Chayei Sarah - Day #7

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah   

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31   

Shabbat: Genesis 25:12–18

25:12 Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up his spirit and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.

Today’s Meditation:

Tradition has it that Ishmael is the father of Islam. I don’t know the total implications of this, but we have history to look at. There has been great contention between Muslims and Jews for centuries. Lives have been lost, and families/communities have experienced significant pain on both sides. That makes me think about today. The things that separate our families. Feuds can begin with issues such as marriage, differing political views, and, often, financial disputes. In my own family, my husband’s siblings fought over an inheritance. It is sad and so destructive to be at odds with your family. Maybe it is time for that to stop. It takes two to tango. Suppose we could only step down and concede for the sake of peace. Is that possible?

Today’s Challenge:

Think of someone in your family with whom you don’t get along, or maybe you have stopped talking to. I challenge you to reopen that door of your relationship with that person. Seek forgiveness, restitution, and healing. It won’t be easy, but I believe that every restoration of a friendship/relationship is like planting a seed toward healing our world. And don’t we want the world to be healed when the Mashiach comes?

This Week’s Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

1:1 Now King David was old and advanced in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he couldn’t keep warm. 2 Therefore, his servants said to him, “Let a young virgin be sought for my lord the king. Let her stand before the king, and cherish him; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” 3 So they sought for a beautiful young lady throughout all the borders of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The young lady was very beautiful; and she cherished the king, and served him; but the king didn’t know her intimately.

5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom. 7 He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. 9 Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants; 10 but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.

11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it? 12 Now therefore come, please let me give you counsel, that you may save your own life, and your son Solomon’s life. 13 Go in to king David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord, king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?” Why then does Adonijah reign?’ 14 Behold, while you are still talking there with the king, I will also come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. 16 Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

17 She said to him, “My lord, you swore by Hashem your Elohim to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 18 Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it. 19 He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant. 20 You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

22 Behold, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. 23 They told the king, saying, “Behold, Nathan the prophet!”

When he had come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 Nathan said, “My lord, king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne?’ 25 For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live king Adonijah!’ 26 But he hasn’t called me, even me, your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon. 27 Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

28 Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 The king swore, and said, “As Hashem lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 30 most certainly as I swore to you by Hashem, the Elohim of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

King David is picking his son to be the next king. There is some interference with this decision, but ultimately King David’s decision stands. Why do people constantly challenge the decisions of their authority?  In this story, Adonijah decides he would make a better king. However, he was not the chosen one to do so. 

Have you ever been in a situation where someone takes authority over an issue when they haven’t been given that charge? What should you do when that happens? I believe it would be essential to consult with the person in charge to determine the appropriate course of action. Do not take matters into our own hands; let those in leadership handle the situation. Just like King David did, it is the right way. 

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

Think about how you feel about authority. Do you have a situation in your life where you are usurping authority on the basis that you think you have the right to do so? Check your heart and go to the leadership in this circumstance, telling them what is going on and what you think needs to be done. Or even admit to them that you have taken authority in a particular situation, and see if they agree or feel that it is right. There is always a line of authority that all of us must follow. We must respect those in leadership positions above us (i.e., bosses, employers, etc.). If you are justifying stepping out of line because it is the right thing to do, double-check it. It is the right and proper thing to do. Scripture teaches us so.

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.