This week’s Torah portion begins on a somber note: Avraham’s wife, Sarah, passes away. 

The grieving Avraham wants to make sure that Sarah has a proper burial. In order to acquire a grave site, he needs the cooperation of the children of Cheis, who are the leaders of the area. 

Rabbi Noach Weinberg, Z”L points out that “Bnei Cheis”, (“The children of Cheis”) are mentioned many times in this week’s Torah portion – nine times to be exact. They are mentioned one more time in the Torah portion of Vayechi, making a total of ten mentions in the Torah!

The Torah is precise – every word, letter and space is there for a reason…so why repeat “The children of Cheis” so many times?

Rabbi Weinberg quotes the Midrash:

“Rabbi Elazar said: How much ink is spilled, and how many quills are broken, in order to write ‘the children of Cheis’! Ten times [the Torah] writes, ‘the children of Cheis, the children of Cheis.’ These ten mentions correspond to the Ten Commandments, in order to teach you that whoever assists in the business dealings of a righteous person, it is considered as though he has fulfilled the Ten Commandments” (Bereishis Rabbah 58:8).”

This Midrash teaches us that one act can have incredible ramifications. By simply assisting Avraham – a righteous person – the children of Cheis did something important enough to be remembered forever. 

These people were known to be fierce, and they were feared widely. Despite their nature, they helped Avraham to acquire the Cave of the Patriarchs as a burial place for Sarah. 

As Rabbi Weinberg explains, the children of Cheis “did one good deed – they helped a tzaddik, a righteous person whom they recognized as a ‘Nesi Elokim,’ a prince of G-d. On account of this single action, they are considered to have fulfilled the Ten Commandments.”

In other words, their choice gave their life a new, deeper meaning. They made a difference, and for this, they are remembered. 

As we go through life, we face a myriad of choices and challenges daily…

“Should I do this? Say this? Speak up? Stay quiet? Help or walk away?”

Whenever you have a choice in front of you, seize the opportunity to do the right thing.

It may seem small…but it may just be the act for which you’ll be remembered forever. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Danielle