The servant finds Rebecca, and her family, Laban and Bethuel, are faced with a decision: Do they let Rebecca go with this stranger? What do they do?

Their response, according to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 16, is pretty striking. They say, "Since this word has come forth from the mouth of the Almighty, we cannot prevent it." They even quote Genesis 24:50: "The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good." In other words, they felt this was bashert – destined. Predetermined.

"Behold, Rebecca is before thee; take her and go," they say (Genesis 24:51). Talk about surrendering to fate! It’s a powerful statement about recognizing a divine hand at work. But does it mean they had no choice? Were they just puppets in a divinely orchestrated play? That's the question that lingers, isn't it?

The story continues. The servant, eager to get back to Isaac, is ready to leave the very next morning. He urges Laban and Bethuel not to delay him, saying, "Do not hinder me, for the Lord hath prospered my way" (Genesis 24:56). What's really interesting here is the implication that an angel is helping him, smoothing the path. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tells us that the servant says, “For behold, the man who came with me yesterday, he has prospered my way; behold, he is standing and waiting for me in the street." The "man" is an angel.

Now, imagine the scene. Everyone's celebrating at Rebecca’s pre-wedding banquet. And get this: Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer compares it to a chazzan, a cantor, blessing the bride under the chuppah, the wedding canopy. The family blesses Rebecca, echoing the words of Genesis 24:60: "And they blessed Rebecca, and said unto her, Our sister…"

So, what does it all mean? Is it about surrendering to destiny? Recognizing the divine in everyday events? Or is it simply a beautiful story about finding love and building a family? Perhaps it’s all of those things. This passage from Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer invites us to consider the interplay between our choices and the larger forces at play in our lives. Are we truly in control, or are we, like Rebecca, guided by something greater? Something…divine?

It leaves you wondering, doesn’t it? Next time you face a big decision, ask yourself: Is this my choice alone, or is there something else at work here?