Chayei Sarah
Genesis 23:1 – 25:18
This weeks discussion covers the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah covering Genesis 23:1-25:18. Love, romance, marriage, death, laden camels, and the power of specific prayers—Chayei Sarah unfolds dramatically as the trio examine its many pearls. The portion begins with Abraham securing a burial place for Sarah and ends with his death. In between, we get to relive one of the world’s best stories, not once, but four times, as Abraham’s servant makes a match for Isaac. But far from stale repetition, Gordon explains that being able to analyze word choices in a repeated story is pay dirt for the linguist.
Word studies include: “rose up”, under the “thigh”, the number “ten”, and a rare accent mark used only three times in the Torah. Discussions include: Why would a master negotiator insist on paying full price for anything? Why was Abraham adamant that Isaac not be taken back to Ur? And what was at the heart of the servant’s methods that caused him to be such a clever matchmaker?
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January 20, 2020 at 2:17 am /
I just so happens that I have just read a fictional story that has been used to present to ‘city’ girls who contemplate marriage and moving to an Australian Outback location, emphasising the necessity for marrying with real expectations. This was preceded by a discussion I was having at dinner discussing what makes a marriage a success. So the discussion related to the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah and the implications for marriage that honours God.
Also Australia does not require the words ‘by the power invested in me’ in a religious ceremony.
January 18, 2019 at 1:44 pm /
I had thought maybe Abraham wanted to pay full price of the burial spot in the same light of the situation with King Sodom although it was not said to Ephron.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
January 18, 2019 at 1:34 pm /
I had thought maybe Abraham wanted to pay full price of the burial sport in the same light of the situation with King Sodom, although it was not said to Ephron.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
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