As the close of last week’s Sidra (Torah Reading), the final test of Avraham, the binding of his son Yitzchak, dominated our thoughts and stayed with us through the week. With today’s Sidra, we immediately find Sarah dead. Many believe her death was caused by a broken heart since Sara erroneously thought Avraham had actually gone through with the sacrifice of their son. Avraham must deal with Efron the Hittite for a gravesite for Sara. Since Avraham’s negotiation skills were the foundation of what became “The Art of the Deal”, he was able to purchase the site under his terms. Hebron became home to what will be the tombs of the Jewish Matriarchs and Patriarchs.

As Avraham advances in years, he devotes his time ensuring that Yitzchak marries the proper woman. He sends his trusted servant Eliezer back to Aramea to the house of his nephew, B’thuel. Rivka, B’thuel’s daughter, is chosen. Even as he is blessed with the remarkable Rivka, she comes with heavy baggage in the form of the wily, slimy, and murderous brother Lavan, who will, in later chapters, return to plague her son, Yaakov. So much intrigue in one Sidra!