PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH 5786 – WISDOM AND EFFECTIVITY

בס”ד

Parashat Chayei Sarah Wisdom and Effectivity

In this week’s Torah reading we find an apparent repeated description of Avraham, he was old and advanced in days. But we know the Torah does not repeat anything. What can we learn from this apparbet repetition?

The Life of Abraham: Wisdom and Devotion in Every Moment

This week’s Torah reading is called Chayei Sarah, which means “The Life of Sarah.” The main focus of the passage is the marriage of Jitschak, the son of Abraham, and Sarah. However, there is one verse in particular that offers a profound idea about the nature of age, wisdom, and purpose.

In Hebrew, the verse describes Abraham as follows:

“Abraham was an old man. Zaken, advanced in days, and G-d blessed Abraham with everything.”

At first glance, this seems redundant. If Abraham was an old man, why mention that he was advanced in days? Our sages noticed this too and asked: why the repetition?

Two Types of “Old”

The answer lies in understanding the distinction between zaken and advanced in days.

• Zaken doesn’t merely refer to physical age. Being a zaken is about wisdom. A person can be young but wise, or old yet lacking insight. Abraham was called a zaken because he had acquired great wisdom throughout his life.
• Advanced in days (ba yamim) refers to how a person uses the time they are given. It’s not enough to accumulate years; one must actively dedicate each day to meaningful pursuits. Abraham’s life exemplified this principle—he spent every moment of his days serving G-d.

Serving G-d in Every Moment

Our sages teach:

“I was created to serve my master.”

And in another version:

“I was not created but to serve my master.”

In other words, the ultimate purpose of human life is to serve G-d.

But practically speaking, how can we serve G-d every moment of the day? A day has 24 hours. We sleep, eat, and take care of ourselves. Can we really serve G-d during all these hours?

The answer is yes. Every activity can be an act of service when done with intention:

• Sleeping can rejuvenate us to serve G-d with strength.
• Eating can sustain our bodies to do good.
• Even using the bathroom can be performed with mindfulness and gratitude.

Every second of life is an opportunity to serve G-d.

The Deeper Meaning of Abraham’s Life

So, the Torah repeats: Abraham was a zaken and advanced in days. The repetition emphasizes two things:

1. Wisdom – Abraham had acquired profound understanding and insight.
2. Purposeful Living – He used every moment of his life to serve G-d.

It’s not simply about being old or having lived many years. It’s about how one fills those years with wisdom and dedicated action.

Abraham’s life reminds us that true greatness comes from combining knowledge with purposeful action. Wisdom without service is incomplete, and life without intention is wasted. Every second counts.

Talk from Rabbi Tuvia Serber


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