For the week ending 23 October 2010 / 14 Heshvan 5771
A Gesture for Guests
Question: Our home sometimes serves as a meeting place for activists in the community. My past experience has taught me that these neighbors will be too preoccupied to partake of any refreshments which I may bring to the table. What is the right thing to do?
Answer: Hospitality is much more than providing nourishment for hungry and thirsty guests. Serving them is your way of showing a gesture of respect for their presence and is always appreciated as such. In addition, you never know when a guest may indeed be thirsty enough for a drink so that your gesture becomes literal hospitality.