Parashat Chayyei Sarah 5786

by Rabbi Margie Cella

The name of this parashah means “lives of Sarah”, but it ironically begins with her death. The Torah does not give the cause of her death, but many believe that she died of a broken heart after hearing that Abraham had taken Isaac to the top of Mt. Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice. She was unaware, however, that God had halted the sacrifice at the last moment. Abraham now had to see to burying his wife. To that end, he negotiated with the Hittite Ephron to purchase the Cave of Machpelah to use as a burial place. (Ultimately, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Leah, Adam, and Eve would all come to be buried there.) During the negotiations, which took place publicly so that all could witness them, Ephron first offered to give the cave to Abraham. Abraham insisted on purchasing the land so that there would be no question of ownership, and paid Ephron the price of 400 shekels. With this, Abraham officially became a landowner in Canaan.

Throughout our history, we have followed Abraham’s example. When establishing a new Jewish community, priority was given to purchasing land for a synagogue, a school, and a cemetery. Giving a proper burial to our dead in a timely fashion is one of our highest values. We do this as a final act of caring for those who can no longer do anything for us in return.

There is perhaps no time in modern Jewish history when this point has been brought home to us more than right now, as we continue to pray for the last of our deceased hostages to be brought home to Israel for proper burial.

Oseh Shalom, Maker of Peace, may we soon see the day when they can all be laid to rest in the land where Abraham buried his dead.