Divrei Simcha for Parshas Chayei Sarah 5767

I once had the opportunity to hear one of the gedolim (greatest rabbi) of our generation speak at the yeshiva in my town. His name is Rav Matisyahu Salomon from Lakewood. He said an amazing insight into this week’s parsha that I’d like to share with you (of course, hearing it from him directly is much better than I could ever say it).

The majority of this week’s parsha talks of the story of Eliezer playing matchmaker and finding Rivka to be the wife for Yitzchak. The Torah tells us the whole story of how Eliezer met her and celebrated with her family. A beautiful story… that is until there is a death in the family. Rivka’s family and Eliezer sit down to an elegant meal and then Eliezer is getting ready to leave to take Rivka to Yitzchak. Rashi tells us that a terrible thing happens right before he leaves. Rivka’s father, Besuel, dies. Rivka’s family begs her to stay for some time longer to mourn over her father but Eliezer says that they need to go now. They are not wasting any time. They are taking the next train out of town.

When you think about it, it does not seem that what Eliezer did was very nice. Let Rivka mourn over her father for a few days. Can’t you wait a few days to have the wedding?

Actually, what Eliezer did was correct and teaches us a great lesson. Rav Salomon says that when we have the momentum, don’t stop. Eliezer could see that Rivka was very excited about getting married to Yitzchak. Rivka’s family was going along with the plan also. If this momentum stopped, then second thoughts would start to creep in and the plan might not work out. Once you start, continue through with the plan. Do not let those second thoughts talk you out of doing it.

I am reading a book about organizing the clutter in my house. The author offers a great suggestion. Set a timer for five minutes and quickly go around the house and pick up 27 things that you can throw away or give away. Throw them in a bag. When you are done, immediately take it to the trash or to your car to give away. Don’t stop to think about it, because if you stop, you’ll never throw anything away.

This is really a life lesson. When we start a project, continue with it. Do not slow down. And this is the lesson that Eliezer teaches us in this week’s parsha.

Good Shabbos!

-yes

If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to [email protected]. Thank you for reading this! I hope you enjoyed it!

By Rabbi Yaacov Seltzer
[email protected]
(305) 652-0186