We would say that the Louisiana Purchase is among the biggest real estate steals in history. But also right up there is Abraham’s purchase of the cave of Machpeilah that we read about in this week’s portion. Avraham pays 400 shekalim, which was a considered a hefty sum in those days. Nonetheless, how was he able to purchase such a holy space that has so much sanctity to the Jewish people till this day?
The mystical Zohar teaches that if Efron had realized the cave’s true sanctity and value he never would have sold it. But all he sees is a dark cave, for which he couldn’t see any purpose. Only Abraham is spiritually developed enough to notice its true sanctity, making him desire it enough to pay a pretty shekel for it.
This narrative forces us to ask ourselves whether we’d be able to notice people, places, and things that are spiritually valuable. Or, are we like Efron, who fails to notice what is really good and holy?
Finding a real estate steal may be worth millions of dollars, but finding and appreciating what is truly meaningful is priceless.
Rabbi David Polsky is the rabbi of the Anshe Sfard Synagogue of New Orleans, and can be reached at rabbi-AT-anshesfard-DOT-org. He tweets under the Twitter handle @BigEasyRabbi.
We would say that the Louisiana Purchase is among the biggest real estate steals in history. But also right up there is Abraham’s purchase of the cave of Machpeilah that we read about in this week’s portion. Avraham pays 400 shekalim, which was a considered a hefty sum in those days. Nonetheless, how was he able to purchase such a holy space that has so much sanctity to the Jewish people till this day?