At first glance, Parshas Chayei Sarah seems strangely named.

The whole parsha deals not with Sarah’s life — but with her death:

  • Her burial in the Cave of Machpelah.
  • Yitzchak’s marriage to Rivkah, which comforts him after his mother’s passing.
  • And later, Avraham’s remarriage and the story of his other children.

So why call it “The Life of Sarah”?

Because here’s the secret the Torah is teaching us:

True life isn’t measured by the years you live.
True life is measured by what continues after you’re gone.

What Is a Life That Lasts?

The Rebbe explains:

Real life isn’t interrupted by death.
Real life keeps flowing through your children, your students, and the mission you implanted in the world.

The Talmud says about Yaakov Avinu, “Yaakov never died” — because as long as his descendants carried on his values, he was still alive.

Sarah’s life didn’t end when she passed away.
It exploded into full bloom.

  • When Rivkah entered Sarah’s tent, the miracles that had existed during Sarah’s lifetime returned.
  • Yitzchak, her son, married Rivkah and continued her spiritual path.
  • Even Avraham’s actions — prioritizing Yitzchak, sending away the other children — all validated the purity of Sarah’s vision.

Sarah’s influence didn’t end — it intensified.

Sarah’s Vision vs. Avraham’s Mission

There’s an even deeper lesson:

Avraham was the father of many nations — Yishmael, the children of Ketura.
He spread G-d’s name across the world.

But Sarah had one crystal-clear focus: the Jewish people.
She saw that the future of G-d’s dream for humanity would pass exclusively through Yitzchak.

  • When Sarah demanded that Yishmael be sent away, Avraham resisted — but G-d told him, “Listen to Sarah.”
  • When Eliezer tried to suggest his own daughter for Yitzchak, Avraham refused: “My son is blessed. Your family is not.”
  • When Avraham divided his possessions, he gave everything to Yitzchak — the others received only gifts.

Every major event after Sarah’s death confirmed that her vision was right.

Her life’s mission — to build the nation of Israel — remained unstoppable.

What About You?

The question isn’t just how long you live.
It’s what you leave behind.

Will your light end when you leave this world?
Or will it echo on — through your children, your students, your community, your legacy?

Sarah teaches us:
A true Jew thinks about forever.

A true Jew lives today — in a way that ensures tomorrow will be even brighter.

That’s why it’s called Chayei Sarah — the Life of Sarah.
Because her life never ended.
It still lives in every one of us.