Shabbat Chayei Sarah 5784
By Rabbi Daniel Reich
LA JOLLA, California — Our great matriarch, Sarah Imeinu, had an exceedingly challenging life. The trials and tribulations she faced are evident when one reads the basic text of the Torah:
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First, she had to leave to a far off unknown land.
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Then she endured a famine.
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She was abducted not once, but twice!
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She grappled with years—years!—of barrenness.
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Finally, Sarah gave birth to a son. However, shortly thereafter, Yishmael, the son of the concubine Hagar, began to negatively influence her own son. The situation deteriorated to the point where both Yishmael and Hagar had to be sent away.
Sarah lived a life that was objectively difficult, arduous, and filled with hardship, and it eventually became too much to bear. Especially, it seems, in light of the binding of Yitzchak.
Upon receiving the news that Avraham Avinu had been commanded by God to bring their beloved and only son, Yitzchak, for the Akeida sacrifice, Sarah Imeinu passed away. Most commentators explain that Sarah’s heart could not bear the thought, and she succumbed to shock and anguish. As Rashi succinctly states: “Parcha nishmata umeita,” meaning her soul departed from her body, and she died.
However, this interpretation appears to present a problem when considering who Sarah Imeinu truly was.
Are we to believe that Sarah Imeinu, our great matriarch, described by our rabbis as possibly even greater than her husband, Avraham Aveinu, lacked faith? Avraham and Yitzchak willingly rushed to perform this act of pure sacrifice, displaying true mesirut nefesh for God, and yet, this very act caused Sarah Imeinu so much distress that it led to her death. How could that be?
One might have expected Sarah Imeinu, upon hearing of the Akeida, to prepare a grand meal—a seudas mitzvah—and recite Hallel in celebration of her husband and son’s unwavering dedication to God’s service. How could it be that the Akeida brought about so much suffering for Sarah, ultimately leading to her demise?
Perhaps we have misunderstood Rashi’s comment. What did Rashi intend when he used the word “parcha” instead of the more common term “yatztah” (departed) when referring to Sarah’s soul leaving her body?
Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav, offers an alternative interpretation: Sarah did not die due to anguish; she passed away because she had fulfilled her life’s purpose. She had lived life in the manner it was meant to be lived—a life dedicated to true faith, raising a son with the same values. Her soul had “fully blossomed,” as the verse in Psalms states: “tzadik katamar yifrach” (the righteous blossom like a date palm).
Upon learning about the Akeida, Sarah Imeinu did not die out of shock or distress; her neshamah departed because it had reached its full potential. Sarah Imeinu had accomplished her life’s mission in raising a son who was willing to wholeheartedly sacrifice himself in accordance with God’s will. She lived her life in accordance with the path of Hashem and His Torah, and she passed this tradition on to her son.
With everything going on in Israel, we have seen time and again a form of an Akeida — people giving themselves completely to Hashem, his Torah, and his people. Especially the chayalim, putting their lives on the line. Medics on the front lines. And holy wives and mothers, following the example of Sarah Imeinu, sending their loved ones with full hearts. Living lives of full emunah!
During this trying time for our people, we seek to experience true faith, motivating us to live life as it should be lived, following the path of Hashem and His Torah, much like Avraham, Yitzchak, and, of course, Sarah Imeinu.
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Rabbi Daniel Reich is the rabbi of Congregation Adat Yeshurun of La Jolla.