Keep the Guests Happy!

Vayera

Genesis 18:1-22:24         

Précis: God “appeared” (vayera) to Abraham in the form of three travelers to whom Abraham shows hospitality. They promise of the birth of Isaac, overheard by Sarah (who laughs). God reveals His plans for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham argues for its salvation for the sake of any innocents who might dwell there. The scene shifts to Sodom, where Lot lives, and he and his daughters are rescued first from an unruly mob and then from the destruction of the city itself. Lot’s wife glances back and turns into the pillar of salt. His daughters, fearing that they are the last females alive, make Lot drunk and engage in sexual relations with him, later giving birth to founders of the tribes of Moab and Ammon (traditional adversaries of the Israelites). Back with Abraham, Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac. She becomes unhappy with the continued presence of Ishmael and prevails upon Abraham to expel Ishmael and Hagar from the household, which he does (after being promised by God that Ishmael, too, will be the father of a great nation). Thereafter, the story continues with the attempted sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, called “the Akedah” - the Binding of Isaac.

Genesis 18:8   “And Abraham took curd, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they [the angels] did eat.”

               From this verse, the only verse in which we observe angels eating, the Rabbis deduced that it is necessary to conform to the social habits of the people in whose midst one lives. It would have been “impolite” of the angels not to partake of what Abraham so generously offered. For an Executive Director, this underscores the need to make sure that he or she fulfills the social expectations of the congregation. Does the congregation expect the family of the Executive Director to play a role in the congregation's life?  Do they anticipate that he or she will participant in the ritual life of the congregation?

               From another perspective, this brings to bear an important principle. If the Executive Director is to live as part of the congregation, then the congregation needs to treat the Executive Director as a valued participant, meaning, that he or she should be encouraged (and supported in efforts) to study Jewish texts and live a rich, Jewish life.

               Also from this verse, a much more mundane lesson can be learned. Abraham stood by while his guests ate. It's not a bad idea for an Executive Director (or any host, in fact) to wait at congregational meals until others have been served, before partaking personally.  After all, if it was good enough for Abraham, it's good enough for us.

               (As a personal aside: I often noticed that my beloved grandmother, Wilma David z’l, who was a wonderful cook, would not eat until all of her guests had been served. When I asked why, she said that it was simply being polite. I believe now that she learned the lesson from this Biblical story!)