Me’aras HaMachpeilah
Now came the time for Avraham to take care of Sarah’s burial. Avraham knew that Sarah’s burial place must be very special. He wanted to buy the Me’aras HaMachpeilah – a very holy place, where the very first man and woman, Adam and Chavah, were buried.
A man named Efron owned the cave. Avraham quickly approached him and stated, “I understand you own this cave. You see, my wife Sarah, a great woman, passed away and this is the place I wish to bury her. I am willing to pay full price.”
Efron responded, “No problem! You can have it for free.”
However, Avraham did not want the land as a gift. “No deal! I want to buy the Me’aras HaMachpeilah. Just name the price,” Avraham replied.
“Well, all right then. If you insist. The price is 400 silver Shekels,” said Efron.
Within a blink of the eye, Avraham agreed to the deal, and handed over 400 silver Shekels, in front of the entire community of Efron. Now, there would be no question about the ownership of Me’aras HaMachpeilah.
It would forever belong to Bnei Yisrael!
