B"H
Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 20, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / November 14, 2022
This week’s Parsha, Chayei Sarah, begins with the passing of our matriarch Sarah and how Abraham bought the Me’arat Hamachpeilah – the cave of Machpeilah, as the family burial plot.
The Torah tells us in great length the details of the transaction, how Abraham acquired this burial site. Abraham first speaks to the people of Chait and asks them to set up a meeting for him with Ephron. He tells Ephron that he wants to buy the cave which is at the end of his field, to bury his wife, Sarah. Ephron offers to give Abraham the plot as a gift. But Abraham refuses and insists on buying it. In the end Abraham gives Ephron four hundred pure silver shekels and he acquired the field and the cave within it.
Q.Why does the Torah, in which every word is so measured, describe this purchase in such great detail?
A.The Torah knew that there will be nations who will claim that these holy places belong to them. As we see today, how the Arabs are trying to rewrite history and claim that the land belongs to them. Thus, the Torah records in detail how the cave was purchased to show that this Holy place indeed belongs to Jews. Not only because G-d gave it to us, but also from a commerce perspective, it was purchased legally.
Q.The patriarchs were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob’s name was later changed to Israel. G-d promised the Holy Land first to Abraham then to Isaac and then to Jacob. Why is the Holy Land called, “Eretz Israel” (“Land of Israel-Jacob”) and not the land of Abraham or the land of Yitzchak (Isaac)?
A.Abraham had a son, Ishmael, and more children; Yitzchak had a son Esau. Thus, there are more nations who draw their heritage from Abraham and Isaac. However, all of Jacob’s children were the tribes of Israel. The Holy Land is called, “Eretz Israel” to show that it belongs only to the descendants of Israel.
Q. “Me’arat HaMachpeilah” means “double cave.” Why was it called, “The double cave”?
A. Rashi gives two reasons: 1) It was a double cave. 2) The ones buried there were buried as couples (double). They are; Adam and Eve; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rivkah; Jacob and Leah.
Q. The name of the Parsha is “Chayei Sarah” which translates “The life of Sarah.” Yet, we read about the passing of Sarah.
A. Our sages say that righteous people live on even after their passing! The fact that their children continue their good deeds, and their positive effect on society keeps them alive even after their passing. Sarah’s son, Yitzchak, who continued in her ways, kept her memory alive even after her physical years in
this physical world.
Sarah lived for 127 years. She gave birth to her son, Yitzchak, at 90. Yitzchak was 37 years old when G-d told Abraham to bring Yitzchak for a sacrifice. Sarah passed away right after that.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY