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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.)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
