Chayei Sarah:

Genesis 23:1-25:18.

OVERVIEW

The life of Sarah, mother of the Jewish People, comes to a close at the age of one hundred and twenty-seven. After mourning and eulogizing her, Abraham buries her in the Cave of Machpela. As this is the burial place of Adam and Eve, Abraham is prepared to pay its owner Ephron the Hittite the exorbitant sum which he demands for the cave. Abraham places the responsibility for finding a suitable wife for his son Isaac (Yitzchak) on his faithful servant Eliezer, who takes an oath to choose a wife from amongst Abraham's family and not from the Canaanites. Eliezer travels to Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nachor, and prays to Hashem to show him a sign so he will know whom to choose. At evening time, as he is about to water his camels, Rebecca providentially appears and Eliezer asks her for a drink of water. Not only does she give him to drink, but she draws water for all ten of his thirsty camels. (Some 140 gallons!) This extreme thoughtfulness and kindness is the sign that she is the right wife for Isaac, and a suitable mother of the Jewish People. Negotiations with Rebecca's father and her brother Lavan finally result in her leaving with Eliezer. Isaac brings Rebecca into the tent of his mother Sarah, marries her and loves her. He is then consoled for the loss of his mother. Abraham remarries Hagar who is renamed Ketura to indicate her improved ways. Six children are born to them. After giving them gifts, Abraham sends them to the East. Abraham passes away at the age of one hundred and seventy-five and is buried next to Sarah in the Cave of Machpela.The life of Sarah, mother of the Jewish People, comes to a close at the age of one hundred and twenty-seven. After mourning and eulogizing her, Abraham buries her in the Cave of Machpela. As this is the burial place of Adam and Eve, Abraham is prepared to pay its owner Ephron the Hittite the exorbitant sum which he demands for the cave. Abraham places the responsibility for finding a suitable wife for his son Isaac (Yitzchak) on his faithful servant Eliezer, who takes an oath to choose a wife from amongst Abraham's family and not from the Canaanites. Eliezer travels to Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nachor, and prays to Hashem to show him a sign so he will know whom to choose. At evening time, as he is about to water his camels, Rebecca providentially appears and Eliezer asks her for a drink of water. Not only does she give him to drink, but she draws water for all ten of his thirsty camels. (Some 140 gallons!) This extreme thoughtfulness and kindness is the sign that she is the right wife for Isaac, and a suitable mother of the Jewish People. Negotiations with Rebecca's father and her brother Lavan finally result in her leaving with Eliezer. Isaac brings Rebecca into the tent of his mother Sarah, marries her and loves her. He is then consoled for the loss of his mother. Abraham remarries Hagar who is renamed Ketura to indicate her improved ways. Six children are born to them. After giving them gifts, Abraham sends them to the East. Abraham passes away at the age of one hundred and seventy-five and is buried next to Sarah in the Cave of Machpela.

Overview courtesy of Rabbis Newman and Sinclair, Ohr Somayach