UK Chief Rabbi’s moral lesson on the importance of hospitality

UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, in a reflection on the weekly Torah portion, examined the religious prohibition against interacting with the Ammonites and Moabites. He noted that these nations were condemned for failing to offer bread and water to the Israelites as they traveled toward the Holy Land. Citing the Midrash, Rabbi Mirvis addressed the question of why this was considered so egregious given that the Israelites were sustained by miracles at the time. He concluded that if withholding hospitality from those who do not need it is unacceptable, it is far more severe when dealing with those who are in actual need. Rabbi Mirvis emphasized that hospitality serves a purpose beyond mere sustenance; it is a social act that fosters warmth, builds connections, and brings nations together. He concluded by urging that by offering a warm reception to others, even those who have their own resources, one can strengthen human bonds and community cohesion.