Hachnasat Orachim – Welcoming the stranger
In Judaism this is not merely a nice thing to do – it is a mitzvah – a divine imperative.
Recently I was waiting to take a meeting at a well known Jewish non-profit. It is a massive facility, a lot of people coming and going, with Jewish values literally inscribed upon the walls.
And yet, as I sat there for a half an hour, not one single person who passed bye said hello. Not one. A couple of times I even deliberately made eye contact and waited for them to make the first move, just to test my theory, and never got a reply. They weren’t bad people. They probably weren’t even cold or rude. They were just busy, just used to their routine, just oblivious to the stranger in their midst. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of this in my regular settings, we all have done this from time to time. However, each and every time we fail to say hello, to reach out and make someone feel comfortable, we miss an opportunity not simply to be nice but to do a mitzvah, fulfill a commandment and create a warm and beautiful world.
It takes very little to make eye contact, say hello and extend a hand. It’s not even “radical hospitality” (a blog for another day) just ordinary hospitality and hospitality which we all need to reclaim.
Shalom,
Rabbi B
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Rabbi,
This is such a wonderful reminder. I notice when I make the first eye contact and ‘hello’ about 2 in 10 respond in kind with a smile and eye contact, 2 in 10 are so uncomfortable they quickly look away, and the rest mumble a quick response. Those two who respond with a smile are why I do it over again.
Always thoughtful and thought provoking, thank you,
Nancy
Spot on. It is the measure that I always use, especially when entering a community to speak or to do training about reaching out and welcoming in. Will they be able to do it–based on what I experienced as an individual?
You know you are right on when Rabbi Kerry Olitzky gives you the stamp of approval. I’m a big fan. Thanks for your outreach efforts.
B
Eye contact. That will be another blog. You are a gift. Shalomastei
B
Please permit me to augment one thought to your text. And, by the way, it makes good sense.
How about the old adage of reciprocating greetings when someone asks “how are you” as opposed to the retort of ” good, and what can I do for you”? Is it not also a mitzvah to inquire of one’s health and status?
Russell,
agreed – authentic questions need to be responded to with authentic replies.
That does challenge us, the questioner, however, to be authentic in what we are asking. To ask someone about their health or how they are doing therefore should require us to stick around and actually listen to the response.
Thanks for responding. By the way, how are you doing
I am flattered and humbled. But we will forge on with our outreach efforts because of the explicit moral imperative to do so.