Standing Strong |
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Chayei Sara— Life of Sara
Genesis 23:1– 25:18 1 Kings 1:1– 31 Luke 20:27– 40 Romans 9:1-13 |
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Sometimes when I look at the Parasha I have to ask the L-rd how to pick what to share on this week because there is so much to choose from. May my writings here this week speak to you the exact message the L-rd would have you receive.
The land of Hebron was purchased by Abraham for the burial place of his wife Sarah. Both the Jewish and Arab peoples recognize this. I find it hard to understand why this area is one of the places in Israel that is under the control of the Palestinian Authority and such a hot bed for the last few weeks (of November 2006).
During the last few weeks there have been two serious events in that area. A car was forced to stop to let sheep cross the road. This is not uncommon, for Bedouin take their sheep from one side of the road to other pasture and normally there is not a second thought. This time a “shepherd” came from the herd and put a gun to the Jewish man’s head and pulled the trigger. By the grace of G-d the man moved at the last minute and was only shot in the arm. He then drove through the sheep and escaped. One week later the car directly in front of the one being driven by the family we are helping to start an olive oil business was shot five times from the same area. Driving by Hebron is not a safe thing to do if you are Jewish or Christian because the Muslim (extremists, although here more the norm) seek to eradicate the Jew and Christian from all of Israel. These hostilities are happening from the township that both sides agree was fairly and properly purchased and deeded to the Jewish father Abraham as recorded in Genesis 23.
The second thing I wish to address is the selection of Isaac’s bride, Rebekah. Every Shabbat Jewish fathers bless their daughters with the blessing, “May G-d make you to be as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah.”
In this week’s reading, we have Rebekah being selected as a bride. We can see as she greets the servant who runs up to her and says, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher”, that she understands the role of hospitality. Without hesitating she lowers the pitcher to her hand. This action indicates that the pitcher was large and was probably carried on her shoulder or her head. This is not something to disregard. This heavy pitcher is lowered for a complete stranger who comes running to her. The fact that he is running shows he is of ample physical ability. He is not someone who is unable to draw his own water.
She then goes the extra step to say she will draw water for his camels also, until they are finished drinking. A 600 kg camel can drink 200 liters of water in 10 minutes. That’s about 50 gallons. The Bible then says she drew water for all of his camels. To me that speaks of more than two animals. She drew at least 150 gallons of water and poured it into the trough. A gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds. That is a minimum of 1,245 pounds of water moved for a stranger.
Rebekah had to be one tough, strong, young, beautiful woman. She was still a virgin and would be known as a young woman of purity and honor. When the stranger then asks if he can lodge at her father’s house, she does not have to check as to whether it will be okay. She states they have straw and feed enough, and room to lodge. Obviously she is aware of the household dealings and comes from a family that is charitable and that respects the needs of the traveler and are willing to open their home to all.
I think the reason as to why we bless our daughters to be like Rebekah is obvious. May all of our daughters grow up to be such women.
Selah. |
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Isaiah 11:6 2 Thessalonians 2:15 |