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Be Part of the Journey (1:5)

In its wake, Passover brings spring, the counting of the Omer days leading up to the festival of Shavuot and the study of that ancient text, Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers. The opening chapter introduces the moral directives of several Talmudic Sages including Yose ben Yochanan who lived in the second century BCE, in the generation just before the Maccabean revolt.

Rabbi Yose who lived in Jerusalem addresses the issue of hospitality. His statement runs as follows, “Let your house be open wide and let the poor be members of your household.” The fact that Yose ben Yochanan resided in the capital may explain his emphasis on having guests. As we know, Jews from all over the land made the pilgrimage for the Festivals, as prescribed by the Torah. Clearly, this must have presented quite a problem housing all the travelers. Yet history records that no man ever complained of lack of lodging in Jerusalem. Unless we are talking about some major miracle, this must have meant that every resident had a ‘welcome mat’ out in front of his door. Hence Rabbi Yose points to what must have been the prevailing practice in the Holy City.

The value of such hospitality did not lie simply in the assistance it provided for the guests, but in the beneficial influence this had on the host family. The Talmud relates that there were signs along the roads of ancient Israel pointing the way to the Cities of Refuge, to which people guilty of unintentional manslaughter could flee. Yet, for the pilgrim on his way to Jerusalem there were no signs! Why? Well, when there are no signs, the traveler must ask directions. Tradition did not want the murderer knocking at your door and having contact with your family. Let him get as quickly as possible to the City of Refuge. On the other hand, the pilgrim journeying to the Temple was performing a mitzvah. Compel him to ask directions and meet your family. Here is a Jew on his way to meet holiness. Partake, even if but for a moment, in his spiritual odyssey.

In life, we will encounter many individuals. Some are searching for an escape from their heritage and responsibility. Others are marching on the path of G-dliness. It is this second group that you must invite into your life. Let your children share in their enthusiasm. Theirs’ is the expedition you want to experience, even if it is only vicariously and theirs’ is the voyage that can illuminate your own wanderings.
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