Outline Notes for Parashat Chayei Sarah
Bereshit (Genesis) 23:1-25:18
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I. Introduction
A. Parashah Outline
- Sarah dies at age 127 and is buried in the Machpeilah Cave in Hebron, which Abraham purchases from Ephron the Hittite for 400 shekels of silver. Bereshit 23:1-20
- Abraham's servant, Eliezer, is sent laden with gifts to Charan to find a wife for Isaac. At the village well, Eliezer asks G-d for a sign: when the maidens come to the well, he will ask for some water to drink; the woman who will offer to give his camels to drink as well, shall be the one destined for his master's son. Rebecca, the daughter of Abraham's nephew Bethuel, appears at the well and passes the "test". Eliezer is invited to their home, where he repeats the story of the day's events. Rebecca returns with Eliezer to the land of Canaan, where they encounter Isaac praying in the field. Isaac marries Rebecca, loves her, and is comforted over the loss of his mother. Bereshit 24:1-67
- Abraham takes a new wife, Keturah (Hagar) and fathers six additional sons, but Isaac is designated as his only heir. Abraham dies at age 175 and is buried beside Sarah by his two eldest sons, Isaac and Ishmael. Bereshit 25:1-17
B. Today's Focus - Hashgakhah Pratit - Divine Providence & Care
- Individual divine providence; "private supervision"; the idea that the individual soul is under the direct, private supervision of G-d Himself. This term implies God's overarching rule and sovereign purposes or predestination. Also called hashgachah pratit. There is elaborate discussion about how hashgachah pratit does not contradict bechirah chofshit (free will) in rabbinic literature. In general, the sages came up with a form of compatibilism: "Though everything is foreseen by G-d, yet free will is granted to man" (Pike Avot 3:19). NB: The word pratit means "individual" or "particular," meaning that providence reaches to the smallest of details.
- Biblical Passages: Psalms 139: 15-16; Proverbs 16: 4; Ecclesiastes 3:1-14; Matt 10:29-31; John 19:11a
- Finding a Kallah for Yitzchak
II. Chayei Sarah - Hashgakhah Pratit - Finding a Kalah for Yitzchak
A. The Bride is born. Bereshit 22: 20-23 - If Avraham had known about the birth of Rivkah (To tie or bind) before the Akedah, it would have been a distraction and he might not have been willing to sacrifice Yitzchak. G-d provided a lamb and a wife.
B. Finding a wife for Yitzchak Bereshit 24:1ff
- Where to find a wife vss. 3-4: Abraham was a descendant of Shem, the exceptional son of Noah. Shem had shown outstanding sensitivity and modesty in an incident involving his father like drunk and naked, and had consequently received a special blessing. By contrast, Canaan, Noah's grandson, had shown coarseness and crudity. Abraham lived among the descendants of Canaan, but he wanted to make sure that the wife of his son would be from his own family, that of Shem.
- Remaining in the land of promise vss. 5-7 cp. Ber. 12:7, 15: 18: God has a specific place for each person - a perfect place and land of promise where His plan for your life can be fulfilled.
- 3 Angels on assignment v. 7 cp. Ber. 48:16; Psalm 34:7; Hebrews 1:14, 13:2
- Avraham's last recorded words v. 8
- Arranged events v. 12 cp. Ruth 2:3; Acts 8:26 - Hakrai - to give success by arranging events, bring something good to pass, the first prayer for divine guidance in the Bible
- Before he finished speaking/ praying v. 15 cp Isa. 65:24
- Guided me on the right path v. 27 cp. Prov. 3: 5-6 - moments of life that one does not direct, but which direct him
- G-d's will cannot be denied v. 50
- The path of success v. 56
II. Conclusion
A. G-d's plan for you
B. G-d's place for you
C. G-d's promises for you