It's A Jewish Thing

23 Marcheshvan 5786
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Chayei Sarah - Mevorchim 

Rather than just post anything parashah-related for Shabbat, I like to make a connection between it and present-day reality.  This is what jumped out at me this week...

In the context of his meeting with the new leader of Syria this week, President Trump mentioned the "gruesome" job of returning the dead hostages from Hamas captivity.  Despite mispeaking about the families wanting their loved ones' bodies back "more than if [they'd] been living," he nevertheless hits on a truth that may be unique to the Jewish people.

Our parashah opens with a description of the first Jewish death and burial.  It's interesting that the President of the United States chose this week to remark on this subject and in doing so, highlighted the care Jews take to bring the dead to proper kevurah.

Stone Edition Chumash Commentary...

The Sidrah shows Jewish respect for the dead and concern for the future.  These are essential concepts in Judaism, for we neither reject what has gone before nor neglect what lies ahead.  The narrative begins with the death of Sarah and Abraham's intense desire to give her a proper burial in a place worthy of her greatness.

After opening with the demise of our first Matriarch - Sarah Imeinu, this parashah is bookended with the description of the passing of the first Patriarch - Avraham Avinu.  The commentary says it was the year 2123 from Creation.  

A final observation:  it is notable, to me, that a parashah which begins and ends with the deaths of our forebears is named Chayei Sarah, with the emphasis put on her life, which goes on in a different realm of existence.

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~