Chavarah- Jewish Community Learning

A blog of Jewish study and traditions. Notes from classes: Torah Study with Rabbi Marder, Toledot and Shabbaton as well as other details found of interest.

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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

The Longest Chapter in Torah

Torah study 10-29 With Rabbi Marder - Genesis 24:63-67

Longest chapter in Torah.

R Nachman. Says Isaac was "strolling" in the greenery. Says that everyone should take time to be with nature each day.

Book last child in the woods... Impact of nature on children's development.

Take the veil... When she veiled herself results in the custom of bedekin.

Wedding customs.

End of bedekin parents bless bride and groom

It's untied to show that all other bonds are released

Kittle worn by the groom

Outdoors ceremony remind of promise to Abraham

Chuppah reminder of Ruth and. Put robe over them

Souls of the departed with them under chuppah

Groom waiting for her... Waiting for her to join her in his home.

Lead her to the chuppah with candles.

Seven circles different ways of doing it. Sevenfold bond between couple.

Ring perfect roundness without obstructions or defects and gold.

Guests recite the blessings

Private time after - Silver spoon step over with right foot. (Can't find source.)

Wedding feast duty of the guests to entertain the new couple.

Dance ... Mezinka -

Last child to be married mother dances with broom to sweep away the empty nest.

After seven nights of feasting and parties.

End of story.. Woman's commentary.

1 First time speak of a man loving a woman in Tanach.

2. Naomi Rosenblatt. Romantic literature point of view ... Bridge between the loss of maternal love and new marital love.

Leon Kass. When she arrives Isaac is bereft. In the place where Hagar wept. She has energy and is excited. Rebecca is the strong one and the manipulative one in the relationship.

Rashi... Brought Rebecca into tent and became like Sarah.

Comforted for his mother.. When Sarah dies a man finds comfort in his wife.

Link to all Jewish women.

Eli Munk

Three mitzvot for women Hannah Mitzvot.

Light candles. Challah. Marital purity. (mikvah)

Chapter 25:1-

Abrahams next chapter.

Until he is 175 years.

Marries again and has children...

Sages approve of this remarriage...

First marry off children then should marry again.

Purpose of marriage is more than procreation but also for companionship.

More children. Midrash continue to have children because you don't k ow how they will turn out.

SRH. Over 30 years between Sarah's death and when he remarries.

Some say he marries Hagar... Joseph word that implies he took woman again...could have been a concubine. End of Tanach... 32. Sons of concubine listed again. Concubine - Higher status than a slave.


Who is Katura? Like the word for incense.

Rashi. Confirms it is Hagar. And speaks of her as a beautiful moral character.. Surprising... Previously she was thought to have returned to idolatry...but others say after the encounter with God that she followed the ways of Abraham. And a change of name is indicative of this change in her faith.

Others say she was a Cannanite. Abraham marries a Cannanite woman... Why not problematic? The children would not inherit.

Genealogy. Abrahams story states and ends with genealogy Names listed at the beginning and end of his story. Lineage is showing the fulfillment of God's promise.

Lineage is very old. Maybe about 1000 BCE. Word Arab not included... Mention of Mideonites..they are hostile people..another place they are friendly..Moses marries into them. Speaks of the sons of Ishmael... Not mentioned again.

Names associated with the spice industry.

Next all about Sheeba...

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