In this week’s parshah, Sarah Imeinu’s name is changed from Sarai to Sarah. Rashi explains that the name Sarai implied that she was only Avraham’s wife and her influence was confined to her immediate family. The switch to Sarah signifies that Sarah Imeinu had become a mother and an influence to the entire world, just as Avraham Avinu became the “av hamon goyim—the father of a multitude of nations.” As Avraham’s wife, Sarah naturally shared in his role of spreading Hashem’s light to the entire world.
The Chiddushei Harim suggests that this shared role applied during times when Avraham’s middah of chessed was revealed — during times of clarity and harmony. However, during times of hester panim, when things did not go smoothly, Sarah could not rely on joining Avraham in his work; rather, she was able to chart her own path and continue to exert an influence on her surroundings.
This is the reason that Esther Hamalkah was zocheh to rule over 127 nations — in the merit of Sarah’s 127 years of life, as the Gemara teaches. Esther’s influence was felt most strongly during times of hester panim, just as Sarah (and not Sarai) was specifically able to exert an influence during hard times.
This is a special ability that all women have, in the merit of the Imahos — to follow in their footsteps and surmount difficulties. Women possess the ability to support and strengthen their families not only when things are going well but also when challenges arise. This is the true chachmas nashim bonsah beisah—the wisdom of women builds her home.
