The majority of this weeks Parasha describes the plan to find a suitable bride for Isaac. However, surprisingly, the central focus is on Eliezer the servant of Abraham and his journey, the obstacles he had to overcome and his interaction with Rabecca’s family.
Our sages comment on this unusual long drawn out narrative to teach a remarkable perspective, that the conversation and actions of the servants of the patriarchs are of greater importance then the scholarly discussions of the sages and their descendants. How can we understand this surprising comment?
Although study of Torah is important, it’s value is realized only when the person abides by the standards of Torah ethics.
In order to emphasize this idea the Torah tells us of the lives of our forefathers at great length. The Torah is not a history book but rather a book of instruction and the experiences of their lives are related so that we may learn from them how to live ours.
Eliezer, having served Abraham for so many years was inspired by his master and emulated him, therefore Eliezer‘s every action takes on great significance.
The concept of the primacy of appropriate moral conduct is so vital that the Torah repeats Eliezer’s conversations in great detail, giving it a status greater than fundamental laws.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Haim Shaul
