THE STORY BEHIND AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION

Rabbi Dunner takes a close look at Abraham’s instructions for his trusted servant to find a wife for his son Isaac (Gen. 24).

Abraham had reached old age, and summoned his trusted servant to dispatch him on this crucial quest. But why are we told that Abraham was old? Why are we told that Abraham was blessed with everything? Why didn’t Abraham ask Isaac to go out and find a wife for himself? And most crucially, why were girls from outside Canaan any better than the girls from Canaan?

There is so much that is puzzling about this opening section of the narrative. With the help of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Ramban, Chizkuni, and Abarbanel, Rabbi Dunner tries to get to the bottom of this extraordinary mission.

PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH 2015 – SOURCE SHEET