Shabat Shalom! CHAYEI SARAH (Life of Sarah) Genesis 23:1–25:18; 1 Kings 1:1–31 “Sarah lived [Chayei Sarah] to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. She died at Kiryat Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.” (Genesis 23:1–2) Last week, in Parsha Vayeira, Abraham and Lot separately entertained angels who declared that life-changing events were to come. To Abraham, who had remained faithful to God, the angels announced that Sarah would give birth to a son in a year. To Lot, who was living in the midst of a depraved society, they announced the destruction of the city. Although Chayei Sarah means the life of Sarah, this week’s Parsha actually begins with her death in Kiryat Arba (Hebron) at age 127. Abraham buys a parcel of land for 400 shekels of silver as a family burial site—the Cave of Machpelah and its adjoining field—from Ephron the Hittite. There he buries his wife, Sarah. “Listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.” (Genesis 23:6) After the death of Sarah, Abraham instructs his senior servant to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham’s relatives. His servant sets out for the town of Nahor with 10 of Abraham’s camels, each laden with gifts. When he arrives at the village well, he asks God for a sign: “May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” (Genesis 24:12–14) God answers his prayer, and Rebecca, the daughter of Abraham’s nephew Bethuel, provides water for him and his camels.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 10:15:45 +0000
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