07 Nov PARASHAT HAYE-SARA: MAKING A PROFIT

Parashat Haye-Sara
tells the story of
Avraham’s search
for a burial plot for
his wife, Sara. We
read that Avraham purchased the site of
Me’arat Ha’machpela in Hevron from a
man named Efron, who charged Avraham
the exorbitant price of 400 silver coins
(23:16).
In commenting on this incident, the
Sages speak very critically of Efron,
ascribing to him qualities such as greed,
selfishness and egotism. He is referred
to in the Midrash as a “Rasha” – an evil
person – who deserves condemnation for
his conduct with respect to the sale of
Me’arat Ha’mechpela.
What did Efron do that invited such harsh
criticism? Why did the Rabbis look upon
him as a “Rasha” for charging a high
price for the land? Is the Torah opposed to
real-estate transactions? Is it forbidden to
ask a steep price and then accept payment
when the buyer accepts that price?
The story is told of a Rabbi who walked
with his student and said that he wishes

to show him an exceedingly kindhearted
and generous person. He brought the
student to the window of restaurant,
and they saw an enormous facility that
seats three hundred guests, with dozens
of customers sitting, being served and
enjoying their tasty, satisfying meals.
“The owner of this restaurant,” the Rabbi
remarked, “is a righteous man. Look
how he gives such large amounts of fine,
delicious food to so many people, in such
a luxurious and comfortable room!”
“But Rabbi,” the student replied, “the man
charges money for the meals he serves.
And the money he charges does not only
cover the cost of the food, service and
overhead; he takes a large profit!”
“Of course he takes a profit,” the Rabbi
answered. “Otherwise, he would not be
able to serve people tomorrow. Doesn’t
he have the right to live, to support his
family? This does not undermine the
extent of the Hesed (kindness) that he
performs. He does a wonderful service
for hundreds of people, and this is a great
Hesed even if he receives a profit for it!”

This same Rabbi used
to speak of the great
kindness of the baker
who rises early in the
morning to bake bread
and pastries for his
community, providing
a critical service for
everybody in the town.
Of course they pay
him for it – because
otherwise he would
be unable to continue
providing this service
the next day!
This is the proper approach to take
towards employment and business
ventures. A person has every right to
charge money for his services, but he
must also look upon his work as a way of
helping and serving people. In whatever
capacity a person works, he should
approach his vocation as a way to impact
meaningfully on society and act kindly
towards others.
This was not Efron’s attitude towards
his real estate dealings. Revealingly, the

numerical value of his name “Efron”
(when spelled without a “Vav,” as the
Torah spells it in the aforementioned
verse) is 400 – the price he charged for
Me’arat Ha’machpela. His very essence
was defined by the profits he earned, by
his wealth. His work was solely about
earning money, and not about helping
other people. Quite understandably,
then, the Sages describe him as a greedy,
selfish person, somebody who concerned
himself only with making a fortune for
himself, and not with the needs of others.