Torah Portion: Va-yeyra, Genesis 18:1-22:24

Many rabbis and cantors — myself included — have been asked: “What do you do if a Torah Scroll falls to the floor?” (For the answer, read on to the end.)

For this Shabbat, here are two texts. First, the opening verses of this week’s Torah Portion, Va-yeyra.

The Eternal appeared to him [i.e., Abraham] at the oak grove of Mamre as he was sitting at the opening of the tent as the day heated up. He looked up and saw three men standing near him, ran from the opening of the tent to greet them, and bowed low to the ground. He said, “Sirs, if I have found favor with you, please don’t pass by your servant. Please take a little water and wash your feet, then lay back under the tree. I will fetch pita bread and you can refresh yourselves then go on, since you have come by your servant.” And they said, “Do just as you have spoken.”

So Abraham rushed to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry, three measures of fine flour, knead and make cakes!” Then Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender, choice calf, and gave it to the serving lad who hastened to prepare it. He took rich sauce and the calf which had been prepared, set them before before the men, and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.  (Genesis 18:1-8)

Secondly, a rabbinic teaching from the Talmud.

Rav Judah said that Rav said: Greater is hospitality to wayfarers than welcoming the Shekhinah/Divine Presence, for it is written, ‘He said, “Sirs, if I have found favor with you, please don’t pass by, etc.”’ (Tractate Shabbat 127a., citing Genesis 18:3ff.)

The Torah tells us that God “appeared” to Abraham, but suddenly three men did as well. So the Patriarch put the Holy One on hold, so to speak, and personally attended to the needs of the travelers. Hence, Rav’s dictum cited by Rav Judah that Hospitality to wayfarers is greater than welcoming the Shekhinah.

A bonus rabbinic text:

If a sapling was in your hand and they say to you, “Come on, the Mashiah/Messiah has come,” finish planting the sapling, and afterwards go   out to greet the Messiah. (Avot d’Rabbi Natan B 31; attributed to Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai)

Historically, God and the Messiah are very important in traditional Judaism. So, too, are both human beings in need and also young trees. Moreover, needy people and tender saplings when they are “at hand” can even take precedence over the Holy One or the Mashiah.

So, what do you do if a Torah Scroll falls to the floor? Despite varying opinions including that the person responsible should fast (from sunrise to sundown) for 40 days, or that everyone who witnessed the accident should do so, or that if the mishap were unintentional nothing special need be done, the answer on which all can agree is: before anything else, you pick it up!

First things first. What is the priority? Take care of what requires immediate attention – even if, as we learn from Torah this Shabbat, God (or the Messiah) must wait.

Lane Steinger is Rabbi Emeritus, Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community, and a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Jewish Light.