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.
