Category — Chayei Sarah

A great portion of our lives is spent on preparation. We spend two decades in school to prepare for adulthood and a livelihood. Hours are spent on cooking and baking food which will be gobbled up in an instant.
Honestly, doesn’t it seem like most of we do is one grand waste of time? A great portion, if not the majority of our time on earth, is ‘not real’? Isn’t that depressing? Well without further ado let’s switch to Torah mode, and see what G-d has to say about all of this in the Parsha. Here we go: This week we read how Abraham’s time in the spotlight was nearing its end, as it was getting ready to move over to the next
Patriarch - Issac.
With his ‘presidency’ is in its twilight, the Torah analyzes his legacy: “And Abraham led a full life, where  each day was used out in the service of G-d”.
That’s a pretty big compliment, to say the least! Listen to this: The Torah testifies that in Abraham’s 175 years in this world, he maximized every minute in the service of his Creator! Wow!
Alas it’s not only amazing, it’s also problematic. We all know that Abraham wasn’t born in a “traditional-ultra-orthodox-religious home”, just the opposite, and he had to spend many years to search for the truth. Some opinions maintain that he discovered the Almighty at age three; while others claim it was at 48! So how can we say that his days were full, if so much time was spent in ’soul-searching’?
Same question goes for children under Bar/Bat Mitzvah who are not obligated to do the Mitzvos, and fulfill them ‘only’ for educational purposes. Seemingly they don’t have equal ‘rights’ to adults, (maybe we should open a movement called ‘kidsism’ – which will fight for the equality of kids! I mean anything goes these days…) It’s not fair!
The problem with our ‘problem’ is that we think that preparation is a means to an end and for itself is worthless. The Torah however says that the journey is an end for itself! Abraham’s journey is as vital and important as the rest of his life and therefore also considered ‘full days’. And the same philosophy in regards to educating the young – it’s an end for a means and an end for an end!
So don’t mope around about how the ‘work is endless with no end in sight’, for the end is right here. It’s in the journey…
Like one 96 year Jew and former Sergeant in the United States military who’ve I met in Yerushalayim always says: You gotta just keep on drivin’!

Rabbi Rabinovitz answers his phone.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Rabbi Rabinovitz?”
“It is.”
“This is the IRS. Can you help us?”
“I’ll try.”
“Do you know Sam Cohen?”
“I do.”
“Is he a member of your congregation?”
“He is.”
“Did he donate $10,000 to the synagogue rebuilding fund last year?”
“He will!”

A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?”

“I wouldn’t know what to say,” the girl replied.

“Just say what you hear Mommy say,” the wife answered.

The daughter bowed her head and said, “G-d, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?”

***

Meet the Main Player in this weeks Torah portion: Eliezer. He’s the first emissary in the Bible, sent by his master Abraham to fetch a wife for the latter’s son, Isaac. The Torah describes in relative length the drama of the first recorded matchmaking effort in history.

Throughout the story, Eliezer encounters miracles in abundance: his prayers are answered instantly, and obstacles disappear from his path. But nevertheless, his ego remains in check; not once in the story does the Torah mention his name.

When the time comes for him to introduce himself to the bride’s family, he presents his business card. It reads: ‘Eved Avrohom Anochi’ (I am a slave from Abraham).

No name, no identity, no ‘Graduate Harvard 86, Yale 89, Feeding the starved in Albania 97, Joined the march for the homeless 2000, Top executive in a Fortune 500 company, Board member at the local JCC, Plays golf to support the local Hadassah chapter.’

Many people today try to do many good things. The quest for betterment of humanity inspires wealthy individuals to donate their money to the less fortunate; governments to initiate peace talks; celebrities to champion the cause of environmental protection. Careers in therapy, special education, and medicine are very popular.

Yet all too often, beneath the benevolence and good intentions lay a sinister fellow, commanding us to the right or the left: Ego. It hopes to achieve recognition for its righteous efforts. The dream of seeing one’s name in the papers is often an irresistible urge, spurring one on to accomplish his goal. The mission becomes an ego trip.

The Parsha encourages us to realign our goals. You don’t fight to win a medal; you fight to win the war. G-d’s war. And that’s where true success is found.

When heaven calls, stand up and cry: “Eved Avrohom Anochi! I am nothing more than a servant, a messenger from On High to make this universe a holier and safer place for all of humanity and for all of G-d’s creations.”

The mothers are gathered and showing their nachas. One boasts of her son, the head of a medical department; the other has a son, a judge, and a daughter, psychiatrist. One of the women is quiet through it all. Finally, they turn to her and ask: “Well, what does your son do?” “He’s a Rabbi!” “A Rabbi? What kind of a profession is that for a nice Jewish boy?”
***
What is considered living a productive life?
Is it being a member of the major leagues and hitting a grand slam that wins the World Series? After all, being revered by millions of diehard fans would, according to many people show ultimate achievement.
Would productivity mean winning the presidency and keeping your popularity over 50% for two terms? That’s certainly success.
Today, many people write autobiographies about “My life” or “My vision.” It seems that the whole world is interested in reading about the challenges every high school dropout experienced until he or she finally “made it” – to Hollywood, that is.
Well, it may be time to reconsider our definition. Let’s take a look at G-d’s view of the term “productive,” which we find it in the Torah portion of this week.
*
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please open your Bibles to the fifth section, titled “The life of Sarah.” The portion begins with the death of Sarah, the first matriarch who dies from the shock of hearing her son was to be sacrificed. Abraham comes to eulogize…”
Joey raises his hand: “Rabbi, why is the section titled the Life of Sarah, if right at the start we learn of her passing?”
*
In essence, before we probe the meaning of a productive life, we must delve deeper and question: What is life? Does life have meaning and purpose? Why were we born? Once one appreciates life, he can admire and, more important, live a productive life.
One thing is a fact. The Big Bang is not a theory; it’s an excuse, an avenue of escape from obligation and commitment. Random mutation from monkeys implies that we have no past to live up to, no future for which to stand up. When we acknowledge our Creator and His infinity, we are forced to believe in a deeper reality. We are on a mission that was started 5767 years ago, one that will culminate in the Messianic age.
*
Rabbi: “Good point, Joey! Yet the explanation lies in your question. For it is only after one leaves this world that his productivity can be measured: What has he left in this world? What positive change has he implemented and inspired?
“Sarah left Isaac – she built a nation. When we see her children following in her footsteps, we can rightfully proclaim: Here is a woman who lives! This is a person who believed in her convictions and passed them on to the next generation. How productive a life! That is the true life of Sarah.”
*
Are you working on changing the world for the good? Are you leaving a positive imprint on humanity? Do your convictions and beliefs bring light to others? If the answer is yes, then you are living a truly productive life. And G-d will enjoy reading your book, the story of your life.