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Why did Avrohom Avinu need to purchase Ma'aras Hamachpeilah when he owned vast lands? The shiur unveils that Avrohom made a sovereign acquisition—not merely a property purchase—transforming that plot into Eretz Yisrael itself. This allowed Sarah to be buried in holy land, yet Avrohom deliberately refrained from claiming sovereignty over all of Eretz Yisrael to ensure the 400-year decree would begin immediately, enabling his children's quicker return.
This shiur explores the profound meaning behind Avrohom Avinu's purchase of Ma'aras Hamachpeilah in Parshas Chayei Sarah, revealing layers of legal, spiritual, and hashkafic significance that Chazal identify as one of Avrohom's greatest achievements. The Gemara (גמרא) teaches that when Moshe Rabbeinu challenged Hashem (ה׳) about the suffering of Klal Yisrael, Hashem responded "chaval al d'avdin v'lo mishtakchin"—a loss for those who are gone and cannot be replaced, referring to Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov. Rashi (רש"י) surprisingly identifies Avrohom's greatness not as the Akeidah, but as his willingness to pay an expensive price for Eretz Yisrael despite Hashem's promise. This raises fundamental questions about what exactly made this transaction so exceptional. Rabbi Zweig begins by noting several perplexing questions. Why did Avrohom need to negotiate for a burial place when he owned vast lands? Why does he say "ger v'toshav anochi"—if you want I'm a stranger, if not I'm a resident who will take it by right? How could he claim entitlement when the shepherds of Lot were earlier rebuked for grazing on land that hadn't yet been given to Avrohom? Why the elaborate negotiation process involving first the Bnei Ches, then Ephron's appointment as an official, then alternating between addressing Ephron and the people? And why does the Torah (תורה) repeat twice (verses 17 and 20) that the field transferred to Avrohom?
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Bereishis 23 (Parshas Chayei Sarah)
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