Chayei Sarah: L’ eloy Nishmas Avraham Zev ben Yaakov – Dr. Abe Chames
Chofetz Chaim on Parshas Chayei Sarah
In Parshas Chayei Sarah, the passuk states, “Shima’einu adonee n’see elokim atah b’socheinu b’mivchar k’vareinu k’vor es meisecha- Hear us, my lord: You are a prince of G-d in our midst; in the choicest of our burial places bury your dead” (23:6). When Avraham decided that he wanted to bury Sarah in M’aras Hamachpeilah, he first spoke to the B’nei Ches about his purchase. He later decided that he would only deal directly with Ephron, the owner of the land. The Chofetz Chaim asks, the B’nei Ches originally told Avraham, “Ish mimenu es kivro lo yichleh mimcha mikvor meisecha- Any of us will not withhold the burial place from you, from burying your dead” (23:6), if so, why did Avraham insist on speaking directly with Ephron? Avraham could have brought Sarah there and buried her wherever he wanted to; he was already granted full permission from the B’nei Ches?
The Chofetz Chaim answers that, using common sense, Avraham knew that if he would simply bring Sarah to any field without making any arrangements with the owner, the owner would tell him to go to another field. The B’nei Ches only made a verbal commitment to Avraham; they only said that no man will “withhold his burial place” and “in the choicest of our burial places bury your dead.” The statements made by the B’nei Ches were only empty words, words that were not yet put into action. The reason why Avraham wanted to speak to Ephron was to ensure that Ephron would carry-out his words and complete the transaction. Avraham wanted to make sure when the time came to bury Sarah he wouldn’t be denied and told to go to another field. We must make sure that we are careful with our words and that we put the things we say into action.
Good Shabbos! |
