The Torah selection of Haye Sarah begins with the death of our matriarch Sarah. The rabbis noted the division of the years of her life. They responded she was as beautiful at one hundred as she was at twenty and as sinless at twenty as she was at seven.

Abraham approaches the clan of Het in order to purchase a burial place for Sarah. Efron of the Hettite clan assents to giving the Cave of Machpelah as a gift to Abraham. Ironically, Abraham demands that he pay 400 shekalim of silver for the burial place. Today, the Cave of Machpelah is the source of contention between the small Jewish community of Hebron and the large Palestinian population that surrounds them.

Hebron is one of the four sacred cities of the Land of Israel. The others are Jerusalem, Tiberias, and Safed (Tzfat). Hebron attains its sanctity as the locale of the Cave of Machpelah. The Torah asserts that Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah were buried there. Jewish lore added the first human couple Adam and Eve. In the 1929 riots in Hebron, the historic Jewish community was obliterated. After the Six-Day War, pious Jews expressed a desire to return to Hebron. At first they were settled in the development town of Kiryat Arba, beyond the limits of historic Hebron. Then, a group of nationalist -religious Jews under the leadership of Rabbi Levinger and his wife returned to the old Jewish quarter of Hebron. The women were known as the "Hadassah ladies" as they squatted in the old Hadassah Hospital. This group continues to live in the heart of Hebron. The tension between these religious-nationalist Jews and the Palestinian population is intense.

The Cave of Machpelah is sacred to all three monotheistic faiths. There are currently visiting hours for Jews and Muslims. Sadly, the massacre of innocent Muslim worshippers by Dr. Baruch Goldstein is one of the unfortunate recent memories of this historic site.

Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find an appropriate spouse for Isaac. Eliezer must return back to Mesopotamia to Abraham's kin for Isaac's bride. Eliezer swears in a profound way as he places his hand near Abraham's male organ. This act of testimony assures Abraham the sacred pledge of Eliezer.

Eliezer prays that a kindly woman who will offer both his camels and himself drink will be the appropriate bride. Many scholars feel the camel is anachronistic in this story as its domestication occurred much later than the historic context of the narrative.

Rebecca appears at the well and offers both Eliezer and his camels water to drink. Eliezer gives her a gift of a golden ring and two bracelets, demonstrating the wealth of his master. Rebecca shares her identity with Eliezer and offers the strange lodging. Laban, Rebecca's brother, is quite impressed with the visitor's wealth. He invites Eliezer into the household. Eliezer shares his story of how he met Rebecca at the well and her act of graciousness to him. Eliezer shares beautiful gifts with Rebecca, Laban, and their mother. Laban and Betuel, his father, consent to Rebecca's becoming the wife of Isaac. Note, that in traditional Middle Eastern society, Rebecca is not consulted initially. However, the rabbis emphasize that Rebecca ultimately does consent to her marriage to Isaac. In Jewish law, a woman may not be married without her consent.

The Torah shares the beautiful blessing given to Rebecca, "our sister, be you the mother of thousands of ten thousands." These words are shared during the Jewish wedding ceremony, when the veil is lowered on the face of the bride. This act is known as "bedecken" in Yiddish.

Isaac sees Rebecca approaching his tent. Rebecca, as a modest woman, covers her face with the veil. The Torah, with its brilliant but laconic style, asserts, "And Isaac was comforted for his mother." Psychologically, many view Rebecca as a mother figure to Isaac. Her strong, dominant personality will reflect that understanding. Traditionally, the rabbis asserted that the Shabbat candles that were once lit by Sarah now were re-kindled by Rebecca.

Genesis 25 asserts that Abraham married a woman named Keturah. Abraham has six sons with Keturah. Abraham divides his property among Isaac, Ishmael, and the children of Keturah. Isaac is the heir to the legacy of Abraham. Abraham dies at the age of 175 according to the Torah. Isaac and Ishmael bury the patriarch. The Torah concludes with the genealogy of Ishmael.