The Mitzvah of Hospitality: 10 Facts That Will Make You Want to Host Guests

1. "The mitzvah of hospitality is a great mitzvah, which is included among the things that a person enjoys the fruits in this world while the principal remains for the World to Come," writes the 'Pele Yoetz'.

2. The 'Pele Yoetz' praises the person who welcomes guests into their home: "Fortunate is the person who can fulfill this by having a spacious home; they do a great kindness, as the value of kindness increases according to the need, distress, and suffering of the recipient."

3. The 'Pele Yoetz' explains the greatness of this mitzvah when describing the distress of a poor guest: "When a guest comes to town, a poor man who cannot afford to rent lodging for himself, or if there is no lodging available in the town, what will that person do if no one takes him into their home while he is in a foreign land?! Where will he turn for help?! And when he finds someone who takes him in - he is literally brought to life, and therefore it is considered a great mitzvah."

4. The 'Pele Yoetz' continues by writing that when the host understands the greatness of the mitzvah they are performing, they won't find it difficult: "According to the greatness of the mitzvah, so is the pleasure given to the Creator and the reward that follows. Therefore, the host should consider it easy and should endure without complaint. Fortunate is the person who loves Hashem; according to the greatness of that love - neither effort nor money matters to him compared to giving pleasure to his Creator."

5. The 'Pele Yoetz' describes how this mitzvah should be performed: with a pleasant countenance. In his words: "One of the conditions of the mitzvah of hospitality is that one should receive every person with a pleasant countenance, and a dry crust of bread with a friendly face and good appearance is more important, acceptable, and pleasing in the eyes of Hashem and people than feeding rich foods with a frowning face."

6. What should a host do when they don't have money to host generously? The 'Pele Yoetz' has a surprising answer: "If one finds it difficult to spend a lot due to limited means or impatience - they shouldn't spend excessively." The 'Pele Yoetz' explains that this is the advice of the evil inclination, to convince a person that to invite a guest requires extensive preparation. "This is the advice of the evil inclination to prevent one from doing such a great mitzvah. Therefore, if spending is difficult, one shouldn't worry about spending more than usual so that the guest doesn't become a burden, and this is not a disgrace but an honor, as it is pleasant for the guest that the host doesn't overspend so that he doesn't become a burden."

7. The host should be careful not to get angry when hosting. "Even if there is anger and distress in his heart for some reason, he should remove anger from his heart and only show the guest a smiling face, so that the guest doesn't think that the host's displeasure is because of him." The 'Pele Yoetz' also mentions the words of our Sages, that "one who gives charity to the poor is blessed with six blessings, and one who comforts him is blessed with eleven blessings." (Bava Batra 9b)

8. Instruction for the host: "One should always keep in mind the greatness of the mitzvah and its reward, so that it doesn't become burdensome and is done with exceptional affection."

9. How should a host part from their guest? The 'Pele Yoetz' writes: "And at the time of departure, he should surely provide provisions for the journey according to the blessing that Hashem has given him, and accompany him on his way, and through this Hashem will bless his efforts."

10. At the end of the chapter on 'Guest,' the 'Pele Yoetz' turns to the guest and gives several instructions:

a. "One of the conditions for a guest is not to be a burden on the host. And one who can afford to stay at their own lodging should not ask to stay at the host's house, and even if invited, they should decline until the host insists, so that they know for certain that the invitation is wholehearted."

b. "And even while staying at the host's house, one should not sit constantly in the house all day, but should go out a little here and there, so as not to burden anyone."

c. "And one should not ask questions and inquiries of the host, nor ask about his business or his possessions."

d. "And if one can afford it and it isn't disrespectful to the host - they should also open their hand to spend and buy food items."

e. "And one should greatly honor the host and all members of the household, and show fondness and special affection for the children."

f. "And fill your mouth with praise and bless him with his blessing (the 'Guest's Blessing' in the Grace After Meals).

Not everyone finds it easy to contribute, give, bestow, and certainly not to fulfill hospitality in an absolute way, as our forefather Abraham did, who built many entrances to his tent. But what will we be able to claim in heaven when they ask us how we acted for the benefit of others in this world? Rabbi Uriel Rabinowitzin a lecture on hospitality in our generation: