Machpela

Found 8 Search results

1. The Legacy of Sarah

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutes

   Parashat Hayyei Sarah is comprised of three main stories: purchasing the cave, finding a wife for Isaac, and Abraham’s third marriage. Why is the Machpela purchase so lengthy? This shiur examines parshanut, literary and philosophic approaches. It emerges that this episode allows Abraham to establish roots, further ensuring that Isaac continues the legacy and values of Sarah.

2. Ramban on Chayyei Sara: The Burial of Sarah in Eretz Yisrael - the Location of the Cave of Makhpela

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 35 minutes

   In the story of Avraham buying the burial plot for Sarah in Hebron, why does one of the verses state that Hebron is located in the Land of Canaan?

   Ramban notes that some view this detail as emphasizing that the forefathers were buried in Eretz Yisrael - a place ofgreater kedusha than outside Israel. In Ramban's opinion, though, the Torah is not contrasting Canaan to "Chutz La'Aretz" (outside of the Land of Israel), but rather highlighting that Avraham was buying a plot in Canaan as opposed to the Land of Pelishtim. Avraham chooses a place that is in the hills -  the heartland of the future Land of Israel.

    

3. Greed or Wisdom: What is Efron Saying?

   Rabbi David Silverberg

4. Makhpela: Temporary Gift or Permanent Purchase

   Rabbi David Silverberg

5. Avraham's Purchase of the Cave of Makhpela: No Cutting Corners

   Rabbi David Silverberg

6. Sometimes it's Not Worth Fighting: Avraham and Ephron

   Rabbi David Silverberg

7. Was Me'arat HaMachpela (The Makhpela Cave) inside Hebron?

   Rabbi David Silverberg

8. “And if a stranger sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong" - The Purchase of Me'arat Ha-Machpela

   Rabbi Gad Eldad

   When Avraham seeks to purchase the Cave of Makhpela as a burial plot for Sarah, Efron, one of the sons of Chet, offers it to Avraham for  free. Avraham refuses, and when he pays the full amount that Efron then suggests, the Torah has an unusually long description of this transaction. Why? We would do well to address the question of why in light of a broad perspective on the story.  

   Why does Efron offer the land  for free? The Torah does not provide us with any information about the relationship between Avraham and the sons of Chet prior to Sarah's passing. Despite the absence of information concerning previous connections between them, Avraham is immediately referred to by the sons of Chet as "a mighty prince." What can possibly stand behind such a designation?

   These designations are a cunning way to exploit Avraham's distress. It would seem that just as we are commanded to learn from the boldness and strength of our forefathers' faith in standing resolutely on their path, we are no less supposed to distance ourselves from the actions of those who stood opposite them and made their lives difficult.