בס”ד
A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH 5785
Sarah: A Model of Humility
Sarah, the first matriarch of the Jewish people, is often praised for her great qualities, including her prophetic insight, her beauty, and her leadership and royalty. Rashi highlights her profound spiritual vision and prophetic gift in Genesis 11:29-30, where she is admired not only for her physical beauty but also for the significant impact she had on the Jewish nation. Her name reflects her royal status, as she is seen as a princess with authority and leadership1.
Sarah demonstrated immense inner strength and faith, trusting in G-d despite her inability to conceive and challenging circumstances.2 Her prayers were fervent, and the Midrash teaches that G-d longed for her prayers, as her humble and sincere approach reflected a deep relationship with Him.3 A testament to her sacrifice and humility is her willingness to take Hagar as a second wife for Abraham, allowing for the continuation of his lineage.4 Furthermore, she was known for her decisiveness and the ability to make difficult choices, as seen in her actions to protect Isaac and ensure the future of the Jewish people.5 Sarah also had a clear vision, adept at prioritizing situations, especially concerning the future implications of Ishmael.6
At the same time, one of her most important qualities was her humility. Regardless of her age—whether she was one hundred, twenty, or seven years old—Sarah consistently humbled herself more and more (Rebbe Nachman’s Torah, the Berkowitz edition, p. 193). The Bible states: “And the life of Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years; these were the years of the life of Sarah.” .7 Even when faced with challenging situations, such as her barrenness, Sarah remained trusting in G-d and was willing to make personal sacrifices.
The Depth of Her Humility
This humility was also evident in the intensity of her prayers.8 The Midrash teaches that G-d yearned for Sarah’s prayers because her humble and sincere approach reflected a deep relationship with Him. Despite her role in building the Jewish people, Sarah always acknowledged her dependence on G-d.
The Challenge of Humility
Humility is often more easily experienced when we find ourselves in a position of learning; we recognize our superiors in others, which makes us humble automatically. However, when we succeed—whether with or without the help of others—it can sometimes bring a sense of victory, along with the tendency to compare ourselves to those who have not yet reached the same level. This also applies to spiritual matters, such as overcoming vices. Of course, we may feel happy and grateful that Hashem has helped us to overcome a sin, but this should not lead to arrogance or looking down on others who are still in this process. In this way, we replace the sin with the bad character trait of conceit..
The Yetzer Hara and Its Temptations
This challenge of arrogance is intensified by the Yetzer Hara, the inclination towards evil, which tries to cause us to fail in fulfilling the mitzvot. It not only prevents us from performing mitzvot but also attempts to diminish their positive effects by enhancing our sense of pride.
The Example of Abraham
Nesivos Shalom points out that Abraham, after his steadfastness during the Akedah (the near-sacrifice of his son Isaac), faced similar challenges. He could have been tempted by the Yetzer Hara towards self-aggrandizement, which would undermine the spiritual value of his action. To avoid this pitfall, he chose humility, inspired by the modesty of the two young servants who accompanied him and Isaac. By following their example, Abraham succeeded in resisting the temptation of the Yetzer Hara.
The Shared Journey of Sarah and Abraham
Just as Sarah is a paragon of humility, we see that Abraham was on the same path. Both figures faced the temptation of pride at crucial moments in their lives, yet they overcame this temptation through their complete dedication to G-d and their acknowledgment of their dependence on His plan.
The Role of Humility in Our Lives
When we dedicate ourselves to G-d through humility, we make ourselves receptive to His presence. The Torah teaches us that humility is essential; G-d only comes where He is allowed in. When we are proud and filled with our own ego, there is no room for Him in our lives. Chazal (our sages) explain that the Torah is compared to water because water always flows to the lowest point. Likewise, the knowledge of the Torah will settle in someone who is truly humble. In that humble state, the mitzvot—613 for Jews and 7 for non-Jews, along with their details—are not performed out of a sense of eog or accomplishment but because G-d asks it of us.
By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Rabbi Tani Burton for his feedback
Sources
- Rashi, Genesis 17:15 ↩︎
- Genesis 12:1 ↩︎
- Midrash, Breishit Rabba 45:4 ↩︎
- Genesis 16:2 ↩︎
- Genesis 16:5; Genesis 21:10-12 ↩︎
- Tosefta Sotah 5:7 ↩︎
- Genesis 23:1 ↩︎
- Midrash, Breishit Rabba 45:4 ↩︎
Aish.com Article Women in the Bible #1: Sarah
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