Impact

Shabbat Shalom, beloved.

Today we're in the portion of Chayei Sarah — the life of Sarah. It begins like this:

And the life of Sarah is a hundred and twenty and seven years — years of the life of Sarah; and Sarah died.

Genesis 23:1–2

The life of Sarah begins with Sarah's death.

As we read through this portion, it doesn't recount the events of her life. Torah doesn't eulogize her. But Chayei Sarah teaches us something very important: the effect that her life left behind on the world.

The Fruit of a Life

The first thing we see is that in purchasing her burial place, Abraham finally owns a piece of the promised land. Sixty-two years they had been strangers. And for thousands of years after, her resting place has been an anchor for her seed.

Then Torah says: "And Abraham was old." Not merely elderly. Not just tired from years. Abraham is becoming an elder. Until now he has been the active builder — traveling, teaching, gathering souls, carving out a covenant path in the world. But with Sarah gone, he turns his attention to the next generation. The covenant must continue. Isaac must be prepared to carry the life that Abraham and Sarah built together.

He sends his servant with clear instructions: not from the daughters of Canaan, but from his own land and family.

The servant finds Rebecca. Torah is deliberate about her purity — re-stating it not as redundancy but as emphasis, contrasting her with others. She was not sheltered. Her interactions with the servant show she was active, generous, quick to act. She maintained this purity by choice, out of character.

I like to think — and this is my own conjecture, not in the text — that Rebecca grew up hearing stories about her great-aunt Sarah. Maybe she even got to meet her. And that positive influence shaped the woman Rebecca became: her life of purity, holiness, and kindness.

There is a beautiful idea that Proverbs 31, the woman of valor, was written by Abraham about Sarah. If that's the case, the servant was surely looking for a Proverbs 31 wife for Isaac. In any case, he was looking for someone like Sarah.

Isaac brought Rebecca into the tent of his mother Sarah, and married Rebecca. She became his wife, and he loved her. Isaac was then consoled over the loss of his mother.

Genesis 24:67

When Isaac brings her into his mother's tent, Rebecca is able to step into the role of matriarch because that space has already been cultivated. The work done by Abraham and Sarah allows Isaac and Rebecca to step into the family's calling and continue the mission.

Sarah's tent doesn't just mean her physical tent. It is the space Sarah created — for family, for love, for hospitality, for a life focused on relationship with G-d and living in covenant. Isaac puts Rebecca into a space that already has shape and purpose. Rebecca thrives in it, bringing her unique strengths and building the family upon the life of Sarah.

It is the result of a lifetime of work, trials, and relationship with G-d.

If this is true for Sarah our mother, is it also true for us? I'm inclined to think so. My life then isn't my autobiography, the events that happened to me. My life is my impact. It's what happens in the world after I'm gone, because of me.

My children, and the light and blessing they bring into the world. A life touched. Knowledge of G-d shared. Those have impact. This ripple effect is what Chayei Sarah teaches us. Sarah's life wasn't measured by the moments she lived, but by the effect those moments had on the world.

The Danger of Escapism

Often people miss this. They get so excited for the world to come that they miss out on this world. Or they get so fed up with this world and its trials that they start focusing only on what's next. Both can be forms of escapism.

I learned this the hard way. I bring some attention to it because I've talked with others raised in similar circumstances who felt the same things. Some unfortunately didn't handle it as well and rejected G-d entirely. As a parent I also try to be very aware of how what I teach impacts my children.

I grew up with the understanding that Messiah would be here soon. It was all anyone talked about. Because of that we had to prepare for the hardship and destruction that would come. Y2K. 2012. Several rapture dates. This past Rosh Hashanah was one of those dates.

I came away feeling: Messiah will be here any day now. Don't worry too much about this world. Don't worry too much about school, a job, a career, a future. Messiah any day now… it'll be better.

This mentality got me stagnant. I didn't really pursue G-d. Didn't pursue school or a career. Or a wife. Why have children if destruction is coming? I played video games, watched movies, and waited for the world to end.

It didn't end. It still hasn't, by the way.

Eventually family and friends came alongside me and started pushing. They said it was time to do something. After a while I listened. I started focusing on life — a career, a wife, a future. But I swung too far the other direction.

If Messiah coming meant I had no future, then somewhere inside I didn't really want Him to come yet. If building G-d's kingdom meant my life would be cut short, then His kingdom could wait.

That is ugly to say out loud. But it is honest. And I think a lot of people are stuck there.

But the life of Sarah teaches us the opposite. James says it best:

Faith without works is dead.

James 2:26

Life without action is death. Life without impact is no different than being dead. In the testimony I just shared, I was spiritually as good as dead.

I call heaven and earth as witness this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your children may live.

Deuteronomy 30:19

Works Are Relationship

We've had some good teachings on "works" these past weeks. But for many of us it's hard to move past the negative teaching we received from church theology. We've been taught that "works" are legalism. So what is legalism?

The simple answer: legalism is Lady Justice with her scales — Justitia, as the Romans called her. On one side, merit. On the other, guilt. If the guilt side is heavier, you lose. If the merit side is heavier, you win. To tip the scales you do "works" or you have a sacrifice cover the debt.

But this is a Hellenistic, Greco-Roman idea. This is not what Torah teaches. G-d is not transactional. G-d is relational. Obedience is not merit. It is connection.

When we talk about works from a Torah perspective, we are talking about actions that build relationship. Actions that have impact. That is Chayei Sarah — the life of Sarah is full of works that built relationships. Relationships we rely on to this day. That is why Israel is a covenant nation. That is why she is our mother.

When G-d is in relationship with someone, He gives them works:

Works. Are. Relationship.

Every moment we have the option to choose G-d. By actively doing the things He commanded — for relationship, not merit — we are building something. That relationship is an impact. It outlasts us. It becomes the tent the next generation steps into.

This is why Torah tells us to speak of these things when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up. Not merely to talk about covenant — but to build a life where our children learn covenant through our actions.

Eshet Chayil

I want to conclude with Proverbs 31 — taking a moment to consider the example Sarah our mother set, and the standard set for Israel as the bride of the Creator of the universe.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms… She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy… Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the L-rd, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10–31

Let her own works praise her in the gates.

So build the kind of life someone else can step into. Build a tent of faith, love, hospitality, obedience, and covenant. Let your works become shelter. Let your children inherit more than memories. Let them inherit a path.

Sarah's life did not end when Sarah died. Her life kept moving — through Isaac, through Rebecca, through the covenant, through Israel.

That is impact.

Let your life do the same.