- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Torah Teachings
Receive every man with a pleasant countenance
Question
In Pirkai Avot,"Ethics of the Fathers" Chapter 1, Mishnah 15 it says:
"receive every man with a pleasant countenance"
and in "Ethics of the Fathers" Chapter 3' Mishnah 12 it says
"receive every man with joy".
please explain:
1. "receive" (what dose it mean to receive people)?
2. "every man" (what dose this include or exclude)?
3. "with a pleasant countenance [a beautiful face]" (what dose it mean a beautiful face)?
p.s. sources please if possible thank you
Answer
The Rambam on Pirkei Avot explains simply that to "receive people with a pleasant countenance" means to welcome them warmly if you are hosting them and accept them with a pleasant face as opposed to a sour face. The Sefat Emet on a different Mishna in Avot (Chapter 1:6) explains that "Kol Ha'adam" which is often translated "every man" actually refers to man as a whole, meaning his entire personality.