The Perfect Host - Parshat Vayeira - Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair

both the Arabs and the Jews are known for their Hospitality the reason is because we share a common ancestor Abraham ainu Abraham Abraham's tent was open to the four corners of the world to welcome guests whoever they were and from wherever they came but hospitality is not an easy thing I know I'd far rather be a host than a guest being a guest is uncomfortable AR ainu was The Perfect Host and this ability has percolated down through the generation to his children's children many years ago there was a Jewish traveling salesman who missed his train and found himself far from home late on a Friday afternoon there was no way he could get home before shabas so he looked for the nearest phone booth he went inside and he started to page through the phone directory C Co o co co e Cohen he dialed the number and explained his predicament to Mr Cohen Mr Cohen immediately invited him over to spend shabas with him and when he arrived Mr K welcomed his guest warmly and showed him his room it was very very comfortable oh said Mr Conan here's the shower and then he took him downstairs to the kitchen showed him the fridge and said please help yourself to anything you like a delicious Aroma of chalant was filling the kitchen and Mr Cen pointed to the ch Chon said maybe you'd like a little Chen for shabas this is so kind of you said the traveling salesman not at all said Mr Cohen oh by the way just one more thing I charge $150 per person for shabas $150 that's the price of a hotel well said Mr Cohen it's up to you the traveling salesman had no option as soon as his host had left the room he thought to himself well if this is going to cost me $150 I'm going to enjoy myself he went up to his room took a long hot shower washing away the grime and the stress of his long week he went downstairs and helped himself to the delicious chalant simmering on the stove the shabas was wonderful the doing the praying in the local Sho the local synagogue was uplifting with beautiful Tunes some familiar others not during the entire Shabbat he DED like a prince he really made himself at home after shabas when he showered and packed he made his way downstairs and he plunked $150 on the table in front of his host what's this said Mr Cohen that's the money I owe you you really think i' take money from a fellow Jew for the Mitzvah of hosim of hospitality you don't owe me anything but you told me I'd have to pay I only told you that so you you'd relax and make yourself at home the worst thing you can do to a guest when he brings you a bottle of wine is to say you shouldn't have done that by doing that you just stopped him from being able to remove his feelings of being a taker by contributing to the meal rather take that bottle open it up put it in the middle of the table and say let's see how long that lasts the miter of hospitality is greater even than receiving the divine presence Abraham was the a perfect host and he bequeathed that ability to his descendants [Music]