As the parsha unfolds we read in great detail the fiscal negotiations Avraham exchanged with the Chiti in order to purchase Ma’arat Hamachpela. Later on when Yaakov Aveinu is on his deathbed, he instructs his children “Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Avraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.” (Bereishit 49: 29-32). Why is there a great emphasis on the fact that Ma’arat Hamachpela, in Chevron, was acquired legally and indeed, even with witnesses. The simplest answer may be the most important for us today- the Land of Israel was not only promised to Bnei Yisrael by Hakadosh Baruch Hu, but the land was acquired legally. The Land of Israel is ours!
However, shouldn’t it have been enough that Hashem promised Avraham the Land. Should it not suffice that Hashem promised Avraham that his descendants would be as many as the sand and the stars. Avraham’s purchasing the land is somewhat similar to Noach’s building the Ark. Hashem saved Noach from the flood but Noach had to physically built the Tayvah. Hashem makes promises but Hashem gives us the responsibility to actively participate in our own destiny. Hashem gave us the Land of Israel, but we had to buy it, we had to do battle over it, and we have to actively populate it. “Hashem gives us the strength to act, but we have to do the deed” (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, 5774) . If Hashem wants you to win the Florida State Lottery - you have to buy the ticket! Former President, John F Kennedy ‘s best known statement was “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” To paraphrase that we can say “Ask not what G-d does for you, but what can you do for G-d?”
There is another lesson to be learnt here as well . All great accomplishments begin with small changes. This week, I met with Aleh’s Director of Development, Elie Klein. Aleh is an organization in Israel which cares for people with very complex disabilities. We, at Sha’arei Bina, will be partnering with Aleh, to teach our girls sensitivity and inclusion. More details about the program will be shared with the parents and students as we approach the month of February, which is set aside as Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month. The reason that I mention it now is that the slogan you find on envelopes (distributed primarily on El Al flights) to raise money for Aleh reads “Small Change makes a Big Difference”.
This is the message we want to instill in our children. Everyone of us can be a leader, as we are responsible for taking the lead of our lives, our journey, and what we ultimately will be remembered for. We have a long road ahead of us, G-d willing a long life, to accomplish our ultimate goals, to make an impact on our world ( personal or universal), to make our lives as meaningful as Chayei Sarah. Every journey begins with the first step. Every great accomplishment begins with small but purposeful changes. The future begins now. As I say to the girls every morning - Let’s make this a meaningful day. Do something worthwhile, no matter how small, to make it meaningful. “Just do it!”
Shabbat Shalom!
Rochelle Brand, Ed.D
Head of School
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