Judaism :: The Most Important Trait

"And it will be, that the maiden to whom I will say, 'Lower your
pitcher and I will drink,' and she will say, 'Drink, and I will
also water your camels,' her have You designated for Your
servant, for Isaac, and through her may I know that You have
performed loving kindness with my master." (Bereishit - Chapter
24:14)

The Gemarah Chulin 95a states: An omen which is not after the
structure pronounced by Eliezer Abraham's servant, or by
Jonathan the son of Saul, is not considered a divination!

Rav Rovman in his sefer zichron Meir asks how was it possible
for Eliezer the servant of Avraham to determine the quality of
Rivka's character solely by the kindness she did for his camels.
In order to be fitting for Isaac she surely also needed
perfection in many other areas of her personality such as purity
of heart, faith and the fear of Hashem etc.

The Mishna in Perki Avos Chapt. 2:9 can help us explain. He (Rav
Johanan) said unto them: Go forth and observe which is the good
way unto which a man should cleave? R. Eliezer said, a good eye,
R. Joshua said, a good associate, R. Jose said a good neighbor,
R. Simeon said, one who looks (ahead to see) what (consequences)
shall be brought forth (by his own actions). R Eleazar said a
good heart. Said he (Rav Johanan) unto them, I prefer the words
of R. Eleazar (ben'arach) to your words, for within the
comprehensive character of his words (a good heart), are your
words included.

The Bartenur explains that the heart is the source of all the
other character traits and the Teferes Israel explains that when
one's heart is quiet and happy one can see the good in others
and increase their love for them and for G-d.

So what Eliezer was really testing was Rifka's heart. By asking
Rifka to perform this strenuous task of watering ten camels
while he and his able and healthy men sat back and watched,
Rifka's true character was able to shine forth. Rifka did this
difficult chesed with a happiness and excitement for the pure
sake of helping others even when they were not in need or
deserved her help. It is this quality of a "good heart" which
was a true sign of her outstanding qualities.

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About the Author:

Rabbi Eliyahu Mitterhoff is the director of the Global Yeshiva Torah & Judaism Research Community. He envisions the Global Yeshiva as a great and unprecedented historic opportunity to share, learn, teach and spread Torah on a global level.