Chayei Sarah: Three Little Birds

As mentioned in the post for last week (Parashat VaYera), the relationship between Abraham and Isaac in Isaac's adulthood, following the "Binding of Isaac" episode, was apparently tense.  Add to the equation that this week's portion opens with the death of Sarah, and we recognize that even if father and son were on good terms, this event would have introduced many new emotions into the equation.

Nevertheless, in his mourning Abraham recognizes that there are still certain tasks that must be attended to.  In fact, the word for "to mourn for her [Sarah]" in the Torah is לבכתה- livchota.  The כ, or ch sound in the word is, according to Masoretic tradition, written smaller than the surrounding letters.  This led some rabbis to comment that Abraham diminished his mourning slightly in order to focus on these practical concerns. 

So Abraham negotiates a burial plot for Sarah, and then turns his attention to finding a suitable mate for Isaac, so that the family traditions can be carried forward, and so that Isaac can be comforted following the passing of his mother.  Rebekah fits both bills: she is part of the extended family, which will be of help in preserving what Abraham has built thus far; and she and Isaac are truly in love.  

I've chosen the Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds," because I think that ultimately this portion presents an optimism similar to what Marley's lyrics and melody embody.  As the portion ends, and the Abraham chapter of the narrative comes to a close (he dies near the end of this portion), Abraham is content in his belief that "every little thing gonna be all right."

Please note, I do not own-- nor do I claim to own-- these songs.  Copyrights are held by the various artists.  I include them here for illustrative purposes.

Three Little Birds- (Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1-25:18)
Music and lyrics by Bob Marley  From the album "Exodus," Tuff Gong Records, 1977.