Fairyland, Disneyland, and Lessons in Welcoming Others (Vayeira 5774)

This is a profound season of hospitality and welcome. It is when JCHS sees the greatest number of campus visitors -- from 8th graders and their parents to college representatives. How they feel about JCHS depends in large measure on how we welcome them and encourage them to feel at home in our classes, hallways, and even at our lunch tables. Disneyland used to call itself "the happiest place on earth." Did you know that Walt Disney was inspired by a park just a few miles from JCHS? Oakland’s Children’s Fairyland near Lake Merritt?  Children’s Fairyland is a 10-acre outdoor park that brings fairytales to life through colorful sets, animals, and exhibits.  

On Fairyland's opening day in 1950 more than 6,000 children were welcomed into Old Mother Hubbard's Shoe as a gateway into the park.  Walt Disney was among the early visitors there; he was so impressed with the children's park that he based his theme parks on Fairyland. Disney likely resonated with Fairyland's sense of enthusiastic welcome, respect for its visitors, and capacity to transform strangers into welcome guests. What makes Disneyland such a happy place is the spirit of welcome, inclusion, respect, and generous joy that greets every guest.  As Walt Disney said later, “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.” (One might almost imagine Walt launching a word-of-mouth campaign)

In these ways, Fairyland and Disneyland have something in common with this week’s Torah portion, Va’yeira which highlights the power of hospitality, welcoming others and providing for them. Torah pauses to illustrate exemplary aspects of Abraham and Sarah's character -- learning about Abraham and Sarah’s extraordinary hospitality. 

The story opens with 99-year old Abraham sitting at the opening of his tent. Abraham looks up to see three strangers and "runs" to greet them.  (Genesis 18:2) Later verses reveal these strangers are messengers sent by God to tell Abraham and Sarah (90 years old) they will have a son of their own.  

Although Abraham sees them only as strangers, he and Sarah show the trio extraordinary hospitality, warmth, and respect.  They bow in respect.  They promise to bring them just a little food for refreshment and instead bring a huge meal. They prepare the meal themselves even though they could have passed that off to servants.  (Genesis 18:2-8)

Sarah and Abraham do this so enthusiastically. Torah uses a pair of unusual verbs ratz and yimaher -- meaning “run” and “rush” to describe the vigor with which these two folks in their 90s embrace the opportunity to welcome strangers.  

We can learn a number of important lessons about hospitality from this story. From the fact that Abraham rushes out to greet the strangers, we can learn that hospitality involves going out of our way, going beyond our comfort zone to greet others.  As Abraham was sitting by the opening of his tent instead of inside of it, we can learn that authentic welcomes may have to be publicized, not be hidden away.  In other words, it is not enough for us to wait for those in need of our welcome to appear at our doors.  

From the fact that Abraham addresses the strangers with a rare term, 'Adonai” or "my Lord," we can learn that authentic hospitality requires humility about oneself and ultimate respect for the dignity of others (even strangers). From the fact that Sarah and Abraham tell the strangers they will be served a morsel of bread, but return with trays filled with meats and choice cakes, we can learn that hospitality involves saying little but doing much. Our generosity should exceed our words. From the fact that Abraham and Sarah bring together their entire household to support the strangers, we can learn that it is not on one of us alone, but on our entire family or community to welcome others and bring them in.  

At this season of of welcoming guests to JCHS -- and Jewish day schools across the country -- Vayeira encourages us to greet visitors enthusiastically even going out of our way or beyond our comfort zone, to be humble about ourselves and respectful toward and generous with other.  If we know this to be true for our schools, how much the more so does this apply to our homes. Let our generosity exceed our words.  Involve everyone around us in that enthusiastic spirit of welcoming and including, respecting and nourishing.

PS: Rashi (11th century) and others believe that Abraham's energetic hosting occurred on the third day after his circumcision at the age of 99. Wow!