Efron

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1. "There Avraham Was Buried, and Sarah His Wife"

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   The biblical narrative is generally characterized by its extreme brevity: it focuses on the information that is necessary. There are some rare instances where the biblical narrative appears to depart from this general rule, and elaborates on details that seem less than vital to the story. The beginning of our parasha details at great length the description of the negotiations between Avraham and the children of Chet. These complicated and multi-stage negotiations occupy the majority of the opening story. In what way does this account further the aims of this specific biblical story? Could it not have been shortened and its essence conveyed as follows: Avraham requested a burial plot from the children of Chet, and eventually purchased Me'arat Ha-makhpela, where he buried his wife?

2. Greed or Wisdom: What is Efron Saying?

   Rabbi David Silverberg

3. Two Negotiations and Two Historical Struggles (Chayei Sarah)

   Rabbi Moshe Taragin

   תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | |

   Parashat Hayyei Sara contains two negotiation stories that parallel each other: Avraham's request to buy a burial plot in Hebron from Ephron the Hittite, and Avraham's servant's quest to find a wife for Yitzhak in Aram Naharayyim. What is the significance of the juxtaposition and of the many similarities? In this shiur, we examine the many parallels between these two stories, such as the journeys, the initial ease and then the adversity and obstacles. We discover that they complement each other, and together they raise questions about universalism vs. particularism. Though these concepts (and stories) seem to contrast and negate  each other in some ways, in Avraham and his people they are interconnected.

4. “And if a stranger sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong" - The Purchase of Me'arat Ha-Machpela

   Rabbi Gad Eldad

   When Avraham seeks to purchase the Cave of Makhpela as a burial plot for Sarah, Efron, one of the sons of Chet, offers it to Avraham for  free. Avraham refuses, and when he pays the full amount that Efron then suggests, the Torah has an unusually long description of this transaction. Why? We would do well to address the question of why in light of a broad perspective on the story.  

   Why does Efron offer the land  for free? The Torah does not provide us with any information about the relationship between Avraham and the sons of Chet prior to Sarah's passing. Despite the absence of information concerning previous connections between them, Avraham is immediately referred to by the sons of Chet as "a mighty prince." What can possibly stand behind such a designation?

   These designations are a cunning way to exploit Avraham's distress. It would seem that just as we are commanded to learn from the boldness and strength of our forefathers' faith in standing resolutely on their path, we are no less supposed to distance ourselves from the actions of those who stood opposite them and made their lives difficult.