Chayei Sarah - Day #6

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 25:1–11 

25 Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, 6 but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac, his son, eastward, to the east country. 7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years. 8 Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, Elohim blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 5, we read that “Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.” Some of us may see that as unfair because he had other children, too. Scripture continues to say that he gave gifts to his other kids, which could have been huge. He could have been giving land, animals, and so on. But as we look at Abraham, the father of Isaac, giving him all that he had, maybe it was more than physical gifts. He passed on the blessing that Hashem gave him; that was the true essence of everything. And later, we see Hashem confirming that blessing. Maybe the greatest blessing Abraham gave his son was teaching him how to love and serve Hashem. And that is exactly how we can provide our children and grandchildren with everything we have. 

Today’s Challenge:

My challenge to you today is to start giving your children or those close to you everything you have to offer. Perhaps not the physical, but sharing with them your love for Hashem and your worship of Him. I often think about my sons participating in the Special Olympics, and every year during the summer games, they have a big ceremony where the torch is passed. They take a lit torch and pass it from one person to another until the last one receives it, and then they run with it! Let us take on that challenge today to pass the torch of Hashem’s truth and love to those we love. Start passing the light today.

Chayei Sarah - Day #5

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 24:53–67

24:53 The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother. 54 They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”

55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that, she will go.”

56 He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Hashem has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”

57 They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.” 58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?”

She said, “I will go.”

59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”

61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah and went his way. 62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?”

The servant said, “It is my master.”

She took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 67, we read, “He loved her.” How simple yet how profound. An arranged marriage, and yet he falls in love with her. It makes me think that we should trust those in authority around us. Often, we challenge decisions made by those over us, but perhaps we should start having more confidence in them. And with this marriage, it was obviously arranged by our Hashem. Maybe we should trust Him more to make those critical decisions in our lives. Let us agree to have Hashem arrange our day-to-day.

Today’s Challenge:

The family, after a night of celebration, asks the servant to stay a few days. But he is anxious to get back and replies, “Do not hinder me.” This is my challenge to you today. If you ask someone to delay a decision or a situation, and they tell you not to deter them. Listen to them. Trust that they have heard from Hashem and know what to do. Even if you want something different, in other words, do not try to change people’s minds, unless you are sure you are hearing from Hashem and He is asking you to interfere. I would recommend sitting silently and praying instead.

Chayei Sarah - Day #4

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 24:27–52

24:27 He said, “Blessed be Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Hashem has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”

28 The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words. 29 Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. 30 When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah, his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, you blessed of Hashem. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”

32 The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.”

Laban said, “Speak on.”

34 He said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 Hashem has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. Hashem has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36 Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him. 

37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’ 

39 I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’ 

40 He said to me, ‘Hashem, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house. 41 Then you will be clear from my oath when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’ 

42 I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go— 43 behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44 then she tells me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Hashem has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew. 

I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink. 

47 I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her hands. 48 I bowed my head, and worshiped Hashem, and blessed Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son. 49 Now, if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Hashem. We can’t speak to you badly or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Hashem has spoken.”

Today’s Meditation:

Again, as I mentioned in yesterday’s commentary, it is all about answered prayer. This servant had great faith. He asked specifically for something, and the prayer was answered almost immediately. The really great part is that Rebekah seems to be very happy about it all. She recognizes this miracle. And her father acknowledges it is all from Hashem.

How often do we truly recognize Hashem's actions in our lives and acknowledge them? Or do we just take advantage of wonderful happenings during the day and not give glory and honor to Hashem for them? Something to pause and think about. Every good thing is from Hashem, coming down from the Father of lights.

Today’s Challenge:

Think of something that happened recently that was really great. Did you give thanks and honor to Hashem for this? If not, today is a good day to do so.

Chayei Sarah - Day #3

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 24:10–26

24:10 The servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12 He said, “Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this, I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 The servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”

18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking.” 20 She hurried, emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.

21 The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Hashem had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, 23, and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”

24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”

26 The man bowed his head and worshiped Hashem.

Today’s Meditation:

Can we pray specific prayers to Hashem? Abraham’s servant prayed a particular prayer that the woman he would meet would offer him water and also offer to water his camels. What are the chances of that? And yet that is precisely what happens. Rebekah comes out, provides the servant a drink, and then offers to give water to his camels, continuing to pour until they are filled.

An outstanding example of how we can ask Hashem for specific needs. Some people think that is not right, or that we don’t need to do that because Hashem knows what we need before we ask. But, with my experience, it is good to ask for specific things, mainly because when you do, He answers. It will build your faith tremendously. What a glorious and wonderful Hashem we serve.

Today’s Challenge:

Think of something you have been praying for. Now, edit your prayer to include some specifics. Of course, when you pray, pray in humility and with worship to the Almighty One. Repent and make restitution to those you have offended. And give thanks to Him in advance for what you believe He will do. Then wait and watch  Elohim do miracles. 

Chayei Sarah - Day #2

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 23:17–24:9

23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all of its borders, were deeded 18 to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan. 20 The field, and the cave that is in it, were deeded to Abraham by the children of Heth as a possession for a burial place.

24 Abraham was old and well advanced in age. Hashem had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh. 3 I will make you swear by Hashem, the Elohim of heaven and the Elohim of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live. 4 But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

5 The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”

6 Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again. 7 Hashem, the Elohim of heaven—who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring—He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”

9 The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham, his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Today’s Meditation:

Interestingly, in this story, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son, but he insists that the servant not bring Isaac to that country. Why would he not want his son to return to the ancestral home? My guess is that back home is a history of idolatry. Perhaps Abraham’s parents, relatives, and friends do not follow Hashem, but instead worship other gods. Out of love for his son, he does not want to expose him to a godless community. He is protecting him. That is a good thing. 

However, there is something else to consider. Why would he want his son to be married to someone from his relatives (who may be godless)? Perhaps a better choice for a possible G-dly woman existed elsewhere than where he was. Plus, Abraham knew that Hashem would be involved in this choice. Additionally, he obviously did not want Isaac to settle there, which might have happened if he had gone. The whole decision is curious.

Today’s Challenge:

Is there a land that you should not return to? A place of godlessness, addictions, ungodly friends, and/or temptation? If you've recently considered returning to a habit or thing that was negative in your past, here is a reminder and caution against doing so. Rethink and pray about your decision and the path you are about to take. Be strong and courageous and do what is right. It will be hard, but with Hashem, anything is possible.

Chayei Sarah - Day #1

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Genesis 23:1–16

23 Sarah lived 127 years. This was the length of Sarah’s life. 2 Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 Abraham rose up from before his death and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”

5 The children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of Elohim among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb. Bury your dead.”

7 Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, to the children of Heth. 8 He talked with them, saying, “If you agree that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price, let him sell it to me among you as a possession for a burial place.”

10 Now Ephron was sitting in the middle of the children of Heth. Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the children of Heth, even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11 “No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the children of my people, I give it to you. Bury your dead.”

12 Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land. 13 He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it from me, and I will bury my dead there.”

14 Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore, bury your dead.”

16 Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current merchants’ standard.

Today’s Meditation:

It’s all about doing what is right. When Sarah dies, Abraham is still a foreigner in the land of Israel. He seeks out a place to bury her, and Ephron offers to give him a burial site for free. They have this curious dialogue about paying for it. Ephron wants to give it to Abraham, but Abraham wants to pay for it. And eventually he does. He does the right and honorable thing. I imagine he also does not wish to owe Ephron for any favors. This is wise.

Could this have happened because Ephron was not a part of Abraham’s people? That Ephron was actually a stranger to Abraham? The lesson to be learned may be that it is better to do what is right and not accept a gift without strings from someone you do not know. Ultimately, it may prove to be advantageous.

Today’s Challenge:

There are times when it is good and right to accept gifts from others. There are also times when you should not. The challenge today is to prepare yourself for the next time a stranger offers you a free gift. Take some time to consider the actual cost. And think about this story. You will find the correct answer.