אחר הדברים האלה, זש"ה רשע עושה פעולת שקר (שם יא יח), זה נמרוד הרשע, שהיה עושה צלמים ומטעה את בני אדם, שנמשלה ע"ז בשקר, שנאמר כי שקר נסכו ולא רוח בם (ירמיה י יד), וזורע צדקה שכר אמת (משלי שם), זה אברהם אבינו שזרע צדקה, והיה מאכיל העוברים והשבים, שנאמר ויטע אשל בבאר שבע (בראשית כא לג), א"ל הקב"ה חייך שכר אמת יש לך, שנאמר אל תירא אברם [וגו' שכרך הרבה מאד]. (Gen. 15:1:) AFTER THESE THINGS. This text is related (to Prov. 11:18): A WICKED ONE DOES THE WORK OF FALSEHOOD.69Tanh., Gen. 3:12; Gen. R. 44:2. This refers to Nimrod the Wicked, who used to make images and lead astray the children of Adam; for idolatry resembles falsehood, as stated (in Jer. 10:14): FOR HIS MOLTEN IMAGE IS FALSEHOOD AND THERE IS NO BREATH IN THEM. (Prov. 11:18, cont.:) THE ONE WHO SOWS RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS A TRUE REWARD. This refers to our father Abraham, who did sow righteousness when he would serve food to those who passed back and forth,70Gen. R. 43:7; M.Ps. 110:1. as stated (in Gen. 21:33): THEN HE PLANTED AN INN71Although Eshel is usually translated “tamarisk,” the word is interpreted here by notrikon, i.e., a method of interpretation which understands each letter of a word as an initial letter for a whole word. In this case the three Hebrew letters in Eshel are understood as the initial letters for “eating,” “drinking,” and “spending the night,” i.e., what one does at an inn. IN BEERSHEBA. The Holy One said to him: By your life you have a true reward, as stated (in Gen. 15:1, end): FEAR NOT, ABRAM!… [YOUR REWARD SHALL BE VERY GREAT].