Interreligious meeting during Sukkot in Beer Sheba

During the Feast of Sukkot a special interreligious meeting took place in a Conservative Synagogue "Eshel Avraham" in Beer Sheba. In a sukka built on the roof the representatives of Islam, Judaism and Christianity talked about the tradition of receiving guests in their religions. Of course, the person that connects all the monotheistic faiths is Abraham and the "classic" text that is common for all is the visit of three angels in Abraham's tent (Genesis 18).

Father Piotr from Beer Sheba’s Saint Abraham's parish presented the Christian aspects of hospitality referring to a passage from the Gospel of Matthew: "just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me" (Mt 25:45). He pointed to responsibility for those who are in the margins of modern society. "In ancient times, especially in the desert, hospitality was a question of life and death. Finding a shelter for a night in a place without water and food and surrounded by wild animals was crucial for survival then. Today, closed in our air conditioned apartments, in front of our television's, drinking good coffee we might not hear those who are still knocking at our doors: the refugees, the emigrants, the poor. For their survival, finding our help is crucial. It is we who can influence the governments and inspire the local communities. It is we who are called to show hospitality in our modern, wealthy society. Just like in ancient times, it is our duty to hear the wanderers that are looking for protection and help," said Father Piotr.

Other speakers invited for the event were Orthodox Rabbi Elkana Sherlow, Shaykh Treyd Altona and
Shaykh Gamal Alubra. The host of the evening was the Rabbi of Eshel Avraham Conservative Synagogue, Mauricio Balter.