On Wasting Time

Rav Asher Weiss makes an interesting parallel between Sara Imeinu and Queen Esther. They had in common, the number 127.
Sara died at the age of 127, and Esther ruled over 127 provinces.
We see from the description of Sara’s life, that she lived every moment to the fullest in complete purity.
She was “a hundred years,” and “twenty years,” and “seven years.” Rashi explained that when she was a hundred, she was like twenty without sin. And she had the beauty and innocence of a seven year old when she was twenty.
The challenge of governing 127 provinces required a great deal of care. As ruler, Esther needed to be responsive to the needs of all of the members of her kingdom.
She learned meticulousness from Sara, so that she realized how every moment was precious. If she didn’t give her role as queen, her complete attention, she would fail the masses that depended on her.
As a Yeshiva student, the teachers always emphasized the preciousness of time. It was literally a sin for a student to waste time with idleness or laziness.
If we look at some of our greatest leaders and scholars, we will see a common thread of living every moment to the fullest, with maximum productivity. This was the life of Sara Imeinu, and this was successfully emulated by the great Queen Esther.