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"It would be great if someone over here could help me!" The eager voice, coming from just beyond the boundary of the courtyard, drew David’s gaze away from his siddur. A somewhat bedraggled looking man called out again. "My car broke down not far from here, and I really wouldn’t mind getting a bite to eat!"
David was amazed. Here, he had just been thinking about the hospitality of Avraham, when a real live traveler came by, looking for assistance! True, David was in the middle of praying shemoneh esrei, during which all interruptions are forbidden. On the other hand, here was an opportunity to put the lessons of Avraham’s kindness into action!
Without another thought, David closed his siddur, and hurried to greet the man. "Please, come to my house!" David enthused. "I would be so happy to give you something to eat."
The man followed David down the road to his house. David opened the refrigerator door, and was pleased to see that there were enough Shabbat leftovers to make a respectable meal. He hurried to seat the man at the table, set out an elegant place setting, and proceeded to warm the leftovers in the microwave. Half an hour later, after the guest had gone, and David stood washing the dishes, David couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. After all, wasn’t he following in Avraham’s footsteps?
The next morning, David sat with his friend Shimon, drinking coffee and catching up on the news. In the course of their conversation, David proudly related the story of his hospitality.
"Wait a second, David," Shimon interjected. "You mean you were in the middle of shemoneh esrei, and you stopped to help this guy?"
"Why not?" David challenged. "After all, Avraham himself interrupted a conversation with G-d, in order to help travelers! Why is this any different?"
Is David right? Was he allowed to stop in the middle of shemoneh esrei in order to give food to a stranger?
Answer of Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl, shlita:
David was forbidden from interrupting his shemoneh esrei in order to take in a guest. A person who is engaged in prayer is not allowed to interrupt his prayer, in order to perform a different mitzva, such as hachnasat orchim (hosting guests).
One is even forbidden from tending to a king, while praying shemoneh esrei. (That is, unless the king is a secular king, who might cause physical harm to the one who is praying.) Even a person who is in the middle of performing hachnasat orchim must stop in the middle of serving his guests, if the time to pray will pass, otherwise.
The comparison to the patriarch Avraham is incorrect. Avraham was not engaged in service of G-d, in the story that David mentioned. Rather, Avraham was receiving the presence of G-d as a reward for Avraham’s actions. Therefore, it was permitted for him to interrupt his interaction with G-d, in order to welcome guests.
(This story appears chapter 9 of the book Sichot L’sefer Bereishit, which relates stories of Rabbi Nebenzahl. The book was compiled by Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu.)
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
