Rabbi Akiva Wakes His Dozing Students
When his students doze off, Rabbi Akiva asks why Queen Esther ruled 127 lands, linking it to Sarah Imeinu's 127 years and hinting at what holy sleep means.
The Midrash tells us that Rebbe Akiva was once sitting with his students when he noticed that they were falling asleep. He decided to wake them by changing the subject. “Why is it,” he asked, “that Queen Esther merited ruling over 127 countries?”
He went on to explain that this was in the merit of Sarah Imeinu. Sarah had lived for 127 years and her granddaughter ruled over 127 countries. Hearing this, the talmidim stopped dozing off. The Chiddushei HaRim asks why Rebbe Akiva picked this piece of Aggadata instead of a lesson from any other topic. Furthermore, what is the connection between Sarah living 127 years and Esther ruling over 127 countries? Apparently, for every year of Sarah Imeinu’s service to Hashem, she merited as a reward that her descendant ruled over another country. However, did Sarah Imeinu really serve Hashem for 127 years? Didn’t she spend at least a quarter of her life eating and sleeping? It is evident that Hashem counts the time that the she ate and slept also as Divine service. Sara Imeinu’s life was elevated such that all her mundane pursuits were considered mitzvos.