For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of Hashem by doing righteousness and justice, so that Hashem may bring upon Avraham that which He has spoken concerning him.
English: “Righteousness and justice.” It was taught: Three signs characterize the nation of Israel—they are merciful, bashful, and performers of kindness. Performers of kindness, as it is written, “For I have known him… to do righteousness and justice.”
On the daf / in context: The verse is the scriptural source for identifying gemilut chasadim as one of the three defining traits of the Jewish people.
Type of Learning
Derash on the verse (Bavli sugya) — not a formal named middah of the 13. The phrase supplies the biblical warrant for a national character trait.
What Is Learned
One of the three identifying signs of Israel is that they are performers of kindness; the source is Avraham’s charge to practice tzedakah and mishpat.