* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Do we know how to set limits for ourselves? Do we have the courage to say “no”?
We often speak about our father Avraham’s hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests): how his tent was open to all and how he ran after three strangers to bring them food and water.
All this is true. But let’s not overlook one small, but important detail: Avraham Avinu requests that his guests wash their feet before entering his tent. Rashi explains that Avraham thought that these strangers were involved in a type of idol worship in which they bowed to the dust of their feet, and he therefore insisted that no traces of idol worship be brought into his home.
This is a tremendous lesson for us about learning to strike the proper balance in our lives: on the one hand, to draw people close; but on the other, to keep an appropriate distance. On the one hand, we see Avraham’s love of people and his openness to the world; on the other hand, we observe how he knows to set clear and firm boundaries in order to ensure that the culture of idol worship will not enter his and our mother Sarah’s holy dwelling.
Avraham Avinu teaches us this week that alongside acts of kindness, and the determination to help and give to others, we must set clear limits for ourselves: what is appropriate and permissible, and what we aren’t willing to accept.
Everyone is invited to think about the limits you set for yourselves and what you would block from entering your home, your mind, and your heart.
