5787/2026
A fairly well-known comment on this week's Parashah, Chayei Sarah, Rashi notes on the first Pasuk: “And the life of Sarah was one hundred and twenty and seven years.” The word “years” at the end of the verse appears superfluous. Rashi, however, explains this anomaly by clarifying that this word reveals that Sarah Imeinu's years were “Kulan Shavin L’Tovah”, all equally good. This interpretation is widely recognized, yet its exact meaning invites further analysis.
The Sefat Emet explicates Rashi as revealing Sarah's Madreigah and spiritual height. Ordinarily, individuals attain piety by discarding flawed attributes and middot over time; Rav Alter explains that, as a consequence, this confines genuine Gadlut and Shleimut to the final stages of life, after years of introspection and deliberate self-improvement. Sarah, too, was considered elevated in her old age. Yet interestingly, the Sefat Emet explains that she did not need to rid herself of previous vices, offering tremendous insight into growth: Sarah never contracted any faults. By improving steadily, constantly, and treating each day as containing its own distinct task to fulfill, Sarah remained impervious to the moral blemishes regular people must shed. Therefore, each day was “equally good” because it lacked corruption and was completed with thought and purpose.
Sarah Imeinu provides us with a crucial model of growth. This process doesn't happen overnight, and consistent effort is essential. By consciously approaching each day with purpose, we can gradually build our positive Middot and prevent the negative ones from taking root. May we all see only Berachot and have the ability to learn and complete each day to the fullest.