Parashat Chayei Sarah - Fifth Aliyah
Read the biblical text and try to understand it on your own, before reading the commentary.
Abraham’s servant brings out silver and gold objects and clothing and gives them to Rebecca, and he also gives gifts to her brother and mother. Now he and his men eat, drink and spend the night. But in the morning, when he asks to return to his master, a new difficulty arises: Rebecca’s brother and mother ask that she remain with them a while longer. The servant asks them not to delay him. Genesis 24:53-56
During this conversation, they suggest:
nikra lanna’arah venish’alah et piha
Translation: Let us call the young woman and ask her herself.
After everything that has been said about Rebecca, it is her turn to answer for herself. Genesis 24:57
One word from Rebecca
What exactly are they asking her? Rashbam explains that the question is whether she wishes to stay a while, as her family has asked, or to leave immediately, as the servant has requested. The context is the disagreement over when to depart. Rashbam on Genesis 24:57
Rashi draws a broader principle from their turning to her: a woman is not given in marriage without her consent. Even when the family has already agreed to the match, she must be asked. Rashi on Genesis 24:57
They call Rebecca and ask:
hatelchi im ha’ish hazeh
Translation: Will you go with this man?
She answers with one Hebrew word:
elech
Translation: I will go.
Rashi explains that she will go of her own accord, even if her family does not wish it. He hears in this brief answer a decision of her own, even in the face of possible opposition from them. Genesis 24:58, Rashi on Genesis 24:58
The servant gave a long speech to secure the family’s agreement. Rebecca needs just one word to answer the question put to her. Farewell and blessing follow, and she sets out with her young attendants. Genesis 24:59-61
Rashi explains that Rebecca’s farewell blessing continues the blessing given to Abraham on Mount Moriah: the family wishes that the descendants promised to Abraham will come specifically from her. Rashi on Genesis 24:60, Genesis 22:17
Why does the Torah tell us that he loved her?
Toward evening, Isaac goes out into the field, looks up and sees camels approaching. Rebecca too looks up and sees him. When she asks the servant who the man walking toward them is and learns that he is his master, she takes her veil and covers herself. The servant tells Isaac everything he has done. Genesis 24:62-66
Rashi explains that Isaac went out into the field to pray. On his reading, the account of the encounter thus opens with Isaac going out to pray. Rashi on Genesis 24:63
Isaac brings Rebecca into the tent of his mother Sarah and takes her as his wife. We might expect the story of the mission to end here. But the verse continues:
vaye’ehaveha vayinnachem Yitzchak acharei imo
Translation: He loved her, and Isaac found comfort after his mother’s death.
After the journey and the marriage arrangement, the Torah returns to the loss that opened the parashah. Genesis 24:67
Ramban asks why Scripture mentions a man’s love for his wife. He explains that love and consolation are connected: Isaac had grieved deeply for his mother and found no comfort until he was consoled by his wife, through his love for her. At the end of his commentary, Ramban also presents Onkelos’s reading, according to which Rebecca’s righteousness and good deeds brought about the love and consolation. Ramban on Genesis 24:67
The question near the beginning of the aliyah is when Rebecca will set out. The final verse already tells us what she has brought to Isaac’s home: love and consolation.
More Questions on the Parsha
Eliezer’s Prayer: Can a Coincidence Be Guided by God?
Why does Eliezer ask for a chance encounter? Malbim, Or HaChaim and Baal HaTurim explore providence, responsibility and kindness beside the well.
Why Is a Vav Missing from Ishmael’s Generations?
One letter separates the spellings for Ishmael’s and Isaac’s generations. Masoretic tradition and a midrash open a question about loss and continuity.
Why Is Isaac Named Before Ishmael at Abraham’s Burial?
Isaac and Ishmael bury their father together. Rashi finds repentance in the order of their names, inviting reflection on honor, family and continuity.
Why Does Abraham Eulogize Sarah Before Weeping for Her?
Why does Sarah’s eulogy come before the tears? Sforno, Malbim and Kli Yakar offer a starting point for reflecting on honor, grief and action.