THE BIG IDEA
This week - consider the defining characteristic of the jewish people - namely - the matriarch Sarah. It is Sarah who walked as Abraham’s partner into the unknown, who saved Abraham’s life in Egypt, whose womb was miraculously opened once at 90, who was able to challenge Abraham’s authority and protect their son from Ishmael, and who died seemingly as a result of Abraham’s binding of their beloved son.
It is the life of Sarah that differentiates the jewish people from the rest of the world. By the end of his life Abraham had multiple children - but only Sarah’s child Yitzchak was to be the heir to his spiritual and physical fortune.
And so, if you can, try to honor just how essential the feminine is in our tradition and culture.
Most of this week’s torah narrative is dedicated to the process of finding the woman that had the spiritual integrity to hold Sarah and Abraham’s spiritual legacy. By following the search for Yitzchak’s wife in Ur Kasdim - we meet the kind of slick and deceptive family and culture that Abraham and Sarah left behind. We also meet the kindness of Rivka and her integrity - who, like her aunt and uncle, was ready to step out of all she knew, without hesitation. Who was able upon first encounter with Yitzchak to bring love and light back to Sarah’s tent.
Sarah, Abraham, and Ishmael are all buried this week, but the torah clearly directs our main focus to honor Sarah. Without Sarah, and the strength and integrity of the feminine that she help, there would be no legacy to follow.