And nothing of the devoted thing shall cling to your hand, in order that Hashem may turn from His burning anger and grant you compassion and be compassionate to you and multiply you as He swore to your fathers.
English: “And He will grant you compassion and be compassionate to you” — It was taught: Whoever is compassionate to creatures is known to be of the seed of Avraham Avinu; and whoever is not compassionate to creatures is known not to be of the seed of Avraham Avinu.
On the daf / in context: Compassion is treated as a defining trait of the descendants of Avraham, who was characterized by chesed.
Type of Learning
Derash on the verse (Yevamos) — compassion as a sign of Abrahamic lineage.
What Is Learned
Compassion toward creatures is a hallmark of the seed of Avraham; its absence raises doubt about that lineage.