The passing of Sarah brought with it a departure of Holiness in the camp of Avraham. The woman who had produced for Avraham a son worthy of God’s blessing and continuation of God’s oath was now buried in the cave in Macpelah. Right after Avraham buries Sarah he immediately sets his most loyal servant Eleazar on a quest to find a wife for Isaac.

A Holy Family for a Holy Service

Canaanites were unsuitable not only because they had not pursued God like the descendants of Shem but also because their family had been cursed by Noah for the actions of their father Ham. Even the descendants of Yapheth were not worthy—although they had never been cursed (and had even been blessed by Noah)—to produce offspring who would fulfill the role of Israel. Only the line from Shem, and then from Avraham’s own family tree would be worthy. Some might find this strange because out of Avraham’s family he was the only one who was not an idol worshiper. However, Avraham’s ancestors had all been of the line from Shem who had remained faithful to Hashem. Their merit passed on to Avraham.

Even Sarah, Avraham’s wife, was the daughter of his brother Haran. It might seem curious that the eventual emergence of Israel would only come as the result of children born within the same family line. This is not so strange when we consider that the line of Shem, out of his brothers, had always proved to be the most committed to God. Each generation who serves God earns extra reward. God says “And showing mercy to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments…”[i]

We know that the Matriarchs were holier and greater prophets than each of their husbands and yet it was Yitzhak who God responded to when both Yitzhak and Rivkah sought a child. This is because God responds not only based on how righteous you are but how righteous your parents were. Thus, although Rivkah was more righteous Yitzchak’s merit did not exist alone but was combined with the merit of his father Avraham and Mother Sarah. Rivkah, however, was only able to pray on behalf of her merit—her father, Levon, being wicked.

Sarah’s death had created a vacuum in the Holiness of God’s camp. It was time to fill that Vacuum with a new matriarch—it was time to find a wife for Yitzhak. 

Eleazar knew that finding a wife that could fill the void left by Sarah would not be an easy task. He probably thought it would be impossible. The quest to find a suitable wife for Yitzhak led Eleazar to Avraham’s relatives who lived in Nahor (named after Avraham’s brother). It was here that Eleazar saw his best chance to find a wife for Yitzhak.

It was clear that in a town of people locating the “right” girl who measured up to Sarah would require nothing short of a miracle. Therefore, Eleazar petitioned Hashem to show a kindness to his master. Further, he set forth a sign that would tell him who was worthy to be Yitzhak’s bride. According to Bereishit 24:13-14 “Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14. And let it come to pass, that the girl to whom I shall say, Let down your water jar, I beg you, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also; let the same be she whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that you have shown kindness to my master…”

It is strange that Eleazar would ask for a sign when it was clear that we should not ask for such things from God. There is more than one way to understand Eleazar’s actions. If we realize that Eleazar was setting out a criteria for the girl who would be worthy of marrying his master’s son then it is not so strange.

Eleazar was looking for a girl who would replace the void of Sarah. Such a person would have to possess a disposition that was of loving-kindness. Only such a person would be suitable as a wife to Yitzhak—Rivkah was that girl.   

Once Eleazar had discovered Yitzhak’s future wife he had to travel to Rivkah’s family to seek their permission to marry Rivkah to Yitzhak. This was not easy because Rivkah’s family were extremely wicked. None were more wicked than her brother Levon who would later take Rivkah’s son, Yaacov, and make him suffer to satisfy Levon’s greed.

With Eleazar were camels loaded with riches from Avraham. If this had been a righteous family then Avraham’s righteousness and spiritual integrity would have sold them on marrying their daughter to Yitzhak. However, they were not righteous and physical wealth was the only thing that would allow them to give Rivkah to Eleazar as a wife for Yitzhak.  

Rivkah and Eleazar finally departed from Levon and his mother to make their journey back to Yitzhak. Yitzhak (according to the Midrash) was returning from his studies at Shem and Ever’s “Yeshiva.”[ii]

Yitzhak’s appearance was such that seeing him caused Rivkah to fall off of her camel in surprise. Once Rivkah and Yitzhak were united the Torah tells us that he was comforted for his mother Sarah.

It was because of Rivkah’s great holiness and character that Yitzhak could be comforted. Rivkah and Yitzhak comprised the second pair of the three pillars of the people who would eventually become the nation of Israel.

It is important for all of us to consider the holiness of the patriarchs. Before Mt. Sinai everyone was obligated to keep the Noachide commandments. This means that whatever level of holiness those prior to Sinai had received ought to encourage us to the ends. We should expect ourselves to strive to gain the levels of holiness that the Patriarchs and Matriarchs reached. Their lives are living lessons for all of us.

Written by :