Welcoming Guests

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This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent.
  1. Welcoming guests is among the mitzvot which one performs in this world and enjoys from its fruit in this world and in the next. [1]
  2. Both men and women are obligated in the mitzva of hachnasat orchim. [2] Nevertheless a spouse should not invite a guest without informing his or her spouse and asking permission. [3]
  3. Ideally one should first allow a guest to rest from the long journey before feeding him. [4] Additionally one should show a guest the bathroom because they might need it but would be embarrassed to ask for it. [5]
  4. There is a special merit for inviting a talmid chacham to your house. [6]
  5. If a guest chooses not to eat or drink for whatever reason, one has nevertheless fulfilled his mitzva to welcome the guests. [7]

Sources

  1. Mishna in Peah 1:1
  2. Halichot Bein Adam Lachavero 8:3 (page 144).
  3. Halichot Bein Adam Lachavero 8:3 (page 144) from the Zohar on Noach which explains based on the pasuk in Melachim Bet 4:10 that the Shunamite woman asked her husband.
  4. Halichot Bein Adam Lachavero 8:12 (page 147), Chesed Laalafim 8:14
  5. Halichot Bein Adam Lachavero 8:12 (page 147), Chesed Laalafim 8:14
  6. Halichot Bein Adam Lachavero 8:7 (page 145) based on gemara sota 46b. The gemara in Berachot 10b says that for letting a talmid chacham into your house and allowing him to benefit from your belongings the Torah considers it as if you brought a korban tamid.
  7. Halichot Bein Adam Lachavero 8:9 (page 146), Sefer Chassidim 843.