בראשית, פרק כ״ד, פסוק מ״ט

Abraham's servant has just finished recounting the clear signs of Divine providence that accompanied his journey. Now, the moment of decision arrives, and he places the choice entirely in the hands of Rebekah's family. He demands a clear and immediate answer, making it known that while the match appears to be orchestrated by God, the family retains full free will to accept or decline the proposal. He asks them to respond with kindness—a favor beyond basic obligation—and truth, representing a reliable and actualized commitment [אבן עזרא, ביאור יש״ר, מחוקקי יהודה, אבי עזר].

Commentators interpret this dual request through several distinct lenses. One approach views it as a blend of family obligation and personal sacrifice. The truth represents their natural duty to honor Abraham, the patriarch of their family line, by granting his request. The kindness is their willingness to put aside their own desires and send their daughter to a distant land, knowing they may never see her again [רד״ק, ספורנו]. Another perspective focuses on the tension between Divine providence and human choice. Acknowledging the truth means recognizing that this union has been decreed by God. The kindness lies in their free choice not to delay the process, accepting the condition that Isaac will never return to their land, and agreeing to send Rebekah immediately [מלבי״ם, אלשיך, רש ר הירש]. A third approach gives the request an altruistic and financial meaning. Just as true kindness is done for the deceased without any expectation of reward, the servant hints that the family should not expect a massive bride price or financial profit from marrying into wealth. Instead, they should agree to the match without demanding compensation [יריעות שלמה, צאינה וראינה, אלשיך].

Pressing for an answer, the servant insists on knowing their decision right away so he can determine if his oath to Abraham has expired. He reassures them that they do not need to feel ashamed if they wish to refuse, since Abraham himself is not present to be offended [אלשיך, מלבי״ם]. He declares that if they say no, he will simply turn to the right or to the left. Some view this as a figure of speech meaning he would seek other advice and explore different options [שד״ל, העמק דבר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others suggest he meant traveling east toward Ur or west toward Canaan to find other relatives, or simply looking elsewhere in the area for a suitable woman [רשב״ם, רד״ק, קונטרס חיבה יתירה].

However, the primary approach among commentators is that this was a specific geographical and familial reference. Turning to the right meant heading south to the daughters of Ishmael, while turning to the left meant going north to the daughters of Lot, who lived to Abraham's left [רש״י, גור אריה, צאינה וראינה, הדר זקנים, אם למקרא]. This raises an obvious question: how could the servant even consider marrying Isaac to women from these families, who were known for their poor character and whom Abraham surely would have rejected? The answer is that this was a psychological tactic employed by a shrewd negotiator. The servant used the mention of these alternatives as a subtle threat to rush the family's decision. By creating the illusion that he had other viable options, he prevented them from becoming arrogant or attempting to extort him [משכיל לדוד, ברכת אשר].