Achsania

Achsania is the talmudic term for lodgings. It derives from the Greek ephonia, which means the quarters designated for troops.

The Talmud offers many pointers on how to treat your achsania. For example, one should always begin any speech with shevah shel achsania — praise for the hosts (the owners of the lodgings). In modern Hebrew, shevah shel achsania is an expression for the obligatory words of tribute one must say in order not to come off as a boor.

The Talmud also tells us that one should always inquire as to the well being of one’s achsania — here referring to one’s spouse. For this reason, the angels ask Abraham, “Where is Sara, your wife?”

Another tip we learn from Abraham is that if one should stay loyal to one’s achsania. On his return journey from Egypt, Abraham found lodgings at the same places he used on the way down. This is a matter of etiquette for the Talmud.