Avraham and Sarah: The Final Chapters
There is a dramatic shift in Avraham's role between the Akeida and the beginning of Chayei Sarah. He appears to turn inward.
The Torah dedicates more space to the purchase of Maarat HaMachpela than it does to Akeidat Yitzchak!
Avraham introduces himself to Bnei Chet as a גר ותושב, a resident and a stranger, a dialectic that describes the Jewish people throughout the generations. They, on the other hand, want him to become one of them, which Avraham politely refuses. As a result of this encounter and realization, Avraham looks to find a wife for Yitzchak in Aram Naharayim, perpetuating the balance (via Rivkah) of a ger v'toshav.
Eliezer's name is absent from the entire story of finding a wife for Yitzchak. He is referred to as the servant (of Avraham) throughout except for a few places where he is referred to as "האיש", the man. Why? The command to find a wife for Yitzchak is sometimes referred to as to find a wife from Avraham's birthplace and sometimes from his family?
Delivered at the OU Israel Center, December 12th, 2018 (4 Tevet 5779)