SEDRA : Chaye Sara Hertz Chumash p. 80 Genesis Chap 23.

This week's Sedra is generously sponsored by Arnold Singer.

SYNOPSIS

On the death of Sarah in Chevron at the age of 127 years Avraham came to mourn and eulogise her. The negotiations for the purchase of Ma'arat Hamachpelah (lit. the `double' cave) between Avraham and Ephron, together with the Hittites, for 400 silver shekels are described in detail. This purchase for the full price was contracted precisely to establish an absolutely unassailable right to the land.

Avraham now set about arranging for Isaac's marriage. Eliezer, his trusted senior servant, is made to swear that Isaac will not be married to one of the `daughters of the Canaanites' nor is he to leave the territory of Canaan. Eliezer is despatched to Aram Naharaim with the backing of all his master's property and wealth, to seek a wife for Isaac in the place of origin of Abraham's family.

Eliezer left for Aram arriving there in the early evening. The gravity of the responsibility of his mission weighed very heavily upon him and he prayed to G-d to show kindness to his master Avraham. He also suggested a sign by which the truly worthy partner for Isaac could be identified. The Torah describes the words and actions of Eliezer and Rebecca in great detail.

Rebecca came out, pitcher on her shoulder, to draw water. Eliezer approached her requesting a drink of water. She not only obliged him, but also drew water for all his camels till they drank their fill. Amazed at Rebecca's kindness and enthusiasm, Eliezer rewarded her with gifts, inquiring who she was and if there was place for them to stay at her father's house. She identified herself as the daughter of Bethuel, son of Nachor, Abraham's brother, adding that they had ample lodgings for his party and camels. While Eliezer blessed G-d for his kindness to Avraham, Rebecca, ran to inform her family. Lavan, Rebecca's brother, having seen the gifts, went to invite and ingratiate himself to Eliezer. Eliezer first settled the men and camels into their lodgings and refused to partake of food until he had spoken fully of his mission. Every detail is repeated over again in the Torah, culminating in Eliezer's request to take Rebecca as Isaac's wife. So overwhelming were the events, that Lavan and Bethuel immediately consented. Eliezer produced more gifts and feasted with the family. In the morning he asked to be allowed to leave and would not be persuaded to tarry. Rebecca was asked and agreed. Her mother and brother blessed her and they took their leave. On arrival in Canaan, Isaac met and married Rebecca. His love for her comforted him for the loss of his mother.

The Sedra then mentions Abraham's marriage to Keturah, enumerating all the sons she bore him. Abraham gave them gifts and sent them away so as not to compromise Isaac's position as sole heir, spiritual and material, in any way. Abraham died aged 175 `in a good old age' and was buried beside Sarah in the Cave of Machpelah. The descendants of Ishmael are enumerated.

HAPHTORAH HERTZ CHUMASH P. 90 1 Kings 1, 1-31

The Sedra and Haphtorah both refer to the passing of a generation. Abraham is succeeded by Isaac, David by Solomon.

TELL ME RABBI ..... THE SHEVA BRACHOT Singer P 397 Artscroll (different order) P 206

1st blessing-Wine : The six blessings represent each of the six days of Creation. The seventh, on wine, represents the Sabbath. "Marriage is analogous to the Creation ... Just as there were seven days - including the Sabbath - at the Creation ... so the Sages ordained seven blessings, including over wine, for wine proclaims the sanctity of the Sabbath both at its commencement and conclusion". (Rabeinu Bahya).

2nd blessing : Everything in the universe was created for the glory of G-d, is praise of G-d or thanking G-d for having arrived at this moment to participate in this great joy. Meaningful life is not to be lived selfishly and for one's own fame and glory, but to perpetuate life on this earth and be concerned with the welfare of others. The couple glorify G-d who created them for this purpose: "I have created everything for My glory; I have created it and I have made it" (Isaiah). Those who recognise G-d as their Creator, and proclaim His glory - for them G-d has prepared all that is necessary for their ultimate redemption.

3rd & 4th Blessings : G-d, the Creator, has granted His creature, man, intelligence, free choice, and the ability to join Him in the continuous process of Creation. Man and woman have been created equally in the image of G-d. The married couple rejoice with each other as the unified being they once were, prior to their primordial separation. They are to behave in an elevated manner as moral beings, becoming partners with each other and with G-d in perfecting the world.

5th Blessing : Zion and Jerusalem are placed "above my chief joy" expressing the centrality of Zion in Jewish thought. Indeed, this blessing precedes the blessing of the bride and groom. Isaiah describes ruined depopulated Jerusalem as an "akarah", a barren woman. This blessing prays, in prophetic terms, for the ingathering of the exiles, the rebuilding of Jerusalem and her rejoicing when her children, Israel, will be reunited with her in joy. The blessing closes based on Isaiah: "As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall G-d rejoice over you". This verse is also incorporated in the Sabbath eve L'cha Dodi hymn celebrating the betrothal of the Jewish people to G-d on the Sabbath.

6th Blessing : Husband and wife ideally must be beloved warm friends and intimate companions: Zeh dodi v'zeh reyi, "this is my beloved and this is my friend", (Song of Songs). This blessing is a prayer that the bride and groom enjoy as idyllic a relationship as that of the primal couple, Adam and Eve. All of Israel rejoices with them, as G-d rejoiced with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

7th Blessing : No less than ten expressions of joy, ending with good wishes for "love and brotherhood, peace and friendship" are enumerated. Parallels with the ten utterances by which the world was created indicate that marriage is analogous to the Creation of the world, completed with the marriage of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

"Shabbat Shalom" is generously sponsored by Rosetta and Nathan Baron

BACK TO SHABBAT SHALOM TABLE