The Chofetz Chaim Delays Shalom Aleichem for Guests
The Chofetz Chaim made Kiddush right away for hungry travelers and sang Shalom Aleichem later, explaining that angels can wait but hungry guests should not.
One time, when the Chofetz Chaim invited some travelers to his home for Friday night, he came home with his guests and promptly recited Kiddush. He skipped the recital of Shalom Aleichem, the song that is sung to welcome the angels that accompany an individual to his home on Shabbos night. Later in the meal, when everyone had already partaken of some Shabbos food, Shalom Aleichem was sung. Rabbi Yehuda Leib Chassman, who witnessed this event, asked his rebbi what the rationale for doing this was.
The Chofetz Chaim explained: The guests had traveled all day and must not have had the opportunity to eat, especially since they were in a hurry to arrive before Shabbos. If serving guests comes before greeting the Divine Presence, then it certainly comes before greeting angels! Anyway, angels are not hungry, and they can wait until after the first course. People who are hungry should not be made to wait.