In the Book of Kohelet, written by Shlomo Hamelech, it is written: “Everything has an appointed season, and there is a time for every matter under the heaven (לַכֹּ֖ל זְמָ֑ן וְעֵ֥ת לְכָל־חֵ֖פֶץ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם).” What Shlomo is trying to teach us is that everything in life is determined by Hashem, and He knows when it is time for things to occur. Hashem knows when there should be laughter, happiness, joy, war, peace, death and life.

In Parshat Chayei Sarah, Hashem determined it was time for Sarah to die. However, despite Sarah’s death in this week’s parsha, the parsha is called “The Life of Sarah.” This is because while there is a time for death and mourning, there is also a time for life. In Judaism, death is not an end but a beginning— the beginning of a new chapter in the next world and a beginning for others impacted by the one who has passed.

When Yitzchak thought no one could be like his mother and give her legacy justice, Rivka was brought to him. Rivka was able to go into Sarah’s tent and revive her legacy. She showed Yitzchak that his mother is always with him, despite her being physically gone. She did the mitzvot that his mother did and was able to bring Yitzchak comfort.

Over the past year, many have died, and while it is important to mourn those who have passed, what are we doing to make sure their legacy lives on? For those who like to dance, are we dancing around the Torah, on chagim and at smachot for them? For those who were talkative, are we talking to Hashem and using our words to make brachot for them? Are we connecting those who perished with their mitzvot or with their passing? Even though some of those who fell were so young, they had accomplished so much! Connect to them through life! May we all be able to merit doing mitzvot to honor the legacies of those who have perished and, in this way, to do our part to keep them alive.

Shira Sedek is a passionate educator at Ramaz Middle School in New York City who loves teaching Torah and inspiring her students.