1)

What is the significance of the title "N?si Elokim" that the B?nei Cheis conferred upon Avraham?

1.

Rashi (in Yehoshua 14:15): As a reward for calling Avraham "N?si Elokim," they merited forty years of peace while Hashem kept Yisrael in the desert.

2.

Ramban: They meant that he was neither a Ger nor a Toshav. Because Hashem had appointed him king over them and that, consequently, he may pick the burialground of his choice (in spite of their custom prohibiting it). Refer to 23:4:1:1*.

3.

Rashbam and Seforno: They were saying that since they considered him a 'prince of G-d,' 1 he could bury his dead in the location where they buried the princes (or wherever he wished) 2 and did not need to wait till he purchased a burial plot. 3

4.

Malbim (to 23:5): The custom was, only esteemed residents could have a family burial site, like the Ramban 4 says. They stressed, we esteem you greatly - but we will not break our custom.

5.

Ha'amek Davar: You are our leader with Chochmah to run the country, and our spiritual guide pertaining to G-dly 5 matters (like Moshe was called "Ish E-lokim").

6.

Ohr ha'Chayim #1: They said, you are like a king among us, and powerful to do as you wish. However, this is against our will, and when we have the power, we will remove the dead from the grave.

7.

Ohr ha'Chayim #2: They said, you are established to be a great Tzadik. You have a Chazakah in what you acquire. There is no concern lest people say that you stole or extorted it!


1

Rashi writes (in Shabbos 105a) that based on this Pasuk, the Gemara learns that Hashem appointed Avraham king of the nations - See the Gemara there.

2

Since nobody would withhold a burial plot from him.

3

As the Gemara states in Moed Katan 22a - 'The sooner one buries one's dead, the better.'

4

However, the Ramban says that they offered Avraham to waive their custom and give whatever he requested, unlike the Malbim.

5

Why would idolaters consider Avraham their leader for G-dly matters? The early idolaters recognized HaSh-m, just they also served idolatry (to honor HaSh-m's servants, like the Rambam says, or they thought that also idols can help). (PF)

2)

Why did they address Avraham with the word, "Shema'enu"?

1.

Ohr ha'Chayim: You want to bury your dead promptly. You have no need to delay! You may pick any place, and you need not pay its value!

3)

Why did they say that no one will withhold his grave from Avraham?

1.

Malbim (to 23:5): They said, we will not break our custom, that only residents may have a family burial site. You may bury Sarah anywhere in the communal cemetery. Or, you may buy an individual grave; no one will deny you even the grave designated for himself!

2.

Ha'amek Davar: [No one will withhold even] the grave he had designated for himself, at the head of the site.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

4)

Rashi writes: "'Will not hold back' (Lo Yichleh)' - [means] 'will not withhold,' as in, 'va'Yikalei ha'Geshem'" (Bereishis 8:2). But our Pasuk writes 'Yichleh' with a Hei; whereas that Pasuk writes 'Yikalei' with an Alef?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The letters Alef and Hei are interchangeable.

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