Hope you’re having a great day.

…This week’s Torah portion is about marriage.

Abraham sends his trusted servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac.

And Eliezer sets up a test.

The test is about chessed.  Acts of kindness.

Because acts of kindness are central to a successful marriage.

And Rebecca passes the test with flying colors!

… It’s easy to miss a small detail in the story.

A detail with a huge lesson to learn from Rebecca.

What was Eliezer’s test?

He’ll stop a woman drawing water. And he’ll ask for a drink.

And the one that says, “Drink and I will also get water for your camels?”

She’s the one! (Genesis, 24:14)

He wanted to see kindness towards other people.

As well as to animals!

… Along comes Rebecca.

Eliezer asks for a drink.

What does Rebecca do?

She says, “Drink”…

“And she lowered her jug and gave him to drink.”

No mention yet of the animals.

Not until Eliezer finishes drinking.

Then Rebecca says, “I will also draw water for your camels.” (24, 18-20)

…Her kindness was very thought out.

Rebecca didn’t just give a stranger a drink.

She gave him dignity.

Showed him respect as a human being.

By not serving him together with the animals.

“You come first. You’re a human being.

Then I’ll be glad to draw water for the camels!”

… Sometimes we forget how hard it can be for a person to ask for help.

And sometimes we may not even be able to help.

But we can always show them respect. 

And can always give them dignity!

All the best,