I often feel compelled to present long essays which develop the deepest themes of our tradition.  Once in a while, a simple word or two suffices.

Rashi, referring to Bereishit Rabba, explains the odd phrasing enumerating Sara’s age at her passing, וַיִּהְיוּ חַיֵּי שָׂרָה מֵאָה שָׁנָה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וְשֶׁבַע שָׁנִים שְׁנֵי חַיֵּי שָׂרָה, “And these were the day’s of Sara’s life, one hundred years and twenty years and seven years were the life of Sara” (Bereishit 23:1), שֶׁכָּל אֶחָד נִדְרָשׁ לְעַצְמוֹ, “that each (digit (1-2-7)) is independently explained/signified” (Rashi, Bereishit 23:1).

The simplest lesson is that each year, each day, each moment of life is a precious gift, filled with infinite potential.  Among the many lessons to glean from this parsha (weekly Torah portion), let’s make each moment significant, life-filled and worthy of the gift it is. We learn that Sara’s soul suddenly flew away from her upon learning of Avraham’s attempted sacrifice of Yitzchak, their son.  Never knowing exactly how many moments each of us will be granted, each is fleeting, precious and filled with opportunities.

Shabbat Shalom