Chayei Sarah (The Life of Sarah) Genesis 23:1 – 25:18

In this week’s Torah portion, Abraham’s servant searches for a wife for Isaac. We read of his encounter with Rebecca at the well three times: as the servant is praying, as it happens, and as the servant recounts the tale to Rebecca’s family. Why is this story told three times? The sages tell us that sometimes, more can be learned from the conversation of the patriarchs and matriarchs than from the depths of the later writings of the Torah.

Though the details of the story may seem mundane, they indicate who the patriarchs are and what they will become. Life is found in these moments and details. Every moment counts, even those spent waiting for someone to draw water.

Shabbat Shalom!

Related News

A Letter from Shmuel, June 2026

From the moment we first recounted the story of the Exodus from Egypt, storytelling has always been one of our greatest strengths and an important mechanism in carrying our national memory from generation to generation.

Jun 10, 2026

Gilgal: Where Israel Came Home at Last!

Forty years after the Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt, an entirely new generation, led by Moses’ disciple Joshua, finally entered the Land of Israel, reaching a long-awaited milestone!

Apr 9, 2026

Telling Our Story

The Seder tells the story of the Jewish people’s past but also points to their future. Though they remember the bitterness of slavery in Egypt they look forward to a rebuilt Israel with the Seder’s final statement of “Next Year in Jerusalem!”

Apr 6, 2026