The importance of welcoming guests

Parashat Vayera

One of the central and fundamental Jewish values is known as Hachnasat Orchim, (HO) meaning “Welcoming Guests.” This concept is accepted as one of the most essential mitzvot – commandments. As a matter of fact, our tradition teaches us via the Talmud, that HO can be considered a higher mitzvah than prayer; that it stands on the same level as welcoming the Shechinah, God’s presence, into our homes.

In addition, since we were all created Betzelem Elohim, in God’s image, and since God provides food for the needy and the hungry, we can emulate God by doing the same thing. Rav Dimi of Nehardea once said: “The welcoming of guests takes precedence over the house of study.” Sounds pretty important and it is! So, we better know how to perform this mitzvah, and for the best source on how to carry out HO in a proper and meaningful way, we turn to the opening verses of this week’s Torah portion, Vayera. Within a few sentences and some key words and phrases, we learn so much about what HO is all about and how we need to behave to take HO to its ultimate mitzvah-ness. (Made up word, I think.) Chapter 18 in Bereishit (Genesis) illustrates Abraham’s “Open Tent Policy.” As we understand it, Abraham’s tent remained open on all four sides to invite strangers in, regardless of which direction they approached.

Here then, are selections from the opening verses and what they teach us about HO. (Underlines and boldface are mine.)  

                •             “The Lord appeared to Abraham while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.” Even when it was most inconvenient for him, even just a few days after he and his household were circumcised.

•“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” Notice that he “hurried” to fulfill the mitvzah, and “bowed” so he should not appear to be more important then they.

•“He said, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, do not pass your servant by. Let some water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.’” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” Abraham accepted the onus of HO upon himself, and reiterated that at this juncture, he was “their” servant.

•“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Abraham was very eager to fulfill the mitzvah, and wanted only the best for his guests.

•“Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.” We sense a consistent theme of serving his guests as quickly as possible, so as not to detract them from their journey – even though Abraham was giving “them” food and shelter.

•“He then brought … (the food)… that had been prepared, and set these before them.” Once again, Abraham did the setting, not someone else.

•“While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” After all that he had done, probably above and beyond what his guests, or anyone, would expect, he stood by them just in case they required something else.

I get tired just from reading these verses! Thus, Abraham’s intent and actions formulated a framework upon which others have embellished the importance of HO. Here is an example: “When a poor man visits you at home, receive him cordially and serve him at once, for he may not have eaten for some time, and may be too ashamed to ask for food. Console and encourage him. Attend to the poor man’s needs yourself – even if you have many servants. Be like Abraham.” (R. Yonah)

A proper procedure has been developed that serves as a guide for HO. The five steps include: greeting guests at the door and escorting them inside; making an effort to remain cheerful during the visit; offering food and drink; asking guests questions about their interests and activities; and escorting them to the door when they leave. Sounds very much like what Abraham did so many years ago.

The following illustrates an important ingredient of HO – doing it all for the sake of the guests. A story is told about a couple who were going to another city on Friday afternoon, Erev Shabbos. They were very tired and wished to rest somewhere but did not want to pay a huge sum of money. They came to a house and asked if they could spend the night. The owner, who happened to be Rav Yeshaya, told them the room rate was five rubles (a significant sum), but that they could eat as much as they wanted. They agreed to his price, rationalizing that they could at least eat as heartily as they desired. As a result, they enjoyed their Shabbos meals very much and slept quite peacefully. When Shabbos was over, they said to the Rav, “You said we should give you five rubles, but you treated us so much better than the worth of the rubles.” The Rav replied, “I never really intended to take your money; I wanted to fulfill the mitzvah of HO. And I also wanted you to enjoy Shabbos as you did, and that is payment enough.”

At the seder we proclaim, “All who are hungry, let them come and eat.”  Let us remember to make this proclamation year round. Shabbat Shalom.

ETHAN ADLER is rabbi of Congregation Beth David in Narragansett.

One of the central and fundamental Jewish values is known as Hachnasat Orchim, (HO) meaning “Welcoming Guests.” This concept is accepted as one of the most essential mitzvot – commandments. As a matter of fact, our tradition teaches us via the Talmud, that HO can be considered a higher mitzvah than prayer; that it stands on the same level as welcoming the Shechinah, God’s presence, into our homes.In addition, since we were all created Betzelem Elohim, in God’s image, and since God provides food for the needy and the hungry, we can emulate God by doing the same thing. Rav Dimi of Nehardea once said: “The welcoming of guests takes precedence over the house of study.” Sounds pretty important and it is! So, we better know how to perform this mitzvah, and for the best source on how to carry out HO in a proper and meaningful way, we turn to the opening verses of this week’s Torah portion, Vayera. Within a few sentences and some key words and phrases, we learn so much about what HO is all about and how we need to behave to take HO to its ultimate mitzvah-ness. (Made up word, I think.) Chapter 18 in Bereishit (Genesis) illustrates Abraham’s “Open Tent Policy.” As we understand it, Abraham’s tent remained open on all four sides to invite strangers in, regardless of which direction they approached. Here then, are selections from the opening verses and what they teach us about HO. (Underlines and boldface are mine.) • “The Lord appeared to Abraham while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.” Even when it was most inconvenient for him, even just a few days after he and his household were circumcised.•“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” Notice that he “hurried” to fulfill the mitvzah, and “bowed” so he should not appear to be more important then they. •“He said, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, do not pass your servant by. Let some water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.’” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” Abraham accepted the onus of HO upon himself, and reiterated that at this juncture, he was “their” servant.•“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Abraham was very eager to fulfill the mitzvah, and wanted only the best for his guests.•“Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.” We sense a consistent theme of serving his guests as quickly as possible, so as not to detract them from their journey – even though Abraham was giving “them” food and shelter.•“He then brought … (the food)… that had been prepared, and set these before them.” Once again, Abraham did the setting, not someone else. •“While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” After all that he had done, probably above and beyond what his guests, or anyone, would expect, he stood by them just in case they required something else.I get tired just from reading these verses! Thus, Abraham’s intent and actions formulated a framework upon which others have embellished the importance of HO. Here is an example: “When a poor man visits you at home, receive him cordially and serve him at once, for he may not have eaten for some time, and may be too ashamed to ask for food. Console and encourage him. Attend to the poor man’s needs yourself – even if you have many servants. Be like Abraham.” (R. Yonah)A proper procedure has been developed that serves as a guide for HO. The five steps include: greeting guests at the door and escorting them inside; making an effort to remain cheerful during the visit; offering food and drink; asking guests questions about their interests and activities; and escorting them to the door when they leave. Sounds very much like what Abraham did so many years ago.The following illustrates an important ingredient of HO – doing it all for the sake of the guests. A story is told about a couple who were going to another city on Friday afternoon, Erev Shabbos. They were very tired and wished to rest somewhere but did not want to pay a huge sum of money. They came to a house and asked if they could spend the night. The owner, who happened to be Rav Yeshaya, told them the room rate was five rubles (a significant sum), but that they could eat as much as they wanted. They agreed to his price, rationalizing that they could at least eat as heartily as they desired. As a result, they enjoyed their Shabbos meals very much and slept quite peacefully. When Shabbos was over, they said to the Rav, “You said we should give you five rubles, but you treated us so much better than the worth of the rubles.” The Rav replied, “I never really intended to take your money; I wanted to fulfill the mitzvah of HO. And I also wanted you to enjoy Shabbos as you did, and that is payment enough.”At the seder we proclaim, “All who are hungry, let them come and eat.”  Let us remember to make this proclamation year round. Shabbat Shalom.
ETHAN ADLER is rabbi of Congregation Beth David in Narragansett.