November 14, 2025 ו׳׳פשת
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Chayei Sarah begins with the passing of Sarah Imeinu at the age of 127. Avraham, her devoted husband, mourns her deeply and seeks a proper burial place for her. He purchases the Cave of Machpelah in Chevron from Efron the Hittite for 400 silver shekels. This cave became the burial site for Sarah, Avraham, and, later on, for Yitzchak, Rivka, Yaakov and Leah.
After burying Sarah, Avraham turns his focus to securing the future of his family by finding a wife for his son, Yitzchak. He sends his trusted servant, Eliezer, to Aram Naharaim to find a suitable bride. Avraham instructs Eliezer to choose a woman from Avraham's family and ensure that Yitzchak will not leave the Land of Israel. Eliezer prays for success and
ONE BIG IDEA
After Eliezer returned with Rivkah and told Yitzchak about all the signs that Rivkah was his wife, Yitzchak still wasn’t convinced. According to the rabbis, he was only convinced when the special gifts that were present when Sarah was alive - the Shabbat candles that she lit never went out, her Challah dough was blessed, and a cloud always hung over her tent - started again with Rivkah’s arrival. We learn a lot about being Jewish in school. But we learn more at home, especially when we continue the traditions of our parents and grandparents.
devises a test to identify the right woman: she must demonstrate exceptional kindness by offering water to him and his camels.
At the well, Rivka, the daughter of Betuel and a relative of Avraham, appears. She fulfills Eliezer's request exactly, showing her generous and kind nature. Eliezer gifts her jewelry and is invited to her home. He recounts the events and his prayer, and Rivka’s family agrees to the match. When Rivka is asked if she agrees to go, she answers yes, displaying her willingness and faith.
Eliezer returns with Rivka, who becomes Yitzchak’s wife. Upon meeting her, Yitzchak brings Rivka into his mother, Sarah’s, tent, and her presence restores the special blessings that had been associated with Sarah. This comforts Yitzchak, and they begin their life together.
The parsha concludes with Avraham’s later years. He marries Keturah (identified by some as Hagar) and has additional children, but he ensures that Yitzchak will be the future of the Jewish people. Avraham passes away at the age of 175 and is buried in the Cave of Machpelah by Yitzchak and Yishmael, who come to honor their father.
Chayei Sarah teaches us about the value of kindness, faith, and continuity of tradition within the Jewish people.
Candle-lighting: 4:20pm Havdalah: 5:17pm
CHECKLIST
Check off as many as you can. To be filled out after shabbat and brought to school.
I called ________________________ to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
I went to ________________ shul (synagogue)
I did the Shabbat mitzvah of_______________
________ Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/Hamotzi/ Birkat Hamazon
I sang zemirot/songs
Iwore__________________inhonorofShabbat
To prepare my home for shabbat, I ____________________________set the table/ cleaned my room/took a shower/took a bath
Full Name: ______________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS & BIRTHDAYS
Upcoming Events:
11/17: Conferences No School 11/17: Conferences Friday Schedule 11:21 Rosh Chodesh
Happy Birthday To:
11/14 Harrison Ostheimer (2)
11/14 Ava Forkosh (4) 11/18 Yoni Kashi (4)