Raize Guttman 06-23-19 (20 Sivan 5779)

Parsha Chayei Sarah - Chapter 23 – Verses 17 – 20

Even though this verse is about Sarah's death, in actuality the last few lines of this verse are a summary of Sarah's life. Sarah's entire life was one of raising up the mundane. Taking physicality and uplifting it to spirituality. Jewish tradition teaches that while Sarah was alive there were three constant miracles in her home. The first miracle was that the candles Sarah lit on Friday night to welcome the Sabbath kept burning throughout the week until it was time to light them again. The second wonder was a blessing in Sarah’s dough — the bread she baked always stayed fresh. The third miracle in Sarah’s home was that Hashem's Clouds of Glory always rested above her tent. There was constantly a palpable presence of Hashem around her.

When Hashem wanted the Holy Temple built, the stipulations of how to build the sanctuary were modeled after Sarah's tent. Sarah’s home was used as a blueprint!

As Jewish women the locus for finding and celebrating the holy is not beyond the mundane realities of our lives, but actually in their very details: in our homes, in our kitchens, in our families. By emulating Sarah, we can bring spirituality into the physicality and turn every regular mundane day into a yom kaddosh.



We dedicate this class to Raize’s grandfather Avraham Yosef Shmuel Alter ben Tuvia, who’s yahrzeit is this week. A full circle of life continues as 22 years later Raize’s nephew (who is named after her grandfather) is a chatan and had his aufruf this past Shabbos and is getting married this Wednesday. May Raize’s grandfather Avraham Yosef Shmuel Alter ben Tuvia neshama have an Aliyah. May Hashem always bring success, blessings & nachas to her nephew Avraham and his kallah Batya.