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Home , Chayei Sarah, Joab, Joseph bar Hama

PORTION DATE HEB DATE NEVIIM KETUVIM Chayei 11 Nov 2017 22 Cheshvan 5778 Gen. 23:1-25:18 :1-31 John 4:3-14

Genesis 23:1-25:18

Chapter 23

There are 54 parashot in the Torah that is read in a year. Of these, there are 5 parashot who are named after a man. They are , , , , and Pinchas. Then, there is one for a woman, and that is Sarah.

Each week, when we read our weekly parashat, we are building one parashat on top of the other. For example, in parashat B’resheet, is the creation to transform darkness into light. Then the next is Noach, that is to bring the world into purity. Then there is Lech Lecha about , that we should grow in faith for each step we take. Finally, , that is a blessing.

Now we come to a step that is talking about the life of Sarah. It teaches us very important foundation that the woman is the source of blessing. Then why do we start our parashat with the death of Sarah? Is it possible that Sarah had some deficiency to cause her death? The tells us that when Abraham took for Akedah, he did not tell Sarah what he was doing. Because if she knew about it, she will not agree to it.

Now, a man can digest such message but a woman can’t. Because a role of the mother is for the child to have life. Because her role is to ensure her child is fed, warm, fed, and secure. There was a who was very Tzadik long time ago who lived in . Now, it is customary for to fast before visiting a Tzadik in the cemetery. But this rabbi would always eat before going to the tomb and pray. Finally, one of the asked, “why are you eating before going to cemetery?” And he said, “I am going to visit my mother. And she wants me to come full. She does not want me to come hungry. So, I have to eat. So, she is going to be satisfied and happy that I came with food in my stomach.”

Such is the case of all mothers, whereas the fathers are somewhat rough around the edges. That is why Abraham was able to digest the news and ready to sacrifice Isaac to show his fidelity to Hashem. Does this mean Sarah lacked faith in Hashem? The Sages tell us while Sarah was alive, the bread she baked stayed fresh entire week and it never ran out. The bread represents livelihood. The candles would stay lit to Shabbat which represents spirituality. And the cloud stayed hovering over her tent represents the Divine Presence.

When Sarah died, the bread became stale. The candles died 3 or 4 hours later. And the Divine Presence left her tent. It all disappeared. When did it come back? When Rivkah () came to live as a wife to Isaac. The Scripture does not tell us how long it has been since the Akedah. The Midrash tells us Isaac was 37 years old and he was 40 years when he married Rivkah. So, 3 years were gone by.

During those years, Abraham was there, Isaac was there, did they not have enough merit for candles to last from Shabbat to Shabbat? After all, it was Abraham who lighted the candles when Sarah was no longer with them. Weren’t they Zadik enough? All this shows that the bracha comes from women.

Parashat Chayei Sarah, 11 Nov., 2017 Page 1

The tells us: “a person must always be careful about his wife’s honor, because blessing is found in a person’s house only on account of his wife. As it is stated: And he [Pharaoh] treated Avram well on her [Sarai’s] account. (Abba ben Joseph bar Hama [280-352 CE]) said, “Honor your wives so that you will become rich”1 In Kitzur Shulcan Aruch (Kitzur Code of Laws) says: “One must be exceedingly wary of verbally hurting his wife, and take care not to cause her pain with words, because a woman has a soft nature and she is liable to cry even from a small amount of pain. This is of utmost severity, because Hashem, may He be blessed, is strict when one causes another to shed tears, and the heavenly gates of tears have not been locked.2

The came to Sarah and asked her where was Abraham. She replied that she did not know. The Satan then showed her Isaac tied down on the altar and Abraham was holding a knife ready to sacrifice Isaac. When she saw this, she began to cry and started to search for them, then died due to her sadness. However, the Book of Jasher continues that the Satan came to her second time while Sarah was search for Isaac and Abraham. The Satan then said, “Good news! Isaac is still alive!” Sarah “heard the word her joy was so exceedingly violent on account of her son, that her being [soul] went out through joy; she died and was gathered to her people.”3

Thus, Israel purchased three lands. They are:

1. The Cave of Machpelah, the site of the Holy Temple, and the tomb of Joseph at . The cave of Machpelah, as it is written: “And Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver”;

2. The Temple: “So gave to Oman for the place six hundred of gold” (1Chron. 21:25). And Joseph’s tomb:

3. “And [] bought the parcel of land (at Shechem) for a hundred pieces of silver (Gen. 33:19)

So, what is the size of Machpelah using today’s measurement? In Leviticus 27:16, a field is the size of a beit-kur, which is the equivalent of 75,000 square cubits at the value of 50 silver shekels. Thus, the size of the field which Abraham purchased for 400 silver shekels was eight kur, or 600,000 square cubits.

A square cubit (approx. 20 inches by 20 inches), after gathering the bones, is the space occupied by a single person. This means that Abraham purchased a plot of land that provides an individual “space” for each of the 600,000 souls of Israel. Also our Sages tell us that the Torah contains 600,000 letters (counting the spaces between letters), for each Israel possesses something of the Torah.

Genesis 24

Three years later, in 2088, Abraham decided it was time for Isaac to marry. Even though, he left Charan 65 years ago, he made to a binding oath to bring a wife for Isaac. Why was such an oath necessary for Eliezer? He was, after all, his trusted servant, an outstanding disciple, and faithful. Because Abraham knew that people make choices based on their own perception and their own

1 BT, Bava Metzia 59a 2 Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, 145:10; 63 Se’if 3 The Book of Jasher, Chapter 23:86 Parashat Chayei Sarah, 11 Nov., 2017 Page 2

reality despite their best intention and promises. So, when a person takes an oath, it is an expression of their willingness to carry out the promise beyond their best ability.

The Talmud tells us that we have taken such oath before we were born. Even though we do not consciously remember taking this oath.4 It impels us to seek holiness and goodness, and to recognize Divine providence. The power of administering this oath to us, Hashem is also granting us the power to do His will. Once we truly realize that everything belongs to Hashem, He then allows and even encourages5 us to enjoy the fruits of our labors.

If the woman refuses to follow Eliezer back to Abraham, then his oath would be absolved. He is then to bring a woman from one of Abraham’s allies, Aneir, Eshkol, and Mamrei, for at least they are monotheist. That way, Isaac and his wife can remain under Abraham’s tutelage. However, Eliezer is not to take Isaac out of his home.

Eliezer then suggested that Abraham should consider his daughter as a wife to Isaac rather than considering a woman from his allies. However, Abraham said: “My son is blessed, and you, being a descendant of , are cursed.”6 The accursed cannot unite in marriage with the blessed.7 Only then did Eliezer place his hand under Abraham’s thigh.

In verse 10, it says, “for all the items were in his hand.” What does it mean? Abraham, being meticulous, had to show the worth of Isaac. Thus, he wrote a document transferring ownership of all his property to Isaac which made Isaac extremely wealthy, and it would cause eagerness on the bride’s side to marry Isaac.

Rebecca came to the well where Eliezer was waiting and praying for the success of his mission. In is 24 which (כד) ”The numerical value of a “pitcher .(כַדָ ה) verse 16, “pitcher” in Hebrew is chadah alludes to the 24 books of Tanach. The well water alludes to the source of Divine wisdom. The 24 books form the channel through which Hashem’s wisdom flows into the world.8

,at the end alludes to the Oral Torah which is identified with the sefirah as malchut [ה] ”With “hei which in turn is identified with the final “hei” of Hashem’s Name. So, the Oral Torah is a pitcher that draws from the 24 books of the Written Torah.9 The Oral Torah, however, despite its vast body of knowledge, it is no more than a “pitcher” of water hidden in the “sea” of Divine wisdom in the entire Torah. Such knowledge will be revealed in the Messianic era as said in Isaiah 11:9, “The world will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem as the waters cover the seabed.”

Verse 22: The ‘beka’ is a half-, which every Israel would contribute for the Sanctuary every year; the two bracelets symbolized the two Tablet of the Law; and their weight of ten shekels symbolized the Ten Commandments (). Also, instead of defining ‘beka’ here, it defines it in Exodus 38:26 as “a half-shekel.”

The Sages tell us that the Torah is contrasting our relationship with Hashem before and after the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It implies that Hashem and Israel are like two halves of a whole.

4 Nidah 30b 5 Numbers 30:3 6 Genesis 9:25, 27 7 Rashi 8 Torah Chayim, Bereishit 128a 9 Or HaTorah, Nach, vol. 2, p. 829 Parashat Chayei Sarah, 11 Nov., 2017 Page 3

Each one is incomplete without the other. Therefore, this verse uses the term ‘beka’ alone, to allude to the concept of “half-ness.” At this time, Hashem and Israel are only ‘half’ of relationship, thus the word ‘beka’. Whereas in Exodus, Israel unite with Hashem after the giving of the Torah and is clearly defined as a ‘half-shekel.’

It is interesting to note in verse 50 that and both said, “This thing proceeds from Hashem: we cannot speak to you bad, or good.” Then in next verse, they tell Eliezer to take Rebecca to marry Isaac. Laban and Bethuel were not too happy, and opposed the marriage. However, since the marriage between Isaac and Rebecca was Hashem’s will, they knew it will come to pass no matter what.

Then Bethuel is no longer mentioned. In verse 55, it was Laban and Rebecca’s mother who responded to Eliezer’s request to return home with Rebecca. The Sages tell us that Bethuel was killed by an when he thought of opposing the marriage. For this reason, Rebecca’s mother took the role of her deceased husband. In Hebrew text, the period they asked for Rebecca to stay (יָמִ ים) with them was a year or ten months, not several days. In Hebrew, a year is written as yamim .’[for ‘ten [months (עָׁשֹור) and ashor

Now, we know ‘days’ in Hebrew is ‘yamim’, and ‘ten’ is ‘ashor.’ It was customary for a virgin to have twelve months allowed her to furnish herself with ornaments.10 It is customary for the bride to remain home for a year to prepare for marriage. Rebecca was already given two gifts by Eliezer, therefore, they deducted two months from a year. The gifts she received was worth one-sixth of her total needs. In other words, they wanted more gifts worth of ‘ashor’ months from Eliezer.

‘Days’ are translated as a ‘year’ following the customs during the period. ‘A few days’ in Hebrew mispar yamim). The Sages using this as a clue says ‘yamim’ actually means a year and) מִסְ פַר יָמִ ים is it was understood and implied as a ‘year’ to Eliezer. The says, ‘Yamim (Days)’ connotes thirty days only when it appears together with the word ‘chodesh’ (month). When unmodified, it means either “[two] days’ or a “year.”11

In verse 62, we read that Isaac came from the way of the well LaChai Ro’i and that he lived in the south country. During this time, he lived in or around Beersheba. He went to LaChai Ro’I to bring to his widowed father, so he could remarry her, for she lived there. This is also the place when Hashem answered to her prayer when she left Abraham’s tent.

Genesis 25

As previously mentioned, Isaac went to LaChai Ro’i to bring back Hagar. We also learned that Hagar’s another name was . Let us review how this came about.

When Abraham married Hagar the first time, her position remained that of a bondwoman, for this reason the angel addressed her as “maidservant of Sarai.”12 When she was banished from Abraham’s tent, she was given her freedom. Thus, he is now marrying her as a freewoman.

10 Benson Commentary, Genesis 24:55 11 Kesubos, Chapter 5 12 Genesis 16:8 Parashat Chayei Sarah, 11 Nov., 2017 Page 4

The Sages say that when Hagar was banished, she returned to worshiping idols of her Egyptian family. However, she repented and her deeds were now pleasing to Hashem as the fragrance of incense (ketores), and because she remained bound (Keturah) to ensure she remained pure even after she was banished. She bore him six sons and sent them away from Isaac with gifts. Abraham lived 175 years and he died in the year 2123. And he was buried in the cave of Machpelah.

1 Kings 1:1-31

The theme of the deals with succession. Just as Abraham needed to find a mother for Isaac, David had to select his successor to lead Israel. But here the similarity ends.

While Abraham knew and planned for Isaac’s marriage and Eliezer’s devotion to fulfill the mission, King David was lying in bed and had to remind him the promise he made. Prince Adonijah gathers people who would side with him to rise against his father, King David. He knew that the revolt needed a military () and a religious (Abiathar) backing for success. Thus, this chapter depicts the last days of King David, before his death.

Instead of describing who is who, I would like to compare the similarities and differences of Abraham and David13

Abraham David Old, advanced in years (Gen. 24:1) – enters Old age- physical debility. Succumbs to old age with all the religious and moral infirmity integrity Purchases a family tomb The schemes of his dependents for a stake in the future Prepares family succession – procures wife for Isaac from his homeland Actively secures family a future from the past Manipulated in old age Gives gifts to all his children Gives advice for survival: observe the Torah, so that HaShem will fulfill his promises Eliminates contention over the inheritance and Kill Joab to secure the realm preparing for new generations

John 4:3-14

Verse 5: According to the Aramaic the name of the city was “Shakar” (Hebrew for “dawn”) while the Greek has “Sychar”. The town must have been in the land of Sh’khem, which had been owned by Ya’akov (Gen. 33:19; Joshua 24:32). The location is believed to be near the ruins known as Tel-Shekhem near modern Nalbus. Christians have a traditional site for the well, which they still visit in that area.

13 Chumash Parashat Chayei Sarah, 11 Nov., 2017 Page 5

Verse 8: In NIV, a parenthesis is placed around the paragraph. The Old Syriac Aramaic places this verse in the middle of verse 6. Either a scribe or the Greek translator realized his mistake and placed it in between verse 7 and 9. The proper reading: “And Yeshua came and sat upon the well, that he might rest himself from the fatigue of the road. And his talmidim had entered the city to buy themselves food. And when Yeshua sat down it was about the sixth hour.”

In verse 9, there are two words that I like to focus on. First is “Yahudi” which means Jew. And second is “Shomron” which means Samaritan. Enmity between them is at least as old as the return of the southern tribes from the Babylonian Exile in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C.E., and has its roots in the division of Israel in to the Northern and Southern Kingdoms after the death of King (931 B.C.E)14, with the result that the Southern Kingdom worshipped in Jerusalem and the Northern did not.

Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C.E., and deported many of its people and replacing them with pagans. They intermarried with the remaining Northern Kingdom to produce the Samaritans. Their descendants were not idolaters, but they acknowledged only the book of . They also denied Jerusalem as the religious center, instead opting for Mount Gerizim (v. 20). This explains why they tried to obstruct Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:19, 4:2)

Yeshua is re-gathering and restoring the peoples of Samaria with their brethren Yahudi by bringing both parties to the Kingdom of Heaven. He crossed religious and political chasm that existed for centuries. says, “Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, you heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the LORD. "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”15

Jeremiah contrasts the “living waters” of YHWH with the broken religious and political “cistern” of men. Rather than reason with the manmade of both sides, Yeshua bring the Kingdom of Heaven. “LORD, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water. Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. They keep saying to me, "Where is the word of the LORD? Let it now be fulfilled!"16

14 1 Kings 11-12 15 NIV, Jeremiah 2:11-13 16 NIV, Jeremiah 17:13-15 Parashat Chayei Sarah, 11 Nov., 2017 Page 6