Dear Friends,
Open doors are complex.
Retail shops like to have their doors open to shoppers. But, they have to be careful with looters, as well.
America once had an “open door policy,” welcoming immigrants and visitors. It was mostly closed by Congress in 1924, then reopened decades later, and among other thigs, COVID shut that door.
Synagogues, like churches, desire to have open-doors and preach the value of welcoming all to enter. That is why we call our main room a sanctuary. And, today, we are careful, too.
And, where did this value of the open door originate? In this week’s Torah portion! We read that immediately after Abraham had been circumcised, he was sitting in the entrance of his tent when he saw three men before him in the hottest time of the day. Abraham ran to get water and refreshments for the men, and to demonstrate celebrated Middle Eastern hospitality. (Genesis 18:1ff)
That moment of welcoming and generosity was not merely a single episode found in Genesis. It has become a foundation of Jewish ethics and values. The Midrash, a commentary on the Torah, explains that God said to Abraham, “You have opened a good door for travelers, and you have opened a good door to those seeking Jewish life – it is because of you that I created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis Rabbah 48:8)
Later, our medieval scholar, Rashi, explained that Abraham was sitting by his tent door “to see if there is a passerby whom he might take into his house.” Rashi teaches that Abraham wasn’t just relaxing in the shade and the breeze; rather, he was actively looking to help a traveler, and he kept his door open.
Consistently, our tradition lauds the open door. We have been oppressed in history when doors were shut to us – either by other communities, or kings or nations. And, likely most of us, as individuals, have experienced episodes when personal or professional doors were closed, and we readily recall the exclusion and rejection which came with it.
Yes, open doors are complex. Good or bad might enter, but at least there is an opportunity for that interaction. And, if necessary, we can usher the unwanted mouse or mosquito back out the door. But we may not have a second chance for the one who walks by and sees the door closed.
All in all, I would rather promote an open door, than otherwise. So did Abraham.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Open doors are complex.
Retail shops like to have their doors open to shoppers. But, they have to be careful with looters, as well.
America once had an “open door policy,” welcoming immigrants and visitors. It was mostly closed by Congress in 1924, then reopened decades later, and among other thigs, COVID shut that door.
Synagogues, like churches, desire to have open-doors and preach the value of welcoming all to enter. That is why we call our main room a sanctuary. And, today, we are careful, too.
And, where did this value of the open door originate? In this week’s Torah portion! We read that immediately after Abraham had been circumcised, he was sitting in the entrance of his tent when he saw three men before him in the hottest time of the day. Abraham ran to get water and refreshments for the men, and to demonstrate celebrated Middle Eastern hospitality. (Genesis 18:1ff)
That moment of welcoming and generosity was not merely a single episode found in Genesis. It has become a foundation of Jewish ethics and values. The Midrash, a commentary on the Torah, explains that God said to Abraham, “You have opened a good door for travelers, and you have opened a good door to those seeking Jewish life – it is because of you that I created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis Rabbah 48:8)
Later, our medieval scholar, Rashi, explained that Abraham was sitting by his tent door “to see if there is a passerby whom he might take into his house.” Rashi teaches that Abraham wasn’t just relaxing in the shade and the breeze; rather, he was actively looking to help a traveler, and he kept his door open.
Consistently, our tradition lauds the open door. We have been oppressed in history when doors were shut to us – either by other communities, or kings or nations. And, likely most of us, as individuals, have experienced episodes when personal or professional doors were closed, and we readily recall the exclusion and rejection which came with it.
Yes, open doors are complex. Good or bad might enter, but at least there is an opportunity for that interaction. And, if necessary, we can usher the unwanted mouse or mosquito back out the door. But we may not have a second chance for the one who walks by and sees the door closed.
All in all, I would rather promote an open door, than otherwise. So did Abraham.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
