Voices of WRJ: Vayeira

by Laurel Burch Fisher Standing at the entrance of our tent Four sides open to welcome the stranger and embrace the returning friend ready to visit those who are sick and to comfort those who are lost Sisters can heal the world and become holy In the opening scene of Parashat Vayeira, it is the hottest part of the day and an aging Abraham sits at the entrance of his tent recovering from his recent circumcision. Looking up, he sees three strangers approach and immediately he drops everything and rushes to greet them, bowing low to the ground. Begging them to stay, Abraham offers to feed and care for them, promising a modest meal but providing a lavish feast. At first glance this seems a nice little story about our forefather welcoming guests. After all, Hachnasat Orchim, hospitality, is a central value in Judaism. This mitzvah is played out as Abraham brings water to wash their dusty feet, his son prepares a young calf, and Sarah hastily bakes bread cakes. What I find interesting is that the first word of this portion, Vayeira, tells us that God appears to Abraham. And yet, when Abraham sees complete strangers approaching, he seems to “put God on hold” to rush out and greet the guests. What is Torah telling us here? I would maintain that rather than leaving God’s side to serve his guests, Abraham embodies Godliness in his personal attention to the strangers.  Abraham is a wealthy man with many, many servants, and yet, he does not assign these tasks to his staff. Rather, he personally oversees his family’s involvement in the preparations. In Hebrew, the word for “give” is hav, which has the same root as ahava, “love.” It seems to me that the very act of giving leads to love. These days, it often seems easier to give a monetary donation than it is to actively get involved in giving to others. The women of the Southwest District of WRJ are working to change that model; to be more like Abraham. To that end, we have made it a point to give back to the host communities where we hold our District Conventions. At our Dallas Biennial in 2010, in addition to collecting needed personal care items, we learned about the programs of Jewish Family Service and in 2012, we met with actual clients of the Houston Area Women’s Center. It was so inspiring to talk with women who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence and who have been helped by this organization. While time has been limited at the recent WRJ Assemblies, we have also incorporated important social action projects at these events as well. In Toronto, we collected children’s books and in Washington, D.C., we worked together to create lap blankets for the Wounded Warrior Project.  By putting an individual face to these projects, we have deepened our connection to those in need. Sisterhood can be the vehicle for making a difference in the world, but the holiness in our work comes from the personal involvement. Giving is not always easy. In fact, some view giving as a drain on your energy or resources. But if it becomes a two-way connection, person-to-person, it is about receiving as much as it is about giving. It is about love, ahava. So, how can we come to be in the Divine Presence? Standing at the door of our tents we are challenged to remain alert, attentive, and open to the opportunities for service. Run to meet the stranger with eagerness and joy for the stranger is simply one you have not yet met. When we strive to be like Abraham and give to others graciously, we begin to emulate God. If we stand ready with open hearts, our eyes watching for opportunities to serve, we can become holy. Laurel Burch Fisher is a member of the WRJ Board of Directors, WRJ Southwest District Recording Secretary and Area Director, and a member of Temple Shalom in Dallas, TX.