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Why does the Torah (תורה) say Avrohom came "lispod l'Sarah v'livkosa" rather than simply to bury her? The shiur develops the idea that "lispod" means to internalize emotional pain and wailing—not to deliver a eulogy—and that Avrohom came specifically to heighten his sense of loss. The discussion explores why one would voluntarily inflict such pain and what unique aspect of Avrohom's relationship with Sarah the Torah is revealing.
This shiur analyzes the opening pesukim of Parshas Chayei Sarah, focusing on the enigmatic phrase "Vayavo Avrohom lispod l'Sarah v'livkosa" (Bereishis 23:2). Rabbi Zweig challenges the conventional translation that Avrohom came to "eulogize" Sarah, arguing instead for a more personal, internal understanding of the verse. The shiur begins by examining Rashi (רש"י)'s commentary on "lispod," which cites a Gemara (גמרא) in Berachos stating "agra d'hespeda deluya"—the measure of a eulogy is crying. Rashi explains this doesn't mean the eulogizer cries, but rather that he raises his voice in wailing and anguish (nehi v'agmas nefesh) so that the listeners will cry. This leads to an exploration of the relationship between "bechi" (crying) and "sfod" (wailing/emotional pain). Drawing on Koheles, which contrasts "eis lischok v'eis livkos, eis sfod v'eis rekod" (a time to laugh and cry, a time to wail and dance), Rabbi Zweig establishes that sfod represents a more intense emotional state than mere crying—it is deep emotional pain and wailing, as opposed to rekod (dancing), which is intense joy.
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Bereishis 23:2
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