(Torah challenge as sent to Congregation Beth Aaron in Billings, MT)
Parshat Chayei Sarah
Genesis 23:1-25:18
A brief summary: Sarah dies at the ripe age of 127 years old. Abraham decides to bury her in the cave of Machpela (after searching for a good place). Abraham decides to find a wife for his son Isaac and sends his servant to do so. The servant meets Rebecca at a well, where she gives him and his camels water. Lastly, Abraham marries Keurah and has six more sons, dying at the age of 175 years.
The Cave of Machpela
In Ch 23 Sarah dies and Abraham wants to bury her. He is in Hebron and asks for a piece of land. The people in Hebron want to give it to him for free, but Abraham insists on paying for it.
Why does Abraham, a man who is given multiple covenants with God and told that he will eventually inherit the land, claim to be a stranger in the land? How does that connect to his desire to buy the land where he wants to bury Sarah?
Why is it important for Abraham to buy the land, not be given it (as he receives so many other things, especially from God)?
Old Age as a Liminal Stage
Ch 24:1-9 shows Abraham rushing to ensure his son, Isaac, will have a wife. In his last few days, he makes his servant promise to find Isaac a wife. Abraham tells the servant to put his hand on Abraham’s thigh and promise to go back to Abraham’s homeland and find a wife from among his people.
Why does Abraham wait until he’s old and Sarah has passed away before finding Isaac a wife?
Why does Abraham have the servant grab his thigh to make this promise?
What is the importance of the servant going back to Abraham’s homeland? Why must Isaac’s wife not be from among the Cana’anites?
Some other thoughts on the Parsha:
There is mention of spontaneous prayer in this week’s parsha. Abraham’s servant is at the well and offers up a prayer to God. Follow this link to learn more about one Rabbi’s interpretation: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/Bible/Weekly_Torah_Portion/chayeisarah_artson5759.shtml
To explore a less traditional commentary on the parsha, discussing familial relations, in particular Isaac’s reactions to his impending marriage, follow this link (there are two thoughts, the first follows what I suggested): http://limmud.org/publications/limmudononeleg/5772/chayei-sarah/
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