Eliezer – Avraham’s right hand man – an “eved”, servant and a holy character – in his words, would rather be a slave in the home of Avraham than anywhere else – one way or another Eliezer understands we are enslaved – to the demanding world around us, camels or Blackberrys – man is born to slave away – hard work, great effort, no guaranteed results – but in the world of Torah, the home of Abraham, work is rewarded immeasurably, guaranteed. Shabbat – the home of Abraham – where the workweek is discarded for attention to spiritual growth, sanctified by G-d himself – a day of free work, facilitated by the closing of the door on the street where we spend six days trying to filter through the world to find the meaning, the holiness, the purpose. But filtering is forbidden on Shabbat – borer – rather, Shabbat provides clarity, respite, hard work unimpeded, with guaranteed results. The life of Eliezer.
Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Shimshon Silkin
