Eliezer’s Test for Rivka and Her Response
Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh | November 20, 2024
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Eliezer’s Test for Rivka and Her Response

Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh | June 27, 2025

The servant ran towards her and said, "Please, give me a little water to sip from your pitcher".

When Eliezer set up his wager with Hashem, he was more detailed about the conditions through which he would know if the girl is truly the correct wife for Yitzchok. He said to Hashem that he wished to ask her הטי נא כדך – bend your pitcher for him to drink. Now, all he requested was a small sip of water. He didn’t need her to pour it, neither was it a great amount.

The Ohr Hachaim explains that Eliezer already saw the water rising up towards her, showing him that she was a Tzadekes. He knew that she was a worthy woman, and he already wanted her for his master’s son. She was obviously not from the cursed Canaanites, and she deserved to enter the home of Avraham Avinu. Now he was scared that he had set the bar too high, and she would not pass the test. He made the test easier for her, not asking for more than a sip and not requesting a full service from her. He really wanted her to pass the test, and she only had to provide the minimum.

But she prevailed, answering his small request with great magnanimity, telling him that she would give him to drink, not merely a sip, and that she would bend the jug to him. He would not even have to bear the burden of the jug.

The servant ran towards her and said, "Please, give me a little water to sip from your pitcher".

When Eliezer set up his wager with Hashem, he was more detailed about the conditions through which he would know if the girl is truly the correct wife for Yitzchok. He said to Hashem that he wished to ask her הטי נא כדך – bend your pitcher for him to drink. Now, all he requested was a small sip of water. He didn’t need her to pour it, neither was it a great amount.

The Ohr Hachaim explains that Eliezer already saw the water rising up towards her, showing him that she was a Tzadekes. He knew that she was a worthy woman, and he already wanted her for his master’s son. She was obviously not from the cursed Canaanites, and she deserved to enter the home of Avraham Avinu. Now he was scared that he had set the bar too high, and she would not pass the test. He made the test easier for her, not asking for more than a sip and not requesting a full service from her. He really wanted her to pass the test, and she only had to provide the minimum.

But she prevailed, answering his small request with great magnanimity, telling him that she would give him to drink, not merely a sip, and that she would bend the jug to him. He would not even have to bear the burden of the jug.

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