Life is a small moment in time, to make an eternal difference for ourselves, and for the world around us.

Life is a small moment in time, to make an eternal difference for ourselves, and for the world around us.

The Bible doesn’t speak in riddles, it means exactly what is says, literally. In addition to the very simple meaning, when someone is speaking or writing a book, there is always, what did he intend and what motivated him to say those words. G-d in the Bible chose specific stories in our history, and recorded specific aspects of those stories, to include in His eternal book of instruction, because, only these stories and those aspects have deeper meaning applicable to all times and to all people.

“Sarah passed away in the metropolis of four, which is (called) Chevron (Hebron). Abraham came to eulogize Sarah and cry for her. Abraham paid Efron 400 Silver coins for the plot of land.”

The Zohar, the seminal book of mysticism explains this story on a deeper level. Sarah is a metaphor for the body and Abraham for the soul.

There comes a time for the body (Sarah), essentially made of four elements (metropolis of four) – fire, water, earth and air or nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, to cease its work here in this world. While the body was functioning and alive all these elements that comprise the body, are all attached and connected to each other and to the soul that animates it from within. (Chevron in Hebrew is etymologically related to the word “connected”)

The word (name) Efron in Hebrew is related to earth and dust. The one that is humble, unpretentious and self-effacing, is bestowed by Abraham the soul, 400 measures of yearning and connection to G-dliness and spirituality. In Hebrew, the word Kesef –silver, is related to yearning and attachment.

Abraham, the soul, at that point of death, cries over its loss, the body, in which it operated throughout its lifetime here in this physical existence.

So we have a marriage of sorts between the soul and the body, Abraham and Sarah and when it falls apart there are tears on the part of the soul for the body!

The Bible tells us in an earlier portion, “all that Sarah tells you listen to her voice.” How is that possible to understand in light of what we just explained? Should the soul who by nature yearns for G-dliness and holiness listen and follow the voice of the corporeal body that lusts for physical and materialistic pursuits?

Isn’t the goal, for the spiritual to overcome the coarseness of materialism, and not the other way around?

“The patriarchs and matriarchs lead the way for all their children.” What they did is a sign post that shows us the way, and here lies a great secret of truth.

People are distracted many times by the external attraction of beauty and the appeal of vanity. Truth is hidden and difficult to find. The temptation of the body and the hedonistic lifestyles are a great diversion, like a strong hurricane pushing our minds and lives in the opposite direction of anything worthwhile and meaningful.

To fulfill the will and yearnings of the soul one must pull the last strengths from deep down inside. Many times we think and feel, what’s the purpose for all this??

The answer is. The process and the constant challenge and battles, are the purpose.

Every time a person holds back the urge to do the ungodly, and the unholy, he/she pushes back and suppresses this force and fills the space with holiness. With self-control and discipline. Every time we are faced with a challenge from the world of deceit and falsehood and we draw inner strength out to the front to deal with these hardships, the soul becomes enriched, bigger than it was before.

Only when it comes the time for the eternal soul to leave the body, does it realize from its new perspective, how much was gained for itself, and cries, over the loss of these opportunities.

Life is a small moment in time, to make an eternal difference for ourselves, and for the world around us.