Parsha Vayera
November 8, 2025/17 Cheshvan 5786
Greetings friends:
This week’s parsha we read about the quintessential example of welcoming guests, the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim. Our forefather Abraham, while still recovering from his circumcision was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day. The Midrash states that G-d wanted to spare Abraham the strain of tending to guests so he purposely made it hot, so he could relax (think sauna). Yet, Abraham couldn’t relax, he had mitzvot to do! He stayed by the entrance of his tent hoping for guests to come by until G-d sends three angels (who have other missions besides) to give Abraham the opportunity to accomplish the mitzvah, also demonstrating the mitzvah of bikkur cholim, visiting the sick.
I thought a lot about how important welcoming guests is that Abraham merited the visiting of angels and then I realized that our shul is particularly good at making people feel welcome. But then I thought some more, and I realized that many people around the world have long traditions of welcoming guests. In fact, the Arabs are known for the hospitality, which should not be a surprise given that their progenitor, Ishmael, was also a son of Abraham. I recall that when I visited Saudi Arabia, a local Sheikh was at the same hotel for a conference. We got to chatting and one member of our party noted to the Sheikh that he heard Saudis ate camel meat, but he never saw it on a menu. The Sheikh looked sheepish and explained that it was something they ate at home, not to go out for. That night the Sheikh returned home, slaughtered a camel, and had camel meat biryani delivered to our hotel! Surely, hospitality is not limited to the Jewish people.
So, then what distinguishes our hospitality from others? The Midrash dives deep into the words used in the parsha. Abraham was “sitting” at the entrance to the tent, a reference to sitting in Torah study and prayer at synagogues and study halls. “At the entrance” just as Abraham opened the door to those wishing to learn about G-d and washing the dust of the angels’ feet lest they worship it (Rashi). “In the heat of the day”, G-d heated the whole world just to provide soothing heat to heal Abraham. After which Abraham and Sarah rush to personally prepare a sumptuous meal.
The difference in our hospitality is that it is infused with Torah and mitzvot. We do not welcome guests out of ulterior motives or traditions passed down through the ages as we see with Lot and others, but rather because we seek to emulate G-d and strive to observe his commandments. This is why our synagogue is such a rich place, as we are united in purpose to grow together, learn together, heal together, and eat fantastic kiddushes together!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh
This week’s parsha we read about the quintessential example of welcoming guests, the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim. Our forefather Abraham, while still recovering from his circumcision was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day. The Midrash states that G-d wanted to spare Abraham the strain of tending to guests so he purposely made it hot, so he could relax (think sauna). Yet, Abraham couldn’t relax, he had mitzvot to do! He stayed by the entrance of his tent hoping for guests to come by until G-d sends three angels (who have other missions besides) to give Abraham the opportunity to accomplish the mitzvah, also demonstrating the mitzvah of bikkur cholim, visiting the sick.
I thought a lot about how important welcoming guests is that Abraham merited the visiting of angels and then I realized that our shul is particularly good at making people feel welcome. But then I thought some more, and I realized that many people around the world have long traditions of welcoming guests. In fact, the Arabs are known for the hospitality, which should not be a surprise given that their progenitor, Ishmael, was also a son of Abraham. I recall that when I visited Saudi Arabia, a local Sheikh was at the same hotel for a conference. We got to chatting and one member of our party noted to the Sheikh that he heard Saudis ate camel meat, but he never saw it on a menu. The Sheikh looked sheepish and explained that it was something they ate at home, not to go out for. That night the Sheikh returned home, slaughtered a camel, and had camel meat biryani delivered to our hotel! Surely, hospitality is not limited to the Jewish people.
So, then what distinguishes our hospitality from others? The Midrash dives deep into the words used in the parsha. Abraham was “sitting” at the entrance to the tent, a reference to sitting in Torah study and prayer at synagogues and study halls. “At the entrance” just as Abraham opened the door to those wishing to learn about G-d and washing the dust of the angels’ feet lest they worship it (Rashi). “In the heat of the day”, G-d heated the whole world just to provide soothing heat to heal Abraham. After which Abraham and Sarah rush to personally prepare a sumptuous meal.
The difference in our hospitality is that it is infused with Torah and mitzvot. We do not welcome guests out of ulterior motives or traditions passed down through the ages as we see with Lot and others, but rather because we seek to emulate G-d and strive to observe his commandments. This is why our synagogue is such a rich place, as we are united in purpose to grow together, learn together, heal together, and eat fantastic kiddushes together!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh
