Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

Download print

Parashat Haye Sara- The Value of Every Moment

The Midrash relates that once, as Rabbi Akiba taught a class, he noticed that his students began falling asleep. In order to awaken and energize them, Rabbi Akiba interrupted his Shiur and spoke about – of all things – the number 127.

The first verse in Parashat Hayeh Sara tells that Sara Imenu lived to the age of 127, and in Megilat Ester we read that Ahashverosh ruled over 127 provinces. Rabbi Akiba told his students that this is not coincidental. He told his students, "Why did Ester rule over 127 provinces? Let the descendant of Sara, who lived to the age of 127, rule over 127 provinces." Ester rose to power over 127 provinces in the merit of her ancestor, Sara, who lived to the age of 127.

What exactly is the connection between Sara’s age at her death and Ester’s becoming queen, and why did Rabbi Akiba choose this insight as the way of waking up his drowsy students?

One of my Rabbis explained that through this observation, Rabbi Akiba gently reprimanded his students for sleeping through the class. For each year of Sara’s life, Ester was granted power over an entire province. For each month, she ruled over a city, and each month was rewarded with a town. If we break it down even further, we will find that for every second of her life, she was rewarded with an entire block over which her descendant, Queen Ester, ruled.

Rabbi Akiba thus sought to impress upon his students the value, potential and significance of every moment of life. Sara received immense reward for each and every second of her life, because she devoted all her time and energy to the service of Hashem. This was the subtle Mussar (religious teaching) that Rabbi Akiba, in his pedagogical brilliance, conveyed to his sleepy students. We cannot squander such a valuable resource as a time – not even a minute! Each moment is precious and laden with great potential. What a shame it would be to waste our time in a Shiur by sleeping, or, certainly, to waste the time in vain pursuits and not show up at the Shiur at all.

Every moment of life is a precious, invaluable commodity – and should be taken advantage of in full.


Related Parasha
Parashat Hayeh-Sara: Shidduchim and G-d’s Angel - 2022 Year
Parashat Hayeh Sara: No Good Deed Goes Unrewarded - 2021 Year
Parashat Hayeh Sara- Controlling One’s Money - 2020 Year
Parashat Hayeh-Sara- Heavenly Matches - 2019 Year
Parashat Haye Sarah- Contemplating the Final Redemption - 2018 Year
Parashat Hayeh-Sarah: The Dangers of Vanity - 2017 Year
Parashat Hayeh-Sara: Seven Burials in Me’arat Ha’machpela - 2016 Year
Parashat Haye-Sara: Drawing Water From the Well - 2015 Year
Parashat Hayeh Sarah- Abraham’s Bows - 2014 Year
Parashat Hayeh Sara: It Doesn’t Stop - 2013 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Chayei Sarah - 2012 Year
Parashat Hayeh-Sara: Finding the Silver Lining - 2011 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Chayei Sarah - 2010 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Chayei Sarah - 2009 Year
Shabbat Morning Class - Parasha Chayei Sarah - 2009 Year
Sefer/Parasha:
Parashat VaYikra- Hard Work is Good
Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudeh: G-d’s Love for the Jewish People
The Golden Calf and Workaholism
Shabbat Zachor: Learning From Ahashverosh
Parashat Teruma- Changing the Past
Parashat Mishpatim- “We Will Do and We Will Hear”
Parashat Yitro- The Earth's Fuel
Parashat Beshalah: The Special Opportunity of Shabbat Shira
Parashat Bo: The Exodus and the Chain of Jewish Tradition
Parashat Vaera: The Four Cups and Our Ancestors’ “Discount”
Parashat Shemot: Never Give Up Your Name
Parashat Vayehi: Deceptive Vigor
Parashat Vayigash: Tears and Faith
Hanukah and the Enhancement of Misvot
Parashat Vayesheb: Spiritual Survival in Modern Society
1002 Parashot found