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“My Lord, if I find favor in Your eyes, please pass not away from your servant. Let some water be brought and wash your feet, and recline beneath the tree” — Abraham’s words to the three strangers (Genesis 18:3).

“Hospitality to wayfarers is greater than welcoming the presence of the Shechinah” (Talmud Shabbat 127A).

It’s only been a couple of weeks, but I already miss my sukkah. Not the building of it or the collection of palms or the sleeping in it (which this year was accompanied by some mosquitoes that wanted to join in the mitzvah), but the many guests, wonderful dinners and delightful conversations that were had in it. I value the reminder of the importance of inviting guests to our home.

Each year at Rosh Hashanah, we read from this week’s portion of Vayera as we learn about the Akedah, the binding of Isaac. But prior to that powerful story are teachings about one of the most primary practices of Judaism: being hospitable to strangers.

Abraham welcomes into his tent three guests, who turn out to be angels, and is blessed by them to have a son, Isaac. Shortly thereafter, we learn of the destruction of Sodom, a place where hospitality was not only rejected but also made illegal. As the Zohar teaches, “A person who acts virtuously by offering charity to others: when judgment looms over the world, the blessed Holy One remembers the charity he performs” (1:104a). The choice to welcome or reject guests can result in great miracles or catastrophes.

Sodom was the most fertile area of the region, yet the inhabitants refused to share any of their wealth with a traveler. Pirke Avot teaches that a “Sodom-type person” is one who believes “mine is mine, and yours is yours” (5:10). Our sages teach that this is in direct contrast to Abraham, who would seek out guests to invite to his home and, as a result of his hospitality, guide them to accepting God (Genesis Rabbah 39:14 and Sifre Deuteronomy 32). This simple choice in personal behavior is the recipe that we all need to remember throughout the year.

We are incredibly blessed as American Jews. We are able to choose how we practice our religion without fear of ramifications from the government, we can go to markets with food on the shelves, and we have the opportunity to make all sorts of personal choices in our lives. But many people do not have these blessings or choices, even in our own country. It might be due to a lack of finances or a lack of family and friends, but there are many people who do not have the opportunity to sit down at a Shabbat dinner, attend a Passover seder or have a sukkah. The results of the behavior of both Abraham and the people of Sodom as seen in the parasha remind us that we need to invite others to our homes and into our community at all times, and that this kindness returns huge dividends.

The Talmud teaches that hospitality is one of the things that rewards us both here in this world and in the next (Kiddushin 39b). I have a friend who always has an extra place set at his dinner table, just in case someone drops by. Not only does this add warmth to his home, but it is also a practice that will be felt by his children and grandchildren throughout their lives, and seen in their behavior toward others. A truly “Jewish” practice, but how many of us actually live that way?

On Sukkot, we have the opportunity to welcome others to join us in our meals; we even have the spiritual practice of ushpizin, where we invite the spirits of the patriarchs and matriarchs of Judaism to join us. We build a temporary structure and welcome guests. Even when the temporary structure of the sukkah is gone, the blessings of the dialogue and experiences with our guests remain with us not only throughout the year, but also throughout our lives.

Sodom is destroyed for turning away people; Abraham and Sarah are blessed for their hospitality. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we each made it a point to invite people to our homes this year to share the blessings of being a Jew in America? How many people would be more open to our beliefs and practices if we invited them to our dinner tables? Whether it is for a Shabbat dinner, a Passover seder or just a meal or cup of coffee, may we all be blessed to invite guests to our homes and to realize how this practice truly is greater even than welcoming the Divine Presence.