This week's parsha is called the life of Sarah. This seems quite ironic as the whole parsha takes place after Sarah's death; it would seem more fitting to be named after the passing of Sarah or something of that ilk? There is a major difference between Avrohom and Sarah. Avrohom is called av hamon goyim, he has a connection to the entire world. Avrohom spread the word of God to the entire world. Sarah on the other hand, limited her haspah to kedusha, to Yitzchak, who would be the heir to develop Klal Yisroel. That's why it was Sarah who wanted to drive out Yishmoel as opposed to Avrohom who wanted to keep him. All the events of this week's parsha reflect the teaching of Sarah that everything must be for the sake of kedusha, for Klal Yisroel.
When it came to buying the maares hamachpaleh, Avrohom tells the people occupying the land that he would either buy it or take it because the land is rightfully his. This event was an example that the Eretz Yisroel was put in the hands of the gentiles only if they will give it over to Klal Yisroel. If they aren't fulfilling their mission then it will be taken away from them. The obvious connection is the marriage of Yitzchak to continue the building of Klal Yisroel. But even in the whole episode of the conversation with Eliezer this point is made in dramatic fashion as Besuel is struck dead for objecting to the marriage. This is also reflected in the end of the parsha, where Yishmoel comes around and acknowledges that Yitzchak is the main son of Avrohom. It is a person's goals and aspirations coming to fruition that define their lives (based upon Likutay Sichos volume 15.)
We should live in a manner which will make the 11 people killed in the Pittsburgh massacre this past Shabbos 'living' a chayeh Sarah, to live 'being Jewish' just as they were killed just for being Jewish .
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