Daily Zohar # 4700 – Vayera – Abraham teaches hospitality

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Hebrew translation:

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Zohar Vayera
Continued from previous DZ
#174
“וְאַבְרָהָם הֹלֵךְ עִמָּם לְשַׁלְּחָם” “And Abraham walked with them to send them off” (Genesis 18:16). This was to accompany them on their way. Rabbi Yeisa said, “If you say that Abraham knew they were angels, then why did he accompany them?” But Rabbi Elazar answered, “Even though he knew they were angels, he did with them as he would with people and accompanied them on their way.” It is proper for a person to accompany guests on their way, as everything depends on this—meaning, the entire mitzvah of hosting guests depends on the act of accompanying them, which completes the Mitzva. The mitzvah is attributed only to one who completes it.

Notes:
This passage reminds us of the significance of seeing mitzvot to their completion, reflecting a dedication to kindness that is comprehensive and sincere. Abraham’s actions exemplify genuine hospitality, where every detail is fulfilled with love and respect.

#175
While Abraham was walking with them to accompany them, the Holy One, Blessed be He, appeared to him, as it is written, “וַה’ אָמָר הַמֲכַסֶּה אֲנִי מֵאַבְרָהָם אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי עֹשֶׂה” “And YHVH said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?'” (Genesis 18:17). Here, “YHVH” refers to He (YHVH) and His court, which is the Nukva, because the Holy One, Blessed be He, was walking with them.

#176
Come and see: When a person accompanies his friend, he draws the Shechinah to join him and walk along the way to protect him. For this reason, a person should accompany his guest, as this act connects the guest to the Shechinah and brings the Shechinah to be with him.

Notes:
Accompanying a guest is a spiritually significant act that draws the Shechinah to protect and support the guests on their journey. This mitzvah goes beyond simple kindness, connecting the guest to the Shechinah and blessing. Through this act, the host ensures that the guest is not alone but walks under the protection of the Shechinah. This teaching encourages us to see everyday kindnesses as powerful spiritual connections that invite blessing and protection, reinforcing the importance of hospitality to foster Hashem’s connection and safety.

#177
And because he (Abraham) performed the act of accompaniment, he merited that “YHVH said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?'” (Genesis 18:17). Rabbi Chiya began by quoting, “כִּי לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה ה’ אֱלֹהִים דָּבָר כִּי אִם גָּלָה סוֹדוֹ אֶל עֲבָדָיו הַנְּבִיאִים” “For YHVH God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants, the prophets” (Amos 3:7). Blessed are the righteous of the world, whom the Holy One, Blessed be He favors. Everything He does in the heavens and is destined to do in the world, He accomplishes through the Tzadikim, and He does not hide anything from them.

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