Xayey Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18)

The portion is named "Xayey Sarah", literally "the life of Sarah", because it begins with a summary of the
number of years Sarah lived and the account of her death.

This week's portion begins with the death of Sarah and Abraham grief upon her death. Abraham then buys the Cave of Machpellah in Hebron from Ephron the Hittite, and buries Sarah.

Abraham, by now an old and wealthy man, then sends his servant back to Mesopotamia to find a wife for his son, Isaac. The servant asks God to help him find the right woman, and decides that the young woman who will be willing to draw water not only for him but also for his camels, a very difficult task, is the proper wife for Isaac. Indeed Rebecca, the granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, suggests doing so, and the servant knows that this suggestion, together with the fact that she is Abraham's relative, is a sure sign that she is the right woman. Rebecca agrees to go with the servant, and marries Isaac. We are told of the great love Isaac had for her.

We are then given a short report of all of Abrahm's descendants: he took another wife who bore children for him. Abraham gave these children gifts, and left Isaac as his soul heir. Abraham dies at the age of 175, and his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, bury him, together, in the Cave of Machpellah.

The portion ends with a report of the blessing Isaac receives from God after Abraham's death, and with a short list of the descendants of Ishmael.