1. The Torah’s Emphasis on Eliezer’s Story
This week’s parsha—Torah portion—is Chayei Sarah, and we’re looking at insights from Likkutei Sichos, Volume 25, focusing especially on the second sicha. The parsha features the story of Avraham sending his servant, Eliezer, to find a wife for his son Yitzchak. What stands out is how much space the Torah devotes to this narrative. The Torah first details Avraham’s instructions to Eliezer, then recounts Eliezer’s journey, his prayer, and the miraculous way he finds Rivkah. After Rivkah passes his test of kindness by offering water to both him and his camels, Eliezer repeats the entire story to her family, recounting again what Avraham told him and what transpired.
Our sages note that this repetition is remarkable. The Torah is usually so concise that even a single extra letter or word can be the source of an entire law (halacha). Yet here, the Torah repeats the conversation and actions of Eliezer multiple times. The Talmud [CHECK ATTRIBUTION: the saying is in Bereishis Rabbah 60:8, quoted by Rashi on Bereishis 24:42] teaches that the simple conversations of the servants of our forefathers are dearer to Hashem than even some of the Torah’s laws derived from subtle textual nuances. This highlights how every word in Torah is measured and precious, yet Hashem values these stories even more.
The reason for this special emphasis is that these servants saw themselves as completely devoted to their masters and prayed with sincerity. Their total subjugation and devotion serve as a model for us in our relationship with Hashem or with a tzaddik—a righteous leader. Their humility and dedication are qualities we are meant to emulate.
2. Birthdays, Blessings, and Connection to the Rebbe
This discussion coincides with significant dates: yesterday was the birthday of the Rebbe Rashab (Rebbe Shalom DovBer), and today is my own Hebrew birthday—the 21st of Cheshvan. Our son Beri is named after the Rebbe Rashab, who was born in a year called Kisra (keser aleph—crown) [UNCLEAR: verify these words against the audio], specifically 5621 (תרכ״א).
The Rebbe taught that on one’s birthday it is appropriate to share words of Chassidus. On such days, a person has special powers to bless others. A birthday reminds each person that they matter—that Hashem wants them here for a purpose. It’s an opportunity not only for personal growth but also to positively impact others’ lives.
The Rebbe often emphasized that connection to the Rebbe brings blessings both spiritually and physically. When we learn the Rebbe’s teachings and follow his guidance, we receive tremendous blessings. On birthdays especially, one has extra merit to give blessings and reflect on their unique mission in this world.
3. Nuances in Eliezer’s Mission: Angels “Before” vs “With” You
The parsha contains subtle differences in how Eliezer describes his mission from Avraham. When Avraham instructs him to find a wife for Yitzchak from his homeland, he assures Eliezer: “Hashem will send His angel before you.” Later, when recounting these events to Rivkah’s family, Eliezer changes the wording slightly: “He will send His angel with you.” Rashi explains that “before you” implies that everything will be prepared in advance—the angel does all the work so little remains for you to do. This was seen when Bnei Yisrael traveled in the desert: Hashem sent an angel ahead who smoothed their path.
In Eliezer’s case, everything unfolded miraculously: before he finished praying at the well, Rivkah appeared; he gave her gifts even before confirming her identity because he trusted Hashem had orchestrated everything perfectly. However, when negotiating with Rivkah’s family about her leaving immediately versus waiting ten months or a year, Eliezer needed to present things differently—he said “with you,” implying partnership rather than everything being preordained without human involvement.
This distinction teaches us about different types of Divine assistance: sometimes Hashem prepares everything ahead (“before you”), while other times He partners with us (“with you”), requiring our effort alongside His help.
4. Subtle Changes in Retelling Events: Truth vs Perception
An interesting detail arises when comparing what actually happened at the well versus how Eliezer retells it later. In reality, he gave Rivkah jewelry before asking her name or lineage; but when recounting it to her family, he reverses the order—saying he asked first and then gave gifts. Rashi explains this was necessary because otherwise they might question why he would give valuable gifts without knowing who she was.
This shows us that sometimes it is appropriate to adjust how we present facts based on context and audience perception—not out of dishonesty but out of sensitivity to how others might interpret our actions.
5. True Success: Effort vs Blessing from Above
The concept of success (hatzlachah) emerges strongly from this story. When Avraham says Hashem will make your journey successful (v’hitzliach darkecha, Bereishis 24:40), it means more than just achieving results through hard work; it refers to disproportionate blessing where minimal effort yields extraordinary outcomes—success beyond measure or expectation.
The Talmud distinguishes between earning something through effort (like wages) versus finding something unexpectedly (like winning a lottery). True success is when Hashem grants blessing far beyond what one could achieve alone—a result not commensurate with one’s input but due entirely to Divine favor.
This ties back into humility: attributing success not to personal talent or intelligence but recognizing it as a gift from Hashem opens us up as vessels for greater blessing. As Moshe Rabbeinu exemplified humility despite his greatness by seeing all as gifts from above, so too must we avoid ego (EGO = Exit G-d Out) if we want Hashem’s presence and blessing in our lives.
6. Humility as a Channel for Blessing
If we attribute our accomplishments solely to ourselves, we limit our capacity for blessing by blocking out Divine influence through arrogance or self-centeredness. Humility allows us to become true vessels for Hashem's abundance.
This lesson applies whether one achieves great things or small ones: always give credit back to Hashem for opportunities and successes rather than taking pride only in personal achievement. In doing so, one's greatness expands further into new areas because one remains open for continued Divine assistance.
7. The Purchase of Me’oras HaMachpelah: Jewish Ownership of Chevron
The parsha also details Avraham's purchase of Me’oras HaMachpelah—the Cave of Machpelah in Chevron—as a burial site for Sarah. This transaction stands out as perhaps the clearest contract recorded in Torah regarding land ownership: every detail is documented publicly before witnesses so thoroughly that it serves as irrefutable proof of Jewish connection to Chevron (and by extension Eretz Yisrael).
The Rebbe discusses why Chevron was chosen as such a significant place among all locations in Israel—it belonged historically even to Levites as one of their cities of refuge (arei miklat). While Levites did not personally own homes there but lived there by right,
Chevron maintained an especially strong connection with Am Yisrael throughout history.
8. Ongoing Connection with Tzaddikim and Final Blessings
The Rebbe taught openly that just as Moshe Rabbeinu continued caring for Bnei Yisrael after ascending on high,
so too do tzaddikim like previous Rebbes continue watching over their followers even after their passing.
Our connection with them remains alive through learning their teachings,
following their guidance,
and loving them.
This ongoing relationship brings down blessings into our lives.
May we merit true success (hatzlachah) beyond any measure,
and may all our efforts be crowned with revealed good,
especially through connecting ourselves deeply with tzaddikim,
with Eretz Yisrael,
and ultimately with Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days!