Welcoming Guests in Jewish Tradition: The Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim

Welcoming guests — hachnasat orchim — is one of the great mitzvot in Torah life. Our sages and leaders throughout the generations considered it a sacred duty, not merely a courtesy. The following stories about great rabbis illustrate the depth, beauty, and even sacrifice that went into fulfilling this mitzvah with love and joy.

The Chofetz Chaim: Guests Before Angels

It is told that when the Chofetz Chaim hosted guests for Shabbat meals, he would quickly make Kiddush without first reciting “Shalom Aleichem,” the song traditionally sung when one comes home from synagogue, to serenade the angels that accompany people to their homes on Shabbat evening.

The Chofetz Chaim would explain simply: “The angels can wait — but the guests can’t!”

Even in his old age, he made great efforts to ensure his guests’ comfort. On one occasion, a visitor saw the great rabbi making his bed and smoothing out the sheets. Embarrassed, the guest protested, “I can do this myself — you shouldn’t trouble yourself for me.”

The Chofetz Chaim replied: “Is that so? And tomorrow will you put on tefillin for me as well? Just because you could do it yourself — does that exempt me from a mitzvah that is my obligation?”

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev: Not for Hire

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, one of the most renowned chassidic leaders, lived for several years in the home of his wealthy father-in-law, who was known for extraordinary hospitality. Once, the father-in-law noticed Rabbi Levi Yitzchak himself serving guests and asked: “Why bother? We have a non-Jewish servant — pay him a few rubles more and let him take care of everything!”

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak answered: “Should I give such a great mitzvah away to a servant — and even pay him for the privilege?!”

Rabbi Chaim of Brisk: A Subtle Lesson

Rabbi Chaim of Brisk was renowned for his Torah greatness as well as his hospitality. Once, a guest noticed the rabbi going to great lengths on his behalf, and offered to help. Rabbi Chaim did not reply.

The next day in synagogue, Rabbi Chaim gave the guest the honor of lifting the Torah scroll. As the guest struggled with its weight, Rabbi Chaim rushed to help and said, “I can help you.” The guest understood the hint: Just as lifting the Torah is a mitzvah that one should do oneself, regardless of how hard it is, so too is hosting guests a mitzvah in which the host himself should exert effort.

The Rebbe of Kosov: Space for Every Guest

Rabbi Menachem Monderer, the Rebbe of Kosov, was one of the great hosts in Jerusalem. His small dining room regularly filled with dozens of guests, and he personally arranged seating for each one.

When more guests arrived, he would quickly set up makeshift tables from boards. If there was still not enough space, he would tell his own children to eat underneath the table. One guest related feeling something moving at his feet, bending down, and finding a young boy — one of the Rebbe’s sons — sitting under the table eating his meal.

Another story tells of a man who walked straight into the Rebbe’s kitchen on Friday night and helped himself to a plate of cholent. Someone told him, “The cholent is for Shabbat day!” The man replied, “I’ve been doing this for thirty years — you won’t tell me otherwise!”

Rabbi Aryeh Levin: The Guests Felt at Home

Rabbi Aryeh Levin, the beloved “Tzaddik of Jerusalem,” had a completely open home to the poor and homeless. Guests came and went freely, as if it were their own house.

One pauper, who had been eating and sleeping there for months, asked Rabbi Aryeh (without realizing he was the homeowner): “No one has said anything to me all this time. Do you know how much longer I can stay here?” Rabbi Aryeh, in his humility, replied: “Believe me, I’ve also been here for a few months, and no one has told me to leave. You can stay as long as you like.”

True Hospitality: The Kitchen Test

Rabbi Halperin related that he once heard from the Gaon of Tchebin: “If a host wishes to find out whether he fulfills the mitzvah of hospitality in the best possible way, he should see if his guests feel comfortable enough to enter the kitchen and make themselves a cup of coffee without asking. If they do, he has reached the highest level of hachnasat orchim.”

The Blessing of Hospitality

May we merit to fulfill all the mitzvot with joy, especially the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, which brings great blessing to a home.