Our parasha this week is named Chayei Sarah, the life of Sarah, yet in the second verse we are told of Sarah’s death. At first glance, the title of the parasha does not seem to fit the story it contains.
There are a few ways we can understand this discrepancy. First, the name of this parasha, like all of the parshiot, is not a title that is chosen but comes from the first significant word or phrase that occurs in it. Therefore, the name of the parasha does not necessarily match the content.
Secondly, the lack of details surrounding Sarah’s life and death are representative of the sparseness of the text of Torah and in particular the lack of women’s voices and stories.
Finally, the text rings true to real life experience where we may most acutely think about life when confronted with death. This, too, is the message of Yom Kippur, that through facing our deaths, we choose what lives we want to live.
However you choose to understand Chayei Sarah, may you find time this week to appreciate life.
– Rabbi Avi Fine