This Shabbat’s weekly Torah portion Chayei Sarah (The Life of Sarah), Genesis 23:1 – 25:18, opens with the death of Sarah and her widower Abraham’s mourning for her and especially purchase of the Double Cave (Me’arat Hamachpela) in Hebron in order to bury her. This purchase is recognized as the first acquisition in the Land of Israel by and for the Jewish People.

The rest of the weekly portion focuses almost exclusively on Abraham’s tending to his son Isaac’s finding a bride. He sends his servant Eliezer (though he remains unnamed in the entire portion) to find a fitting bride for his master’s son, and finds the humble and helpful Rebeccah. The portion concludes with Abraham’s death, and the stage is set for the continuation of the story of the patriarchs.

The Haftara Prophets reading, I Kings 1:1 – 1:31, mirrors our Torah reading in recounting a search for a companion for King David and a story of transfer of power or at least focus from King David to his son Solomon.

Happy studying!