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Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 23:1 - 24:9
Sarah’s lifetime – the span of Sarah’s life-came
to one hundred and twenty-seven years. Sarah died in Kiriath-arba – now Hebron –
in the land of Canaan; and Abraham proceeded to mourn for Sarah and to bewail
her.
In Chapter 23, we find Avraham mourning the death
of Sarah. Some Rabbinic traditions say that Sarah died when Satan told her that
Avraham had, indeed, sacrificed Yitz'chak. The remaining years of Abraham’s life
seem to be dedicated to preparing for his eventual death.
While mourning for Sarah, Avraham displays an
essential concepts in Judaism, that of respect for the dead. He negotiates to purchase a cave in the field of Makhpelah in
Hevron, in the land of Kena'an (Canaan).
This cave will be used as a burial place for the first great Patriarchs
and Matriarchs; Avraham and Sarah, Yitz'chak (Isaac) and Rivkah (Rebecca), Jacov
(Jacob) and Leah. Some tradition has it that Adam and Eve had already been
buried there. This area will also become the first seat of the Davidic Kingship.
The discussion with the elders of Hebron show the dual nature of Abraham at the
time – he was a resident alien in Canaan, yet others recognized that he was also
the elect of God, destined to own the entire nation.
In Chapter 24, we see Avraham exhibiting another
concept that is important in Judaism, concern for the future. He looks forward
to the fulfillment of Gods promises through his heir, Yitz'chak. He begins by passing on all that he has
to Yitz'chak, who is now approaching 40 years old. Abraham sends Eliezer to his
homeland to find a wife for Yitz'chak from his relations, insisting that no
Kena'ani (Canaanite) woman would be his wife. This demonstrated that Abraham
understood that intermarriage with the Canaanites would be devastating to the
future of the nation. He knew that he was not choosing just a woman to be wife
to a beloved son, but also the next great Matriarch in the line that would bring
forth the multitudes, the nation that HaShem had promised.
Qeriath, Judges 3:1-11
The people have entered Eretz Israel – the same land that Abraham
occupied in our Torah reading. Adonai left inhabitants of that area in place, so
that the generations of Israelites that had not known war would become
experienced at war. These pagan people also acted as a means to test the
faithfulness of the people of Israel to Adonoi, to see if they would follow His
mitzvoth or turn away to the idolatrous ways of the surrounding people.
Unfortunately, these generations did not commit to marrying within their own
tribes, as Abraham had, and the wives and husbands that were taken from the
surrounding nations lead the people into idolatry, and they worshipped the
Baalim and Asheroth – gods and goddess – along with the pagan peoples.
This incensed Adonoi, and He gave the people over to be conquered by the
king of Aramnaharaim for eight years. At that time, the Israelites cried out to
Adonoi, and Adonoi raised up Othniel, a kinsman of Caleb, as Israel’s first
judge to lead them to war. They were victorious and had peace for forty years.
Da'ath, Acts 7:2-8
In Stephen’s address to the Sanhedrin after he had been falsely accused
of blasphemy, he gives a history of the Jewish people. In this passage, he began
with Adonai calling Abraham out of Mesopotamia, to travel to the land of Canaan.
Abraham and his descendants lived there as aliens, even though he had been
promised the land perpetually. The people would be oppressed four hundred years,
then delivered by Adonoi. As a sign of the covenant, Adonai gave Abraham
b’rit-milah (circumcision), and Abraham became the father of Yitz’chak (Isaac),
who had b’rit-milah on the eighth day. Yitz’chak fathered Ya’akov, who became
the father of the Twelve Patriarchs.
Igarath, Hebrews 9:11-22 The author continues his description of Yeshua as our Cohen Gadol, and our mediator. Yeshua has entered the Tent that is in Heaven through His sacrifice. The blood of animals may cleanse the outward purity of men, but the blood of Yeshua has the power to cleanse our minds and consecrate us for service to Adonoi. This is compared with the ceremony that Moshe used to inaugurate the first covenant with Isra'el after the reading of the Ten Commandments, and to consecrate |
Shalom