Finding A Wife for Isaac...

Genesis 24:1-12 Rebekah at the well

Longest chapter in Genesis. Much detail. About marriage.
Eulogy about the marriage of Abraham and Sarah

Book: Wrestling with Angels by Naomi Rosenblatt
Relationship between monotheistic and monogamy
Abraham and Sarah are prepared to make sacrifices for their family and marriage.
Strong couples with strong commitment to their family and their marriage.

Eli Munk. Importance of Isaacs marriage. Reflects the importance to a Jewish father to see your child marriage to the right person. A pivotal point in the fathers life.

First Jewish marriage through a matchmaker. Eliazer.

V1 Abraham was old. Focus on his age. Two phrases = emphasis. His age = 137. And he will live another 38 years. He felt old here.
Same phrase in ch 18:11. Before his circumcision.
Midrash lost his vigor and vitality the second time. Emphasize age to explain why he sent his servant.

"came in days" Rabbi David Kimkee middle ages. He is feeling his mortality.

SRH. His life work was finished now the focus is on his son.. At a point in life where they start to think of posterity and legacy.

Musar. Abrahams life was full. Every day was of value. No wasted days. Proud of self and how spent days.

Midrash. First person described as old. Talmud San Hedron. Age was invisible.

He wanted to look old so there would not be any confusion between father and son.

Daniel. Sees God in a vision. Ancient of days. Mentions the white hair. A sign of who needs to be honored. Given white hair is a sign of wisdom for respect.
Eli Munk. Positive commandment. Rise before an elderly person. Emphasis on respect for the elderly.

God blessed Abraham in all things - Nachum Sarna says this is about his wealth
Rashi. Gematra explanation . 52 is Ben=son

About Isaac
Question why this is coming up right now? Why didn't Isaac get married before this?
Passivity of Isaac. Zohar points out that Isaacs time is evening
Likens Abraham to morning and Isaac to evening. Isaac is more passive.
Some Midrash about the relationship between Isaac and his mother.

Slave. Senior servant assigned the task if finding Isaacs wife. Midrash Agrees it is Eliazer.
Put hand under my thigh... Oath gesture.
Gen 14:22 also about an oath. Raise hand.
Take oath has a sacred object in his hand. Word thigh euphemism for genitals. Rashi says it is related to the circumcision.
Word testify or testament related to testicles. It is a sign of maleness. The place of procreation relates to the task of finding wife for son.
Womens commentary. Thigh relates to male organ If fail ends in a curse of sterility.

Says to servant. Make him swear to oath. Why?
Rambam. Abraham fears that he may die before it is done. Eliazer acknowledges the seriousness of this request.
The oath.. Reference to God
Sarna. Emphasis that God is with him everywhere. Makes people aware that God is on earth.
Hassidic reading. Marriage is issue of ultimate importance

Go back to land of his birth. Daughters of Cannan and Aram were idolitor's.
SRH. Daughters of Aram. Not about the theology. More about the moral make up of the people. Not about intermarriage.

Tamara Eskenazi universalistic point of view. Reference different places where there is a contrast between the universalistic view and the need to keep the values within.