Chayei Sarah – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5762

“Sarah’s lifetime was…” (23:1)

Life is a gift, a precious gift from Hashem. In the Talmud Gittin 64a, Chazal teach us the signs for determining a young child’s maturity level. If one gives a child a stone and he proceeds to throw it away,but he keeps a nut which he has been given, it indicates that his mind is beginning to develop. If one gives him an object which he is prepared to return to its owner after a while, it is a clear sign that he is mature. In other words, the ability to distinguish between what is a gift and what is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5762

“Sarah’s lifetime was…” (23:1)

Sarah Imeinu is not the first person to have died. The Torah does, however, devote considerable “space” to her passing – the passing of the first Matriarch, the first Jewish mother. Thus, I feel it appropriate to address the subjects of death, Olam Haba, and Techiyas HaMeisim, resurrection of the dead. Horav Shlomo Wolbe, Shlita, writes that one of the most difficult tasks facing people in contemporary times is developing a firm belief in the World to Come (Olam Haba). We talk about it, yearn for it, work for it, but do we really believe in it? Techiyas HaMeisim is a…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5762

“Let it be that the maiden to whom I shall say, ‘Please tip your jug so I may drink,’ and who replies, ‘Drink, and I will even water your camels,’ her will You have designated for Your servant, for Yitzchak.” (24:14)

The Bais HaLevi submits that Eliezer tested Rivkah in two areas. First, he sought to ascertain if she was a gomeles chesed, one who performs kindness, by giving drink to someone whom she did not know. Of special interest to Eliezer was the fact that she did not have a cup for him. He would have to drink directly from the pitcher. She did not know if he had germs that would contaminate her pitcher. Would she still offer him to drink, or not? Second, and of extreme significance, is what she would do after Eliezer drank from the pitcher. What…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5762

“Hashem before Whom I have walked, will send His angel with you.” (24:40)

Avraham Avinu’s expression characterizes his relationship with Hashem in terms of one “before Whom I have walked.” Rashi, in Parashas Noach (6:9), distinguishes between Avraham and Noach, about whom it is written, “Noach walked with G-d.” Noach walked with Hashem, he required Hashem’s support to uphold him in his righteousness, while Avraham drew strength from within himself and walked in his righteousness by himself. Horav Nosson Wachtfogel, z.l., explains the depth of Avraham’s “walking by himself” in the following manner. He cites the pasuk in Yeshayahu 51:1-2, where the Navi speaks to the righteous Jews, “Listen to me, O pursuers of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5761

“Sarah died in Kiryat Arba…And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.” (23:2)

In his commentary to Pirkei Avos, Rabbeinu Yona records the Asarah Nisyonos, ten trials, which Avraham Avinu endured and from which he emerged triumphant. He lists the Akeidas Yitzchak as the ninth trial and the burial of Sarah Imeinu as the tenth and most difficult challenge to overcome. Avraham was left alone after having spent the major part of his life with his beloved eishes chayil. His test arose when, upon Sarah’s sudden death, he had a difficult time procuring a burial site for her. Interestingly, in the Talmud Bava Basra 15b, Chazal cite Satan’s “endorsement” of Avraham Avinu’s faith based…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5761

“And take a wife for my son, for Yitzchak.” (24:4)

Sixty-six pesukim are devoted to the search and eventual discovery of a wife for Yitzchak. This clearly underscores the significance of the institution of marriage and clarifies the qualities one should seek in choosing a mate. In response to the overriding importance and often misunderstood nature of this subject, we will cite some ideas and advice from the gedolei Yisrael, Torah leaders, of previous generations. In Choreb, Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., speaks to the young man in search of his life’s partner: “When you choose a wife, remember that she is to be your companion in life, in building…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5761

“Let it be that the maiden to whom I shall say, “’Please tip over your jug so I may drink’ and who replies, ‘Drink, and I will even water your camels,’ her will You have designated for Your servant, for Yitzchak.” (24:14)

That is exactly what happened. Rivkah passed the litmus test for becoming Yitzchak’s wife. She demonstrated that she possessed exemplary character traits. Her act of kindness towards Eliezer and his camels indicated that she was a baalas chesed, kind, sensitive, caring person. We have to ask ourselves: Is this enough to be the wife of Yitzchak, the Olah Temimah, perfect sacrifice? Is chesed all that one needs in order to become the wife of the one who lay still at the Akeidah, willing and ready to forfeit his life because his father was commanded so by Hashem? While chesed…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5761

“Then Lavan and Besuel answered and said, ‘The matter stemmed from Hashem.’” (24:50)

Three words – “mei’Hashem yatza ha’davar,” “the matter stemmed from Hashem.” Even the wicked Lavan and Besuel saw what so many who demonstrate spiritual myopia refuse to acknowledge: Everything comes from Hashem; He is the source of all that occurs. When we take note of what happens around us and how everything has transpired, how the various pieces of the puzzle many of us call life just “seem” to fit together, we will realize that it can only be attributed to Hashem’s guiding Hand. Stories abound which demonstrate the concept of “mei’Hashem yatza ha’davar.” One that is especially intriguing…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5760

“Sarah died in Kiryat Arba…And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.” (23:2)

In his commentary to Pirkei Avos, Rabbeinu Yona records the Asarah Nisyonos, ten trials, which Avraham Avinu endured and from which he emerged triumphant. He lists the Akeidas Yitzchak as the ninth trial and the burial of Sarah Imeinu as the tenth and most difficult challenge to overcome. Avraham was left alone after having spent the major part of his life with his beloved eishes chayil. His test arose when, upon Sarah’s sudden death, he had a difficult time procuring a burial site for her. Interestingly, in the Talmud Bava Basra 15b, Chazal cite Satan’s “endorsement” of Avraham Avinu’s faith based…

Home -> 5760 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5760

“And take a wife for my son, for Yitzchak.” (24:4)

Sixty-six pesukim are devoted to the search and eventual discovery of a wife for Yitzchak. This clearly underscores the significance of the institution of marriage and clarifies the qualities one should seek in choosing a mate. In response to the overriding importance and often misunderstood nature of this subject, we will cite some ideas and advice from the gedolei Yisrael, Torah leaders, of previous generations. In Choreb, Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., speaks to the young man in search of his life’s partner: “When you choose a wife, remember that she is to be your companion in life, in building…

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“Sarah’s lifetime was…” (23:1)

“Sarah’s lifetime was…” (23:1)

“Let it be that the maiden to whom I shall say, ‘Please tip your jug so I may drink,’ and who replies, ‘Drink, and I will even water your camels,’ her will You have designated for Your servant, for Yitzchak.” (24:14)

“Hashem before Whom I have walked, will send His angel with you.” (24:40)

“Sarah died in Kiryat Arba…And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.” (23:2)

“And take a wife for my son, for Yitzchak.” (24:4)

“Let it be that the maiden to whom I shall say, “’Please tip over your jug so I may drink’ and who replies, ‘Drink, and I will even water your camels,’ her will You have designated for Your servant, for Yitzchak.” (24:14)

“Then Lavan and Besuel answered and said, ‘The matter stemmed from Hashem.’” (24:50)

“Sarah died in Kiryat Arba…And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.” (23:2)

“And take a wife for my son, for Yitzchak.” (24:4)

YEARS

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