What does the Pasuk mean when it writes, "va'Yakom Sedeh Efron..."?
Rashi #1: The field of Efron now entered the domain of Avraham.
Rashi #1: The field rose in esteem, from the domain of a Hedyot to that of a king. 1
Malbim: Together with the next verse "l'Avraham l'Miknah," it means that Efron gave a document, and it became a total Kinyan through Kesef and a document. 2
Why does it repeat the words "va'Yakom ha'Sadeh" below (23:20)?
Rashbam (to 23:18): Although Avraham acquired the property with a Kinyan Kesef, he did not acquire the rights to use it as a burial plot until he had buried Sarah there.
Riva: He purchased the property from Efron, and the rights to make it a burial plot from the mayor.
Ohr ha'Chayim (to 23:19): The field left Efron's domain when he received the money, but Avraham acquired it only through burying Sarah.
Malbim (to 23:20): Afterwards, all Bnei Ches agreed to change their enactment in honor of Avraham, who became a resident, and let him designate the cave for a cemetery.
Why does the Torah add, "v'Chol ha'Etz... b'Chol Gevulo Saviv"?
Bava Basra 69b: To teach us that when one acquires a field, the borders (including the trees that are planted on it) 1 are included in the sale.
Malbim: The Torah mentions the borders that were specified in the document.
See Torah Temimah (note 13) who, citing Rishonim, clarifies this Halachah. Ha'amek Davar: Avraham specified that he purchased "from the depth to the sky," in which case the cave and the trees were included.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "The field of Efron arose (va'Yakom) - It rose up in stature, from the hand of a commoner, to that of a king. But, in its simple explanation...." Why does Rashi present a homiletic explanation?
Gur Aryeh: The next verse tells us that Avraham acquired the field (23:18). If this verse also expresses acquisition, the two verses should have been combined into one.
Rashi writes: " But in its simple explanation, the field... was established as an acquisition of Avraham (23: 17-18)." If so, why is it separated into two verses?
Gur Aryeh: This is what hints to the Midrashic interpretation (that the field rose in stature). Refer to 23:17:1.1:1. (Thus, both explanations are true.)
