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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Chayei Sara
The story of purchasing Me'arat Hamachpeyla (cave of the patriachs) is more than just any real estate tale. It is the establishment and beginning of the conquering the land of Israel by the Jewish people. What happened in our Parsha has effect ever since and shows us the right approach to the land of Eretz Yisrael.
Looking in to the conversation between Avraham and the people of Hevron of the time, Bnei Chet, and there leader Efron, can teach us a lot. Every step of the negotiating we can witness differences between what Avraham requested and what they replied. I'd like to point out some insights in this discussion. My claim is that it was a pretty tough discussion that included ideological aspects and arguments.
Real ownership or "right of use"
Avraham requests an "Achuzat Kever"- a plot of land for burial (Bereshit, 23, 4). The people of Chet reply that they are willing to let him burry his wife Sarah in any spot he chooses.
They only decided to leave out one word-"Achuzat" – the land. They were willing to let him "right of use" but not ownership. "Not one of us will prevent you from burying your wife"- to be accurate- we will allow you to use what belongs to us.
Rashi brings that Avraham threatened, that if they refuse his offer he will take the land by law because Eretz Yisrael was promised to him by God. In other words, here Avraham begins his conquering the land and fulfilling the dream of the Jewish nation.
Upgrading the demand for top dollar
Next, Avraham begins the negotiating with the president of Hebron, Efron. He requests a "cave". A cave is more than a burial plot, a cave is a "place", a location, a zone. Avraham upgrades his demand for a higher level of possession.
Efron responds by offering it for free. Avraham refuses. Avraham doesn't want "freebees". Why not take it for free? Because when you get something for free you aren't completely the owner. The person giving the gift could deny the gift in the future.
Chazal explain (Bereshit Raba, Vayishlach, 79) that the three places that were purchased by Am Yisrael cannot be argued by the natons of the world, Umot Ha'olam- Temple Mount that was purchased by king David, Shechem by Ya'akov, and Hevron by Avraham. Eventually, not only do we get the "cave", but we also get the "Sadeh"- "the field" surrounding it above including all the trees it contained (Bereshit, 23, 17). By doing this, we claim that not only do we have a place to "hideout- safe haven" from antiSemitism but we also have the right of living here, "above the ground"- proudly and openly.
Inspiration for generations
This story gives us inspiration for generations - knowing how we must conquer, settle and possess the land of Israel. Kalev, the son of Yefune, came to Me'arat Hamchpeyla, the Cave of the Patriarchs. to daven so as not to fall prey to the sin of the spies who said bad things about the land (Rashi, Bamidbar 13, 22). Our forefathers gave us the legitimacy and strength to call out, just like Kalev did at the time- "Let us go up at once, and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it."
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
