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Sefer Bereshis
Parashas Vayeira
We
learn in our parsha about the hospitality of Avraham Avinu. We know from
the previous parsha that Avraham
Avinu had just circumcised himself. And in this
weeks' parsha we learn that it was a very hot
day. In spite of these difficulties, Avraham Avinu responded immediately to the strangers that were
passing by and worked quickly to arrange for their short stay. The mitzva of being hospitable is part of our Torah life.
When we know of a new resident in the neighborhood, or somebody that
arrives to pray in the synagogue, we ask if he is taken care of. If not, so
we invite him or her home for a meal.
The
Hazon Ish taught us
that there is a difference between the mitzva of
hospitality and many other commandments. Most all commandments we do
"for ourselves". In other words, I need to say grace after meals
so I do it and I have fulfilled my obligation. I need to say kiddush on shabbos to the
family, so I do it and have fulfilled my obligation.
But
the mitzvah of hospitality is not for me, rather it is entirely for the
guest, and sometimes I have no obligation. Here is the example given by the
Hazon Ish in his book Emuna Ubitachon page 14: Once
there was a righteous man who invited a guest to eat at his home on the
coming Shabbos. At home all the preparations were
made to receive him, because at his home they enjoyed receiving guests.
However, the one in charge of "distributing" the guests in that
community did not know of the invitation and sent the guest to a different
home. When the righteous man returned home alone and related to his family
what had happened and why they did not have any guest to receive, they were
very sad. Then he told them that a guest is not a piece of property that we
are doing business with, rather my worries were to insure that the guest
receive the things he needed. But whether he receives them from me or from
somebody else is not important at all.
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