Chayei Sarah – Peninim on the Torah

“And Yitzchak was comforted for his mother.” (24:67)

The Torah implies that Rivkah filled the void which the death of his mother had created in Yitzchak’s life. Chazal explain that the blessings which were conferred upon Avraham Avinu’s home, and the pious customs which distinguished it, ceased when Sarah died. These were restored when Yitzchak brought Rivkah into his parents’ home. In this regard, we may note two things from the Torah and Chazal. First, only Yitzchak was comforted for his mother by Rivkah’s presence. Despite the apparent return to normal functioning in his home, Avraham Avinu was still bereft of his eishes ne’urim, the wife of his…

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Sruly Schnair In Chayei Sarah, 5756

“And I asked her and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’… and I put … and the bracelets on her hands.” (24:47)

Eliezer set out on his journey to find a suitable wife for Yitzchak. His trust in Hashem was so strong that he implored Him to give him a clear sign indicating the worthy girl. No sooner had he completed his request of Hashem than Rivkah entered the scene and demonstrated the very sign that Eliezer had asked of Hashem. Secure in his belief that she was the right girl, Eliezer did not ask to discuss her family background. Rather, he proceeded to bestow upon her the jewelry that had been set aside for Yitzchak’s kallah. Only afterwards did Eliezer question…

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Sruly Schnair In Chayei Sarah, 5756

“And Sarah’s life was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years.” (23:1)

The Midrash cites an ambiguous statement attributed to Rabbi Akiva. Noticing his students dozing during a lesson, he asked, “How did Esther come to rule over 127 provinces? Let the ‘daughter’ of Sarah who lived 127 years come and rule over 127 provinces!” Obviously, the profound message of this statement was meant to arouse his sleepy audience. What was the underlying message? The Chidushei Ha’Rim explains that Rabbi Akiva wished to teach his students the value of time. Esther Ha’malkah merited to reign over an entire province for each year during which her ancestor, Sarah, devoted herself to spiritual endeavor….

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Sruly Schnair In Chayei Sarah, 5756

“And Sarah’s life was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years the years of Sarah’s life.” (23:1)

The final phrase of this pasuk, “the years of Sarah’s life,” seems superfluous. The commentators suggest a number of explanations for this apparent redundancy. Horav Yaakov Kamenetzky, z.l., offers a novel explanation which is noteworthy. The Midrash states that the Satan frightened Sarah to death with images of the Akeidah. The shock of the sacrifice of her only child was too much for this elderly mother to bear. The Midrash seems to imply that Sarah would have continued to live had she remained unaware of the Akeidah. This, however, would have been a great chillul Hashem, desecration of Hashem’s Name,…

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“And Yitzchak was comforted for his mother.” (24:67)

“And I asked her and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’… and I put … and the bracelets on her hands.” (24:47)

“And Sarah’s life was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years.” (23:1)

“And Sarah’s life was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years the years of Sarah’s life.” (23:1)

YEARS

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