The pivotal sidrah Chaye Sarah is usually summarized as the final days of Avraham as he winds up his worldly affairs. To be sure, the three chapters neatly contain three important events in the final days of Avraham:
- Chapter 23: Laying the late Sarah to rest
- Chapter 24: Finding a wife for Yitzchak
- Chapter 25: Finding a wife for himself?
Yes, Avraham re-marries in a much lesser known union. Is this story as important as the other three? As is rarely the case with women in the Torah, the bride – Keturah - is named in the text. This signals that she is most significant. Who is this mystery woman? What motivates Avraham to start a second family? Why does the Torah relate this to us? The Torah details the offspring of the union, some having biblical name recognition. Avraham dispatches them to the ‘Land of the East’. Where have we encountered this place before? Who else is sent there?
And so, the life of Avraham ends on some very odd notes. True, Torah relates that he died a ripe old age feeling fulfilled. Surprisingly, he is buried by Yitzchok and Ishmael (mentioned in just that order). They are referred to as his sons. Why do they get equal billing?
Yitzchok lives in a familiar place: Be'er Lachai Ro'I, the oasis where Hagar encounters an angel. The name is in commemoration of this event (Bereishis 16.14). Coincidence? Were Yitzchok and Ishmael matchmaking for their dear old dad?
Who does Avraham marry and why? Would Sarah have approved?
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