A
survey of the parasha reveals that it deals with five topics:
the death and burial of Sarah
Eliezer’s mission to find a wife for Isaac;
the sons of Abraham’s concubines and their being
sent away;
the death and burial of Abraham;
a list of the descendants of Ishmael.
The
common theme which connects all of these topics is continuity.
Respect
for ancestors, as demonstrated by Abraham’s concern for the proper burial of
Sarah, is a necessary element of continuity. One who does not respect or learn
from his forebears divorces the present from the past and thereby jeopardizes
the future.
Following
Sarah’s death, it is only natural that continuity requires finding a suitable
wife for Isaac.
Eliezer’s
criterion for recognizing the woman destined for his master’s son is an act of
kindness:
Let it then be that the maiden to whom I shall
say: please lower your pitcher so I
may drink; and she shall say: drink and I will give your camels drink also; she
is the one you have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know
that You have shown kindness to my master. Genesis 24: 14
It
is instructive that the criterion for identifying she who is worthy of
continuing Sarah’s path is not a religious act, but one of interpersonal relations.
Not the length of Rebecca’s sleeves, not eating only glatt, but being kind to a stranger demonstrates her worthiness.
Abraham’s
sending away the sons of his concubines represents the painful aspect of
guaranteeing continuity. Abraham, who brought strangers to accept monotheism,
and brought them under the wings of the Shechina
was unsuccessful with his own children. He had to satisfy himself with giving
the sons of the concubines presents and sending them off so that his line will
continue through Isaac.
As
far as Abraham’s burial, it is noteworthy that the verses again specifically
mention his purchase of Ma’arat
haMachpelah. As my brother commented, it is an eternal concrete reminder of
his continuity for all the generations that followed Abraham who have renewed
their connection to our ancestors and their teachings by visiting or even
remembering Ma'arat haMachpelah.
The
parasha ends with the list of
Ishmael’s descendants. This too can be seen as being related to Abraham’s
continuity specifically through Isaac. It is certainly not by chance that the
list of Ishmael’s sons is composed of twelve names. Possibly the intention is
to present this list of twelve names against the twelve grandsons of Isaac.
Perhaps there is even an implied challenge. The Twelve Tribes are not the only
group of twelve in God’s sight. Maybe it
is a reminder to not take our status for granted.
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