Avraham's Tent

Shalom:
בראשית 18:1 xוַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיֹּֽום׃

And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. Genesis 18:1

I received an e-mail from someone today. That isn't surprising: I often receive e-mail from people who don't for, whatever reason chose not to leave a comment.

That's cool.

But this letter surprised me. This person was surprise to find Mark and I are "religious." That this is a "religious blog."

Hmmm, Mark and I are Messianic Jews and we have not tried to hide that, Nor have we tried to 'convent' anyone.

That's G-d's job.

Yes, G-d, our faith, is the center of our home, our lives, our marriage. But if one doesn't like what they read, they are free to move onto the next journal.

This Shabbath, the Torah portion was about the above: Avraham opening his home to the Three Angels. One of Them, the L-rd Himself.

So here comes the "religious part:" The Scriptures place a high value on hospitality and breaking bread together. The banqueting is the focal point of that hospitality. For it is at this time we truly get to know our new friends as well as family.
Isn't that why meal time is a wonderful time for the family to gather, hear about each other's day and reconnect? Isn't that why Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, Shabbath, etc. are important times. That we celebrate Weddings and or events in our lives?

In Genesis 18:1-3, our Father Abraham is the first person shown opening the door of his home to others and in this case, it is to the L-rd Himself!

The meal, hastily prepared by their standards, is unusual in that Abraham does not even eat with them! Why? Because one does not eat with a King unless invited to, even in one's own tent.

We often feel that we cannot spare the time to do such things, but here is G-d, The Creator, Who finds time in His infinitely busier schedule to sit and wait while Abraham and Sarah prepare a a banquet for Him! The point, however, is that food and eating is a focal point of Abraham's hospitality. Important events frequently occur on such occasions.

And on this jounral, hospitality is our Hallmark. We wish all who visit our little Tent to also feel welcome, to find food for thought, inspiration, encouragment, a laugh and yes, the Scriptures.

Yes, we are religious.

At least it keeps us off the streets....