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.
