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Parsha
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Chayei Sarah
Sarah passes away in Hebron at the age of one hundred and twenty-seven. Abraham wishes to bury his wife in the Cave of Machpela, identified by Tradition as the grave of Adam and Eve. He purchases the site from Ephron, a local Hittite; Ephron first makes a show of offering the land as a gift, but ultimately charges an exorbitant fee. Abraham willingly pays, and the Cave of Machpela becomes the ancestral burial ground of the Jewish Patriarchs and Matriarchs.
The aging Abraham decides that it is time for Isaac to marry. Abraham refuses to allow Isaac to marry into one of the corrupt Canaanite tribes. Instead he sends his steward – identified by Tradition as Eliezer – eastward to Mesopotamia, Abraham’s ancestral home, to seek a wife from Abraham’s extended family.
Eliezer, praying for Divine guidance, devises a test to identify the right wife for Isaac: he positions himself near the well at the outskirts of the city. The young lady who will willingly draw water not only for him but for his camels will have demonstrated the devotion to chessed – kindness –that is the hallmark of the House of Abraham.
No sooner has Eliezer concluded his prayer than a young lady approaches; when Eliezer asks her for a drink, she responds precisely as foretold, drawing water for him and his ten camels. When Eliezer asks her identity, the girl, whose name is Rebecca, reveals that she is a descendant of Abraham’s brother Nachor. Eliezer gives thanks to G-d for granting him success in his mission.
Eliezer is invited into Rebecca’s home, where he tells her family the story of their encounter. Impressed by this obvious display of Divine Providence, Rebecca’s family agrees to allow her to return to Canaan with Eliezer.
Rebecca marries Isaac, and proves a suitable successor to the legacy of Sarah.
Abraham passes away at the age of one hundred and seventy-five, and is buried by his sons, Isaac and Ishmael, in the Cave of Machpela.
Click below to open a printable pdf
The aging Abraham decides that it is time for Isaac to marry. Abraham refuses to allow Isaac to marry into one of the corrupt Canaanite tribes. Instead he sends his steward – identified by Tradition as Eliezer – eastward to Mesopotamia, Abraham’s ancestral home, to seek a wife from Abraham’s extended family.
Eliezer, praying for Divine guidance, devises a test to identify the right wife for Isaac: he positions himself near the well at the outskirts of the city. The young lady who will willingly draw water not only for him but for his camels will have demonstrated the devotion to chessed – kindness –that is the hallmark of the House of Abraham.
No sooner has Eliezer concluded his prayer than a young lady approaches; when Eliezer asks her for a drink, she responds precisely as foretold, drawing water for him and his ten camels. When Eliezer asks her identity, the girl, whose name is Rebecca, reveals that she is a descendant of Abraham’s brother Nachor. Eliezer gives thanks to G-d for granting him success in his mission.
Eliezer is invited into Rebecca’s home, where he tells her family the story of their encounter. Impressed by this obvious display of Divine Providence, Rebecca’s family agrees to allow her to return to Canaan with Eliezer.
Rebecca marries Isaac, and proves a suitable successor to the legacy of Sarah.
Abraham passes away at the age of one hundred and seventy-five, and is buried by his sons, Isaac and Ishmael, in the Cave of Machpela.
Click below to open a printable pdf
| chayei_sarah_snapshot_and_closer_look_template_final.pdf |