15. Machshava

Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchot Bein Adam L’Chaveiro

Chazal state (Shabbat 127a) that hachnasat orchim is greater than receiving the Shechinah (Divine presence). This is derived from the fact that Avraham was being visited by Hashem, so to speak, and yet he went outside in the middle to greet guests (Bereishit 18:1-2). Moreover, the Mishnah (Pirkei Avot 1:4) states that one’s home should be open to guests like that of Avraham.

The Chafetz Chaim (Ahavat Chesed, vol.3, ch.2) writes that just as Avraham trained his family to perform this mitzvah (see Rashi, Bereishit 18:7), so too we should encourage our household to perform it cheerfully. Sometimes, even if a parent wishes to welcome guests to stay in one’s home, other household members are less than eager to help by preparing food or offering their room for guests to sleep. One should explain to one’s family that precisely in these situations, where hosting guests is more difficult, one receives reward for doing so in a positive manner.