eyes) to request that Avraham's
descendants act peacefully towards the Pelishtim.

Rav Hirsch also notes that an "Avimelekh" cannot make promises on behalf
of later generations, but can trust that an "Avraham" will raise his
children to keep their word.

--Chesky