The Parsha |
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Chayei Sarah
Text:
And Abraham passed away, old and content.
[Bereishis 25:8]
He saw [the fulfillment of] all his heart’s desires, and was satiated with all [manner of] good things … This recounts the kindness of G-d towards the righteous, as well as their good character: they do not crave “extras” … [Abraham’s attitude stands in contrast to normal human behavior]: “No person leaves the world with half his desires fulfilled. If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred; when he reaches two hundred, he yearns to make it four hundred.”
[Ramban]
Question:
Abraham is praised for being content with his lot, and not craving “extras.” But Abraham had all his hearts’ desires fulfilled! Who wouldn’t be happy under those circumstances?
Answer:
Happiness is never the result of one’s life circumstances; no matter how much blessing we enjoy, it is only our spiritual perspective –connection with G-d and recognition of our purpose in life – that can bring us the contentment we long for. Abraham – wealthy, famous and respected as a “Prince of G-d,” the father of Isaac and the entire Jewish People – was not happy because of any of these gifts. It was his own spiritual achievement and recognition of his Divine mission that granted him find inner peace.
Message:
Man is always searching. The root of this drive is the quest for spiritual fulfillment; unless we identify it as such, we will always be unhappy. Abraham was happy – not because of anything he had, but because he never lost sight of his mission on Earth. Even after a lifetime of monumental accomplishments, this was an achievement worthy of praise – the final epitaph of our forefather Abraham.
Click below to open a printable pdf
And Abraham passed away, old and content.
[Bereishis 25:8]
He saw [the fulfillment of] all his heart’s desires, and was satiated with all [manner of] good things … This recounts the kindness of G-d towards the righteous, as well as their good character: they do not crave “extras” … [Abraham’s attitude stands in contrast to normal human behavior]: “No person leaves the world with half his desires fulfilled. If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred; when he reaches two hundred, he yearns to make it four hundred.”
[Ramban]
Question:
Abraham is praised for being content with his lot, and not craving “extras.” But Abraham had all his hearts’ desires fulfilled! Who wouldn’t be happy under those circumstances?
Answer:
Happiness is never the result of one’s life circumstances; no matter how much blessing we enjoy, it is only our spiritual perspective –connection with G-d and recognition of our purpose in life – that can bring us the contentment we long for. Abraham – wealthy, famous and respected as a “Prince of G-d,” the father of Isaac and the entire Jewish People – was not happy because of any of these gifts. It was his own spiritual achievement and recognition of his Divine mission that granted him find inner peace.
Message:
Man is always searching. The root of this drive is the quest for spiritual fulfillment; unless we identify it as such, we will always be unhappy. Abraham was happy – not because of anything he had, but because he never lost sight of his mission on Earth. Even after a lifetime of monumental accomplishments, this was an achievement worthy of praise – the final epitaph of our forefather Abraham.
Click below to open a printable pdf
| chayei_sarah_snapshot_and_closer_look_template_final.pdf |