Ceremony and Celebration Family Edition, The Hagim, Sukkot, It Once Happened
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Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz was famous for his wisdom, and his house was always full of people seeking his advice. He found that this gave him no time to study or write the books he wished to write.
One year, he finally decided to refuse to see any more people, so that he could concentrate on study and prayer. As Sukkot approached, he invited a number of people to be his guests during the festival, but they were upset by his decision to shut himself away from the community, and they refused his invitation.
On the first night of Sukkot, as he sat alone in his sukka, he recited the Ushpizin, inviting Avraham to be his guest.
In a vision, he saw Avraham standing outside his sukka, refusing to enter. “Why will you not enter?” asked the rabbi. Avraham replied, “I will not enter a place where there are no other guests.” Rabbi Pinchas, realising his mistake, once again opened his home to the whole community.
❖ Points to Ponder
- What lesson did Rabbi Pinchas learn in this story?
- Why do you think it was Avraham who appeared to Rabbi Pinchas in the vision?
- What is the connection between the mitzva of hospitality and the themes of Sukkot?