1/24/2026

Parashat 5 Portion 21 Gen24:42-67

Psa 119:18/19  Please open our eyes YHVH that we might see hidden and wonderful truths in Your Torah. Father we are strangers and sojourners here on earth, please do not hide the council of your Torah from us.                  

Blessed are those to whom You have shown mercy to walk in Your Torah of truth in loving kindness and obedience. Amein.

Ps 119:92"Unless your law (Torah) had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction." 

  • Torah as "Delight": The Hebrew word for delight (sha’ashu’im) implies a deep, playful, and constant enjoyment, not just a formal study.
  • Perishing in Affliction: The Psalmist acknowledges that without the mental and spiritual anchor of the Torah, the weight of his "affliction" (onyi)—which refers to both poverty and persecution—would have resulted in his total psychological or spiritual collapse. 

ואבא היום

According to the sages, (“וָאָבֹא הַיּוֹם (va’avo ha-yom, ‘and I came today’) in Genesis 24:42 refers to a very specific, extraordinary day, a miraculously appointed day not just a casual “day.”

And so too the Messiah will return for His Bride on a miraculously appointed day

 Rabbinic teaching: Kefitzat ha-derekh (קְפִיצַת הַדֶּרֶךְ) “the shortening of the way” or ‘’jumping the path’’

Meaning: The journey from Canaan to Aram (normally weeks) Was completed in a single day by direct divine intervention That is why the Torah stresses הַיּוֹם – today”.

This is treated as an exceptional miracle, not normal travel.

 Acts 8:39–40 describes Philip being suddenly found elsewhere after baptizing the Ethiopian.

From a comparative standpoint: Both involve divinely overridden distance Both serve a redemptive mission Both happen without spectacle Both emphasize covenantal obedience followed by divine acceleration and protection and provision.

 Revelation 12:14 “And the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent.”

 “Wings of a great eagle” — symbolic, but powerful This phrase echoes Exodus 19:4: “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” Israel did not literally grow wings in Exodus

But they were removed faster and more decisively than human means could explain.

 This is one of the hidden message in this Torah portion - This serves as an encouragement not to miss an appointed time. That’s why we keep on rehearsing appointed times. (moedim)

 

This is also why the ‘’akedah’’ the binding (of Isaac) and Rivkah (also meaning binding) contain a hidden message of our redemption. We are ‘’bound’’ to covenantal appointments.

 

Gen 24:42  “And this day (“וָאָבֹא הַיּוֹם (va’avo ha-yom, ‘and I came today’) I came to the fountain and said, ‘יהוה, Elohim of my master Araham, please, if You are prospering the way in which I am going, 

Gen 24:43  see, I am standing by the fountain of water, and when the young womana comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,”

Gen 24:44  and she says to me, “Drink, and let me draw for your camels too,” let her be the woman whom יהוה has appointed for my master’s son.’ 

Gen 24:45  “I had not yet ended speaking in my heart, then see, Riqah was coming out with her jar on her shoulder. And she went down to the fountain and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 

Gen 24:46  “And she hurried and let her jar down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and let me water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels too. 

Gen 24:47  “And I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethu’ěl, Naor’s son, whom Milkah bore to him.’ Then I put ( שׂים ) the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 

 

The Hebrew verb שׂים allows for either direct placement or causative placement, and many sages favour the latter to preserve Rivkah’s modesty and Eliezer’s righteousness.

Several rabbinic teachers believe Eliezer handed her the jewellery and Rivkah placed it on herself. The Torah still says “I placed” because Eliezer initiated it, He bestowed it, He caused it to be placed. (Rivkah took it from Eliezer’s open hand)

 

Gen 24:48  “And I bowed my head and worshipped יהוה, and blessed יהוה, Elohim of my master Araham, who had led me in the true way (He guided me in the way of truth) to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. 

Gen 24:49  “And now, if you are going to show loving-commitment and truth to my master, let me know, and if not, let me know, so that I turn to the right or to the left.” 

Gen 24:50  And Laan answered – Bethu’ěl too – and said, “The matter comes from יהוה, we are not able to speak to you either evil or good. 

 

The sages noticed Laban’s behavior very sharply, and they do not read it as neutral or merely polite. In rabbinic literature, Laban is portrayed as inserting himself strategically, and often with questionable motives, even while speaking pious words.

Why is Laban named before Bethuel? Rashi’s following Midrash, notes, Laban jumps ahead because he has ulterior motives — especially when he sees the gifts. The sages infer that Laban’s enthusiasm is triggered by wealth, not righteousness.

 

The sages often treat Laban as a model deceiver, one who uses religious language to advance self-interest, A man who acknowledges YHVH only when convenient, This is why later tradition paints him as more dangerous than open enemies because he works inside the family.

 

The sages point out that when you take Labans name and turn it back to front ‘’Naval’’ it means ‘’ a vile person, a scoundrel, and a villain’’

 

The phrase "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34) means Yahshua’s covenantal message creates seperation, not necessarily literal war, but conflict between those who accept his teachings and those who don't, even within families.

 

 

Gen 24:51  “See, Riqah is before you. Take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as יהוה has spoken.” 

Gen 24:52  And it came to be, when Araham’s servant heard their words, that he bowed himself towards the earth before יהוה

Gen 24:53  And the servant brought out ornaments of silver, and ornaments of gold, and garments, and gave them to Riqah. He also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. 

Gen 24:54  And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning he said, “Let me go to my master.” 

 

Gen 24:55  But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten, then you go.” 

 

In Jewish mystical traditions, the request for ten days can be seen as the physical world attempting to "contain" or "slow down" the divine light that was pulling Rebekah toward her destiny in the land of Canaan. Her refusal to wait represents the soul’s desire to transcend the physical limitations of time to reach its source.

 

Rashi, following the Midrash, explains that Laban (and the mother) were trying to delay the mission, hoping circumstances would change. Why delay? To renegotiate the bridal price? Perhaps they saw this as a ‘’golden’’ opportunity.

This request comes after they had already acknowledged that “The matter comes from YHWH” (v. 50)

 

Rivkah’s immediate “I will go” proves she alone is ready for covenant destiny.

 

Gen 24:56  And he said to them, “Do not delay me, since יהוה has prospered my way. Let me go so that I go to my master.” 

Gen 24:57  And they said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 

Gen 24:58  So they called Riqah and said to her, “Are you going with this man?” And she said, “I shall go.” 

 

Gen 24:59  So they let go Riqah their sister and her nurse, and Araham’s servant and his men. 

Gen 24:60  And they blessed Riqah and said to her, “Let our sister become the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your seed possess the gates of those who hate them.” 

Gen 24:61  And Riqah and her young women arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Riqah and left. 

Gen 24:62  And Yitsaq came from the way of Be’ěr Laai Ro’i, for he dwelt in the South. 

 

The symbolic significance of Be'er-lahai-roi ("Well of the Living One who sees me") is that of a place of divine intervention, comfort for the marginalized, and the continuity of God's covenantal promises.

 

The primary significance of ‘’Be'er-lahai-roi’’ comes from its first mention, where Hagar, an Egyptian servant who fled mistreatment by Sarai, encountered a messenger of YHVH in the wilderness (between Kadesh and Bered). Gen 16:13  And she called the Name of יהוה who spoke to her, “You are the Ěl who sees,” for she said, “Even here have I seen after Him who sees me?” 

Gen 16:14  That is why the well was called Be’ěr Laai Ro’i, see, it is between Qaěsh and Bere

 

The God Who Sees (an inspirational song about ‘’Be'er-lahai-roi’’)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz81dIfwf4Y

 

The primary significance comes from its first mention, where Hagar, an Egyptian servant who fled mistreatment by Sarai, encountered the messenger of the YHVH in the wilderness (between Kadesh and Bered).

 

Gen 24:63  And Yitsaq went out to meditate (laśúa) in the field in the evening. And he lifted his eyes and looked and saw the camels coming. 

 

לָשׂוּחַ (laśúa) in Genesis 24:63 is a rare and difficult verb, (found only here) and both scholars and the sages paid special attention to it. The root שִׂיחַ (siach)  is associated with speech, conversation, and complaint. This suggests that this was not formal liturgy but intimate dialogue with YHVH.

Common verbs like ‘’tifillah’’ פלל (pray) are avoided intentionally, in verse 63 the Torah chooses לָשׂוּחַ to emphasize inwardness and to show prayer as relationship, not ritual

 

Acts 2:42: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers".

Acts 2:46: "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread from house to house, they received their food with glad and generous hearts".

 

The use of the definite article—the prayers (tais proseuchais in Greek)—is highly significant to historians: 

·         Liturgical Structure: It suggests these were not just random, spontaneous prayers, but specific, regularly scheduled liturgical prayers.

·         Jewish Continuity: Scholars believe these likely included the fixed Jewish prayer hours (such as the Shacharit and Mincha services) which the early Jewish-Christians continued to observe, now infused with new meaning regarding Yahshua as the Messiah.

 

Private (Homes): They met "from house to house" (or "in various private homes") specifically for "the breaking of bread" (shared meals) and communal prayer, creating an intimate, family-like spiritual environment.

 

Joh 15:15  “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, for all teachings which I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 

 

Gen 24:64  And Riqah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Yitsaq she dismounted from her camel, 

Gen 24:65  and she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” And the servant said, “It is my master.” So, she took a veil and covered herself. 

 

Rivkah dismounted out of respect and humility once she realized the man was her future husband. Remaining mounted would place her physically above him. Nothing here is accidental — every gesture confirms she belongs in the covenant line.

 

Even though Yahshua is our friend we like Rivkah show Him great respect.

 

Gen 24:66  And the servant told Yitsaq all the matters he had done. 

Gen 24:67  And Yitsaq brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. And he took Riqah and she became his wife, and he loved her. Thus Yitsaq was comforted after his mother’s death. 

 

And so too will an end time bride be ushered into the presence of the Messiah.

 

The sages extensively comment on the repetition of the events in Genesis 24 — where the events at the well and Eliezer's mission are described once by the narrator (verses 1–33) and then retold in detail by Eliezer himself to Laban, Bethuel, and the family (verses 34–49). This is one of the longest, most detailed repetitions in the entire Torah, and the classical sources highlight it as intentional and deeply meaningful.

Some teachings link this to the "two messiahs" concept in Jewish tradition (Messiah ben Joseph, who suffers, and Messiah ben David, who reigns), unified in Yeshua's two appearings: first to atone (like Isaac's near-sacrifice) and second to claim his bride and establish the kingdom. The bride's gathering from afar and the groom's return to meet her foreshadow the second coming of Yahshua -  John 14:3; Revelation 21:9)

Rebekah's key moment comes in Gen. 24:58, where she's asked, "Will you go with this man?" and she replies without hesitation: "I will go" (אֵלֵךְ). This willing departure from her family, home, and the idolatrous environment of Mesopotamia (Haran/Padan-Aram, linked to ancient paganism) symbolizes the Bride's radical separation from the world system — leaving behind idols, worldly ambitions, and long-term plans tied to this age.

 

Teachers see Rebekah's story as prophetic of the end-times Bride being "called out" (ekklesia) from the nations/idolatry just before widespread judgment, with no return because the old world is doomed. The Bride can have no long-term plans here because her hope is in the coming union with Messiah — much like Rebekah's urgent, faith-filled "I will go" without delay.

 

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Amein.

Listen to the Teachings of Jesus – 5 hours of Yahshua’s Words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avRdPwqdTms