Torah Portion

Source

Extending Hospitality
Is A Vital Mitzvah

Jewish Living In Metropolitan Detroit

1111Details

not just the welcoming of strangers,
even interrupting God's visit to do so,
which we must emulate, but "accom-
panying them safely on their way"
once they leave us. God observed this
attribute of Abraham's character as
well. So should we; whether with
strangers or acquaintances, does their
braham sat by the entrance
being out of sight mean that they are
of his tent as the day grew
also out of mind? Or do we make the
very hot, recuperating from
extra effort to see them safely on their
his circumcision.
way and continue to express our sup-
One interpretation of this familiar
port for them?
story relates that God came to visit
In one illustration, Temple Kol Ami
him, but merely joined him in the
recently hosted 30 homeless
tent, not saying a word
"guests" for a week under
(hence the absence in the
the coordination of the
Torah's text of the verb vay-
South Oakland Shelter.
omer). Suddenly, Abraham
None of us felt that we were
noticed three strangers stand-
asking God to wait as we
ing near him, and, without
postponed other congrega-
hesitation, he turned to God
tional business or shifted
and, in essence, said, "Don't
around other religious activ-
go away; I'm glad You came
ities while extending our
to visit. But I have some-
helping hands; indeed, we
thing important to do for a
felt God was with us in
RABBI
moment, and then I'll be
every
gesture of hospitality
NORMAN
right back." Abraham left
and care. But will we con-
ROMAN
God in the tent and went to
tinue to "accompany" our
Special to The
welcome the strangers.
guests as they go on their -
Jewish News
It is a strange but signifi-
way? Will we remain aware
cant lesson of life that we
of their ongoing needs, their
learn from our patriarch, the
plight, and also the tragic pain of mil-
one whose relationship with God was
lions of other hungry and homeless
filled with confidence and faith.
people around the world?
From this story, our tradition teach-
Will we continue to accompany
es, first of all, that welcoming guests is
those who have lived in our homes (or
even more important than welcoming
who hosted and supported us) once
or serving the shechina (God's pres-
they are gone? Have we given our
ence). Abraham ran to provide gener 7
young people enough spiritual food
ous hospitality to the wanderers. Five
and sustenance to maintain their
separate times, the Torah uses specific
Jewishness on college campuses and in
language to describe the host's enthu-
their adult lives? Do we properly care
siasm: He ran to greet them; he has-
for our parents and grandparents,
tened to find Sarah; he urged her to
accompanying them in dignity and
prepare food quickly; he ran to the
love as they continue their journeys?
herd to find a choice calf; and he (the'
As in our story of Abraham, God
lad, perhaps it was Ishmael?) hastened
patiently waits for us to answer those
to prepare it.
who call out for hospitality and friend-
In other words, while some reli-
ship along the paths of life. May the
gions and communities say that our
inner satisfaction and confidence of the
most religious moments come in soli-
patriarch be our blessing as well. [1]
tude and we must seek deep inner
experiences away from others, Judaism
insists that "life is with people."
Indeed, that is when we feel most
Which types of experience fill us with
closely connected to God, when we
more confidence to face the future?
feel most human, most in sync with
What other stories in the Torah teach
our families and friends, most in awe
about welcoming or remembering the
of the world.
stranger? Later on in this parshah,
Furthermore, the Rambam
Abraham
is tested by God with the
(Maimonides) adds another lesson to
instruction to bind Isaac on Mt.
this story of Abraham's hospitality. It's
Moriah as a sacrifice; was this experi-
ence (interrupting their conversation
Norman Roman is rabbi of Temple
when strangers arrived) a test also?
Kol Ami in West Bloomfield.

Shabbat Vayera: Genesis
18:1-22:24; II Kings
4:1-3•

A

Conversations

Great Grandpa lived in Little Jerusalem

C)

ntil the early
1910s, most
Detroit Jews
resided on the city's
east side along
Hastings Street,
and later along
Oakland Avenue,
Hastings Street was
popularly known as
"Little Jerusalem."

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Detroit Jewish News

11/6
1998

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