Timeless TorahA Drop of Water (24:17)
“And Abraham became old.” Like everything else in the Patriarch’s life, this was seen as an opportunity. In this particular circumstance, it was the moment to set his house in order and prepare the next generation for their task in continuing the grand tradition.
A man of action, Abraham did not procrastinate. Swearing in his trusted Eliezer, he charged him with finding a worthy wife for his son Isaac. Although given camels bearing gifts, Eliezer himself traveled on foot. If the woman’s character were to be accurately determined, he did not wish to appear as a wealthy merchant. Instead, his demeanor was one of a servant, for only under this guise could he truly gauge the kindness of the maiden, for the generosity shown a slave is usually inspired by purer motives than the helpfulness bestowed on the wealthy cavalier.
And so the mission began. Upon arriving at his destination, Eliezer prayed for guidance. “Oh G-d,” he prayed, “Send a woman who will offer drink to both myself and my beasts.” Obviously, Eliezer felt that for the prospective bride to be included in the Abrahamic family, she must possess the quality for which his master was famous.
Before concluding his entreaty who should appear but Rivkah. Eliezer requests, “A little water to sip.” The maiden however replies, “Drink, ” and addresses him as, “My lord, /” even though he stood before her as the humble servant.
But then she even goes beyond offering the camels a drink, an act that would have entailed at least ten trips to the well. What Rivkah does is fill the watering trough again and again, “until the camels will finish drinking.”
No wonder Eliezer was certain that before him stood the object of his search. Without hesitation, with no economy of energy, Rivkah set no limit to her effort and energy expended to aid another human being.
And yet…something surprising occurred…almost out of character, Rivkah “emptied into the watering trough whatever water Eliezer had left in the pitcher.” Can Rivkah’s generosity of spirit and willingness to serve without measure be compatible with saving a little water? Isn’t such careful and thrifty management of resources a sign of frugality? A trait that is inconsonant with Abrahamic hospitality that provides the finest cakes and tenderest of calves to strangers? But in actuality, it is precisely the attitude of the righteous that views even the most insignificant thing on earth as a means of performing a mitzvah. Thus everything can become sacred if not squandered. Hence, a moment in time, an ounce of energy or even the tiniest drop of water is never wasted, but utilized.
Moral: Lavish your child with love, education, attention and consideration but make sure all your energy is being put to good use and not misspent.
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