In the midst of conversing with G-d, Abraham sees three men approaching and runs to welcome them to his home. From Abraham’s behaviour, we learn that welcoming guests is greater than receiving the Shechinah, G-d’s Divine Presence.

As Maimonides writes: “This is the tenet that our patriarch Avraham established and the path of kindness that he followed. He would feed wayfarers, provide them with drink, and accompany them. Showing hospitality for guests surpasses receiving the Shechinah, the Divine Presence, as is written: ‘And he saw, and behold, there were three men.’”

Yet considering that Avraham’s guests were actually angels sent to heal him after his circumcision who had no need for the food and drink he offered, did Avraham actually fulfil the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim – welcoming guests - with this act of hospitality? In hindsight, it seems that Avraham disturbed his meeting with G-d for guests who do not even qualify for hachnosas orchim!

From here we see that hachnosas orchim is defined primarily by the heartfelt concern that the host shows for his guests’ well-being, and not by the accommodations he provides (in which case the extent of the beneficiary’s need would be relevant). Although giving with a smile enhances any form of kindness or charity, we know that the ideal way of giving charity is actually when the donor and recipient never even meet face to face. Not so the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim, where the fulfilment of this mitzvah is first and foremost through showing your guests your personal and sincere concern for their comfort and well-being.

Thus, regardless of whether the angels visiting Avraham needed or ate the food that he prepared for them, Avraham fulfilled the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim to the fullest with the care he exhibited toward them. Moreover, knowing (better than anyone) just how much Avraham was cherished by G-d, the guests, too, could appreciate the sincere interest this great man took in them, putting his meeting with G-d on hold in order to provide them with food and to escort them on their way.

Although we can’t currently practise traditional hachnosat orchim, we can still show our care and support each other.

Our Shabbat Dinner Pack program provides meals to over 50 people in the community every week. If you know anyone who would benefit from it, please be in touch. Similarly, we are always looking for sponsorship and partners to ensure that we can support everyone who needs. You can read more about it here.