Thank You: Hachnassat Orchim

#guests #welcomingguests #parshatvayera #vayera #hachnasatorchim #shabbat #opentents #opentent #feedingothers #hospitality

In Parshat Vayera, Chapter 18 of Genesis, if one follows along closely, one will note that Avraham models the many steps of opening one's home to guests. From the warm greetings, to the speedy preparations of sumptuous food, to serving with grace, making guests comfortable and then seeing them safely on their way, Parshat Vayera offers us sound advice for opening wide the doors of our homes (or the four openings of their tents) to our guests.

Whether family, friends or a stranger, after a meal together, we know each other a little better and have learned from one another. So it is when breaking bread together.

What follows below is an ode to hosts and to guests, written with gratitude.

Kol Tuv and B'tayavon!

Leann

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Thank You

For all those who have opened their doors to us,

welcomed us into their homes,

made a spot for us at your tables,

Thank you.

For those whose warm braided Challot we have delighted in,

whose red and white wines we have tasted,

whose homemade spicy delicacies we have sampled,

whose sumptuous desserts we shouldn't eat,

but we enjoy anyway.

thank you.

(Please share your recipes with me! Maybe my challahs will improve!)

For those who have spent hours searching for new recipes, 

or have served us their tried and true dish.

For those who have stirred and mixed,

tasted and spiced.

Thank you.

For those who have worried that  they haven’t made enough,

I understand completely how you feel.

You made plenty.

Thank you!

For all of you who have folded napkins neatly,

set the table with lovely dishes,

clinking glasses and shining cutlery,

please know that you succeeded in making Shabbat beautiful. 

Thank you.

For those of you who have made conversation,

who have shared snippets of your lives with us,

For your questions and your interest in our lives,

we thank you.

For those of you who have shared their Torah with us at a meal,

 thank you.

For those of of you who have made us laugh,

who have befriended us,

who have sung with us,

cried with us

and bentched with us,

we thank you.

For those of you with whom we have shared a joyous l’chayyim,

we were honored to celebrate together.

Thank you.

And for those of you who have sat at our table,

please know that you have enriched us with your presence.

Thank you for making us laugh and smile

and for the wisdom you have brought to our lives.

You are our teachers and our community.

You are the jewels on our necklace.

You are the honey on our challah.

You honor us with your laughter and stories.

Like Avraham and Sarah,

we wouldn’t have it any other way.

May your tent always be open and your table always full.

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Other Posts from Words Have Wings on Parshat Vayera

She is Gone

The Empty Stage

The Squirrel and The Hawk

Remember Me- Sara

https://www.wordshavewings.net/post/covenant

https://www.wordshavewings.net/post/parshat-vayera-searching

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He (Avraham) was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot.

Looking up, he saw three figures standing near him. Perceiving this, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, he said, “My lords! If it please you, do not go on past your servant.

Let a little water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under the tree.

And let me fetch a morsel of bread that you may refresh yourselves; then go on—seeing that you have come your servant’s way.” They replied, “Do as you have said.”

Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quick, three seahs of choice flour! Knead and make cakes!”

Then Abraham ran to the herd, took a calf, tender and choice, and gave it to a servant-boy, who hastened to prepare it.

He took curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree as they ate.

Genesis 18:1-8

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יֻקַּֽח־נָ֣א מְעַט־מַ֔יִם וְרַחֲצ֖וּ

רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ תַּ֥חַת הָעֵֽץ׃