Chaye Sarah : ghosts

Chaye Sarah : ghosts

This year, I understand the title of the parsha better.  Until now, it did not seem to make sense.   The parsha is called "The Life of Sarah", but it takes place after her death.  This year I understand that it is motivated by her spirit.  

The first action is the purchase of Sarah's gravesite.  The details of the negotiation are given.  Abraham selected the  site, and asked to be introduced to Ephron, the man with the power to sell it.   Ephron claims to want to give it away, but Abraham hears the real message - the asking price is 400 shekel.  Abraham does not negotiate further, he tenders the full price .  Sarah had taught  Abraham to listen to the real message. Sometimes the message is hidden in the words

The death of Sarah is part of the motivation to acquire a wife for her only son, Isaac.  The quality of helping with abandon is the criterion that the servant uses to identify an appropriate wife.  Presumably, that is what he had seen in Sarah.  When Rebecca is finally brought home to Isaac, we are told that he was comforted from the loss of his mother. וַיִּנָּחֵ֥ם יִצְחָ֖ק אַחֲרֵ֥י אִמּֽוֹ

The kindness and energy  of Sarah would continue

Abraham remarries, but he maintains Sarah's son Isaac  as his sole heir. She is eternalized in her offspring

This is the week of my mother's Yahrzeit.  Her ghost is more substantial during these days.  Her spirit of survival and helping others survive, her warmth, her ambivalence, her honest confusion are palpable now.   I am comforted by my wife and children and friends and the life that developed around me.  I do not forget.  Her spirit permeates it all.