In this week’s Parsha, Chayei Sarah, we read about the passing of the first patriarch and matriarch – Abraham and Sarah.

Q. How many years did Abraham live after Sarah’s passing?

A. Sarah passed away at the age of 127. Abraham passed away at the age of 175. Abraham was ten years older than Sarah. Thus, Abraham lived 38 years after his wife’s passing.

Q. Did Abraham have a daughter?

A. In this Parsha the Torah tells us, “And Abraham was old and advanced in age [days] and G-d blessed Abraham with everything [bakol].” The Torah uses the expression “Bakol.” According to an opinion in the Talmud it means that G-d blessed him with a daughter and her name was Bakol.

Q. The Parsha begins with Sarah’s passing and Abraham's purchase of the Me’arat HaMachpeilah (cave of Machpeila) in Hebron, as a family burial plot. Who is buried in the Me’arat HaMachpeila?

A. Four couples are buried there: Adam & Eve; Abraham & Sarah; Yitzchak & Rivkah; Yaakov & Leah.

Q. Why, according to Jewish custom, is the deceased is buried in simple shrouds?

A. The Talmudic sage Rabbi Gamliel instituted that all Jews be buried in the same type of garment to show that rich or poor are equal in the eyes of G-d. Thus, the shrouds (Tachrichim) are made of simple cotton or linen material.

Q. Why are the shrouds made of white material?

A. White symbolizes holiness and purity.

Q. Why are shrouds made without pockets?

A. Our sages say, “When a person departs from this world, neither silver nor gold, nor precious stones, nor pearls accompany him. Only the Torah and good deeds he performed accompany a person into the World-to-Come.” Shrouds are made without pockets to remind us that we do not take with any physical possessions, only the Torah mitzvot and good deeds which we accomplished in this world.