Page 9 - HaMizrachi #14 2019 Chayei Sarah USA

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

Investing

in Blessings

arashat Chayei Sarah describes Perizzite abode then in the Land,’ so G-d has promised Avraham that
Avraham’s last three actions, that Avram was not yet entitled to “through Yitzchak shall your seed be
Pwhich epitomize the direction possession.” Avraham understands called.” Yitzchak is meant to continue
and essence of his life. that the Land does not yet belong to the dynasty, the host of descendants
him, so his shepherds cannot graze promised to Avraham. He is meant
The first action is the purchase of to father the “great nation” G-d has
Ma’arat HaMachpela (Chapter 23). freely (compared to Lot’s shepherds
who act as if the Land is theirs). described to Avraham.
Why does the Torah elaborate at such Towards the end of his life, Avraham
length on the purchase of the cave? G-d tells Avraham, “Arise, walk about
Why was it not enough to simply state, in the Land, throughout its length and works to ensure the realization of
G-d’s promise of descendants, by
in one single verse, “He purchased the seeking a worthy wife for Yitzchak.
Cave of Machpela and buried Sarah in This act is of dual significance: first,
it?” There must be more to this story
than just the burial of Sarah. The it addresses the need for successors
text records the sale in great detail, and descendants; second, it addresses
the need for the coming generations
emphasizing that Avraham did not to be worthy of G-d’s covenant. It is
agree to accept the plot as a gift but
rather insisted on paying for it – and a therefore vital that the wife chosen for
hefty sum, at that. Yitzchak be worthy of her role.
The third action is declaring a
G-d had promised Avraham the land
of Canaan, but Avraham is aware that successor (Chapter 25:1-6).
he cannot sit back and wait for things Before his death, Avraham ensures
to fall into his lap. Rather, he knows there will be no dispute with regard
he must act for the promise to be to his estate. He makes it clear that
fulfilled. Therefore, throughout his life Yitzchak is his heir. The children of
he acts not as a person who knows that the concubines are sent elsewhere,
the Land already belongs to him, but while Yitzchak inherits all of
rather as a “stranger and sojourner,” Avraham’s vast wealth.
aware he must act in order to acquire its breadth, for I shall give it to you.” 1
the Land. Avraham understands that he must These three acts teach us that
become familiar with the Land if he although G-d Himself promised
This is reflected in the story of the is to receive it. Indeed, this is what he the Land and the seed to Avraham,
quarrel between Avraham’s shepherds Avraham does not view these
and Lot’s shepherds. Following the does throughout his life. promises as assurances or gifts,
Midrash, Rashi says: “Because Lot’s In addition, Avraham purchases the but rather as a destiny requiring
shepherds were wicked men and land, personally, and for full price. his own human efforts to assure its
grazed their cattle in other people’s Ma’arat HaMachpela is the first place fulfillment..
fields. Avram’s shepherds rebuked Avraham acquires in Canaan. Not
them for this act of robbery, but they only does Avraham buy land, he buys
replied, ‘The Land has been given to a burial plot, which most strongly 1 Bereishit 13:17.
Avram, and since he has no son as expresses his connection to the Land.
heir, Lot will be his heir: consequently Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach
this is not robbery.’ However, the The second action is finding a wife and is Content Editor for the Tanach website
Torah states: ‘The Canaanite and the for Yitzchak (Chapter 24). www.hatanakh.com/en
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