Weekly Sidra: Chayei Sara (The life of Sarah) 
Torah Portion: Bereshit / Genesis 23:1-25:18
Haftorah: Melachim Alef / Kings I 1:1-1:31

5 Now Adonijah son of Haggith went about boasting, "I will be king!" He provided himself with chariots and horses, and an escort of fifty out runners. 6 His father had never scolded him: "Why did you do that?" He was the one born after Absalom and, like him, was very handsome. (I Kings 1:5, 6)

You are in the supermarket shopping for groceries when you see a child throwing a temper tantrum because they don’t get what they want.  Many times we see the parents allowing the tantrum to continue for a long time or giving in to the child’s demands just to keep them quiet.

This type of behaviour is exhibited in this week’s Haftarah portion by King David.  While his son was bragging about being king it states that his father had never scolded him.  This is not the first time his children tried to rebel against David.  Abshalom had tried the same thing before and we all know of the strife that was created within David’s household.

In contrast Avraham ruled his household differently.  He loved both his sons Isaac and Ishmael.  He provided for Ishmael and Hagar when they had to leave the household.  In this week’s Torah portion we see the righteousness of Avraham. 
Firstly, he purchases the burial site for his wife.  He was offered it for free, but instead he demands to pay for it.  Many of us want something for nothing.  However, Abraham knows that for something to have meaning, you have to pay a price for it.

Secondly, and more importantly, is what he does for his son Isaac.  He shows his love for him by making his servant pledge an oath to obtain a wife from his kinsman.  It would have been easy for Avraham to say: Just go and find a wife, anyone will do.  However, he doesn’t do that because of his high moral standards.

In life it would be more comfortable to take the easy way out.  Just let them throw the tantrum and give what they want.  However, if we are to be Godly parents we must remember that Hashem holds us to a higher standard and that is the same standard we must apply to our kids as parents.

This week’s Torah portion is called Chayei Sarah (The Life of Sarah).  I believe this honour is reflected in the way that she and Avraham raised their child Isaac.  This is the reason that when we bless our daughter we bless them to be like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.  These were all women of valour and we want our daughters to be the same.