How do we extend a welcome?
How do we like to receive a welcome?
At the beginning of Genesis Chapter 18, Abraham saw three guests approaching.
Those guests did turn out to be messengers from God who were bringing news that Sarah would finally bear a son.
At first, though, Abraham and Sarah had no idea of that impending outcome, nor any clue as to the identity of these travelers.
So, once these men arrived at his tent, Abraham bowed low to the ground in a gesture of sincere hospitality to these three men.
The narrative, which I read when I became Bar Mitzvah 52 years ago last Monday, continued:
"My lords, if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought; then wash your feet and recline under a tree, and let me bring a bit of bread and you can restore yourselves. Then you can go on—now that you have come across your servant." And they responded: "Very well, do as you propose!”Abraham then hurried toward the tent, to Sarah, and said, "Hurry, knead three measures of wheat flour and bake some [bread-]cakes!" Abraham then ran to the herd and took a young calf, tender and sound, and gave it to the servant lad, who quickly prepared it. He took sour milk and [sweet] milk and the calf he had prepared and set [it all] before them; and as he stood over them under the tree, they ate.”
What better primer for being welcoming could we have? Be humble. Be enthusiastic. Prepare with sincerity, with speed, with an eye for presentation, and with a desire to make guests, whether expected or unexpected, feel totally comfortable and at home.
In the portion of the Torah read in synagogues around the world yesterday, in Genesis Chapter 24, Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham’s kin. Jewish tradition doesn’t always associate the value of hospitality with this passage, but there is a good reason to make that connection. It is likely that Eliezer knew that the woman whom he would choose to be Isaac’s wife would need to be hospitable, strong and welcoming like Sarah. Eliezer took ten of Abraham’s camels on his journey, and other men with him. He arrived at his destination at the time when the young women were drawing water at a spring near their homes. The narrative in Genesis Chapter 24 tells what happened next:
Eliezer prayed: "Eternal One, God of my master Abraham, please bring me luck today, and do a kindness for my master Abraham. Here I am standing at the water-fount, and the daughters of the townspeople are going forth to draw water; the girl to whom I say, ‘Tip your pitcher and let me drink,' and who replies, 'Drink; and let me give water to your camels, too'—let her be the one You have designated for Your servant Isaac; that is how I shall know that You, O God, have done a kindness for my master." Before he was done praying, Rebekah, who had been born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, wife of Abraham's brother Nahor, was going forth with her pitcher on her shoulder. She was an exceedingly beautiful girl, of marriageable age, whom no man had yet known. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and went up. The slave ran toward her and said, "Let me sip a little water from your pitcher." And she replied, "Drink, sir!" Quickly she lowered her pitcher on her hand and let him drink. The drinking done, she said, "I will draw some water for your camels, too, till they are done drinking." Quickly she emptied her pitcher in the trough and she again ran to the well to draw water, drawing water for all his camels.” Once Rebekah told him who she was, Eliezer again prayed to God, expressing gratitude for being led not only to the right place, but to the right person.
Rebekah totally fulfilled Eliezer’s expectations. It was meant to be. As he had prayed, she offered him water and gave water to his camels without having to be asked. Rebekah didn’t even ask who this stranger was, and she was still willing to fulfill his request. Her hospitality was quick and unconditional. She requested nothing in return. She was kind to Eliezer and also kind to his camels. She was generous and selfless. Who could ask for more from a future wife for Isaac?
I found online the statement of a restaurant owner from Denver named Bryan Dayton that outlined his rules for hospitality in his business. He cited five central guidelines for how to treat customers, standards that can apply to communities as well:
1) MIND YOUR MANNERS.
2) TURN UP THE EMPATHY AND SELF-AWARENESS.
3) SHIFT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE GUEST.
4) TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK.
5) FINISH STRONG.
In each of the biblical stories, the strong finish came not only from the one who was showing hospitality but also from the guests. Sarah and Abraham were promised a child by their three visitors. Because of Eliezer’s somewhat-chance meeting with Rebekah, she gained a husband and a position as the wife and mother of a spiritual patriarch.
Both of these stories demonstrate that because we can’t always know the significance of those who might come into our presence or walk through our door, we should always be hospitable and open.
We read in the book of Psalms:
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God.
We bless you from the House of God.
May we be blessed as hosts, and as guests, who exude warmth, care, and gratitude that can bring us ever closer together.
List: https://denver.eater.com/2016/6/14/11929738/hospitality-rules-best-practices-mistakes-bryan-dayton
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