My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Chaye Sarah
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on November 21, 2008 | Tags: Chayei Sarah
Hospitality to strangers is a great mitzvah in the Torah. We recently read of Abraham abruptly cutting off a conversation with no less than God because three messengers appeared, and he hastened to offer them food and shelter. In Parshah Chaye Sarah we get another example. Abraham's servant has been sent to find a wife for Isaac. When he sees Rebecca at the well he asks for a sip of water from her jar. She not only provides it, but then adds, "I will also draw for your camels, until they finish drinking." (Gen. 24:19) This is no small gesture when you realize how much water she will have to draw for ten thirsty camels. Or to put it another way, how quick are you volunteering to do such a thing? Commentators note that the servant had only asked for water for himself, so Rebecca was not merely being generous in response to a request but was actually initiating the action herself. It's not surprising, therefore, that Isaac is said to have "loved" her, the first reference to romantic love in the Bible.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
