November 11, 2023 | 29 Bul (Cheshvan)

Parshat: Bere'shiyth (Genesis) 23:1 - 25:18

And Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died in Qiryat Arba; the same is Chevron in the land of Kena`an: and Avraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

3 And Avraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke unto the sons of Cheth, saying: 4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. 5 And the children of Cheth answered Avraham, saying unto him, 6 Hear us, my adoniy: you are a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchers bury your dead; none of us shall withhold from you his sepulcher, but that you may bury your dead. 7 And Avraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Cheth. 8 And he communed with them, saying: If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Tsochar, 9 That he may give me the cave of Makpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a burying place amongst you. 10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Cheth: and Ephron the Chittiy answered Avraham in the audience of the children of Cheth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying: 11 Nay, my adoniy, hear me: I give the field to you, and the cave that is therein, I give it to you; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it to you: bury your dead. 12 And Avraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. 13 And he spoke unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying: But if you will give it, I pray you, hear me: I will give you money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. 14 And Ephron answered Avraham, saying unto him, 15 My adoniy, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred sheqels of silver; what is that betwixt me and you? Bury therefore your dead. 16 And Avraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Avraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Cheth, four hundred sheqels of silver, current money with the merchant.

17 And the field of Ephron, which was in Makpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave, which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure 18 Unto Avraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Cheth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. 19 And after this, Avraham buried Sarah his woman in the cave of the field of Makpelah before Mamre: the same is Chevron in the land of Kena`an. 20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Avraham for a possession of a burying place by the sons of Cheth.

CHAPTER 24

And Avraham was old, and well stricken in age: and Yahuah had blessed Avraham in all things. 2 And Avraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray you, your hand under my thigh: 3 And I will make you swear seven oaths by Yahuah, the Elohai of heaven, and the Elohai of the earth, that you shall not take a woman unto my son of the daughters of the Kena`aniym, among whom I dwell: 4 But you shall go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a woman unto my son Yitschaq. 5 And the servant said unto him: Perchance the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring your son again unto the land from whence you came? 6 And Avraham said unto him: Beware that you bring not my son thither again.

7 Yahuah Elohai of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spoke unto me, and that swore seven oaths unto me, saying: Unto your seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before you, and you shall take a woman unto my son from thence. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Avraham his adoniy and swore seven oaths to him concerning that matter.

10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his adoniy and departed; for all the goods of his adoniy were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Aram Naharayim, unto the city of Nachor. 11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. 12 And he said,

O Yahuah Elohai Adonai of Avraham, I pray you, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my adoniy Avraham. 13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say: Let down your pitcher, I pray you, that I may drink; and she shall say: Drink, and I will give your camels drink also: let the same be she that you have appointed for your servant Yitschaq; and thereby shall I know that you have showed kindness unto my adoniy.

15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rivqah came out, who was born to Bethu'el, son of Milkah, the woman of Nachor, Avraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said: Let me, I pray you, drink a little water of your pitcher. 18 And she said: Drink, my adoniy: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for your camels also, until they have done drinking. 20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether Yahuah had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a sheqel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten sheqels weight of gold; 23 And said: Whose daughter are you? Tell me, I pray you: is there room in your father's house for us to lodge in? 24 And she said unto him: I am the daughter of Bethu'el the son of Milkah, which she bore unto Nachor. 25 She said moreover unto him: We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped Yahuah. 27 And he said: Blessed be Yahuah Elohai Adonai of Avraham, who has not left destitute my adoniy of his mercy and his truth: I, being in the way, Yahuah led me to the house of my adoniy's brethren. 28 And the damsel ran and told them of her mother's house these things.

29 And Rivqah had a brother, and his name was Lavan: and Lavan ran out unto the man, unto the well. 30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rivqah his sister, saying: Thus spoke the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and behold, he stood by the camels at the well. 31 And he said: Come in, you blessed of Yahuah; wherefore stand you without? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. 33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told my errand. And he said, Speak on. 34 And he said, I am Avraham's servant. 35 And Yahuah has blessed my adoniy greatly; and he is become great: and he has given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. 36 And Sarah, my adoniy's woman, bore a son to my adoniy when she was old: and unto him has he given all that he has. 37 And my adoniy made me swear seven oaths, saying: You shall not take a woman to my son of the daughters of the Kena`aniym, in whose land I dwell: 38 But you shall go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a woman unto my son. 39 And I said unto my el-adoniy, Perchance the woman will not follow me. 40 And he said unto me, Yahuah, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way; and you shall take a woman for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house: 41 Then shall you be clear from this my oath, when you come to my kindred; and if they give not you one, you shall be clear from my oath. 42 And I came this day unto the well, and said,

O Yahuah Elohai Adonai of Avraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go: 43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin comes forth to draw water, and I say to her: Give me, I pray you, a little water of your pitcher to drink; 44 And she says to me: Both of you drink, and I will also draw for your camels: let the same be the woman whom Yahuah has appointed out for my adoniy's son.

45 And before I had done speaking in my heart, behold, Rivqah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her: Let me drink, I pray you. 46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said: Drink, and I will give your camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. 47 And I asked her, and said: Whose daughter are you? And she said: The daughter of Bethu'el, Nachor's son, whom Milkah bore unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. 48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped Yahuah, and blessed Yahuah Elohai Adonai of Avraham, which had led me in the right way to take my adoniy's brother's daughter unto his son. 49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my adoniy, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. 50 Then Lavan and Bethu'el answered and said: The thing proceeds from Yahuah: we cannot speak unto you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rivqah is before you, take her, and go, and let her be your adoniy's son's woman, as Yahuah has spoken. 52 And it came to pass, that, when Avraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped Yahuah, bowing himself to the earth. 53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rivqah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. 54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my adoniy. 55 And her brother and her mother said: Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. 56 And he said unto them: Hinder me not, seeing Yahuah has prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my adoniy. 57 And they said: We will call the damsel and inquire at her mouth. 58 And they called Rivqah, and said unto her: Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go. 59 And they sent away Rivqah their sister, and her nurse, and Avraham's servant, and his men. 60 And they blessed Rivqah, and said unto her: You are our sister, be the mother of thousands of millions, and let your seed את possess the gate of those which hate them.

61 And Rivqah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rivqah and went his way. 62 And Yitschaq came from the way of the well Be`er La-Chai Ro`iy; for he dwelt in the country of the Negev. 63 And Yitschaq went out to meditate in the field in the evening: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rivqah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Yitschaq, she lighted off the camel. 65 For she had said unto the servant: What man is this that walks in the field to meet us? And the servant had said: It is my adoniy: therefore she took a veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Yitschaq את all things that he had done. 67 And Yitschaq brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rivqah, and she became his woman; and he loved her: and Yitschaq was comforted after his mother's death.

CHAPTER 25

And again Avraham took a woman, and her name was Qeturah. 2 And she bore him Zimran, and Yoqshan, and Medan, and Midyan, and Yishbaq, and Shuach. 3 And Yoqshan begat Sheva, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Ashshuriym, and Letushiym, and Le'ummiym. 4 And the sons of Midyan; Eyphah, and Epher, and Chanoch, and Aviyda, and Elda`ah. All these were the children of Qeturah.

5 And Avraham gave all that he had unto Yitschaq. 6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Avraham had, Avraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Yitschaq his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. 7 And these are the days of the years of Avraham's life which he lived, a hundred threescore and fifteen years. 8 Then Avraham gave up his ruach, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 9 And his sons Yitschaq and Yishma`el buried him in the cave of Makpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Tsochar the Chittiy, which is before Mamre; 10 The field which Avraham purchased of the sons of Cheth: there was Avraham buried, and Sarah his woman.

11 And it came to pass after the death of Avraham, that Elohiym blessed his son Yitschaq; and Yitschaq dwelt by the well Be`er La-Chai Ro`iy.

12 Now these are the generations of Yishma`el, Avraham's son, whom Ha'ger the Mitsriym, Sarah's handmaid, bore unto Avraham: 13 And these are the names of the sons of Yishma`el, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Yishma`el, Nevayoth; and Qedar, and Adbe'el, and Mivsam, 14 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, 15 Hadar, and Teyma, Yetur, Naphiysh, and Qedemah: 16 These are the sons of Yishma`el, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. 17 And these are the years of the life of Yishma`el, a hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up his ruach and died; and was gathered unto his people. 18 And they dwelt from Chaviylah unto Shur, that is before Mitsrayim, as you go toward Ashshurah: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

Haftorah: Melekiym Ri'shon (1 Kings) 1:1-31

Now King David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he got no heat. 2 Wherefore his servants said unto him: Let there be sought for my adoniy the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in your bosom, that my adoniy the king may get heat. 3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Yashar’el, and found Aviyshag a Shunammiyth, and brought her to the king. 4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not.

5 Then Adoniyahu the son of Chaggiyth exalted himself, saying: I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying: Why have you done so? And he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bore him after Avshalom. 7 And he conferred with Yo’av the son of Tseruyah, and with Avyathar the priest: and they, following Adoniyahu helped him. 8 But Tsadoq the priest, and Benayahu the son of Yahuyada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shim`iy, and Re`iy, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adoniyahu. 9 And Adoniyahu slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zocheleth, which is by Eyn Rogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Yahudah the king's servants: 10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benayahu, and the mighty men, and Shalomah his brother, he called not.

11 Wherefore Nathan spoke unto Bath-Sheva the mother of Shalomah, saying: Have you not heard that Adoniyahu the son of Chaggiyth reigns, and David our adoniy knows it not? 12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray you, give counsel, that you may save your own life, and the life of your son Shalomah. 13 Go and get you in unto King David, and say unto him: Did not you, my adoniy, O king, swear seven oaths unto your handmaid, saying: Assuredly Shalomah your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? Why then does Adoniyahu reign? 14 Behold, while you yet talk there with the king, I also will come in after you, and confirm your words.

15 And Bath-Sheva went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Aviyshag the Shunammiyth ministered unto the king. 16 And Bath-Sheva bowed and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said: What would you? 17 And she said unto him: My adoniy, you swore seven oaths by Yahuah Elohayka unto your handmaid, saying: Assuredly Shalomah your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. 18 And now, behold, Adoniyahu reigns; and now, my adoniy the king, you know it not: 19 And he has slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, and Avyathar the priest, and Yo’av the captain of the host: but Shalomah your servant has he not called. 20 And you, my adoniy, O king, the eyes of all Yashar’el are upon you, that you should tell them who shall sit on the throne of my adoniy the king after him. 21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my adoniy the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Shalomah shall be counted offenders.

22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. 23 And they told the king, saying: Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. 24 And Nathan said: My adoniy, O king, have you said Adoniyahu shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? 25 For he is gone down this day and has slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Avyathar the priest; and behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, Elohiym save king Adoniyahu. 26 But me, even me your servant, and Tsadoq the priest, and Benayahu the son of Yahuyada, and your servant Shalomah, has he not called. 27 Is this thing done by my adoniy the king, and you have not showed it unto your servant, who should sit on the throne of my adoniy the king after him?

28 Then King David answered and said: Call me Bath-Sheva. And she came into the king's presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king swore seven oaths, and said, As Yahuah lives, that has redeemed my soul out of all distress, 30 Even as I swore seven oaths unto you by Yahuah Elohai of Yashar’el, saying: Assuredly Shalomah your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. 31 Then Bath-Sheva bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said: Let my adoniy King David live forever.

Besorah: Mattithyahu (Matthew) 2:1-23

Now when Yahusha was born in Beyt Lechem of Yahud in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came Magi from the east to Yerushalayim, 2 Saying: Where is he that is born King of the Yahudiym? For we have seen his star rising in the east and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Yerushalayim with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Mashiach should be born. 5 And they said unto him: In Beyt Lechem of Yahud: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And you Beyt Lechem, in the land of Yahudah, are not the least among the princes of Yahudah: for out of you shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Yashar’el.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the Magi, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Beyt Lechem and said: Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw rising in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Miryam his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of El in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of Yah appeared to Yoceph in a dream, saying: Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Mitsrayim, and be there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Mitsrayim: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of Yah by the prophet, saying:

Out of Mitsrayim have I called my Son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Magi, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beyt Lechem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the Magi. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Yirmeyahu the prophet, saying:

18 In Ramah was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of Yah appeared in a dream to Yoceph in Mitsrayim, 20 Saying: Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Yashar’el: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Yashar’el. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Yahud in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of El in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galiyl: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Natsareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets,