1)

Why does the Torah mention Mamrei?

1.

Rashi: Mamrei is the name of the plain on which Chevron the town was built.

2)

When Yaakov left to go to Charan, Yitzchak was living in Be'er Sheva. Why did he move to Chevron?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: As Yitzchak approached his day of death, he moved to Chevron - 'the town of four couples,' because he knew that he was destined to be buried there; (a) so as to constantly remember the day of death; and (b) so that when he died, they would not need to move him from Be'er Sheva to Chevron. 1

2.

Moshav Zekenim (to 28:10), Ramban (to 28:17): In fact, Yitzchak was living in Chevron even when Yaakov left, as implied by our Pasuk. 2


1

See also Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Kiryas ha'Arba,' who elaborates on this point.

2

If so, why did Yaakov leave from Be'er Sheva? a) He went there to ask permission [from Hashem] to leave Eretz Yisrael, like his father did (Ramban to 28:17). b) Yaakov had studied at Yeshivas Shem v'Ever before proceeding to Charan (Rashi to 28:9), and that Yeshiva was located in the vicinity of Be'er la'Chai Ro'i (Targum Yonasan to 24:62) - near Be'er Sheva. (CS) Also refer to 24:62:1:5**.

3)

Why does the Torah add, "Mamrei Kiryas ha'Arba Hi Chevron"?

1.

Ha'amek Davar: Initially, Yaakov and his family came to Elonei Mamrei, but afterwards he uprooted to Chevron, i.e. Emek Chevron near the city, but he was not mixed with [people of the city].

4)

What is the point of telling us that Avraham and Yitzchak had sojourned in Chevron?

1.

Seforno: Tzadikim who live in a town who perform good deeds and acts of Chesed, leave behind a good name, which bodes good for their children who come after them.

2.

To teach us that Avraham and Yitzchak, and now Yaakov were sojourners in a land that was not theirs. 1

3.

Radak: This teaches that it is proper to live in the city of his ancestors, for the honor of his ancestors buried there.

4.

Ha'amek Davar: Yaakov chose to live the rest of life in Chevron because Avraham and Yitzchak had lived there. The city was sanctified through Torah and Avodah from the days of his fathers. Yaakov had no friendship with the seed of Mamrei the Emori. This is like the Midah of Yaakov, to be alone. 2


2

Harchev Davar: Yaakov did not disagree with his fathers, just they were not involved with [raising many] children, therefore they mixed with others to teach them Hashem's ways. Yaakov was involved with [raising many] children, therefore he saw it better to do oppositely (isolate himself), for people learn more from the improper than from the proper (perhaps his children will learn from the Nochrim that they try to bring serve Hashem)! This is why some decreed to discourage living with a Nochri in the Chatzer (Eruvin 62a).

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