PARASHAT CHAYE SARAH

Rabbi Danny Rich
18th November 2011

Parashat Chaye Sarah may be translated ‘Sarah’s lifetime’ although it actually begins with the death of Sarah.  Sarah’s husband, Abraham, needs a place to bury her and the Torah tells us that he purchased a cave in the field of Machpelah in Hebron as the family grave.

The field and cave is owned by Ephron who makes a big show-including let everyone know- that he is offering the cave for free. After some negotiations Abraham insists on paying the full price, and Jewish tradition suggests all sorts of reasons why he does including that he wanted to be sure that he really owned it. Read more