Rabbi Steve Greenberg discusses the commandment of “Hachnassat Orhim” (“Welcoming Guests), rooted in Abraham and Sarah’s example and the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. He explains that true hospitality goes beyond offering help: it means including people, accompanying them, protecting them, and making public spaces safer for those who feel excluded. He acknowledges that genuine welcome can be uncomfortable because unfamiliar differences challenge our sense of security, belonging, and community, but argues that overcoming these fears allows us to grow and build deeper connections. Ultimately, he calls on Jewish communities to embrace diversity, prioritize human relationships over rigid expectations, and create spaces where everyone—including LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, converts, and those who feel different—can find acceptance and belonging.
