Sarah's burial

Found 9 Search results

  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. "Give Me a Possession of a Burial Place with You"

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman

    The parasha opens with the death of the matriarch Sara. The mention of her passing is surprising, since the Torah does not provide these details concerning the other matriarchs. In fact, this phenomenon is directly related to another question that should be raised in the context of the first section of our parasha: what is the central subject of the story? Does the text really want to tell us about Sara's death and burial, or are these events the background to the real subject of the story – the purchase of Me'arat ha-Makhpela?

  3. The Purchase of the "Burial Possession"

    Rabbi Yehuda Rock

    This lesson describes two aspects of the story of purchasing the Makhpela, based on Rabbi Mordekhai Breuer. The first aspect is the purchasing of a burial place for Sarah, and the second is the purchase of land in Israel, to pass along from generation to generation.

  4. Ramban on Chayyei Sara: The Burial of Sarah in Eretz Yisrael - the Location of the Cave of Makhpela

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 35 minutes

    In the story of Avraham buying the burial plot for Sarah in Hebron, why does one of the verses state that Hebron is located in the Land of Canaan?

    Ramban notes that some view this detail as emphasizing that the forefathers were buried in Eretz Yisrael - a place ofgreater kedusha than outside Israel. In Ramban's opinion, though, the Torah is not contrasting Canaan to "Chutz La'Aretz" (outside of the Land of Israel), but rather highlighting that Avraham was buying a plot in Canaan as opposed to the Land of Pelishtim. Avraham chooses a place that is in the hills -  the heartland of the future Land of Israel.

     

  5. Greed or Wisdom: What is Efron Saying?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  6. Hayyei Sarah - Another Test?

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 16 minutes

    Last week, Parashat Vayera we talked about the first and last test- of Avraham. Some view this parasha as a continuing test – purchasing land for his wife’s burial.  We also see the transition to Yitzhak, who continues and completes the mourning process for Sarah, as well. Nevertheless, Avraham is an active player in Chayei Sarah. This Parasha exemplifies the idea that sometimes, the challenge or test is to follow God’s path even without clear instructions.

  7. Hayyei Sarah: Life Cycle Events and the Land of Israel

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell |

    Parashat Hayyei Sarah includes significant life-cycle events, such as death, burial, (implied) mourning, and marriage. It also seems to place significance on these events taking place in Eretz Yisrael. Avraham's process of arranging for the burial for Sarah is detailed, and his efforts to also purchase a burial plot is emphasized. In addition, Avraham says in no uncertain terms that Yitzhak is not to leave the Land of Canaan, even in order to find a wife. Why is this?

     

  8. A Journey of a Thousand Miles

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

    For a variety of reasons, neither Abraham nor Sarah had an easy life. Theirs were lives of trial, in which their faith was tested at many points. How can Rashi say that all of Sarah’s years were equal in goodness? How can the Torah say that Abraham had been blessed with everything? Through an examination of the text we can understand Avraham and Sarah’s life journey and what it means to fulfill one’s destiny. 

    This article is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

  9. A Journey of a Thousand Miles (Audio)

    Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 8 minutes

    For a variety of reasons, neither Abraham nor Sarah had an easy life. Theirs were lives of trial, in which their faith was tested at many points. How can Rashi say that all of Sarah’s years were equal in goodness? How can the Torah say that Abraham had been blessed with everything? Through an examination of the text we can understand Avraham and Sarah’s life journey and what it means to fulfill one’s destiny. 

    This lecture is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

    To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.