- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayera
1254
The Torah records for us at the end of the parsha the generations of Nachor, the brother of Avraham. Nachor remained behind in Aram when Avraham left for the Land of Israel. The Torah makes no mention of any connection between the family of Nachor and that of Avraham over the many decades of their living at seperate locations. But family is family and the birth of Rivkah into the family of Nachor signals Avraham that the future of Yitzchak and Avraham himself lies with Rivkah. The challenges of life, especially of Jewish life, take many different twists and turns. Finding the proper mate for Yitzchak will prove to be as great a challenge to Avraham as almost sacrificing Yitzchak on the altar of Moriah was. Avraham is forced to turn to the almost only relatively safe haven that he can find - the family of his brother Nachor. The idea and centrality of family in Jewish life and history is almost legendary. Avraham and Yitzchak wish to avoid the fate of Yishmael who became disconnected completely from Avraham's family. God sees the Jewish people as a family - loony uncle and all. The struggle of Avraham and of Yitzchak as well is to construct such a family that will bring blessing to itself and the world at large.

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