B”H

CHAYEI SARAH - OUR ROOTS
By Rabbi Yonassan Biggs

 

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Shalom and Bracha!

May Hashem grant protection to the land of Israel and the Jewish people throughout the world.

This Shabbat we read the portion of Chayei Sarah. The portion begins with the passing of Sarah and the purchase of Ma’arat Hamachpelah (The cave of the patriarchs) in Chevron as her burial place. Thereafter the Torah describes the preparations and the marriage between Yitzchak and Rivkah. Rivkah was in Aram Naharayim which was outside of Israel. Since Yitzchak was broght as an offering, Hashem forbade him to leave Israel. Avraham therefore sent his faithful servant Eliezer to go to his birthplace to find Yitzhak a suitable bride. Many miracles occurred during his mission demonstrating to him that Rivkah was the intended bride and the matriarch of the Jewish people. He arrived with amazing haste, and as he prayed to Hashem to find the right woman she arrived, fulfilling the exact criteria he requested of Hashem. One of the criteria was that she would show hospitality beyond that which she was requested, which she did with zest.

When Eliezer returned to Israel with Rivkah the Torah relates “Yitzchak brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother” and thereafter married her. Rashi explains that the words “the tent of Sarah his mother” teach us that when she came to their home, all of the blessings that had departed when Sarah passed on returned. During Sarah’s life, her Shabbat candles burnt from one Friday until the next. Upon Sarah’s passing, the miracle ceased and with Rivkah’s arrival it returned. During Sarah’s life, there was a blessing in the dough which returned with Rivkah. During Sarah’s life, there was a cloud (representing the Divine Presence) that rested upon the tent. It returned with Rivkah’s arrival. Upon witnessing these miracles, Yitzchak took her as his bride.

These three miracles were more than just a sign that Rivkah was the chosen. They teach us the three criteria for a Jewish home. The Shabbat candles illuminate. A Jewish home must be filled with light and illuminate the surroundings. Burning throughout the week teaches us that the inspiration from Shabbat must illuminate the entire week. This applies to every Mitzvah. The Mitzvot are referred to as candles. They must guide and inspire us not only while fulfilling them, but rather until we fulfill them again. (The Rebbe notes that Rivkah was only three when she first arrived and her candles kindled the entire week. From here we see the tremendous effect of a young girl’s Shabbat candles.)

The blessing in the dough was that even when one ate a small quantity, he was satiated. This came in the merit of observing Kosher laws in general and specifically the Mitzvah of Challah. What is the connection of Challah to satiation? The Mitzvah of Challah is to separate the first of the dough for Hashem. This reminds us that our possessions, and even the food we eat, are meant for a purpose and part of a divine plan. When we eat for pleasure, we are always hungry. When we eat to be healthy and thereby serve Hashem, we are satiated. When our possessions are to satisfy materialism, we are always wanting. It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word evyon (destitute) literally means someone who craves rather than one who lacks. When we view my possessions as a means to live in the path of Hashem, we are content.

The cloud on the tent represents the Divine Presence. The presence of Hashem is both a great blessing and a great responsibility. Realizing Hashem’s immediate presence, we must cleanse our homes and our behavior of anything unfit. This is exemplified in the Mitzvah of family purity, the laws of Mikveh.

The Midrash notes that these three Mitzvot are the Tikkun for Adam’s eating of the fruit of knowledge. Accordingly, these three Mitzvot have the power to bring Moshiach. The Talmud teaches that in the merit of righteous women we were redeemed from Egypt and we will merit the coming of Moshiach. May he come immediately!


Shabbat Shalom,


Rabbi Biggs


Dedicated in memory of the victims of terrorists in Israel HY”D
May their sacrifice awaken Hashem’s mercies and may this be the final sorrow before the coming of Moshiach.

A project of Chabad of Great Neck
400 East Shore Rd. Great Neck NY 11024
516 4874554 fax 516 4874807

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