[Avodah] Seclusion is not the Jewish Way

[Daniel Israel]

T613K at aol.com wrote:
> Avraham kept himself away from the evils of the big city and refused to 
> associate with reshaim -- it was Lot, not Avraham, who settled in Sedom, 
> while Avraham lived a rural life, in a tent.  At the same time, his tent 
> was open on all four sides and he was exceptionally warm and hospitable 
> to all -- on his terms, in his own home.  ("Wash that avodah zarah off 
> your feet before you come in -- now, how can I serve you, what can I do 
> for you?  Please enjoy my chulent and kugel, my beautiful Shabbos table 
> and a soft bed and how else can I help you?  And oh yes, don't forget to 
> thank G-d -- me?  pshaw, it was nothing...it was all His doing, the 
> least I can do is share His bounty...")
>  
> This is the model for austritt and kiruv, love for your fellow Jew, 
> cordiality towards all humanity, and Torah independence.

AFAIR, it was, "How may I serve you, let me start by washing your feet, 
..."  No need to get into the problem of AZ with the person until he had 
a chance to experience the positive interaction.  Also a relevant lesson 
for contemporary kiruv.

-- 
Daniel M. Israel
dmi1 at cornell.edu