Upon glancing at Parashat Chayei Sara, one notices that the account of Avraham’s servant (identified by Chazal as Eliezer) and his quest for a bride for Yitzchak spans the majority of the parasha. One is immediately struck by the length and seemingly unnecessary repetition, so uncharacteristic of biblical narrative. The Torah, which at times seems so stingy and grudging regarding important details, is overly generous with respect to this particular story.

Why does the Torah relate both the actual encounter between Eliezer and Rivka as well as Eliezer's retelling of this meeting? 

A close analysis of the text suggests an answer to the above question, through which we can gain a deeper understanding into the experience of encountering God.

Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion