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Nov 18/06 — Parashat Chayei Sarah: A Light Shining from Shabbat to Shabbat Commentary by Rabbi Lawrence Pinsker
The death of the
Matriarch Sarah, wife of Abraham, at the beginning of this week’s
Torah portion carries a powerful message.
“Sarah died in
Kiryat Arba, which is in Hebron in the land of Canaan, and Abraham
came to eulogize Sarah and Everyone in the city stopped work and gathered to hear Abraham eulogize Sarah. Rashi says that Sarah was beloved by all the peoples who lived in Hebron because of her lifelong devotion to tzedek, the elevated and compassionate form of Divine justice that teaches that every living creature is entitled to whatever it needs in order to fulfill its purpose within Creation. (the medieval commentator Rashi, on Genesis 23:10) According to some sources, Abraham composes the Eshet Chayil (“Woman of Valour”) passage as his eulogy for Sarah (later the text will become chapter 31 of the Book of Proverbs). When Jewish husbands recite that text to their wives as part of the Shabbat dinner ritual, we are reminded of Abraham’s undying love for Sarah. Among Abraham’s words of admiration for Sarah is the declaration that “She spreads out her palm to the poor, and extends her hands to the destitute.” (Proverbs 31:20) This description is understood to mean that Sarah welcomed the poor who came to her for help but also traveled to those physically unable to reach out to her wherever they lived. The portals of Sarah’s tent “were open wide” so that her graciousness and hospitality were extended to all. The Midrash adds that “a blessing was bestowed upon her dough” (Genesis Rabbah 60:16) so that there was always enough food for each and every needy guest. Yet another detail provided by Midrash is that “a lamp burned from the eve of one Shabbat until the eve of the following Shabbat” inside Sarah’s tent. What is the connection between the light shining from Sarah’s tent from one Shabbat to the next and Sarah’s deeds of tzedakah? The ancient Sages compare the light kindled by Sarah to the light that will one day shine on the entire Jewish People in the messianic age: In the future, the nations will be drawn to your light, as it says ‘And nations will walk by your light.’ (Isaiah 60:3) And what is the light that the Holy One Who is Blessed will shine upon Israel? It is the light of tzedakah, as it says, ‘But upon you who are in awe of My name, the sun of tzedakah will shine’ (Malachi 3:20). And why were they worthy to merit this? It is because of the merit of the lamps that they lit for Shabbat.” (Yalkut Shimoni on Numbers, Beha’alotecha 8) Jewish tradition interprets this to mean that one day all Jews will cultivate a caring society bathed in the light of tzedakah and that all the other nations will be drawn to it. The lamps kindled to mark Shabbat will remind everyone that the special quality—the “light of Shabbat” never needs to fade away as time passes, and that by extending it into the ordinary days of the week, we will achieve a just, compassionate society. But why does Shabbat light lead to the “light of tzedakah”? Classical sources offer a simple explanation by pointing out that where there is no light, people cannot see each other’s faces and respond to one another’s needs. Without light, we become like the Egyptians during the plague of darkness, when ”No man could see his brother” (Exodus 10:23). Judaism compares this darkness to selfishness. Just as total darkness prevents us from seeing each other, so selfishness does the same and people end up seeing only themselves. In the words of one Hasidic teacher: The worst darkness is that of someone who does not want to see his suffering brother and extend to him assistance. Shabbat light inspires us to see others and to acknowledge their lives are no less precious to God than our own. Sarah’s Shabbat lamp burning from one Shabbat to the next set the standard. No one turned away complaining that they could not help others because of “compassion fatigue,” despair, or helplessness. So the light of Sarah’s Shabbat lamp brought the light of tzedakah to her community and dismissed the specter of selfishness.
Sarah’s generosity
is the essence of tzedakah. Because Sarah opened her home to
all in need, shared her bread with the hungry, and kindled a “light”
that enabled people to see each other clearly and compassionately,
the Divine Presence dwelled within May all our homes be privileged to be places where God’s Presence is experienced and Sarah’s spirit is honoured by a genuine welcome to those in need. Shabbat Shalom. |
