5787/2026
Our Parashah begins with the famous episode of Avraham Avinu hosting the three angels, where Avraham’s commitment to Hachnasat Orchim is on full display. It is truly remarkable that, despite the pain of his recent Brit Milah and the uncharacteristic heat, Avraham makes no excuses when he sees three men on the road and runs to greet them. Rashi even points out, based on the Gemara in Shabbat, that Avraham was mid-conversation with Hashem when his guests arrived, teaching us that Hachnasat Orchim is so important that it is even greater than greeting the Shechinah. Thus, if we are to follow in the footsteps of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu, we should be eager to open our homes even at the cost of one’s own comfort level.
But is there a cost that is in fact too high? As much as Avraham’s tent was always open to Orchim, his instructions reveal that entry to his home had certain conditions. Before offering them a place to rest or food to eat, Avraham offers them water to wash their feet. Rashi explains that Avraham’s concern was that his guests were like many of the idolaters of the time who worshiped the dust of their feet. Thus, despite the openness to host people who don’t necessarily share his values, Avraham still demands that they leave their spiritual dirt and its potential influences outside. This very insistence is what separates the Hachnasat Orchim of Avraham and that of Lot. As Rashi points out, Lot first brings his guests in and only after offers to wash their feet. Despite Lot’s willingness to do Chessed, his willingness to allow outside influences to enter his home completely unchecked is a significant point of criticism. It is both our right and our responsibility to protect the integrity of the Jewish home and the Torah values we live by, so while we wholeheartedly open our homes to others, we can and should insist that certain expectations be met.
In the exact opposite direction, we also find Avraham speaks to his guests assuming the very best of them. When he offers them food to eat, Avraham says “Sa’adu Libchem,” “satisfy your heart” in the singular instead of ‘Levavchem’, which would have been more accurate when talking to three people. The Midrash explains that specifically when talking to angels whose hearts are all equally devoted to the service of Hashem, we can speak in the singular. “Amar Rabi Chama: Levavchem Ein Kitiv Kal, Eleh Libchem Magid She’Ain Yetzer HaRa Sholet BaMalachim”.
But hold your horses. At this point in the story, it’s clear that Avraham doesn’t yet know that they are angels. After all, he's offering them food and angels don’t actually eat. So why is Avraham talking to his three guests, the same guests that he made wash their Avodah Zara feet, as though they are Malachim? The answer seems clear. The proper way to treat and speak to our guests is with the respect and dignity that one would show to an angel. It is not at all contradictory to take every precaution that no Avodah Zara or other influences enter our home while at the same time treating our guests like they are royalty. It is precisely the warmth and love that Avraham and Sarah showed to so many that brought them closer to the Shechina, and that is what we must emulate if we are to be Zocheh to do the same. Balancing both aspects of Hachnasat Orchim is no easy task, but then again it’s worth the effort, as “Gadol Hachnasat Orchim Yoter MeKabalat Pinei HaShechinah”.