review of chayey sarah

· Sarah Imeinu passed away at the age 127, after hearing that Avraham was going to shecht Yitzchak. All of her years were equally good.
· Avraham returned to where he and Sara had been living. After mourning and eulogizing her, Avraham wanted to bury her in Me’aras HaMachpela – “The Double Cave”. (When Avraham was serving the Malachim who came to visit him, one of the calves ran away, he chased after it and found it in near Mearas Hamachpela. When he arrived he could actually see Adam and Chava there and immediately decided that that was where he would bury Sara).
· Avraham asked the people of the city to introduce him to the owner of the property, Efron. As it “happened”, Efron had just become the leader of the city. Efron made a very loud announcement that he would give Avraham the field at no charge. When Avraham insisted on paying, Efron realized that he could get rich and charged a ridiculous amount of money. Avraham paid Efron the full amount and from then on no one could ever claim that Me’aras Hamachpeila does not belong to the family of Avraham.
· Yitzchak was already 40 years old and had almost been killed. Avraham realized that it was time to make sure that Yitzchak had children while he was still alive. He sent his faithful servant Eliezer to find a suitable wife for his son. Before he left he made him swear to choose a wife only from among Avraham's family. This was particularly important because Eliezer wanted Yitzchak to marry his own daughter.
· Eliezer traveled with many camels loaded with silks and precious jewels. He also had a document stating that all of Avraham’s fortune would be given as a gift to Avraham. Eliezer arrived at the well in Aram Naharaim and davened for Hashem to give him a sign: If he would ask a girl for water and she would offer water to both him and his camels he would know that she belonged in the house of Avraham, which was full of Chesed. A miracle happened and Rivka appeared at the well to draw water. When she came close to the well the waters rose up to so that Rivka would not have to bend down to far. Eliezer realized that there was something special about Rivka and he asked her for water. Not only did she give him water, but she drew water for all 10 of his thirsty camels (about 140 gallons!). Eliezer knew that she was the right wife for Yitzchak and a suitable Mother for the Jewish People.
· Eliezer was so sure that he had found the right person that he gave her jewelry and gifts (two bracelets and a “nose-ring”) right away without even asking if she was from Avraham’s family.
· Eliezer asked, “Who is your father, and does your family have room for us to stay?” Rivka answered the questions in the order that they were asked: “I am a daughter of Besuel who is the son of Milkah who was born to Nachor (Avraham’s brother), and yes we have lots of hay and a place for you to sleep”. Eliezer bowed in thanks to Hashem.
· They arrived at Besuel’s house and Eliezer introduced himself and told the story of how he found Rivka. He did switch around one detail and said that he asked Rivka to identify herself before he gave her the Jewelry. Otherwise, her family would not have believed the story
· Besuel’s and his rude son Lavan agreed to allow Rivka to marry. Eliezer gave Rivka an engagement present of silver, gold and clothes. He also threw a party with fruits from Eretz Yisrael.
· The next day Rivka’s mother and brother tried to get Rivka to stay a little bit longer. They asked Rivka what she wanted to do and she said, “I will go”. Rivka’s family gave her a bracha that she would become a great nation. Even today this Bracha is given to every Kallah by her family.
· On the way home Eliezer and Rivka bumped into Yitzchak as he was davening mincha in Be’er Lachai Ro’i . They were not ready to meet each other yet so Rivka toppled herself off the camel.
· Yitzchak brought Rivka to his mother Sarah's tent and married her. This was a comfort for the loss of Sara.
· Avraham also got married to Ketura who was really Hagar. They had six children. Avraham gave them gifts, and sent them to the East.
· Avraham was niftar at the age of 175 and is buried next to Sarah in the Me’aras HaMachpela.