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Shabbat Chayei Sarah - 22 Cheshvan 5768
When Sarah dies, Abraham does what any devoted husband would do - but more so. Not only does he bury her with the honour that was her due; he uses her passing to acquire the first Jewish property in Israel, the country that is called the Land of Life (Eretz HaChaim).
And immediately afterwards, he embarks upon another life-giving mission. He seeks a wife for his son Isaac to ensure the continuation of Sarah's legacy.
And continue it does - when Isaac betroths Rebecca at the end of the parasha - Sarah's tent returns to its former glory and radiance. It is as if Sarah has never died.
Not for Abraham to create a shrine for Sarah's memory - to leave her tent untouched as at the moment of her death. To think that to do otherwise would be a betrayal of her memory. On the contrary, the pall of sadness that such a shrine would cast would truly ensure that Sarah's death was final. Far from being a tribute to Sarah, it would suck the life of the future into the vortex of the past. What Abraham wanted was that the bitter taste of death should propel her life to an even more glorious future. It is for this reason that the parasha of Sarah's death is called Chayei Sarah - the life of Sarah.
It is also for this reason that although Abraham eulogized Sarah, he cried for her but a little. This is indicated in the Torah's using a diminutive letter "caf" in the Hebrew word for crying, "livcota". Miss her, he most certainly would, and so he did cry. But not for long. A far greater tribute would be to ensure that she lived on - and so he immediately got to work.
Abraham, through his personal example, has taught us the true Jewish response to death, and indeed to difficulties of any kind. It is unnatural not to mourn a loss. The Talmud describes such a person as insensitive. At the same time, however, the Talmud criticises a person who cries too much. Rather than allow a tragedy to pull us down to the past, Abraham has taught us to use it to propel ourselves into an even greater future.
May Hashem spare us from all sadness and sorrow.
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
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In view of the unstable state of the entire world at this time, I urge everyone to recite the following prayers, which according to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory, have the ability to steady a shaky world
At the beginning of the day, the following should be recited:
Behold I accept upon myself the positive commandment, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
One should say these next verses after one's prayers every day. Or if, for some reason one doesn't pray, then at least these verses should be recited:
Do not fear sudden terror, nor the destruction of the wicked when it comes. Contrive a scheme, but it will be foiled; conspire a plot, but it will not materialize, for G-d is with us. To your old age I am [with you]; to your hoary years I will sustain you; I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you. Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell securely in Your presence.
Click here for the hebrew and transliteration of these Special Prayers
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Mazal Tov to Anton & Jodi Gelbart on the birth of their first child, son David Osher, born on 11 Av / August 11th.
Please visit our Births Page for full listing |
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13 September / 13 Elul - Dylan Felsher - Shabbat Ki Teitze
27 September / 27 Elul - Simon Spiro - Shabbat Nitzavim
4 October / 5 Tishrei - Binyomin Maynard - Shabbat Vayeilech
25 October / 26 Tishrei - Jacob Melamed - Shabbat Bereishit
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Mazal Tov to Rabbi Benzion & Rebbetzin Henya Milecki on the engagement of their son Levi Yitzchok to Nechama Dina Zirkind (New York).
Mazal Tov to Fred and Sylvia Ginsberg on the engagement of their son & grandson Brett to Rikki Hurvitz.
For details of all Engagements click here |
Condolences to Ilana Kersh and family on the passing of her father, Aubrey Penn, on 2 Elul / September 1st.
For full listing please visit Condolence page |
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