English: “And he stood over them.” There was an incident with Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Tzadok who were reclining at the wedding feast of Rabban Gamliel’s son, and Rabban Gamliel himself stood and served them drink… He said to him, “We have found one greater than he who served: Avraham was the greatest of his generation, and it is written of him, ‘And he stood over them.’”
On the daf / in context: The story of Rabban Gamliel serving his guests is justified by the precedent of Avraham, who personally waited on the three visitors even though they appeared to be ordinary Arabs.
Type of Learning
Derash on the verse (Bavli sugya) — not a formal named middah of the 13. Avraham’s personal service becomes the model for a host of high stature serving his guests.
What Is Learned
Even a person of the highest stature may (and should) personally serve his guests, as Avraham stood and attended the three men under the tree.