Avraham’s Mourning For Sara

We learn a great deal from the Torah’s description of Abraham’s mourning over his beloved wife, Sara. Our Rabbis tell us that the death of one’s first wife is as traumatic as the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash.

The Alshich commented on the nature of Abraham’s eulogy for his wife. He expressed the sentiment of love and admiration that was felt by all who knew her. He spoke of how she influenced the world with her kindness and saintliness.

He found comfort with the knowledge that she completed her role in the world. She achieved all that she could and left the world satisfied.

Some commentators added that she felt content and ready to leave this world, when she learned of her thirty-seven year old son’s willingness to allow himself to be offered as a sacrifice.

Her work was done, and all that she hoped that her son would become, was truly realized. Avraham understood her sense of contentment, satisfaction, and peacefulness.

Like the devoted husband he was, he parted from his beloved wife with a dignified burial, and a eulogy that celebrated the greatness of a great woman, our Mother Sara.