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Genesis 24:36 - Sarah's miracle son inherits all

Genesis 24:36 - בראשית 24:36

Hebrew Text

וַתֵּלֶד שָׂרָה אֵשֶׁת אֲדֹנִי בֵן לַאדֹנִי אַחֲרֵי זִקְנָתָהּ וַיִּתֶּן־לּוֹ אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ׃

English Translation

And Sara my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old: and to him he has given all that he has.

Transliteration

Va'teled Sarah eshet Adoni ben la'Adoni acharei ziknatah va'yiten-lo et kol asher-lo.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֵּ֡לֶד שָׂרָה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת אֲדֹנִ֥י בֵן֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י אַחֲרֵ֖י זִקְנָתָ֑הּ וַיִּתֶּן־ל֖וֹ אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹ׃
וַתֵּ֡לֶד שָׂרָה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת אֲדֹנִ֥י בֵן֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י אַחֲרֵ֖י זִקְנָתָ֑הּ וַיִּתֶּן־ל֖וֹ אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Genesis 24:36) is part of Eliezer's recounting of Avraham's blessings to Rivkah's family. Eliezer emphasizes the miraculous birth of Yitzchak to Sarah in her old age, demonstrating Hashem's fulfillment of His promise to Avraham.

Key Themes and Interpretations

  • Miraculous Birth of Yitzchak: Rashi (on Genesis 21:2) notes that Sarah's conception was supernatural, as she was physically incapable of bearing children naturally due to her age. This underscores the divine intervention in fulfilling Avraham's legacy.
  • "After Her Old Age": The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 53:5) explains that Sarah's youth was miraculously restored, enabling her to nurse Yitzchak and care for him as a young mother would.
  • "He Gave Him All That He Had": Ramban (on Genesis 25:5) interprets this as Avraham transferring his spiritual and material inheritance exclusively to Yitzchak, affirming him as the rightful heir of the covenant.

Eliezer's Emphasis

Eliezer highlights these details to Rivkah's family to demonstrate that Yitzchak's lineage is blessed and chosen by Hashem. The miraculous nature of his birth and Avraham's exclusive bequest reinforce that Yitzchak is the continuation of Avraham's sacred mission.

Halachic and Ethical Insights

  • The Talmud (Bava Metzia 87a) derives from this verse that Sarah was among the four women who conceived naturally impossible births (along with Chana, the Shunamite woman, and Tzipporah), teaching about the power of tefillah and divine mercy.
  • The phrase "all that he had" is expounded in Midrash Tanchuma (Chayei Sarah 3) to include not just wealth but also blessings, indicating that spiritual legacy is paramount.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Metzia 87a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the miraculous birth of Isaac to Sarah in her old age, highlighting God's promise and fulfillment.
📖 Sanhedrin 107b
Mentioned in the context of discussions about the righteousness of Abraham and Sarah, and the divine intervention in their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Sarah able to have a child in her old age?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash, Sarah's ability to bear a child in her old age was a miracle from Hashem, demonstrating that nothing is impossible for Him. This fulfilled the promise made to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, despite their advanced age (Genesis 18:10-14).
Q: What is the significance of Abraham giving 'all that he has' to Isaac?
A: The Ramban explains that Abraham gave Isaac all his possessions to show that Isaac was his sole heir, both materially and spiritually. This established Isaac as the continuation of Abraham's legacy and the bearer of the covenant with Hashem, as opposed to Ishmael or other children.
Q: Why does the verse refer to Sarah as 'my master’s wife' instead of by her name?
A: Rashi notes that the speaker here is Eliezer, Abraham's servant, who is recounting events to Rebecca's family. Out of respect for Abraham, he refers to Sarah as 'my master’s wife' rather than by her name, emphasizing her honored position in Abraham's household.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Sarah giving birth in her old age?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 10a) teaches that Sarah's miraculous pregnancy teaches us about the power of prayer and divine providence. Even when things seem impossible, Hashem can bring about change. This encourages us to maintain faith and hope in difficult circumstances.
Q: Why is Isaac's birth mentioned in Eliezer's story about finding a wife for him?
A: The Midrash explains that mentioning Isaac's miraculous birth establishes his special status as the child of promise. This helps Rebecca's family understand the importance of the marriage match, as Isaac was not an ordinary man but the inheritor of Abraham's covenant with Hashem.