The Life of Sarah

She’s born with incomparable beauty and a closeness with G-d few others can claim. Her name, the most poignant insight into who she is, demonstrates this. 

She has incredible confidence, her mission clear, her faith unshakable, and renames herself to reflect who she will be.

She marries and together, she and her beloved, begin their journey of outreach and personal refinement. 

Her beauty, at once both a blessing and an obstacle, threatens her safety, the very life of those closest to her. She survives captivity with grace and composure. 

Her progeny, a struggle to conceive. She remarkably gives another in her stead to satisfy this yearning, this divine promise.

Another name change, another step on her journey, elevating her mission from private to public, expanding her reach. Another potential to fulfill, that of motherhood.

Her desire, to raise her most cherished child free from unfavorable influences. 

Her strength, to dismiss the daughter of the most powerful ruler of the time. 

Her steadfast conviction, to challenge her husband.

And her destiny. From her, the greatest, most eternal nation springs forth. 

Who is Sarah Imenu?

Throughout the parashiot we see clearly the development of Sarah through her names, each reflecting a new stage of growth as she ascends to her pinnacle of greatness. From the innate potential G-d gave her, to her husband’s princess, and finally, the people’s princess, the mother of mothers.

Perhaps Sarah’s first persona is at the heart of who she is. Named Yiscah at birth, her name means to gaze, as her outer appearance would cause others to stop and gaze at her extraordinary beauty. It also reflects the intimate relationship she had with G-d and the high level of prophecy she retained, her ability to gaze into the future.

Sarah is, most notably, the most beautiful of all. Our commentators remark that even the most stunning women were as monkeys when compared to Sarah. It is this beauty which led to her being taken by both Pharaoh and Abimelech; it is also the cause of her and Avraham leaving the palaces with much wealth. It’s what endears those around her to her… at first.

It is then Sarah’s inner beauty that shines through. It is said her holy soul radiated through her face, bringing forth her spiritual fineness; her connection with G-d, sterling character, dedication to who she was, further enhancing her physical beauty. Her outer self becoming a tangible expression of her inner self.

Beautiful and soulful. A blending of physicality and spirituality. It’s this paradox which most clearly demonstrates who Sarah was at her core. And who, as Jewish women, we are meant to be. As Jewish women we are charged with taking the structure of the Torah and beautifying its message to our children and those around us. To beautify our homes and ourselves, to sanctify our homes and ourselves. To infuse the physical with the spiritual is who we are and what we do.

This is when the body and soul are working in tandem, complementing one another. This is the paradigm of the Jewish woman.  

When Sarai becomes Sarah she takes on an even greater role, one which requires her to grow and expand the reach of her influence. Together, she and Avraham commit to spreading the concept of monotheism and glorifying G-d’s name. She became a biological mother and ultimately the mother of all matriarchs.

Often cast in a supporting role in the tremendous legacy Avraham leaves for us, Sarah was a powerhouse in her own right. Supporting Avraham was a beautiful role, no doubt, but one that does not capture who she was in her entirety. Avraham enjoyed unparalleled prestige and exemplifies what it means to be a leader. But fathers, as revered as they are, are not mothers. Mothers comfort and love. We bring softness and gentility, deep insight and a higher level of spirituality. We have a keen instinct, our inner senses refined. When Sarah cast out Yishmael it was her strong mother’s intuition she responded to. Her spiritual strength bursting forth and ultimately reflecting itself back through those around her.

From following G-d’s command to leave her birthplace, to her barrenness until the age of ninety, to twice being held captive, to turmoil in her own home, the life of Sarah was nothing if not fraught with challenge. And yet she was steadfast in her faith, in her strength and poise. She personifies who we are and who we should be as women. Because like Sarah, the brighter we shine, the brighter we allow others to shine. 

Sarah represents our essence and our purpose, to transcend the material with the spiritual and gently uplift those around us. She leaves an everlasting legacy of beauty and spirituality, securing her place as the matriarch to all.

 Ben Ish Chai, Benayahu and Ben Yehoyada to Megillah 14a

 Rashi Genesis 11:29

 Bava Batra 58a

 Ms. Michal Tawil