“P lease let a little water be taken and bathe your feet.” (Bereishis 18:4)

Rashi says that Avraham thought his visitors were Arabs who bowed to the dust on their feet and he didn’t want to bring avodah zarah into his house.

Hashem specifically sent guests who looked like Arabs to teach us that the mitzvah of hachnassas orchim is enhanced when the host opens his home to anyone in need even a simple person. Someone who insists on hosting only important guests has not fulfilled this hiddur mitzvah because he himself benefits from honoring illustrious guests. (Rav Moshe Shternbach Taam V’Daas)

Eons ago I used to have guests. It was fun to fill up my Shabbos table with food friends family and philosophy. But fast-forward a few decades and our open-door policy has slammed shut. It’s hard to be gracious when defusing an intense under-the-table kicking competition and the only philosophy discussed is “Why me?”

Yet I got a call a few years ago that led me to reconsider this policy.

Rav Chaim Brisker opines that to halachically fulfill the mitzvah of hachnassas orchim one must have an open home making it hefker to anyone who needs.

The Beis HaLevi once came to Baranovich and asked an innkeeper for a room. But the innkeeper didn’t recognize him and claimed he had no room. Yet that same night the innkeeper welcomed several distinguished people that came to the city.

Said the Beis HaLevi “Now I understand the uniqueness of Avraham’s hachnassas orchim. Lot too welcomed guests but he recognized them as Heavenly angels. Only Avraham was prepared to receive any guest regardless of his status.”

“This is Esty Kagan.” The voice was unfamiliar and spoke Hebrew. “My son is in gan with your son Avi and I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor?”

The baby needed a nap three-year-old Avi wanted lunch and I was trying to appease the washing machine technician who demanded to know why I intentionally pour safety pins into my machine. This was not a good time for a favor.

“My baby’s running a high fever and I need to take her to the doctor but I have nowhere to leave Dudi for the afternoon. Can he come to your house?”

“What time?”

“In five minutes?”

Nooo problem. Maybe Dudi knows how to fix washing machines.

Dudi was a petite boy with intense black eyes. His mother gave him a small shove through the doorway and with a quick thank-you was gone.

“Come Dudi let’s play Lego with Avi.”

“Why?” asked Dudi.

“ ’Cuz it’s fun? Okay let’s play blocks.”

“Why?” repeated Dudi.

“Cars!” demanded Avi.

“Why?”

My Avi’s not a man of many words but apparently Dudi’s entire vocabulary was limited to cross-examination.

“Why is he here?” my older kids demanded when they came home from school.

“Ask him. He knows why. That’s all he knows.”

Bedtime rolled around and I still hadn’t heard from Dudi’s mom. I didn’t even have her cell phone number. Finally the phone rang.

“Hi this is Esty—”

“When are you coming to pick up Dudi?” Subtlety seeps away after 7 p.m.

“My daughter needs to be hospitalized so I was wondering if Dudi could stay with you overnight.”

Why? I admit I almost asked it.

“Um sure.” What else could I answer? “Refuah sheleimah. But could I have your phone number?”

But she’d already hung up and I was left with the job of explaining to Dudi why he’d be staying longer.

The Rambam in Hilchos Issurei HaMizbeiach (7:11) says that halachically one should serve Hashem with the best of his possessions as Hevel did. If you build a beis knesses it should be nicer than your house. If you feed a hungry person then feed him from the best of your tables.

I didn’t even know Esty Kagan! But apparently I was her new best friend and substitute sister because cute little Dudi ended up staying at our house straight through Shabbos and into the following week.

Finally his father showed up to collect him. I gave Dudi a small shove out the door and with a quick refuah sheleimah I was done.

I never heard from Esty Kagan again. I guess her baby stayed healthy or she found a new BFF. And while I’m still not at the gracious hostess stage I realized I can still open my home when Heaven decides to drop “Dudies” unannounced on my doorstep — and I won’t even ask why. (Originally featured in Family First Issue 565)