11-13-2025 Chyee-Sarah

Due to a heavy travel schedule last week there was no  parashah. Last week’s section contained perhaps the  most emotional piece of literature found in literature, the  Akedah or Binding of Isaac. The commentaries on  Chapter 22 of Genesis contains enough insights and  debates to fill a library.  

This week’s Torah portion (Genesis 23:1-25:18) is both  philosophical and ironic. It touches upon the universal  theme of generational change of one person dying and  another taking his or her place. Called “Chaye-Sarah/the  Life of Sarah” the portion first speaks of Sarah’s death and  burial and then her “replacement” by the Israel’s second  national matriarch, Rebecca. Despite Sarah’s departure  and Rebecca’s stepping onto the stage of history we see  that often each generation face the same problems. This  week’s portion reminds us that the dramatic plot that we  call life often repeats itself.

 

One of the central themes found throughout this week’s  portion is the concept of commitment. For example, we read of Abraham’s commitment to his wife in seeking an  appropriate burial site for her. We also learn about our  national commitment in the purchase of the Ma’arat  Ha’Machepelah (Cave of the Machpelah or as it is known  in English, the Cave of Multiplication) where the Bible’s  first family is to be buried. The text teaches us that  commitment is a state of mind tied to a process, not  action. It means that past actions guide future events, and  that our freedom is based not on mere ephemeral whims  but rather on long-term plans. 

The week’s parashah also teaches us that commitment is  related to the concept of patience. To be patient is to have  the fortitude to stick with a goal even when there are many  obstacles along its path. Modern society is marked by the  plague of impatience. How often do we demand instant  gratification? On the other hand, commitment in the  extreme also can lead to our becoming obstinate, to a  refusal to seek, when necessary, political and personal  compromises. How do we balance a sense of ethical  commitment with the flexibility needed to survive in a dynamic world? One of the Torah’s answers is that the  basis for our commitments must be the eternal ethics  given to us by G-d. In other words, people change, but  eternal truths in a dynamic and ever-changing world are  forever. What do you think?