What do we learn from Rivkah's answer, "Elech"?
Rashi: She meant that she would go, whether they like it or not. 1
Hadar Zekenim: It implies a question ? ?Do you want me to go??
Refer to 24:58:151; refer to 24:58:152:1.
The question was whether to go now, or later. Why did they ask, "Will you go with this man"?
Malbim: Refer to 24:57:1:3.
Ha'amek Davar: It was hard for her to ride on a camel. She fell (24:64)! If she delays, she can get used to riding by herself. If she goes now, she will need to ride on Eliezer's camel with him (to guard her), which is immodest. 1
Ha'amek Davar (to 24:61) explains that "she went with her girls, behind Eliezer" (24:61) only in the city, but then her girls returned, except for her wet-nurse, and she rode with Eliezer. Perhaps her wet-nurse was not able to guard her. (PF) Or, her family was merely seeking an excuse for her to stay, like the Malbim said (refer to 24:57:1:3).
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: 'I will go, even if you do not want.' How do we learn this from the word "Elech"?
Malbim: "Elchah" (24:56) would imply a request (e.g. Eliezer's request to return home immediately). "Elech" implies certainty - in any case.
Gur Aryeh: It would have been sufficient for her to answer, "Yes!" The phrase "I shall go" shows that Rivkah herself was taking the initiative.
Rashi writes: "[She answered] 'I will go, even if you do not want.'" Would she be so brazen as to go without permission of her brother and mother?!
Gur Aryeh (to 24:57) says that she had converted (refer to 24:57:1.1:1*). Even though a convert should show appreciation to his family, their desire that she stay would not justify remaining in a house full of idols. 1 (PF)
Hadar Zekenim left this difficult. There is no source that she already converted, or even that she knew how abominable idolatry is! Or, she should have offered to stay, if they want, if they will leave the idols outside the house (refer to 24:31:3:1). Or, even if she must leave in any case, there was no need to say 'even if you do not want.' (PF)
