Summary

At the age of 127 Sarah dies in the city of Kiryat – Arba, today called Hebron. Abraham searches for a burial site for her. He finds a cave and offers to purchase it. It’s owner, Ephron the Hittite (he was part of the Hittite people) wants to give the cave to Abraham as a gift, but Abraham refuses, insisting that he must purchase it, which in the end, he does. The burial site is called the Cave of Machpela, and still exists today as a mosque and a synagogue, in the town of Hebron.

Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to search for a wife for his son Isaac. Eliezer travels to Nahor, which is where some of Abraham’s relations live. Eliezer prays to God to help him find a wife for Isaac. While he waits, he sees a woman, approach a well.   He approaches her, asking for some water. She not only gives him water, but she also gives water to his camels, who are also very thirsty. Eliezer realizes that this woman is exactly who he is looking for. He finds out that she is Rebekah, the son of Bethuel, who is Abraham’s nephew. He goes to her house and speaks with her father and older brother, who agree that she can go and marry Isaac. She also agrees to accompany him back to the home of Isaac and Abraham. Isaac meets her and falls in love.

Abraham also remarries. His new wife’s name is Keturah, with whom he has six children. Abraham dies at the age of 175. Before he dies he wills all his possessions to Isaac, and gives gifts to his other children. He is buried by Isaac and Ishmael in the Cave of Machpelah, beside Sarah.

The portion ends with the death of Ishmael, at the age of 137.

Torah Portion in English

1. Sarah’s lifetime—the span of Sarah’s life—came to one hundred and twenty-seven years.
2. Sarah died in Kiriath-arba—now Hebron—in the land of Canaan; and Abraham proceeded to mourn for Sarah and to bewail her.
3. Then Abraham rose from beside his dead, and spoke to the Hittites, saying,
4. “I am a resident alien among you; sell me a burial site among you, that I may remove my dead for burial.”
5. And the Hittites replied to Abraham, saying to him,
6. “Hear us, my lord: you are the elect of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places; none of us will withhold his burial place from you for burying your dead.”

Getting to Know my Parasha

What Does my Parasha Say?

1. Where is Sarah buried?
2. What was Eliezer’s mission?
3. What did Eliezer ask God?
4. What did Rebekah do that impressed Eliezer?
5. How was Rebekah’s family connected to Abraham?
6. Did Rebekah willingly go with Eliezer?
7. What was Abraham’s second wife’s name?
8. Where was Abraham buried?