Famine strikes the land of Canaan. Isaac heads south towards Egypt, as his father had done in a similar situation. Before Isaac leaves the land, however, God reveals himself to him and commands him not to leave. At this moment, God addresses Isaac, renewing and expanding the covenant that had previously existed with Abraham. After promising that he and his offspring would inherit the land, He explains that it is because Abraham had succeeded in maintaining his end of the covenant.

If the family had so emphatically approved of the match, why did they later want Rivka to remain with them?

Generally, when we feel we are being taken advantage of, our instinctive reaction is to resist and stand our ground.  But while in many situations this is certainly appropriate and even necessary, Avraham’s exchange with Efron teaches us that sometimes we are best advised to simply say “ok” and move on. 

     Parashat Chayei-Sara is the third and final parasha that tells of the life of Avraham, but both in content and from the standpoint of literary structure, it is distinct and stands apart.  The story of Avraham’s life is bookended by two commands of “lekh-lekha” – the command to leave his home and relocate in Canaan, which appears at the beginning of Parashat Lekh-Lekha, and the command to “go forth” to Mount Moriah for the akeida, the section which concludes Parashat Vayera.  In between, we read of Avraham’s experiences as he forged a special covenant with God

Despite having received God’s promise that his progeny would inherit the land, Avraham did not cut any corners in securing a burial plot.  He insisted on following the same legal procedures followed by all other people, to show that God’s special relationship imposes additional demands and responsibilities, rather than entitling us to shortcuts.

      We read in Parashat Chayei-Sara of Avraham’s servant’s experiences at the well outside Aram Naharayim, where he had gone in search of a suitable bride for Rivka.  Upon arriving at the well, the servant prays to the Almighty to ensure that the girl who offers to draw water for his camels, after he requests only water for himself, should be suitable for marrying Yitzchak.  His prayers are answered, and Rivka, Avraham’s great-niece and a worthy match for Yitzchak, arrives and graciously offers water to the servant and his camels.

800 שנה לפני 'יבנה וחכמיה' הציבה הנבואה מפי הושע תחליף לקרבנות בהיעדר מקדש.

העם מתפקח, לומד לקח מן המציאות הקשה, וחוזר אל השורשיות, אל הארץ, אל הפריחה והחקלאות. זוהי המציאות המתוקנת. על העם להבין שמצבו בארץ מותנה בהתנהלותו ולהתבונן על המציאות בעיניים נכונות.

נבואת התשובה שבסוף ספר הושע נאמרה בזמן נישואיו של הושע עם האשה הזונה.

בעיני הנבואה, פחות חשוב מה בדיוק קרה סביב החורבן, וחשוב מאד לסכם למה זה קרה.