Parsh ‘Chayei Sarah’ (Genesis 23:1 through 25:18) is called the “Life of Sarah,” but that literally is only the beginning. Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa contends that it is THE primary portion in Scripture when it comes to stories that are ‘precedents’ for what are literally the backbone of the Common Law, from the very standard for contract, to the first recorded property deed in human history, to marriage, and to “agency”, or what it means to “come in the Name of” the Master.
In this case, the stories and thus the lessons from the parsha, from the Erev Shabbat session, are the heart of the matter:
Today, not only does “lawlessness abound,” but so many of the foundations are being destroyed that we do have to look at some even broader questions.
Why did Abraham want a wife for his son from, well, a better family that he knew was available there, where he had already concluded “there is no fear of Elohim” in that land?
But this parsha begins and ends with death, and then connects things that form the heart of a free society. Things antithetical to life. Because those are what “the adversary,” and the wannabe ‘almighty State’ that serves him is working so devilishly to destroy.
Can it even exist without some degree of trust?
Most importantly still, Mark suggests in this midrash that what should be THE most important goal in our lives is also shown to us, by example. And by parable as well.
“Chayei Sarah: ‘Life, Death, Law, and…What Our Real Goal Should Be”
The combined two-part teaching is here, via Hebrew Nation Radio.
