When we reflect on our lineage, who comes to mind? Often, lineage focuses on biological family ties. This is certainly true when we think of the patriarchal triad, Avraham, Yitzhak, and Ya’akov. But family has always been more complex, as we know from the Torah itself. We are blessed to live in a contemporary moment when we are striving to be more aware of—and honor—broader definitions of family. Enter Eliezer, the servant of Avraham. Rather than viewing him as a mere messenger who carries out Avraham’s bidding, a closer look reveals that this servant is a crucial part of our lineage, even as he is peripheral to the bloodline of the patriarchs.

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