Thoughts from Kollel KLAL

Chayei Sarah

When Eliezer returned from Charan the passuk states, “ויספר העבד ליצחק את כל הדברים אשר עשה and the servant told Yitzchak all of the things which he did.” Rashi explains that Eliezer told Yitzchak all the miracles that happened. The time it took to reach his destination, Lavan’s house, was shortened and he got there in just one day. Before he finished davening, Rivka went out with a pitcher on her shoulder. The entire sequence of events occurred exactly as how he had davened for it to be, and he found Rivka in just one day. This was as Avraham had said “הוא ישלח לפניך מלאך He shall send His angel before you.” There was clear hashgachas Hashem from the beginning until the end.

The following passuk states “ויבאה יצחק האהלה שרה אמו, And Yitzchak brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother.” Onkelos translates these words as “And Yitzchak brought her into the tent and he saw that her ways were like the ways of his mother Sarah.” How were Rikvah’s ways similar to that of Sarah’s ways?

The Nesina LaGer explains b’shem Rashi, just as when Sarah was alive the cloud of the Shechinah rested over the tent, beracha was found in the bread, and the candle lit from Friday to Friday, so too was with Rivkah. When Rivkah entered into the tent, these miracles returned. The Nefesh HaGer brings another explanation b’shem the Midrash, Sarah’s house was open to help others tremendously. When Rivkah came she was also able to help others the same way. Yitzchak noticed Rivkah’s good deeds were similar to Sarah’s, and therefore he married her. Yitzchak did not marry Rivkah because of how she looked or for other reasons, but rather because he saw that she was similar to Sarah his mother. She was fitting to marry and continue on the legacy of the family.

The passuk states “ויקח את רבקה ותהי לו לאשה ויאהבה and he married Rivkah and she was to him for a wife and he loved her.” The Griz infers that after Eliezer told over all the miracles that occurred, Yitzchak did not yet take her for a wife. Only after Yitzchak saw that her actions were similar to that of his mother did he marry her. Says the Griz, this reflects that although throughout the entire story Eliezer and Yitzchak saw clear cut hashgachas Hashem and miracles, it was insufficient. Yitzchak needed to recognize her good actions and deeds, to know she was the one fitting to marry.

Rav Shternbuch shlita adds that Eliezer recognized the miracles that happened, yet still he tested Rivkah to make sure she was a ba’alas chessed. So too, Yitzchak was only ready to marry Rivkah when he saw that she had good deeds like Sarah. From here we see that one needs to clarify, even beyond miracles, if the woman is a true ba’alas chessed.

At the end of Parshas Vayeira it states ויוגד לאברהם לאמר הנה ילדה מלכה גם היא בנים לנחור אחיך… ובתואל ילד את רבקה and it was told to Avraham saying, “Behold Milkah gave birth to Nachor your brother… and Besuel gave birth to Rivkah. Rashi explains after Avraham returned from Har HaMoriah he thought ‘Had my son been slaughtered he would have left this world without children. I should have married him off to the daughters of Aner, Eshkol and Mamrey.’ Hashem then told him that Yitzchak’s mate, Rivkah, was born. Why did Avraham send Eliezer to find a shidduch when he already knew who the girl was? I heard an answer that although it was told to Avraham, he did not rely on a miracle to find a shidduch. Yitzchak followed in his father’s footsteps by not relying on a miracle, and he made sure Rivkah was similar to Sarah his mother.

May Hashem help us find shidduchim that follow in the ways of the Avos and Imahos!

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