Our focus is Genesis 23:17-18, describing how Abraham acquired the field of Ephron, including the cave of Makhpela, as a burial place. "The field of Ephron that was in Makhpela that was before Mamre, the field and the cave that was in it, and every tree that was in the field, that was within its border all around, were established… as possession for Abraham before the children of Ḥet." (Genesis 23:17-18). It sounds straightforward, right? But the rabbis of the Midrash see so much more.
The text states the field "were established [vayakam]". The Midrash beautifully interprets this: it "had been lowly and was now elevated [vekamat], as it had belonged to an insignificant person and now it became that of a great person." In other words, Abraham's ownership didn't just change hands; it elevated the very status of the land itself! Imagine that – your property becoming more valuable simply because you own it.
But that's just the beginning. "The field of Ephron that was in Makhpela" – this, we're told, "teaches that it doubled [nikhpelu] in value in the eyes of everyone." Not only that, but "anyone who is buried in it can be certain that his reward is doubled [kaful]." Why such an immense spiritual boost? Rabbi Abahu offers a stunning reason: "It is because the Holy One blessed be He folded up [kafaf] the [great] height of Adam the first man and buried him in it." Think about that – the very first human, returned to the earth in this very spot. The Bereshit Rabbah 12:6 expands on this idea.
And what about the specifics? "The field and the cave that was in it…" Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] uses this to derive a practical lesson: "From where is it derived what we learned: One who sells his field must write down the field and its [specific] border markers? It is from here." Even in this ancient purchase, we find the seeds of careful documentation and clear property lines. A good deed, even a real estate transaction, is done with precision and clarity.
Now, the text repeats "the sons of Ḥet" quite a bit. Rabbi Elazar points this out: "How many inkwells are emptied, how many quills are broken in order to write ‘the sons of Ḥet’?" He finds meaning in this repetition: "‘The sons of Ḥet’ is repeated ten times, corresponding to the Ten Commandments, to teach you that anyone who endorses the transaction of a righteous man, it is as though he fulfilled the Ten Commandments." Supporting righteousness, even in a seemingly mundane act like witnessing a land sale, carries immense weight.
Similarly, Rabbi Yudan draws a parallel from the story of Barzilai: "‘The sons of Barzilai’ is written five times… corresponding to the five books of the Torah, to teach you that anyone who feeds a slice of bread to a righteous man… it is as though he fulfilled the five books of the Torah." Small acts of kindness towards the righteous are elevated to the level of fulfilling the entire Torah! This references 1 Kings chapter 2 and Barzilai's kindness to David as described in II Samuel 17:27.
So, what’s the takeaway from this deep dive into Bereshit Rabbah 58? It's more than just a story about buying land. It’s about the power of association, the importance of supporting righteousness, and the profound impact even seemingly small acts can have. It reminds us that holiness can infuse the mundane, and that even a real estate deal, when connected to something greater, can become a sacred act. Food for thought, right?