(א) Sarah alludes to the body; Avrohom to the soul; Mitzvos need to be done by the body in a physical manner. Our main concern should be with the purification of the body, becoming apparent in the future.
(ה) The journey was shortened for Eliezer: the document’s date (niglah); or, (Chassidus) Rivkah was a “rose among thorns”; not to delay her stay. Do not despair; G-d will surely not delay the redemption, since we are only lacking a few small “jars” prior to that time.
(ח) Eliezer gave 2 bracelets to Rivkah corresponding to the 2 Tablets of Torah. The basis for a true Jewish home must be rooted in Torah.
(יב) One who admits part of a claim must take an oath with a Torah or Tefillin; learned from Avrohom, but does not apply to other types of oaths. One who admits in part that all is from G-d, but certain details remain in one’s domain; now, holds a Torah & admits to all.
חלק ג - זקן בא בימים (כד, א)
Avrohom excelled in two perfections: זקן acquired wisdom, Torah; perfect self. בימים בא Mitzvos; perfect the world. Everyone needs both types of service; but greater emphasis on improving the world.
חלק הא - שני חיי שרה (כג, א)
Sarah’s life was complete and perfect, days and years (100, 20, 7). How are they complete, if she died before her time? Time continues for Tzaddikim allowing a completion of their mission. Every day needs to have Mitzvos in addition to the total Mitzvos of one’s lifetime; per the Baal Shem Tov “Do not leave any day without doing a Mitzvah”.
חלק הב - המכפלה (כג, ט)
“Machpelah” so called either: A two-story house next to the cave; or a space for a couple (Avrohom & Sarah). 2 letters Heh – Tzadik and Baal Teshuvah. Doubled letter ה from G-d’s name: ה' תתאה ה' עילאה. 2 levels of Teshuvah, - two levels of service (man & woman).
חלק יא - בכסף מלא (כג, ט)
Full value goes on the value of the land (and not the money); Avrohom did not want to acquire without payment; Zohar - one should pay full price for a mitzvah. To accomplish our tasks in this world one needs to pay in full, by service and by effort.
חלק יב - ונשאלה את פיה (כד, נז)
Asking Rivkah about the main matter of the Shidduch (considered an adult at the age of three); becoming a gadol at the age of 12 or 13, is a law from Sinai and thus, only applies to Jews; from Rivkah we see that B’nai Noach become a gadol upon reaching their level of maturity, and not a set age.
חלק טוא - חיי שרה (כג, א)
The life of Sarah was for the sake of Yitzchak; her will was expressed in the entire Parsha, even to Yishmael. The Jewish people need to proclaim that historically no part of the Land belongs to Yishmael.
חלק טוב - ה' אלקי השמים (כד, ז)
Avrohom was not able to break the decree separating the heavens and the earth, but he did accomplish making known the name of G-d in the minds of people; this avodah occurred only as a result of the command of Lech Lecha.
חלק טוג - האהלה שרה אמו (כד, סז)
Three blessings/miracles are listed by Rashi in order of level and occurrence; these impressed Yitzchak about Rivkah’s righteousness. Jewish girls as young as three should light Shabbos candles.
חלק טוד - ויוסף ... קטורה (כה, א)
After the death of Sarah, the avodah of Avrohom was to “add” in the cleansing of evil by causing a “birth” of new methods (Rabbi Tarfon and יוחני). Adding to one’s level in holiness, can affect another to the degree of “causing birth” of a new connection above usual method.
חלק טוה - האהלה שרה אמו (כד, סז)
The miracle of the lights burning on Chanukah is similar to the miracle of the Shabbos lights of Sarah & Rivkah. Miracle of Chanukah contains an addition in quality, quantity, and burning without consuming. The level of Kabalas Ol, thru study of Chassidus, especially in the morning, establishes the ability to bring light into the world without being consumed by the world.
חלק כא - מאה שנה ושלשים שנה ושבע שנים (כה, יז)
Torah emphasizes the years of Sarah and Avrohom in 3 general stages for a new concept in each age group (Rashi only explained Sarah since Avrohom is obvious in the Torah); However, the listing of years by Yishmael were to provide praise for Yaakov in comparison; Yishmael’s teshuvah by 100 years, his power by 30 years and being clean from sin at 7, were not comparable to Yaakov’s accomplishments.
חלק כב - בא בימים (כד, א)
Baalei Teshuvah do not go by normal stages of progression, but can accomplish much in a single moment. The Zohar mentions 3 different views of “time” in regards to teshuvah.
Three Stages of Teshuva (Zohar)
- שעתא - מלכות: סור מרע, קיצור, תשובה תתאה בעולם המעשה.
- יומא - ז"א: ועשה טוב, אריכות אבל למעלה.
- רגע - בינה: בקש שלום (תורה), קיצור ולמעלה בעולם המוחין.
חלק כג - והנה רבקה יוצאת (כד, טו)
Three were immediately answered: Eliezer, Moshe & Shlomo; they were answered quickly due to closeness and unity with G-d through prayer. Only a source higher than the normal order, allows the unification of the world with HaShem.
THREE PRAYERS THAT EXPRESSED G-D’S REVELATION IN THIS WORLD
- שלמה - בעולם: Specifically, in the Bais HaMikdash where G-dliness is revealed until the place itself is nullified (location of the Holy Ark).
- משה - באדם: Specifically, in his prophecy that it is true and only exists in a person.
- אליעזר - בתורה: Specifically, in the marriage of Yitzchak that established the base for observance of Torah and the Mitzvos.
חלק כהא - היא חברון (כג, יט)
Chevron the first acquisition by Jews; also, a Levite city and a city of refuge. Their ownership is everlasting. Avodah of Leviim is chibur – connect that which is separated; important of achdus Yisrael.
חלק כהב - ישלח מלאכו אתך (כד, מ)
Eliezer changed the words about sending a angel with him (merely to accompany him) to explain easier to Besuel; he left out the fact that G-d’s assistance was so extensive as to guarantee success. A shliach is able to achieve when one attains a true bitul (like a slave) to the Nasi of our generation.
חלק כהג - הפטורה
Avrohom was the foundation for the Jewish people, but it was not apparent until the birth of Yitzchak; so, David was the foundation for the Kings, but was not set until Shlomo became King.
חלק לא - גר ותושב (כג, ד)
Avrohom only swore that private ownership could be in the hands of the Yevusim, yet the general property and specifically the place of the Bais HaMikdash, would remain under the national control of the Jewish people.
חלק לב - ואבא היום (כד, מב)
At this point of Eliezer retelling the shortening of the way, Rashi now presents the concept that the ordinary speech of the Avos’ servants are more cherished than the Torah of their children. The concept of kefitzas haderech is connected to the Torah of the children, as they are both a “new revelation” beyond this world.
חלק לג - הפטורה
According to Rambam Kingship contains two aspects: 1) Authority of being King (assumed by all Kings but only one at a time). 2) Essential status only found by the line of Dovid and Shlomo (in their son’s DNA).
חלק להא - ויקם שדה עפרון (כג, יז)
At a literal level Avrohom intended to “elevate” the field to complete Jewish ownership (not connected to prior owner). When one comes to a new place, strive to make that place “Eretz Yisrael”, elevated to HaShem.
חלק להב - בא בימים (כד, א)
This is not the number of years passed, but the method of impact on each day lived by serving G-d; similar to the years by Sarah that she filled each day with spiritual accomplishments, especially in the three Mitzvos of women. A Jew’s life is not measured by the physical achievements, but by one’s spiritual, Divine service.
חלק להג - ויוסף אברהם (כה, א)
For the non-Jews the 7 Mitzvos need to be done as a result of the command of G-d to Moshe and the Jews. The ongoing miracle of Yitzchak’s birth continued with Avrohom giving birth to more children (non-Jewish) at the age of 140 (more influence in the world).
Three Blessings of Sarah & Rivkah (and All Jewish Women) לפי רש"י
- אמו: 1st in Rashi; 3rd in Torah. First part of life of a female. נר שבת קודש. Connected to the fulfillment of Mitzvos. Shabbos candles given to Jewish women.
- שרה: 2rd in Rashi; 2rd in Torah. Involved in home activities. חלה. Connected to one’s actions. Dough that she uniquely prepared.
- האהלה: 3rd in Rashi; 1st in Torah. After a woman marries. טהרת המשפחה. Blessing not directly connected to one’s activities. Cloud joined to the tent.