WALKING YOUR GUEST OUT DALLED AMOS

by Danielle Sarah Storch

Have you ever had guests come to your house for Shabbos or during
the week? When it was time for the guests to leave, did someone
walk them to the door? Most likely you answered yes for both
questions, because Baruch Hashem,” Hachnasas Orchim” (inviting
guests over) is a well-known and a popular mitzvah. But did you
know that there is a mitzvah of walking your guest out when they
leave your home? Are you aware of the mitzvah of walking
them Dalled Amos? Meet Mr. Ivan Sacks and Rabbi Aryeh Rodin
from Dallas, Texas who together are publicizing the importance of
the mitzvah of walking a guest out Dalled Amos.

Mr. Sacks, how did you become aware of this mitzvah?

My dad always accompanied guests out no matter what. He would take the
time to escort them outside and walk with them a short distance.This
example stuck with me and I became aware of how good I felt when I was
escorted out by my hosts. I also became aware of how empty I felt when
people did not walk me out and how loud the door seemed to resonate when
it closed behind me. I told my Rabbi, Rabbi Aryeh Rodin my experiences and
feelings.

Rabbi Rodin then told me that my Dad’s example and my sentiments were
well established principles from the Torah and from the Rabbinic writings.
Rabbi Rodin taught me the incredible mitzvah of Dalled Amos-Four Amos.
This mitzvah is simply making sure that you accompany your guests four
Amos from your home. An Amah is between 1.5 feet and 2 feet. Rabbi Rodin
suggested that we cover our bases and use 2 feet per amah and so we
accompany our guests 8 feet.
What happened next?

I felt that this mitzvah was an especially important one and I later found out
that Maimonides felt the same way. Out of the five major interpersonal
mitzvahs, the Rambam lists Dalled Amos as number one.

I decided to make a Dalled Amos stencil and spray paint this marker outside
of people's homes. This would enable them to know how far to escort their
guests as they leave the host’s home. Currently we have Dalled Amos signs
spray painted outside homes in Dallas, San Diego, Baltimore, Florida, New
Jersey, and South Africa.

These signs also serve as a powerful learning tool. People who come to our
home see the Dalled Amos sign painted on our walkwayand often ask what is
Dalled Amos? Some individuals ask who is Amos? This triggers a
conversation and people become aware of the meaning, value, and
importance of walking out your guests Dalled Amos.

Rabbi Rodin, what are your sentiments of the Dalled Amos Project?

First and foremost Yeyasher Koach to Mr. Ivan Sacks for being the originator
of this effort. When Ivan hears a wonderful Torah thought he loves to share it
with others in a very positive and creative way. This stencil idea is a fun and
easy way for the whole family to bond together in publicizing a Mitzvah that
many are unaware of its significance. It could even save a life. The Torah
relates that the Elders of the city would provide food for travelers and would
then escort them out. These actions would absolve them of any responsibility
in case the stranger met an untimely demise. (See SeferDevarim 21:7 and
Rashi’s commentary on this verse.) Rabbi Henach Leibowitz ZT”L explained
that by showing the guest that you are concerned about his welfare and that
you respect him you have done your part to instill within him the confidence
and strength to ward off challenges that he could face on the way home.

What is necessary to join the project?

All you need is the Dalled Amos stencil and paint. An added bonus is that the
lettering and background can be done in colors that match and accentuate
the color scheme of the outside of your home.

What are your plans for the future with the Dalled Amos Project?
How do you plan to spread the word?

We would love for people around the globe to participate in our project. We
think that when people hear about our efforts they too will join in and
become involved. We appreciate when articles about the Dalled Amos Project
appear in such well read publications such as Mishpacha Magazine. We also
rely on friends and guests who see our signs painted outside our homes and
spread the word to their family and friends. We hope that Rabbonim and lay
leaders embrace the project and spread the word to their congregants and
constituents world-wide. We are very excited about our website
www.DalledAmos.org which links cities throughout the world who are
participating in this effort and through which you can order your Dalled Amos
kit which contains your stencil, instructions and explanation of the Dalled
Amos Mitzvah.

Do you have any advice for our readers?

Mr. Sacks:Notice how you feel when you are accompanied out or when you
not. Try walking your guests out and see how good you and your guest feel.
Rabbi Rodin: Yiddishkeit is a religion that should pulsate with excitement
and relevancy. It is our heritage and we and our children should be so proud
to be Jewish. I believe that programs such as The Dalled Amos Program are
an innovative way to help foster these feelings. May participating in this
Mitzvah help enable us to participate in escorting the Moshiach to Eretz
Yisroel Bimhayrah Beyamainu!

To obtain a kit or for more information email Dovid Rodin, the international
director of the Dalled Amos Project, at, David@DalledAmos.org

Thank you, Mr. Sacks and Rabbi Aryeh Rodin for your time. We wish
you Hatzlacha in spreading the word about this very important
mitzvah.