Yes, I already did a post on Hachnassat Orchim, when I welcomed my Tribe guests to my home for dinner.  This is a different focus of the same mitzvah – welcoming strangers.  Providing hospitality to strangers has its roots in biblical times, when Abraham opened his tent to three strangers.  In Pirke Avot 1:15 we are taught, “Let your house be opened wide and let the poor be members your household.”

From May 6 to May 15, we welcoming two teenagers from Petach Tikvah, Israel into our home.  May and Noy were our guests for the week, and though they arrived as strangers, they left as family.  Madelyn had the brunt of entertaining our guests, but we all banded together to cook meals, drive them to the mall, provide a comfortable space in our home and make them feel welcome.  I hope that we did our job!

(and it’s almost my  half birthday and I’m halfway done with my mitzvot!!)