Hospitality

When the Roman emperor Julian ordered the establishment of hostels for transients in every city, he referred to the example of the Jews “in whose midst no stranger goes uncared for.”

The opening narrative of Abraham's hospitality is punctuated with repetitive descriptions of great haste. Rather than incidental, these details emerge as a compelling pattern – but the actual messaging isn't obvious. What exactly is the Torah trying to te...

There’s more to the mitzvah of hosting guests than providing food, drink and lodging.

Hannah, together with her children as they grew up, was there serving the visitors every single Shabbat, every festival and other important dates in the calendar which brought hundreds, and later thousands, of visitors to Rebbe Shimon’s tomb. She continue...

The primary focus of our interactions with others should be to ensure that they have food to eat and to welcome them to our tables.

The door creaked on its hinges as Rabbi Lippman hurried to open it for the band of strangers. The men were dressed in rags and tatters, their beards had grown wild...

Quiet reigned in the little cottage; all the household members had long since retired for the night. Joyfully the host rushed about, serving his guest a glass of warm tea and pastry...

Katia’s voice became choked with emotion as she continued, “I became very angry at Jews and at Judaism. I decided that it was not for me. ‘If Jews behave like this,’ I thought to myself, ‘it’s better for me to be among non-Jews.’”

This class highlights our special responsibilities in attending to guests; the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim.

Abraham planted something in the desert. What he planted is subject to debate, but the lesson we learn is not...