Chaye Sarah 5785

After Rivkah arrived in Israel and married Yitzchak, the parsha returns its focus to Avraham. The Torah says (Beraishis 25:1): “ויסף אברהם  Avraham proceeded and took a wife whose name was Keturah.” The Torah tells us that at this point in Avraham’s life, when he was 140 years old, he remarried. Why does the Torah add in the additional word (ויסף) which can be translated as “proceeded” or “added”? What did Avraham add and why did he do it? Furthermore, at this point in Avraham’s life, he had seemingly accomplished every one of his life’s goals. He proclaimed the belief in Hashem wherever he lived and travelled. Through his kindness and love of others, he attracted numerous followers. The Rambam says that Avraham had thousands and tens of thousands of followers gathered around him. (Hilchos Avodah Zarah 1:3). He also succeeded in finding an appropriate wife for his son Yitzchak, enabling his ideas to continue to the next generation. He attained the advanced age of 140 years old. Why did Avraham feel the need to remarry?

Rav Dovid Feinstein, ZT”L answers that the purpose of our stay in this world is to do mitzvos. Even though Avraham had experienced a taste of the World To Come (See Bava Basra 17a) he still desired and valued the opportunity to do more mitzvos in this world. Therefore, he desired to perform the mitzvah of “be fruitful and multiply”, so he remarried and had six more children. (Beraishis 25:2). That is why the Torah tells us that Avraham “proceeded”. He proceeded to do take a wife and do more mitzvos.

Rav Elie Munk, ZT”L answers in a similar way. Avraham accomplished much in his 140 years. But he felt that he should still do even more to promulgate his ideas throughout the pagan world. Therefore, he wanted to remarry and raise more children to continue his mission. Avraham trained them to transmit his message. When his children grew up, he sent them “eastward, to the land of the east.” (25:6). Josephus wrote that they went to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Rabbi Munk cites a tradition that they were sent to the far-off lands of Asia. Either way, אברהם ויסף Avraham continued to advance his mission of introducing the entire world to Hashem.

Even though he was 140 years old and could seemingly rest on his incredible accomplishments, assured of his lofty place in the World To Come, Avraham never stopped. According to Rav Dovid Feinstein, he continued doing more mitzvos. According to Rav Munk, he continued his mission to bring the whole world closer to Hashem. The Torah tells us that Avraham was “satisfied” only when he died. (25:8). We can learn from Avraham to value every minute that we are alive. No matter who we are and what circumstances we are living, we should still value and seek out to do good deeds and mitzvos to the extent of our abilities. If we try to make each day count, we will validate the mishnah in Avos (4:17): “More precious is one hour of repentance and good deeds in this world than all the life of the World to Come.”