{"id":1714,"date":"2020-11-15T18:48:01","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T02:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/capellman.com\/cecil1215b\/2020\/11\/15\/the-5-books-meander-week-5-%e1%b8%a5ayyei-sarah\/"},"modified":"2020-11-15T18:48:01","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T02:48:01","slug":"the-5-books-meander-week-5-%e1%b8%a5ayyei-sarah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/capellman.com\/cecil1215b\/2020\/11\/15\/the-5-books-meander-week-5-%e1%b8%a5ayyei-sarah\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Books Meander, Week 5 (\u1e24ayyei Sarah)"},"content":{"rendered":"

In brief:<\/strong>
\n\u1e24ayyei Sarah translates to “Life of Sarah.” This section focuses on Sarah’s passing, the arrival of Rebekah, and Abraham’s passing and burial. It surprised me that the story of Sarah’s passing would be referred to as “life of Sarah.” A minute or two of searching around, and our old friend wikipedia<\/a> offered up an answer:<\/p>\n

“Each weekly Torah portion takes its name from the first distinctive word in the Hebrew text of the portion in question, often from the first verse.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And in fact, the translation I’m using<\/a> begins with “Sarah’s lifetime–the span of Sarah’s life–came to one hundred and twenty-seven years.” Perhaps this is just how things fell into place. But there’s some kindness about that naming nonetheless, death and life intermixed.<\/p>\n

Things start off this week with an exceptionally respectful negotiation between Abraham and the Hittites for a burial spot. Abraham’s servant is then sent to find Isaac a wife among Abraham’s kinsmen, and another gracious encounter occurs by the well. A story I must have heard a dozen times growing up. Take care of the stranger. And his camel too! The section closes with the burial of Abraham, perhaps the most beautiful passage in Genesis thus far.<\/p>\n

A few thoughts:<\/strong><\/p>\n