Thought of the Week: Chayei Sarah - 5780

CHEVRON

“And Abraham replied to Ephron as everyone listened:  "No, listen to me.  I will buy it from you.  Let me pay the full price for the field, so I can bury my dead there."

The acquisition of this field was a monumental moment in the history of the Jewish People.

Avraham’s purchase was not an ordinary transaction.  It was not an acquisition of land within the domain of a specific country but, rather, it was a sovereign purchase.  This is why the coins used for the matter, according to Targum Onkelos, were universally transferable silver shekels. 

The bond between the Jewish People and their homeland begins in Chevron.  (Chevron comes from the word CHEBUR - to connect.)  Consequently, David, who connected the nation of Israel to Hashem, and by being king linked the entire nation to one another, was proclaimed king over all of Israel in Chevron.

However, we cannot have a long-lasting relationship with Eretz Yisrael without the presence of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in our mind.  Chevron, the burial site of the Avot and E’mahot, must be part of an Eretz Yisrael we revere.

Shabbat Shalom