(înapoi la pagina ZOHAR CUPRINS / Chayei Sarah – click)
88) Abraham knew the sign in that Cave of Machpelah. His heart and desire were there because he first entered there and saw Adam and Eve concealed there. And how did he know that it was they? After all, he did not know them from before. But he saw the shape of Adam and observed it, and an opening of the Garden of Eden was opened to him, and he realized that that form of Adam was with him. He realized that because he was in the Garden of Eden in his life, upon his passing, he was rewarded with a burial at the door to the Garden of Eden.
89) Anyone who observes the shape of Adam can never escape death, but must die instantly. This is so because when a person departs from the world, he sees Adam ha Rishon, and at that time dies. But Abraham looked at him and saw his shape, and persisted. He saw a light shining in the cave and a single candle burning. Then Abraham coveted that place for his own abode and his heart and desire were always in the cave.
90) Abraham did wisely, seeking a grave for Sarah, since when he asked, he did not ask for the cave right then and he did not say that he wished to part from them. Rather, he said, “Give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead from before me.” He did not mention Ephron or the cave. And Ephron was not there, as it is written, “Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth.” Even so, Abraham told him nothing at that time.
91) Instead, he told them, “And [he] spoke to the sons of Heth.” Is it conceivable that Abraham wished to be buried among them, among the impure, or that he wished to bond with them to such an extent that he told them, “Give me a burial site among you”? Rather, he acted wisely.
92) From what Abraham did, we learn proper conduct. Because his craving and desire were in that cave, although Ephron was there, he did not wish to ask of him immediately and to show him the interest he had had in the cave. Hence, he first asked for something he did not need, and of others, not of Ephron, but he said to the sons of Heth, “Give me a burial site among you.”
93) And the sons of Heth told him before Ephron, “Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us.” It is written, “Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth.” Sitting is written with a Yod with a Kamatz, because it is not written with punctuation and can be punctuated with a Kamatz, which indicates that right at the start of the discussions, when Abraham spoke, Ephron was already there.
Then he said, “Hear me, and approach Ephron the son of Zohar for me.” And should you say that I do this—ask for the Cave of Machpelah from Ephron—because my honor is greater than yours, since I have no wish for you, it is not so. When he said, “In your presence,” meaning “Let him give it to me in your presence,” my aim is to be buried among you, for I desire you. And I am doing this so as to not part with you.
(înapoi la pagina ZOHAR CUPRINS / Chayei Sarah – click)