Neglecting the Ushpizin? Here’s What to Do

Just one day remains before the start of the most joyous week on the calendar. Jewish families around the world are preparing small structures and large meals to share with friends and the holiest guests of the year.

With hours left you probably hardly have time to read an article on COLlive – but this one is worth a minute to read and two minutes to take action.

Here’s the problem: you’re probably neglecting the Ushpizin.

Such a suggestion surely comes as a surprise. After all, as a chossid of the Rebbe, you have the zechus of welcoming the Rebbeim alongside the Avos and the greatest leaders in Jewish history into your sukkah. Year after year, you teach your children and admire their projects, you tell stories of these tzadikim – what more is there?

Are these not the most choshuve Ushpizin a chossid could dream of?

No, they’re not. Just ask them.

You don’t even have to look far – tonight’s Ushpizin spell it all out.

Integral to the process of revealing and disseminating chassidus to Klal Yisroel, the Baal Shem Tov’s approach was utterly radical: he disseminated a groundbreaking obsession with the simplest peasant Jew, constantly teaching that the continuation of the Jewish people is dependent upon abundant ahavas Yisroel. The Baal Shem Tov taught us that the greatest priority in this world is the need of a fellow Jew.

The Baal Shem Tov is the perfect companion for Avraham Avinu, who we know as the physical manifestation of chesed in this world. There was nothing more holy than a guest – a stranger – for the chosen forebear of the Jewish nation. Avraham Avinu, who was willing to do anything for the Almighty, left a conversation with G-d Himself to greet unexpected guests (despite physical pain and difficulty). Caring for his Ushpizin was the superior avodah.

And today? At this time every year, our Nossi Dorenu demonstrated the greatest concern for his orchim, his personal Ushpizin. The Rebbe treasured these travelers, and recognized their misirus nefesh to be by their Rebbe for Tishrei. If it meant paying their airfare or arranging accommodations, the Rebbe took care of his guests. He held a farbrengen every year in their honor, saying a maamar in their zechus, because the orchim were a vital priority for the Rebbe.

So who are the Ushpizin that a chossid can’t ignore?

They’re the Rebbe’s holy Ushpizin, and they’re just down President street in Avraham Avinu’s Tent. They’re the personal guests of Reb Moshe Rubashkin, just as they are the personal orchim of the Rebbe.

Tonight, chesed reigns supreme in the world. It’s no time to neglect your guests.

Support Avraham Avinu’s Tent and partner with Reb Moshe Rubashkin as a co-host for the Rebbe’s Ushpizin.

Click here to donate now!