The Jewish Star

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The Israeli and American flags were projected on the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, on Oct. 28, in solidarity with the Jews murdered in a Pittsburgh synagogue on Shabbos.

The JEWISH Chayei Sara • Nov. 2, 2018 • 24 Cheshvan, 5778 • Torah columns pages 26–27 • Luach page 26 • Vol 17, No 42

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Chayei Sarah: Free land for dead Jews Parsha of the Week

Rabbi avi billeT Jewish Star columnist

two points have been raised in every verse up until now. But the Torah takes three verses to describe the transaction, and the transfer of the land, the field, and the cave to Avraham’s ownership. It takes pains to identify this space, presumably to make clear that this was a big purchase, made by Avraham for his family as an eternal burial spot. This was a purchase and transfer of property for all time. After the purchase has been See Chayei Sarah on page 26

Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

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arah dies, and Avraham approaches the local Hittites and asks to speak to Ephron ben Tzochar, “that he should give me to me the Machpelah cave at the edge of his field, for its full price, [to be used as] a burial plot” (Bereishit 23:9). Ephron responds, “I’ll give it you for free! In front of everyone! It’s yours! Bury your dead!” (23:11) Avraham is appreciative, but declines: “I’m giving you the money. Take it from me. Then I will bury my dead.” Ephron thinks it over. “A land of 400 silver shekels — between friends, not such a big deal, right? — then you can bury your dead” (23:15). The next verse should say that Avraham paid the money and buried his dead. After all, those

Presidential condolence

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid respects Tuesday at a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. The president laid stones and the first lady left small flowers. They were accompanied by White House senior advisers Jerod Kushner and Ivanka Trump, seen speaking with the Tree of Life’s rabbi, Jeffrey Myers. During Shabbos prayer, 11 people were killed and six wounded.


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