By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — There is a well-known Chassidic story about a man who treated an unkempt fellow traveler at an inn dismissively and disdainfully. They ended up traveling together to the next city. When they came to the next city the unkempt fellow was greeted with honor and affection by the townspeople. It turns out that he was a highly regarded scholar and rabbi.
Recognizing his faux pas, the traveler begged the rabbi’s forgiveness for his rude manners and disrespect. The rabbi replied, “You don’t owe me any apology. You need to find the simple humble man you thought I was and apologize to him.”
Abraham was well-known for performing the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim, welcoming guests. The rabbis learned this from his reception of three strangers who approached him while he sat in the opening of his tent. Abraham ran to greet them, prepared a sumptuous meal, and made them feel at home.
One Chassidic master wondered why our tradition praised Abraham alone for performing the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim. At face value it seems that Lot welcomed visitors with equal alacrity.
The Torah says about Abraham, “As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them…and bowed to the ground.” When Lot welcomed his two visitors the Torah says, “When Lot saw them, he rose to greet them and bowed low with his face to the ground.”
About Abraham it says, “He took curds and milk, and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them.” About Lot the Torah says, “He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.” Lot also tried to protect his visitors against his evil and vicious neighbors of Sodom.
So why is Abraham praised and Lot ignored when it comes to receiving credit for performing the mitzvah of welcoming guests? It is because when Lot received his guests he knew they were angels, “The two angels arrived in Sodom.” When Abraham received his guests he thought they were simple men, “Looking up, he saw three men standing near him.”
When celebrities appear in their midst, most people go out of their way to honor and welcome them. It is the greeting we extend to regular people that reflects our true willingness to be open and welcoming to the stranger, and to performing the mitzvah of hachnassat orchim.
*
Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted via leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com