This week we continue with a focus on the character of Abraham and Sarah as exemplified by their hospitality (even though the example of it will appear in next week's Torah portion). Michael (MichaelStrassfeld.com) mjstrassfeld@gmail.com
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A word of Torah:
In the tradition, Abraham and Sarah are considered the models of hospitality from this incident. “God appeared to Abraham by the terebinths of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot. Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them.” (Gen. 18:1-2).
One understanding of this text is that God came to visit Abraham. Yet, no sooner does Abraham see three travelers, then he leaves God and rushes off to offer the travelers hospitality and food. It seems a surprising choice on Abraham’s part. The rabbis teach the following on this verse:
Hospitality is greater than a visit to the House of Study;
it is greater than welcoming the Shekhinah (God’s indwelling presence)
(Shabbat 127a).
According to the midrash, Abraham and Sarah’s tent had door flaps on each side so that visitors could enter from any direction (Midrash Tehillim 110). They would not wait for guests to “knock.” They would rush out to greet strangers and invite them to wash off their traveler’s dust. It is striking that the first Jews in the world would be known particularly for this quality, of all possible good qualities such as patience, humility, or equanimity.
Why? Why is hospitality greater than greeting God or visiting the House of Study? Perhaps because it is too easy to become isolated from the world and retreat into the world of study and intellect, or to retreat into the world of contemplation of the holy. Hospitality requires interaction between people, bringing together souls and hearts, opening up and getting to know one another better, by making a connection to a world beside yourself.
To be hospitable is to make space for others. According to Jewish mystics, the infinite God created the world by contracting God’s self, (a process called tzimtzum) to create a space for the finite world to exist. Inviting guests is a form of tzimtzum—contracting to make room for others. It is not a vacuum that is created by this contraction, but rather a space that suggests welcome, that makes others feel at home, that crosses across the walls in our lives and connects our souls to others. In that space both learning about others and ourselves occurs. God’s presence is there whenever we are really present to each other. In that contraction, making space, and welcome, we create new worlds as did God in that original tzimtzum—worlds of connection, meaning, stories, food, laughter and sharing. This then is why hospitality is greater than study or even welcoming God’s presence.
Intention/kavana for the week Like Abraham, we are each called to undertake a journey forward in search of a promised land. We make the journey with whatever qualities and aptitudes our birth has blessed us. Our stated purpose is not to be successful or pious but to be a blessing--heyeh berakhah to all we meet on the way. (Gen. 12:2)
Song:
A wordless melody, niggun of the Belzer hasidim
