Parshas Vayeira is the paradigm of the Torah’s mitzvah of hachnasas orchim [hospitality]. Avraham our Patriarch excelled at this mitzvah. He was a master of kindness and the host par excellence. Rav Nissan Alpert, zt”l, offered a number of beautiful insights into the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim which can be derived from our parsha, from the story of Avraham. Below we will quote one of his ideas:
Rashi cites the Rabbinic teaching that to provide Avraham some respite from guests after his recent milah surgery, Hashem made an exceptionally hot day so that no one would be travelling on the roads. However, Avraham was distressed that he had no guests to whom to offer hospitality. Therefore, Hashem sent the three Angels in the guise of Arab guests. Angels are completely spiritual beings who did not need and in fact could not eat the meal that Avraham provided to them. However, they feigned eating the food.
If Avraham was so distressed that Hashem had to ‘change His mind’ and send guests so that Avraham would have someone to feed, why did Hashem send Angels who could not really eat? Hashem could have sent a thunderstorm that would have cooled off the temperatures. People would then have resumed their travels. A poor person would inevitably have come down the road and Avraham could have invited him in for a meal. This would seem more logical than wasting Avraham’s supreme efforts preparing a gourmet meal for the Angels to pretend to eat!
This incident teaches us about the nature of hospitality. Contrary to what we may think, hachnasas orchim is not so much a mitzvah for the benefit of the guests or the poor person. Rather, it is a mitzvah for the benefit of the host! The mitzvah is directed at the giver, not the receiver.
More than the host does for the guests, the guests do for the host [Vayikra Rabbah 34]. Hashem has His ways regarding charity and acts of kindness. If someone needs food, Hashem will get it to him. If an individual or an institution needs money, Hashem will ensure they are taken care of. He has His ways. The only question is who will have the merit of providing the charity.
This is why the premiere chapter of hachnasas orchim in the Torah is told about people who did not even need it. The lesson is that the host should always remember that he is the one who needs this mitzvah. He should not think that he is doing his guests such a big favor. Ultimately, he is doing the favor for himself.
This is further illustrated by the expression “And I will TAKE a loaf of bread” (Bereishis 18:5). It should have said “And I will GIVE a loaf of bread.” Again, the hint is that when one GIVES, he is really receiving – namely receiving the opportunity to do a kindness. (R’ Frand)
