Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who were the 'children of Ḥet' mentioned in Genesis 23:5?
A: The 'children of Ḥet' (Bnei Ḥet) were descendants of Ḥet, son of Canaan (Genesis 10:15). They were the Hittites, a people living in the land of Canaan during Avraham's time. Rashi explains that they were the leaders of the community who responded to Avraham's request to purchase a burial plot for Sarah.
Q: Why did Avraham speak to the children of Ḥet in this verse?
A: Avraham needed to purchase a burial place for his wife Sarah after her passing (Genesis 23:4). As a resident alien, he approached the local Hittite leaders (children of Ḥet) to negotiate buying the Cave of Machpelah, showing respect for local customs while establishing Jewish rights to the land through proper acquisition.
Q: What can we learn from how the children of Ḥet responded to Avraham?
A: The respectful response of the Hittites ('And the children of Ḥet answered Avraham') teaches about showing honor to righteous individuals. The Midrash notes that despite being idol worshippers, they recognized Avraham's greatness and called him 'a prince of God' (Genesis 23:6), demonstrating how a tzaddik's (righteous person's) good deeds earn respect even from outsiders.
Q: Why is this interaction with the Hittites important in Jewish tradition?
A: This interaction is crucial because it records the first Jewish land acquisition in Israel. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:6) derives from this that Jewish ownership of land must be through proper purchase, not conquest. The Cave of Machpelah became the burial place of our patriarchs and matriarchs, establishing our eternal connection to the land.
Q: How does Avraham's approach to the Hittites apply to dealing with non-Jews today?
A: Avraham's conduct teaches important principles in interpersonal relationships. He approached the Hittites with respect ('I am a stranger and resident among you' - Genesis 23:4), showing we must maintain good relations with neighbors while firmly maintaining our Jewish identity. The Talmud (Gittin 59b) derives from this the principle of 'the ways of peace' (darkei shalom) in dealing with non-Jews.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Bereishit 23:5) appears in the narrative of Avraham Avinu seeking to purchase a burial plot for Sarah Imenu in Chevron. The children of Ḥet (Bnei Ḥet) respond to Avraham's request to acquire the Cave of Machpelah as an eternal burial possession.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Bereishit 23:5) notes that the phrase "וַיַּעֲנוּ בְנֵי־חֵת" ("And the children of Ḥet answered") implies a respectful and unanimous response. He explains that the term "ענו" (answered) suggests they replied with deference, recognizing Avraham's stature as a "נשיא אלקים" (prince of G-d). This reflects the honor they accorded him, despite his being a stranger among them.
Midrashic Insights
Halachic Perspective
The Rambam (Hilchot Mechira 1:15) derives from this episode that a proper acquisition of land requires clear consent from the sellers, as exemplified by Bnei Ḥet's formal agreement. Avraham's insistence on a public transaction underscores the importance of kinyan kasher (valid acquisition) in Jewish law.
Symbolic Meaning
The Kli Yakar suggests that Bnei Ḥet's response symbolizes the future relationship between the Jewish people and the nations: even when others acknowledge the Jewish claim to Eretz Yisrael, we must ensure our ownership is undisputed and legally binding, as Avraham did.