Parashat Chayei Sarah: From Chevron to the Chuppah

L’ilui nishmas Harav Shlomo ben Rav Yitzchok

Chayei Sarah — A Parsha Connected to Women

Parshas Chayei Sarah is deeply connected to women. It speaks of the greatness of Sarah Imeinu and introduces us to the unique character of Rivka Imeinu.Most of all, this parsha teaches us about the cycle of life — birth, marriage, and death.

Chazal tell us that just before we read about the passing of Sarah Imeinu, the Torah tells us about the birth of Rivka. Why?To teach us that the sun rises before it sets. Before a tzaddik leaves the world, Hashem prepares the next tzaddik who will illuminate the world.

Chevron, Chibur, and the Meaning of Death

Sarah passed away in Chevron, home of the Me’aras HaMachpelah — the “double cave,” symbolizing two worlds.

The word Chevron shares the root chibur — connection.Life itself is a chibur, a connection in this world, and after life comes another, deeper connection with Hashem.

Avraham taught us that death is not an ending, but a continuation — a passage to eternity. This is why the first piece of Eretz Yisrael purchased was the Me’aras HaMachpelah.

The Three Purchases in Eretz Yisrael

Chazal teach that three places in Eretz Yisrael were bought with full payment:

1. Chevron – Me’aras HaMachpelah

2. Shechem – purchased by Yaakov

3. Har HaMoriah – purchased by David HaMelech

These correspond to the three pillars of the world:

• Torah — Shechem

• Avodah — Har HaMoriah

• Gemilus Chasadim — Chevron

The first of these is chesed, reflected in Avraham’s purchase for the burial of Sarah.

Avraham’s Extraordinary Humility

Avraham had every reason to insist that the land was already promised to him by Hashem — yet he negotiated with humility, dignity, and derech eretz.

Chazal say this moment was a tremendous test. After the Akeidah, while mourning Sarah, Avraham never questioned Hashem, never complained, and approached every step with humility.

Remembering the Avos

In the Beis HaMikdash, the service began only when the sun’s first rays shone over Chevron — a daily reminder of our connection to the Avos and Imahos resting in the Me’aras HaMachpelah.

Chevron is a place of memory, renewal, and connection to our roots.

Finding a Shidduch — Eliezer’s Mission

The Torah tells the story of Eliezer searching for Rivka three times — unusually long for the Torah.

Chazal explain:

“Yafeh sichasan shel avdei avos miTorasan shel banim.”The conversations of the servants of the Avos are more precious than the halachos taught later.

The word sichah means conversation — and also tefillah. Eliezer’s sincere tefillah teaches us that prayer is the foundation of hishtadlus, especially in shidduchim.

Eliezer’s Name Is Missing — A Lesson in Humility

Eliezer is never named in this parsha. He is called simply “the servant.”

This teaches:

• A true eved puts ego aside.

• Eliezer overcame personal desires, even possibly hoping Yitzchak would marry his own daughter.

• His greatness was in fulfilling his mission with complete loyalty.

Tefillah and Shidduchim

Chazal compare:

• Yitzchak’s shidduch — which came easily

• Yaakov’s shidduch — which came with difficulty

Just as a poor man davens more intensely than a wealthy one, Hashem shows us that sincere tefillah is what truly brings yeshuos.

Character over backgroundAvraham avoided Canaanite women not because of belief but because of middos, which are harder to change than ideas.

Stories of Hashgacha Pratis

A Father’s Mazal Turns Around

A poor father received a bracha for a shidduch. Later, when someone inquired about him, the first person they met was his one friend — who praised him completely.A moment of clear hashgacha.The shidduch proceeded.

A Snowstorm From Heaven

A man refused to consider a shidduch because he was flying home that day.Suddenly, a snowstorm cancelled his flight.Three days later — the shidduch was finalized.When something is meant to be, Hashem can send a snowstorm.

Yitzchak’s Tefillah — Lasuach Basadeh

Yitzchak prayed Minchah, the tefillah of uncertainty — not day, not night.He himself was in a moment of uncertainty — his mother gone, a new future ahead.

In times of doubt, we turn to Hashem.Immediately after this Minchah, he saw Rivka.

The Light of Sarah Imeinu Returns

When Rivka entered Sarah’s tent, the miracles returned:

• The cloud of the Shechinah

• Blessing in the dough

• Shabbos candles burning from week to week

A Jewish home is a Mikdash Me’at — and the woman brings its blessing and light.

A Segulah for Shidduchim

Before taking three steps back at the end of Shemoneh Esrei, say:

Tehillim 121 — “Shir LaMa’alos, Esa Einai El HeHarim.”A powerful segulah invoking the zechus of the Avos and Imahos.

May We Share in Yeshuos and Simchas

May Hashem send clarity to all who seek it.May shidduchim come with joy, ease, and revealed hashgacha.May our homes be filled with blessing, light, and the Shechinah.

Wishing you a beautiful and uplifting Shabbos from Yerushalayim.