When Sara Immenu, 'a"h, was taken to Pharaoh's palace, she prayed the entire night and beseeched G-d to save her from the hands of Pharaoh. She said: "Master of the Universe, You told Abraham, my husband, to leave his birthplace and family, and You promised to make him a great nation, bless him and make his (Abraham Abinu's) name great. (Bereshith, 12;2). I, on the other hand, received no promises. Nevertheless, I left everything I had, because of my faith in You".
The Holy One blessed be He replied and said: "I will smite Pharaoh and his household, all for your sake", as it says: "G-d afflicted Pharaoh... with severe plagues, according to the word of Sara" (Bereshith, 12;17). Rashi explains that Sara Immenu, 'a"h, would instruct the angel to smite, and the angel would follow her instructions.
There is an opinion that the angel came down to afflict Pharaoh and save Sara Immenu, 'a"h, on account of her own special merit. What was it?
Her admirable quality of 'Modesty'!
We are told (Shemoth Rabba 1;1) that Sara Immenu, 'a"h, surpassed Abraham Abinu, 'a"h, in her level of prophecy. G-d told Abraham Abinu: ..."listen to her voice" (Bereshith, 21;12), and Rashi explains that this means: "listen to the Divine Inspiration in her voice". Ha'Rab Mordechai Eliyahu, 'a"h, states (Dibre Mordechai), that Sara Immenu acquired this immense level of spirituality on account of her modesty.
I am turning to you, my dear and important friends, asking you to join me in strengthening ourselves in this most important area of 'Modesty'. I know we live in most challenging and difficult times, where everything is permitted and perversions are sometimes admired. Nevertheless, modesty is our spiritual strength and power. It is a vehicle which enables us to attain an unimaginable level of closeness with our Creator. It brings abundant blessings to us, our family and the entire Jewish people. Sara Immenu, 'a"h, is a special lady for us to be inspired by!
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