Midreshet Amit

• LIVE TORAH:
• Academic Program
• Yimei Iyun
• FAQ
• Recent Shiurim
• View by Parsha
• View By Chag
• Search Database
• Ask the Rav

In last week's parsha, Vayeira, Avraham and Sarah had to send away their maidservant, Hagar and her son Yishmael. This proved challenging for Avraham as he had to go against his caring nature and do the will of Hashem. Rashi says that Avraham and Sarah gave Hagar and Yishmael enough bread and water to last them throughout their trip, however they ran out of water when Yishmael became sick. While the pasuk records that Hagar moved away from Yishmael as to not watch the death of her child, Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch points out that Hagar throws her son beneath the trees. He explains that she does not care where he was thrown which added needless pain to his suffering.
 
In the next pasuk, we read that Hashem heard the voice of the boy. This seems unnecessary even though we know that Hagar was also crying, the Torah emphasizes this according to Rav Hirsch because, “Hashem is not moved by the tears of an egotist who makes no effort to alleviate the suffering of another.” Avrahams middah of chesed continues to be exhibited in Chayei Sarah as he performs the ultimate chesed of caring for the dead, finding an appropriate resting place for Sarah in Maarat Hamachpela.
 
In this week's parsha, Chayei Sarah, we learn that Yitzchak brought his new wife, Rivka, into the tent of his mother. With time Rivka became exactly like Sarah. When Sarah was alive, three miracles occurred in her tent; the candles burnt from one shabbos to the next, the dough was blessed and a cloud rested over her tent, signifying Divine Presence. When Rivka went into the tent, these miracles returned. Candles indicate peace, because when one can see, it prevents fights from occurring, light indicates differentiation as when it is dark, there is no peace and clarity. This is why the morning is called ‘Boker’, because morning light permits ‘bikur’, which means inspection, leading to differentiation.
 
Sarah and Rivka’s candles remained lit throughout the week as they had special clarity as Sarah was able to see that Yishmael was a bad influence on Yitzchak, which made her urge Avraham to send him away, and Hashem told Avraham that indeed, Sarah was correct. Rivkah saw that Yaakov and not Eisav deserved brachos from Yitzchak. In Eishes Chayil, “Lo Yichbeh ba’lailah neirah”, means her light is not extinguished at night. An eishes chayil is one who eliminates her surroundings, brightens her household, even in times of darkness and challenge.
 
In the previous parsha, it seemed as if Akeidat Yitzchak ends off a happily ever after, however it takes a bad turn. According to the Midrash, the satan informed Sarah that her son was being prepared for slaughter and when she saw this, Rashi says, “her soul flew from her and she died”. Thus, Akeidas Yitzchak becomes Akeidat Sarah. Sarah, who had the heart of a loving mother, could not take the thought of it, therefore, the test was only given to Avraham because although, he is close to his son, he does not share the same bonds that a mother has. The midrash explains that it actually was time for the Angel of Death to take Sarah’s soul.
 
 This coming week we will hopefully be visiting Sarah in Maarat Hamachpela and learning about the important mitzvot of women, such as challah baking and candle lighting. May we merit to have Sarah’s compassion and thus honor her name. Shabbat Shalom.