“While I was indeed exempt from the mitzvah of succah, I was not exempt from the mitzvah of hachnassas orchim”

“NU, so what do you think? We will be able to eat in the succah today?”

It was Shabbos day, and as shul was ending, everyone was discussing the same subject.

The weather forecasters were all in sync: rain for the majority of Shabbos.

The heavens above were certainly overcast, and sometime during davening, rain had fallen.

And therefore, the key question on everyone’s mind was, “Where do we set the table?”

Everyone’s Succah was wet, the schach was dripping, and more rain seemed imminent; yet, at present, there was no rain.

At the Solomon* home, the discussion was in full swing.

Yitzchok Solomon surveyed his succah, and notwithstanding an occasional uninvited drop on the back of his neck, he concluded that the succah would be the venue of choice for the meal.

As the family scurried to hastily set the table and were about to begin the meal, a knock was heard at the door of the succah.

The door opened, and standing there was Mendel, a young man from the shul, together with his father.

Mendel’s father told them that his family was invited out, and their host had already decided to eat their meal in the dining room.

Mendel’s father explained, “My son’s minhag is to eat in the succah no matter what. What can I do, that’s his minhag! Can he please eat with you in your succah? I figured that the Solomons were probably ‘succah-only’ people, so we decided you’re the best people to ask.”

“You are correct,” Yitzchok said. “We are eating in the succah, and we would be honored to host your son.”

The Solomons sat down for Kiddush and then went out to wash.

No sooner had they returned from washing and were saying Hamotzi when the rain began in earnest.

As Yitzchok quickly handed out the challah, rain soaked the succah.

By the time the first kezayis was consumed, it was clear to all that continuing in the succah was nearly impossible as rain began to fill the cups on the table faster than any waiter could have done.

Everyone made a mad dash to the dry and warm dining room.

Everyone, that is, except Mendel.

Mendel was intent on staying in the succah despite the rain.

As Mrs. Solomon began to plate the liver and eggs, her husband quietly approached her and said, “I’m getting a raincoat. I will eat with Mendel in the succah.”

Yitz Solomon grabbed his hooded raincoat and headed back outside.

As huge drops of water saturated his liver and eggs, he had a casual conversation with Mendel about which masechta he was learning and what daf he was up to.

As his Diet Coke turned into Diluted Coke, he made a point of letting Mendel know how much he was enjoying their meal together, without any discomfort whatsoever.

When Mrs. Solomon informed them that the cholent was ready, both Mendel and Yitz filled their plates.

As Mendel ate the cholent, Yitz looked at his bowl and realized his meat and potatoes were floating away, yet he continued to eat as if it was the best cholent he’d ever tasted.

Finally, the meal ended, and Mendel thanked the Solomons before making his way home.

Only then did Mrs. Solomon turn to her husband and ask, “Didn’t you teach the children that if one sits in the succah during the rain, they don’t get a mitzvah?”

Yitzchok looked at his wife and said with a smile, “Yes, that is correct. Perhaps it’s true that I receive no reward for sitting in the succah during a downpour. However, I was still obligated to make my guest feel at home. Eating by himself is not making him feel at home. So while I was indeed exempt from the mitzvah of succah, I was not exempt from the mitzvah of hachnassas orchim.”

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1085)