CHAYYEI SARAH 5765

 Genesis 23:1 - 25:18

        This week’s parashah begins with the report of our matriarch Sarah’s death and Abraham’s need to find a place where his wife could dwell eternally.  There’s a midrash (Tanhuma Vayera 23) that attributes the death of Sarah to the story of Akedat Itztjak, who was almost sacrificed by Abraham.   The midrash tells that when Sarah knew what Abraham was trying to do, to sacrifice her son by obeying God’s command, she died.  Sarah could not bear such  pain and confusion.  Sarah’s death, somehow symbolizes her cry of protest about the drastic decision Abraham made without her consent.  It represents the anger she kept by not telling at the time that she disapproved of it, for not having been heard on such an important matter as the welfare of her own son.  Indeed G-d tells Abraham in the previous parashat:  “in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice” (Bereshit 21:12).  This midrash teaches us to understand how important it is to make shared decisions within our family.  Because not listening to the other voices of the family separates, hurts and stops others from their ability as humans to talk.