Shabbat Chayai Sarah

This week’s parasha gives an interesting excursion into a seemingly complicated business transaction. Although the Torah, in parashat Lech L’cha, documents a promise that G-d made to Avraham, to bestow upon him an inheritance of the land of Israel, we find in parasha Chayai Sarah that Avraham needs to purchase a burial plot from Ephron the Hittite. He does not attempt to pull a divine trump card out of his hand, or assemble his troops and overrun the province.

Rather, Avraham first engages the working class residents of the hamlet of Chait (Bnai Chait), impressing them with his willingness to live among them. Although the Torah does not divulge the nature of his interaction, it must have been extremely positive, and indicitive of the traits of kindess and leadership that traditionally describe him. The Bnai Chait address him as “A Prince of G- d among us”. After first establishing the relationship with his neighbors Avraham then negotiates with the local executive Ephron, and keeps the upper hand by not wanting to accept any gift of land,and be beholden to anybody, preferring to pay top shekel instead.

The result was an enhancement of Avraham’s name, and a respect for his family and followers. The promise G-d made to Avraham at their first encounter in parashat Lech L’cha, “I will bless you, and make your name great, and you will be a blessing”, seems indeed to have come true. The trigger was the proactive nature of Avraham, and I think that is a major message of this story. Our creator has many gifts and rewards for each of us, but it is up to us to put the divine plan into action by taking the first step, and doing whatever we can do to take care of business on our ends while leaving a positive impression to others, thus making our own names great in the process.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Greg