Overview of the Weekly Reading: Chayei
Sara
To be read on 27
Cheshvan 5764 (Nov. 22)
Chayei
Sara is the 5th Reading out of 12 in Genesis and
5th overall, and 37th out of 54 in overall
length.
Genesis 23:1-25:18; Haftorah: Kings I 1:1-31 (because the first
verse is like Gen. 24:1)
Pirkei
Avot: not till after Passover
Sarah died at the age of 127.
Avraham bought the Cave of Machpelah. Avraham sent his servant to
look for a wife for his son, making him swear not to bring back
a wife from the daughters of the Canaanites. The servant left for
Nachor, and arriving at the well, he asked G-d to give him a sign.
Rivkah appeared to collect water. The servant asked if he may have
some, and after he drank she drew more water for his camels. The
servant spent the night in her father’s house. Her father agreed
to let Rivkah marry Yitzchak. Avraham remarried Keturah, who bore
him six sons. Avraham died at the age of 175, and was buried in
the Cave of Machpelah, next to Sarah. Ishmael had twelve sons, each
princes for their nations. He died at the age of 137. His descendants
lived in the land on the border of Egypt all the way to Assyria.
FROM THE MASTERS
OF KABBALA (K:05-64/Chayei
Sara )
From the holy
Zohar, teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
(Z:05-64/Chayei
Sara )
ICome
and see how many supernal secrets there are hidden in the Torah. This
is why King Solomon states, "She is more precious than pearls" (Proverbs
3:15).
For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section
on our KabbalaOnline
site.
* * * * *
From the holy
Ari, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed
(A:05-64//Chayei
Sara )
Furthermore,
the teacher's emotional involvement and excitement with the subject
he is teaching will ignite in his students their will to dedicate
themselves to the cause and pursue its ends. In other words, his middot
(chesed-gevura-tiferet) will become the will (keter) of his charges.
For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section
on our KabbalaOnline
site.
* * * * *
From the Shelah,
Shney Luchot HaBrit by Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz
(S:05-64/Chayei
Sara )
Rabbi
Shimon said that when Abraham entered the cave of Machpela to bury
Sarah, Adam and Eve arose, as they did not want to remain buried in
there. They complained that they had suffered sufficient disgrace
in the world beyond the grave where they were now having to face G-d,
because they had been guilty of bringing sin into the world.
For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section
on our KabbalaOnline
site.
FROM THE CHASSIDIC
REBBES (V:05-64/Chayei Sara)
"Let
it be that the maiden to whom I will say, 'Let down your pitcher,
I pray you, that I may drink,' and she will say, 'Drink, and I will
also give drink to your camels'." (24:14)
This "test" of a potential bride for Isaac was not chosen
arbitrarily, for it involves the very nature of holiness: The main
distinction between holiness and its opposite is that holiness is
directed outward; it overflows, influences its surroundings and
infuses them with life. The nature of unholiness, by contrast, is
to take and acquire for itself. When Eliezer saw that Rebecca not
only gave him to drink but provided water for his camels, he took
it as a sign that she "belonged" to the side of holiness,
and was worthy of marrying the son of Abraham.
(Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi)
"The servant ran towards her." (24:17)
Rashi explains, Eliezer ran toward Rebecca because he had just seen
the water in the well spontaneously rise. But having just witnessed
an open miracle, why would Eliezer need further evidence that Rebecca
was kind? Rather, this teaches that one positive character trait
in a person is worth more than a hundred wonders and miracles.
(Rabbi Yechezkel of Kozmir)
A
MYSTICAL CHASSIDIC DISCOURSE
from the Chabad
Master series, produced by Rabbi Yosef Marcus for
www.ascentofsafed.com and www.kabbalaonline.org
An
essay from Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent
(for a free weekly email subscription,
click here)
(W:05-64/Chayei Sara )
Though lacking in specifics, this week's portion contains the first
description of how a match came about between our foreparents, Yitzchak
and Rivka.
According to Rebbe Michil of Zlotchov, the secret of a good marriage
is learning Torah!
Eliezer, Avraham's servant, describes the events leading to his meeting
Rivka, (214/43), "And I was standing by the well, and the daughters
of the townspeople approached".
Eliezer just mentioned in the previous verse that he was by the well.
Why does he repeat this detail?
Rebbe Michil answers with a teaching he received from his father about
Hagar, Sara's maidservant from last week's portion.
When Hagar was sent from Avraham's home, the Torah says that an angel
found her by a well. Once she was no longer a member of Avraham's
household, she no longer had the merit to see angels. It was only
by a well that an angel could appear to her because of the holy dimension
of water. Water is compared to and connected to Torah, G-d's will
and wisdom.
Just like Torah, water comes from the highest heights into the world,
in order to nourish and strengthen. So it was only by water that the
angel could appear to her.
Similarly with Eliezer. Eliezer was an extremely humble person. He
assumed that because of his lowliness and unworthiness the Holy One
blessed be He would not allow him to fulfill his mission. Therefore,
he specifically states that he was standing by a well. Even if he
was not worthy, perhaps in the merit of the water, he would be able
to do as his master requested of him.
This connects to what it says in the Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni,
Yechezkel, 331a), that outside of Israel, G-d's indwelling presence
-the Shechina- can not reveal itself except near water, due
to water's special qualities, as mentioned above. The lesson for all
of us is, to insure that we succeed in all of our endeavors (and particularly
in our marriages!) we must study Torah which is called a flowing well.
Through Torah study, which is compared to water, the Shechina
can dwell with us. This will bring great revelations, and ultimately,
please G-d soon, the redemption.
The Shlah writes that it is a great merit to succeed in helping your
children find their soul mates. Do your best to connect to good families
just as Avraham did. Although it became apparent later that Rivka
was a righteous prophetess, Avraham ostensibly recommended her originally
because she was from a good family, relative to those times.
Shabbat Shalom, Shaul Leiter
(for a free weekly email subscription,
click here)
For all our insights for this parsha:
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year
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