Chayei Sarah in a Nutshell

Abraham has the first child with Hagar. Abraham has 6 more children with Hagar.
Abraham blessed with one child with Sarah when he's 100 years old and this child will have a special mission which he will confirm by cheating on his father and brother.
Is not number of children with a particular woman considered to be a blessing?
What was special about Sarah that made her a chosen one?
Respectfully. Reply

A small correction: Abraham was buried by his eldest son, Ishmael, who lost his place as Sarah's heir because of his smart mouthing Sarah, and by Sarah's heir Isaac, who determines the lineage because she's the mother. Isaac is the youngest son, just like Jacob, David, and just like Solomon. The Haftorah that goes along with Chayei Sarah is about Solomon, the youngest child, ascending to the throne, and not the eldest. Reply

There was a link I cannot find about a Rebbe searching for a husband for his daughter, he decided to pose a riddle and consider the correct answer as a qualification.

Of course, no one could answer, but a young man had an insight and won the Rebbe 's favor.

What was the riddle? Reply

Eliezer was the first matchmaker (Shadkhan). What can matchmakers learn from Eliezer in the present day? Reply

There are many questions and interpretations of the life of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar. Nothing, however, is mentioned about the ability to Love as G-d would have us do. One cannot give what he doesn't have. Kindness, compassion, mercy are G-ds characteristics. We are in the likeness of G-d, should we not try to achieve the same characteristics? Love comes from within. Hagar, at first, resented Sarah after giving birth to Ismael. Thus we can recognize our own resentments, offences and unforgivemess; but we can let all this go by experiencing Love. Hagar was given a 2nd chance to love again by marrying Abraham. We are given many chances to grow in wisdom through prayer and actions of kindness and mercy, sharing love. Reply

Okay so I need help with this, Rabbi please assist. First, Abraham having a son at 100 and Sarah giving birth at 90 is indeed a miracle. There is a big deal made about this in the Torah, letting us know that it is the hand of G-d that Sarah and Abraham to have a baby. However, from the age 137+ Abraham is able to have a bunch of sons with no problem and there is no mention of G-d's intervention needed for these births. How is this so? The Torah seems to clearly not just mention that Sarah is too old but so is Abraham. My other question has to do with Hagar.
If Ketura is in fact Hagar wouldn't she too have been a bit on the older side to give birth....at least old enough to have it mentioned in the Torah? Abraham lived almost 40 years after Sarah's death which means Hagar could have been having children well into her 70's+? There just seems to be so much missing here. Perhaps the sages cover this? Reply

A good marriage is a life well lived. Reply

Thank you so much for this powerful teaching, I am learning so much Reply

Please clarify. Im really need closure to this subject matter. Okay if Keturah is Hagar, where was Ishmael in all this? Please don't tell me that there is a high possibility that Abraham could had built the Qaaba with Ishmael. I'm not a scholar on Torah but to me it seems like Abraham had enough time to built the Qaaba. Please prove me wrong and explain it to me. I need closure with this. Reply

Keturah/ Hagar Avraham remarried Keturah who is Hagar. Hagar is referred to as Ketura since she has done repentance (Teshuva) and started a new life as a good person. Reply

portion This portion teaches about our souls being formed as having an ability of conscience to mend and to allow healing so that we may be strong to fulfill G-d's over all plan.
As Jews today we must have the strength and ability to withstand any obstacle of life and death so that we may serve G-d with strength and might.
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I have a difficult time with Hagar marrying Abraham.If so, why is this not told to the arabs.? Reply

Keturah/Hagar Perhaps because after Hashem sent Hagar back to be obediant to Sarah, Hagar became a nice person...After all was she not promised a good future and Sarah being the strong kind faithful woman that she was may have helped Hagar to become a better wife, A wife Abraham would need after her passing. Reply

Rivkah/Keturah Rivkah, I think of the span of time lived by the patriarchs as the rise of an era marked by a certain novel event, like a cultural development that takes hold and never lets go, but supports and gives way to the next cultural development represent by the next patriarch, and so on.

Keturah: I wonder what it says in Hebrew??? When I read the King James bible, or any English translation, I wonder how much it veers from what is meant in Hebrew or Greek. Sometimes the entire message is completely transformed by the misapplication of one word. Not being able to read Hebrew and Greek will forever hold me back in my quest to plumb history through mythology. Reply

From a comment in the Geneva Bible of 1560 I have learned that Abraham was married to Ketura while Sarah was alive. Genesis 25 vs 1. Reply

Sarah and Abraham's ages at death It is hard to believe Sarah and Abraham lived such long lives, but I guess Torah scholars accept it as fact. Reply

Keturah I too would like to know why Abraham remarried Keturah after Sarah's death, if indeed she WAS Hagar.There seems to be some question as to whether Keturah was indeed Hagar. Google Keturah and look at the WIkipedia article for further reference. Reply

Chayei Sarah The last sentence makes sense to me. For Abraham Avinu was such special righteous man. I understand why a woman would not marry anyother man again after having such a wonderful husband.
Although, like me, I never married again because of the bad experience I had. Two opposite. Living for Hashem, Blessed be His Name, is the most rewarding life. Reply

Cave in Hebron Very informative and lots to think about. The first question that popped up for me was about Sarah's burial in a cave. I wonder where that tradition originated. Reply