Commentary by Michael Schneider,
israel today, Jerusalem:
Our Torah reading begins with Sarah’s death and ends with Abraham’s death. She was 127 years old. Abraham now set out to negotiate in typical Middle-Eastern style for a burial site. How come that our parasha Chayei Sarah means “the life of Sarah,” although it deals with the death of Sarah?
Jewish sages explain it this way: “The wicked even when they are alive are called dead, while the righteous even after they die are called alive.”

A Sabbath Song / Prayer

Abraham negotiated with Ephron, who at first flattered Abraham and told him he’d give him the Machpela Cave as a gift. When Abraham insisted on paying for it and Ephron saw his money (verse 13), Ephron’s true nature came out and he asked for 400 silver shekels! A full price!

It was good that Abraham insisted that he pay, especially for today’s political conflict in Israel. God knows that everything should be done justly and legally otherwise you are beholden to the grace of man. Israel has purchased three of her most wanted holy sites, hotly disputed until now: The cave of Machpela in Hebron; Joseph’s grave in Nablus; the grave of Joseph (Jacob bought it, as mentioned in Joshua 24:32); and the Temple site in Jerusalem (David bought the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:18-25).

In chapter 24, Abraham ordered his faithful servant, Eliezer (actually, the first matchmaker), to find a wife for his 40-year old son Isaac. Isaac needed a wife because he was very much connected to his mother (24:67), so it became for as “a comfort”. Abraham opposed a marriage with Canaanites who worshipped idols and were cursed according to Genesis 9:25 because he was faithful to his given promises and as an elected one and he knew the danger of assimilation. Abraham wanted to be sure, after all the tests he had been through in life that the blessing would continue!

When Rebekah not only offered him water but watered his camels as well, fulfilling the condition Eliezer sought in a sign, he sat and watched still wondering if she was the one (24:21). That’s like us – we so often sit skeptically without realizing that God’s promises are being answered right in front of our eyes!
By-the-way, Jacob and later Moses found their wives also at a well / fountain!!

The custom of covering the bride with a veil before the Chupah originated from Rivkah, “And she took the veil and covered herself.” – we read in verse 65.

Then we meet Rebekah’s brother, Laban, who was after success and money. He saw the benefit of Abraham’s blessing and the riches from Rebekah’s union with Isaac. We meet him again when Rebekah’s son Jacob works for him over 20 years.

In chapter 25 we read that Abraham took a second wife and had six more sons with Ketura. Then Abraham died at 175 years old. Isaac and Ishmael together buried their father at Machpela in Hebron (25:9). All three patriarchs and matriarchs are buried there except for Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife.

In our reading from the prophets in I Kings 1, we read about the last days of King David, that not unlike the story of Abraham, where the line almost went astray, in the end, because of the intervention of a mother and the king’s wife, Bathsheba, the right king, Solomon, sat on the throne.

Shabbat Shalom

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Commentary by Michael Schneider,
israel today, Jerusalem:
Jacob begins his walk with God which was not so easy at the beginning, thus the emphasis is on “And he departed.” He left for a foreign country and place called Haran – far away from his father’s house. It was important that God reassured him of the promise: “…Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…” (28:13-15). This time it was revealed personally to Jacob through a dream of a ladder connecting heaven and earth and angels of God ascending and descending. It was Jacob’s first personal prayer with the God of his fathers. He said: “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”

Jacob called the place “House of God,” in Hebrew Beth-El, from here the gates of Heaven were open. At this place, Jacob made a covenant with God: “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey…” he will give Him a tenth of his riches. This became the secret of Jacob’s success!

Again we find in chapter 29 the first meeting of a future wife at a well. He fell in love with his cousin, Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, a shepherd just as he was! This time it was one of Abraham’s clan (Jacob) who watered the animals of Laban’s flock, as Rebekah had done for Abraham’s servant before. We read that “Laban ran toward Jacob” (29:13) – was he expecting more gifts like Eliezer did?

The ways of the LORD are indescribably wonderful. What was Laban’s deceit? He gave him his older daughter to marry after he had promised the younger, Rachel. That should have reminded Jacob of how he deceived his half-blind father Isaac. The older sister and his first wife, Leah, had “weak eyes” (29:17). As Jacob, enraged and disappointed, reacted to the deceit, Laban said: “…It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn.” (29:25-26) Immediately Jacob found himself on the other side of deceit, as he had done to his father, reaping what he sowed! That’s how God work.

Jacob worked another seven years for Rachel. We read: “…and they (the years) seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.” (29:20) Now Jacob had two wives and he loved one and hated the other. That’s why the New Testament later recommends, like in 1 Tim. 3:2, to take one wife. God saw the discrimination of man and decided to close Rachel’s womb, the loved one, and open the womb of Leah, the hated one. It was the same with the two wives of Elkanah in 1 Samuel. God is just and merciful.

With her first three sons, Leah tried to win Jacob’s heart (29:32). Rachel adopted the solution of Sarah, Abraham’s wife who gave her handmaid Hagar to her husband. She gave her maid to Jacob so that “she may bear on her knees” (30:3). Eventually “God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.” Yes, God remembers, hear and act! After the birth of Joseph, Jacob wanted to return to “his place.” And Laban realized “that the LORD has blessed him on Jacob’s account.” (30:27) May it be a clue for gentiles toward the Jews!

Shabbat Shalom

Commentary by Michael Schneider,
israel today, Jerusalem:
Our Torah reading begins with Sarah’s death and ends with Abraham’s death. She was 127 years old. Abraham now set out to negotiate in typical Middle-Eastern style for a burial site. How come that our parasha Chayei Sarah means “the life of Sarah,” although it deals with the death of Sarah?
Jewish sages explain it this way: “The wicked even when they are alive are called dead, while the righteous even after they die are called alive.”

Abraham negotiated with Ephron, who at first flattered Abraham and told him he’d give him the Machpela Cave as a gift. When Abraham insisted on paying for it and Ephron saw his money (verse 13), Ephron’s true nature came out and he asked for 400 silver shekels! A full price!

It was good that Abraham insisted that he pay, especially for today’s political conflict in Israel. God knows that everything should be done justly and legally otherwise you are beholden to the grace of man. Israel has purchased three of her most wanted holy sites, hotly disputed until now: The cave of Machpela in Hebron; Joseph’s grave in Nablus; the grave of Joseph (Jacob bought it, as mentioned in Joshua 24:32); and the Temple site in Jerusalem (David bought the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:18-25).

In chapter 24, Abraham ordered his faithful servant, Eliezer (actually, the first matchmaker), to find a wife for his 40-year old son Isaac. Isaac needed a wife because he was very much connected to his mother (24:67), so it became for as “a comfort”. Abraham opposed a marriage with Canaanites who worshipped idols and were cursed according to Genesis 9:25 because he was faithful to his given promises and as an elected one and he knew the danger of assimilation. Abraham wanted to be sure, after all the tests he had been through in life that the blessing would continue!

When Rebekah not only offered him water but watered his camels as well, fulfilling the condition Eliezer sought in a sign, he sat and watched still wondering if she was the one (24:21). That’s like us – we so often sit skeptically without realizing that God’s promises are being answered right in front of our eyes!
By-the-way, Jacob and later Moses found their wives also at a well / fountain!!

The custom of covering the bride with a veil before the Chupah originated from Rivkah, “And she took the veil and covered herself.” – we read in verse 65.

Then we meet Rebekah’s brother, Laban, who was after success and money. He saw the benefit of Abraham’s blessing and the riches from Rebekah’s union with Isaac. We meet him again when Rebekah’s son Jacob works for him over 20 years.

In chapter 25 we read that Abraham took a second wife and had six more sons with Ketura. Then Abraham died at 175 years old. Isaac and Ishmael together buried their father at Machpela in Hebron (25:9). All three patriarchs and matriarchs are buried there except for Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife.

In our reading from the prophets in I Kings 1, we read about the last days of King David, that not unlike the story of Abraham, where the line almost went astray, in the end, because of the intervention of a mother and the king’s wife, Bathsheba, the right king, Solomon, sat on the throne.

Commentary by Michael Schneider,
israel today, Jerusalem:
We read in our weekly portion about good hospitality of Abraham and Sarah, as they hurried to prepare the best of the best for the three men of God who visited them in the heat of the day in Alon Mamre. This kind of extravagant hospitality is found in the Oriental nations, the Arabs, Bedouins and the Sephardic Jews.
Also in the New Testament we read about the importance of hospitality. You never know if you are hosting angels unaware. Never reject guests, even if they’re not welcome! Maybe they have a word from God for you!

The couple was tested again, but Sarah laughed (18:12-15). After all their human efforts had been exhausted and Sarah was 90, the supernatural could spring into action.
“Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (18:14) First the flesh should die, then the LORD can function.

After the angels brought the message of hope and life, they turned their eyes on Lot’s city of Sodom and brought a message of death! Abraham as the first intercessor, tried every way to rescue this city asking the Lord if there were only 50, 45, 40, 30, 20 or 10 righteous, would he spare the city. Because God would have mercy until ten righteous person, the Jews took the minimum number of 10 worshippers during a sermon or prayer in the synagogues. Abraham in his negotiation with the Almighty was very humble and careful, saying: “I am but dust and ashes” (18:27). No pride.

Chapter 19 speaks about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but before that God called His people out as He did with Noah. He saved the family of Lot. God called us too out of this world, but warned us saying: “Remember Lot’s wife!” Her heart was still in the lusts of the world.

Interesting analogy we find between the story of Noah and Lot; both called saints ‘of their days’, both called out and redeemed, but both ended up in drunkenness and in forbidden sexual relations, incest, within the family followed by cursing the descendants of the committer – be it Ham or Moab and Ammon.

We can still sense the spirit of Sodom in the two daughters of Lot, a spirit of immorality (verses 31-33). Or maybe is it a revenge toward their father, who was ready to give them as virgins over to the wild mob? Both nations that came from Lot and his daughters, Moab and Ammon, were cursed and located as in Biblical time on the east side of the Jordan. The Jordanian capital today is called Amman!

In chapter 21, Isaac was born, meaning “he laughed,” and on the eighth day he was circumcised. Isaac is the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise of God! It teaches us a lesson – it is worth it to wait upon the LORD no matter for how long!

In chapter 22 we come to the true test of faith in Abraham’s life: To sacrifice his only son, the one he waited so long for. Abraham, without hesitation or arguing, set out the next morning with his son Isaac, obedient to God until the point of raising the knife to kill his son!
Then the voice came: “Abraham, Abraham!… for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” (22:12).

After this act of true faith, the Lord showered Abraham with numerous blessings. It was worthwile, to be obedient until the end!

Commentary by Michael Schneider,
israel today, Jerusalem:
This week’s Torah portion introduces Abraham, the first patriarch. It is here the Lord called him to “Go forth… to the Land which I will show you!” It tells us this was a step of faith that even believers find difficult to take. He risks everything.

Abraham, then called Abram, was obedient. Unlike believers today who want first a clear road map of where God is leading them, Abram picked up, left his home and followed God’s leading.

Abram’s life was one of constant tests of faith, beginning with the three-step call to leave his homeland (leave your country, your people and your father’s household), and ending with another three-step call in chapter 22 to sacrifice his son (Take your son, your only son, …whom you love). It shows full submission! God required of Abram the things he cherished most and he also wants those things we are holding onto most. Through our faith in Him, He intervenes and does His mighty work.

God’s Blessing over Abraham followed: “And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing.” What a powerfull blessing! The Lord continued: “And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (12:3; Numbers 24:9 indicates these passages speak about Israel). Take this as good advice.

Abram left Ur (in present-day Iraq), the city of Nimrod, the adversary of God who elevated himself after the flood. A symbol of rebellion against God – out of this, God is calling us too today!

You are never too old to be targeted by God’s callings. God renews the strength to those who “Wait upon the Lord” (Isaiah 40:29-31). So, at age 75, Abram left his homeland and became the first “wandering Jew.”

Abram and his wife Sarai were facing numerous tests of faith. Even when Abram arrived in Canaan he encountered various conflicts within his family, but still he humbled himself, giving Lot first pick of the land, “… If to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left” (13:9). In those days, ‘right’ (yamin) was west, towards the sea (yam). Left, was the Dead Sea region of Sodom and Gomorrah and the Jordan Valley. Lot ended up choosing the left because it was visually appealing (the wealth of the world), but it was rife with immorality. Abram passed the test of faith and God blessed him. Lot could have repented and joined his godly uncle, but he preferred the things of the world and followed after the ‘lust of the eyes’ (1 John 2:16). Lot could be as Ruth the Moabite joining Nomi and be a part of the blessing!

Interestingly, we find the term “Lot’s face” (penei Lot; normally translated as ‘covering’) in Isaiah 25:7 showing the blindness of the nations toward Israel’s promises! Like Lot was blind to the promises of Abraham.

Abram later rescued his nephew when five kings destroyed Sodom. After this encounter, Lot received an additional wake-up call to repentance, but again he chose the comfortable life.

As time went on Abram remained childless. Yet, he held on to promises like, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars… So shall your descendants be” (15:5). Abram and Sarai were between clinging to the promises of God and human desperation. Sarai became so desperate she even offered her Egyptian handmaid Hagar to her husband because “the LORD has prevented her from bearing children.” An act of a frustrated human.

In chapter 16 we read about the birth of Ishmael when Abram was 86 years old. By chapter 17, Abram had reached 99, Ishmael was 13 years old and all hope seemed lost for additional offspring. But it was at this time that God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. He made an unconditional covenant with him marked by circumcision and said, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly… For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations” (17:2-5).

On the eighth day Jews circumcise their boys as a sign of entering the Abrahamic covenant. Arabs are also descendants of the 12-prince kingdom of Ishmael. Even today they circumcise their boys at age 13 like Ishmael. They are believed to be included in the borders from the brook of Egypt to the River Euphrates.

Finally, at the age of 100, Abraham began to understand that the promise could only be fulfilled supernaturally because Sarah was 90. Meaning, when our natural means switch off God’s super-natural means switch on!

Therefore, after hearing another promise Abraham was the first to laugh (17:17) – then Sarah.

Next week we’ll see Abraham’s biggest test of all.