Exemplifying real compassion
This week's parasha.
The term hospitality is now synonymous with big industry and hotel chains. Traditionally, hospitality has brought a more down-to-earth connotation. It is really all about allowing others in your home, making them feel welcome and giving them a warm experience.
I remember fondly staying at the homes of family or friends during my various travels throughout the years.
Our forefather, Avraham, was a trailblazer in hospitality. In this week’s parasha, we see how he set up a tent, in the middle of a desert, so travellers could stop by to rest. He provided anything he could to help them. Remarkably, we read how, at age 99, immediately after having been circumcised, he excitedly went out of his way to continue this practice of receiving guests.
“He saw them, and he ran towards them, and he prostrated himself to the ground” (Bereshit 18:2). Later he proceeded to prepare an entire feast for the guests with the signature zeal Avraham was known for.
The Chafetz Chaim notes that the Torah spares little ink on Avraham’s personal religious observance but goes into great detail describing his hospitality, the observance of hachnasat orchim. In fact, many of the halachic laws of receiving guests in modern times stem from the various details in this encounter with Avraham. What is so special about Avraham’s hospitality that warrants such a powerful focus in the Torah?
Moreover, at the outset of this whole episode the first verses of the parasha begin by noting how Avraham was in the middle of talking to God, yet he interrupted his holy conversation to attend to three strangers, people whom he would likely never see again.
From this point, the Talmud learns that hosting guests is greater than hosting God Himself.
According to the commentaries, these guests were not humans, rather angels and they were only appearing to eat. Therefore, the hospitality Avraham was displaying was apparently for naught, the beneficiaries could not even consume the meal. Seemingly, his actions would not technically be considered hospitality. Why would the Torah use Avraham’s interactions with the angels as the instructions of proper hospitality for all time, if it was really all an illusion?
For many people, opening your home and being emotionally involved in complete strangers is challenging. Avraham perfectly practised compassionate hospitality in all regards especially with his home away from home, even for total strangers. Avraham thus bequeathed to us, his descendants, this fundamental lesson in kindness and care for another.
The lesson of this story is underscored by the focus on Avraham and his sacrifices to honour guests even if they were not real guests. Avraham teaches us that hosting is not transactional, it’s not about “karma” or “paying it forward”. Hosting is about what is going on in your head. It’s about the type of person you are. Hosting is not about providing the most perfect room, but it’s about connecting to guests in an emotional way and caring about their whole self. It is about showing how you really are a descendant of Avraham.
As far as Avraham was concerned these were real people, and he did all he could, at great sacrifice, to help them. From here we learn the ultimate lessons in hachnasat orchim. What matters most is that you connect with your guests and give your physical and emotional support to the best of your abilities.
When someone passes through our doors, we can emulate Avraham, bringing solace to someone else. Thus connecting our souls to each other in such a high and Godly way!
Cairns based Rabbi Ari and Mushki Rubin head Chabad of North Queensland.
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