Chayei Sarah – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5757

“Blessed is Hashem Who has not withheld His kindness and truth from my master. As for me, Hashem has guided me on the way to the house of my master’s brother.” (24:27,28)

What does Eliezer mean when he says, “Hashem has guided me“? Horav Yerucham Levovitz, zl, interprets Eliezer’s words to relate that Hashem took him by the hand and led him to this place. Hashem did not let go of his hand at any time during his journey. He never permitted him to falter or stray from the path to his destination. Rav Yerucham continues to assert that this concept applies to all of us. If we were each to look back in life, each individual tracing his own unique “history”, we will note that indeed Hashem has guided us along…

Home -> 5757 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5757

“And she went down to the well and filled her pitcher and came up. And the servant ran to meet her and said, ‘Let me, please, gulp a little water out of your pitcher.'” (24:16,17)

When one studies the narrative of the entire encounter between Eliezer and Rivkah, he assumes that the length of the text emphasizes Rivkah’s kindness. Eliezer devised a system of testing this young girl to determine if she was worthy to be the wife of Yitzchak, to take her place as the second Matriarch of Klal Yisrael. Yet, one wonders why, after Eliezer saw that the water “rose up” to “greet” Rivkah, he still felt driven to test her. Does the water rise up for every individual? Did he need any greater indication that this was no ordinary young woman? How…

Home -> 5757 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5757

“And the maiden was very fair to look upon, a virgin and no man was on familiar terms with her.” (24:16)

This pasuk is the basis of the Torah’s characterization of the modesty appropriate for a Jewish daughter. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, notes that Torah does not say aht vgsh tku “A man does not know her,” as it states in other places, but rather vgsh tk ahtu, a term which does not occur in any other place. This seems to imply that not only was she a virgin in the usual sense, that no man knew her, but she was also so uncommonly modest that no man had dared to become intimately familiar with her. Rivkah’s standard of tznius, modesty,…

Home -> 5757 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5757

“And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.” (23:2)

The Midrash says that Avraham came directly from Har Ha’Moriah, the scene of the Akeidah. What is the significance of Avraham’s point of origin? Does it make any difference to us from where he came? The commentators respond with various explanations. Horav Aharon Levin, zl, suggests that “Har Ha’moriah” served as the text for Avraham’s eulogy. Throughout her life, Sarah Imeinu excelled in spiritual realms. She was righteous and G-d fearing, kind and noble. She attained a level of prophecy that surpassed even that of Avraham. Yet, all of these attributes do not necessarily dignify Sarah’s essential function in life…

Home -> 5757 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5757

“And Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred years, twenty years and seven years…” (23:1)

The narrative of Sarah’s death follows immediately after the story of Akeidas Yitzchak. Chazal explain that Sarah died as a result of the Akeidah. The Satan told her that Avraham had actually slaughtered their only son, Yitzchak. In response, she cried out in grief and died. The Piazesner Rebbe, zl, offers a fascinating insight into her death. He cites Rav Mendel M’Rimanov, zl, who explains Chazal’s dictum concerning bris, covenant. Chazal refer to bris when discussing yesurim, pain and affliction, as well as when discussing salt. What relationship is there between salt and suffering? He comments that just as salt…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Chayei Sarah -> 5757

“Blessed is Hashem Who has not withheld His kindness and truth from my master. As for me, Hashem has guided me on the way to the house of my master’s brother.” (24:27,28)

“And she went down to the well and filled her pitcher and came up. And the servant ran to meet her and said, ‘Let me, please, gulp a little water out of your pitcher.'” (24:16,17)

“And the maiden was very fair to look upon, a virgin and no man was on familiar terms with her.” (24:16)

“And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.” (23:2)

“And Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred years, twenty years and seven years…” (23:1)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!