Our sages teach, ‘יפה שיחתן של עבדי אבות לפני המקום מתורתן של בנים’ – the everyday mundane conversation of the servants of the founders of our faith, is of greater relevance to us than the formal instruction that follows.
They are referring to Eliezer, sent by Avraham Avinu to Mesopotamia, to find a wife for Yitzchak. This is featured in the longest chapter of the whole book of Bereishit – Chapter 24. In sixty-seven long Pesukim, we are told about Eliezer’s thoughts, his plans for the test at the well side, how he executed it. It’s all very expansive.
However, later on in the Torah, when we are given the specific do’s and don’ts of Jewish law, then everything is very concise. So what we find here is that from a person who is not a member of our faith, we learn so much about our lives.
Now if, let’s say, in a classroom at school, the children will be performing a play about this week’s Parasha, and a kid arrives home and he announces to his family – I’m going to be Eliezer! I think that everybody will be really delighted, because that certainly would be the key role.
Interestingly however, let’s have a look at the number of times in which people’s names are mentioned in the Parasha. Avraham’s name is mentioned on no less than 37 occasions; Yitzchak’s – 13; Rivkah – 12, Sarah – 9; Ephron – 9; Bethuel – 4; Lavan – 3; and Eliezer – 0.
His name actually doesn’t appear. He is the main character but he is either referred to as העבד – the servant, or האיש – the man.
I think that this presents to us a very profound message. We have internalized his values, we have taken on his message, he is there as that role model in that longest chapter but it’s not his name that counts, it’s what he taught the world that matters.
From Eliezer we learn, Hashem helps those who live their entire life in order to help others. In similar fashion, the great heroes and heroines of this world are mainly those men and women who behind the scenes are great family people, who contribute to their community. Their names might not be in neon lights, but they are our most outstanding characters. They are the Eliezers and his name says it all. אלי עזר – my G-d is my help. The Almighty certainly helps those, who live an entire life in order to help others.
Let us see G-d’s help by praying together with praise and gratitude to Hashem for the great miracle we have witnessed - the release and safe return of the living hostages. With hearts full of thanks, we acknowledge His endless kindness and mercy, and we pray that those who have returned home find healing, strength, and peace after all they have endured.
We also continue to pray for the release of the remaining hostage bodies and Divine Protection over our courageous IDF soldiers, police officers, medical teams, firefighters, ZAKA members, security forces, and every individual who stands in defense of our people - in Israel and throughout the world.
May all who are in need, be blessed with healing, yeshuot, shidduchim, children, and parnassah tova, and may we be blessed to have just continuous joy and to only go from one simcha through to the next, the most awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, peaceful, happy, healthy, amazing, relaxed, spiritual and sweet Shabbat.
NO MITZVOT IN THIS PARSHA
Although none of the 613 mitzvot are counted from Chayei Sarah, we learn about burial of the dead, and funeral practices such as eulogizing the dead. We also find lessons relating to marriage in this Parshah.
NUMBER OF PESUKIM: 105
NUMBER OF WORDS: 1402
NUMBER OF LETTERS: 5314
HAFTORA: Melachim l 1:1-31
Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Kislev
Rosh Chodesh - Friday, Nov. 21, 2025
