There is a famous story of a very kind wealthy man who always had guests in his house. One day his house burned down. The man ran to the Vilna Gaon and asked how was it possible that he had so many guests and his house burned down. The Gaon answered that although he always had guests he only did the first two parts, food and drink. But he never accompanied them. So he had the Aleph and the Shin which makes Esh - fire.
However, Levoya has another translation. The Noam Elimelech brings the Passuk when Levi was born, Leah called him Levi because this time, 'yiloveini ishi'. The standard translation is that my husband will accompany me. When Leah had two children she could take a child with each hand. Now she will need extra help so Yaakov will need to accompany her.
The Targum Unklus translates that from now my husband will connect to me and become closer to me because I have three children.
So too, explains the Noam Elimelech, by accompanying a guest it generates a closeness between the two.
Although we cannot understand the reason of a Mitzva Hashem commanded us, however, there are certain ramifications of a Mitzva which are very clear to us.
All parts of Hachnosas Orchim connect the giver and the receiver and bring them closer. It brings a closeness and connection to Hashem and to Klal Yisrael.
Arye Leib had a great desire to go and learn in the Yeshiva of Grodno. Although, not the brightest of kids, but Arye Leib had a fire burning in his heart to learn Torah and to be able to study under the world renown Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shimon Shkop.
Arye Leib traveled over a week until he arrived in Grodno. He was very nervous about his upcoming interview with the Rosh Yeshiva. He prayed in his heart that he would succeed.
He came to the Rosh Yeshiva's home and entered his study.
Rabbi Shimon Shkop took one look at the boy and understood everything.
"I have two questions to ask you, " said the Rosh Yeshiva. "First question, when was the last time you ate a hot meal?"
"Over a week ago," answered the boy in embarrassment.
"If so come and join me in the kitchen. Please forgive me, my wife isn't home and I am not such an expert cook but I will try."
The Rosh Yeshiva prepared the boy a hot meal.
After he finished eating Rabbi Shimon Shkop said, "now I have to ask you a second question. When was the last time you slept in a bed?"
"Over a week ago," replied the boy. "On my way here I slept on benches in Shuls."
The Rosh Yeshiva showed him a room and gave him a bed to sleep.
Years later Arye Leib told over the horrors he endured during the Second World War. He lost all of his family, parents, wife and children.
It was those two questions the Rosh Yeshiva tested him when he came to Grodno that gave him the strength to survive.
However there is another point. Many times when doing Hachnosas Orchim we are doing a favor to our guest. But long term, very often the kindness boomerangs back to us and we end up having gained from our own kindness.
Mrs Ferster had a problem with her heart. She was deteriorating and her heart was failing. Her life was in danger and needed to be operated on very soon. She was referred to Professor Sheiner. He was a top surgeon in this field.
The problem was that this surgeon was not covered by her medical insurance. But Mrs Ferster knew that her heart was more important and applied for the operation.
Professor Sheiner operated on her successfully. But for some unknown reason he came in every day to check up on her and went out of his way to make sure she received the best service.
Just before she was discharged, the Professor came to say goodbye and hand her bill. Fearing the worst, Mrs Ferster checked her bill. It was zero. She turned to the Professor and told him that she thinks there is a mistake.
"Don't worry Mrs Sheiner, the operation is on me. Let me share with you a story."
As a young boy my father passed away. My mother worked hard but could barely cover the rent. It was a regular occurrence that I went to sleep hungry.
One morning I woke up very hungry having gone to bed without anything to eat and my mother was in tears because she had nothing to give me in the morning. I was so hungry I couldn't concentrate in class. During recess I decided to slip out and knock on the door of someone's house nearby.
A young girl answered. I asked her for a glass of milk and explained that I hadn't eaten for nearly 24 hours. The girl came back with a big smile holding a cup of milk and cookies. She told me that in their house whenever they drink milk they also have some cookies.
I was a new person. I came back into class refreshed.
Many times during my life I had difficulties and obstacles but I always remembered the milk and cookies that saved me. I always remembered when I was at the end of my strength, someone came and saved me.
"When you came for your operation, I finally had the opportunity to repay you for the cookies."
