VOLUME 118 NUMBER 5
Cheshvan 23, 5786
November 14, 2025
Parshas Chayei Sara
Candlelighting Time 4:26
After Akeidas Yitzchok when Avrohom was seemingly commanded to offer his son to Hashem on the altar, he realized that he needed to find a wife for him. His trusted servant Eliezer was tasked with the mission to return to Avrohom’s family and select his spouse. He prayed to Hashem to indicate to him who would be a suitable wife for his master’s son. After he encountered Rivka and she attended to their needs, clearly she was going to be Yitzchok’s wife. He went to her house and met Lavan and Besuel. He introduced himself stating that he is the servant of Avrohom and that Hashem had blessed his master with everything. Why was it so necessary to inform them that Hashem had been so gracious and kind to Avrohom? Was he worried that there would not be support for Rivka?
Rav Shlomo Kluger cites the Sages that teach us that due to Eliezer’s devoted service to his master he had escaped the curse that was conferred upon the descendants of Canaan, Noach’s son and now he was considered blessed, the scourge eliminated. He was demonstrating to Rivka’s family the tremendous blessing that had been imparted from Hashem to Avrohom. His wealth was tremendous as displayed by Eliezer. Imagine if Rivka would marry into the family, she would be part of that extraordinary heritage. His own personal story would be a source indicative of the prominence of this union. He was telling them how could they possibly miss this tremendous opportunity.
Why was it so vital that Rivka realize the significance of joining Avrohom’s family. Was it their vast wealth, the prominence that Avrohom had attained despite that he espoused denial of idol worship and acceptance of one Hashem or his ideals of ongoing kindness that he openly and invariably practiced? We may suggest that his depth of wisdom and acute prudence were the attraction. Rabbeinu Bachya in the previous parsha cites the verse in Proverbs that one who walks with the wise will certainly become wise due to his proximity to them. However, there is a condition that precedes this guarantee. One must express humility with his relationship with the Sages. It is only then that a person can truly absorb their intense level of insight, sense of perception and vast knowledge. We witness in the parsha how Rivka was so willing to help others which was the sign that Eliezer had opted for to know that he had met the future wife of Yitzchok. Helping another person that you have no previous connection to would appear to be a credible sign of one who is humble. Why bother to assist another whom you have no prior knowledge of. That would seem to be beyond the comfort zone of the average person. However, Rivka was not your average young lady, she was primed to become the second Matriarch of our nation. Her special conduct was truly wondrous and very unusual, a strong indicator of her veneration and esteem for others.
Her act of kindness, chesed, for Eliezer and his men was not just simple hospitality, this was the trait that Avrohom and Sara had practiced for many years although it was certainly a drain on their finances. Even though she was raised in a family steeped in idol worship, her focus on chesed would certainly guide her to seek guidance from those who were committed and devoted to serve Hashem. And that defines why Eliezer understood that she was truly a match for Yitzchok.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
Although the people of Cheis told Avrohom that nobody would decline to give him a place to bury Sara, he wanted to know who owned the specific area where he was planning to acquire her grave. It is imperative when dealing with crucial matters to speak with the person in charge to insure that everything will be done appropriately. CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABBOS
