B"H
Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 20, 5776 / November 2, 2015
The city of Hebron is famous today for the Me’arat HaMachpeilah, in which our patriarchs and matriarchs are buried. Hebron is one of the most ancient cities in the Torah. It is mentioned in this week’s Parsha, Chayei Sarah, in connection with Abraham purchasing a parcel of land there which included a double cave, in order to bury his wife Sarah and to be used as the future family burial plot.
The Torah tells us that Sarah was 127 years old when she passed away. Her passing is related to the story of the binding of her only son, Yitzchak (Isaac), which is told at the end of the previous Parsha. Upon hearing that her son was about to be brought as a sacrifice, the thought of the possibility of losing her only son, affected her greatly and she passed away.
Q. How long did Abraham live after Sarah’s passing?
A. Sarah passed away at the age of 127 and Abraham at the age of 175. Abraham was ten years older than Sarah. Thus, Abraham lived 38 years after his wife’s passing.
Q. Did Abraham have a daughter?
A. In this Parsha the Torah tells us, “And Abraham was old and advanced in age [days] and G-d blessed Abraham with everything [bakol].” The Torah uses the expression “Bakol.” According to an opinion in the Talmud it means that G-d blessed him with a daughter and her name was Bakol.
Q. Why did Abraham want this particular place as the family burial plot? Who else of his family would eventually be buried in the Me’arat HaMachpeila?
A. He wanted this cave because Adam & Eve were already buried there. In total there are four couples buried there: Adam & Eve; Abraham & Sarah; Yitzchak & Rivkah; Yaakov & Leah.
Q. Why, according to Jewish custom, is the deceased buried in simple shrouds?
A. The Talmud tells that at one time they would dress the deceased in expensive garments. But this practice caused great pressure on many families. In many cases, where families couldn’t afford the burial, they would just leave the body at the cemetery and depart. The Talmudic sage, Rabbi Gamliel, instructed that he be buried in simple shrouds. It was then instituted that simple shrouds should be used for everyone. It also shows that rich or poor are all equal in the eyes of G-d.
Our sages say, “When a person departs from this world, neither silver nor gold, nor precious stones, nor pearls accompany him. Only the good deeds the person performed while alive, accompany them into the World-to-Come.”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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Dedicated in loving memory of Hymie Busgang- Chaim ben Moshe Halevi - z"l - of blessed memory.
Yartzeit was Cheshvan 18. May his soul rest in peace in Gan Eden.
From his family
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