The purchase of the Machapela cave

Twelve verses in the chapter "Sarah's Life" in the Book of Genesis detail at great length the ownership of the Cave of the Patriarchs, by Efron the Hittite, and the burial of Sarah his mother.

"To Avraham Lamkena", the purchase that Avraham our father made of the cave in order to bury his wife Sara in it, was made in all the types of owners by which land was bought: with money, by deed, with witnesses and by possession. The status of the property was publicized, so that there would be no complaints about the purchase.

Why did Abraham have to buy the cave, since God promised him the land forever?

But Abraham felt that he had to buy and thus prevent his ownership from being disputed.

Another reason is that Abraham was humble as it was said: "I will live and dwell with you."

Efron the Hittite did not see in the cave what Abraham saw. He did not see in her a supreme light, did not smell the fragrances of heaven in her. "And the field arose" - that the cave was fallen, and arose. A small man's stay became a big man's property. Until the arrival of Abraham, nothing was seen there, and now everything that was hidden and unknown, arose and ascended and was revealed to the one who was the true owner.

Not only landowners learn from the Cave of the Multipliers. Matrimonial property is also learned from this: "The wife is bought in three ways... with money from Nelan? 'Kihah' 'Kihah' from Sde Efron" (Babylonian Kiddoshin 2 p. 1)

("Emek Hebron" Noam Arnon)

"And Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed for Ephron the money that he had spoken in the ears of the sons of Heth"

(Genesis 23:16)

It is known that the meaning of the word 'Vishma' in the Torah is not just hearing, but understanding.

And what did Abraham have to understand the depth of the matter?

Hafasht, who understood Efron's desire to pay four hundred silver shekels and would like to pay him. But it is necessary to clarify more, that Efron has become wiser. He wanted Sarah to be buried and then he would demand a huge amount of money from Abraham, and even if Abraham gave him money 'between you and me' as Ephron wanted, he would later deny it and say that he had not received anything.

Since Avraham understood Ephron's malicious thought, he weighed the money and gave it to Ephron in front of the sons of Het and only then 'and after that he buried Avraham'.

(The Grand Master Eliyahu Naru)