Sarah/0
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Sarah
Unique Traits
Religious Identity
Missionary Did Sarah attempt to convert others to belief in Hashem? Though Sefer Bereshit never explicitly presents her as actively doing so, commentators point to several verses which might bear on the question:
- "הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן" – R. Elazar in Bereshit Rabbah1 suggest that this verse speaks of converting those in Charan, with Avraham converting the males and Sarah the females. Most of the non-midrashic sources, in contrast, assume the "souls" simply refer to the family's slaves and maidservants.
Possible Flaws
Sarah's Treatment of Hagar In Bereshit 16, Sarah gives Hagar to Avraham in marriage, hoping that she will bear him a son. After conceiving, Hagar begins to belittle her mistress, acting with disrespect ("וַתֵּקַל גְּבִרְתָּהּ בְּעֵינֶיהָ"). When Sarah complains, Avraham tells her, "הִנֵּה שִׁפְחָתֵךְ בְּיָדֵךְ עֲשִׂי לָהּ הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינָיִךְ," leading Sarah to afflict the maidservant ("וַתְּעַנֶּהָ שָׂרַי") and Hagar to flee. How should both Sarah and Avraham's actions be viewed? Was Sarah being overly harsh? Even if so, should Avraham be held accountable?
- Both Sarah and Avraham acted properly – R. Chananel claims that "וַתְּעַנֶּהָ" means that Sarah re-enslaved rather than afflicted Hagar. The angel's command "שׁוּבִי אֶל גְּבִרְתֵּךְ וְהִתְעַנִּי תַּחַת יָדֶיהָ" proves that Sarah did no wrong.
- Only Sarah acted improperly – Radak blames Sarah, but excuses Avraham who acted only out of a desire to keep peace in the home.
- Both Sarah and Avraham acted improperly – Ramban and Tzeror HaMor fault both parties.
Sarah's Banishment of Hagar
Family Life
Sarah's Status When did Avraham and Sarah realize that Sarah was to be the mother of the chosen heir?
- Knew from the beginning – Most assume that the couple knew from the very beginning that Avraham's line and legacy was to continue through the son born from Sarah.
- Knew only in Chapter 17 – It is only in Chapter 17, though, that Hashem makes this explicit, leading to the possibility that until then Sarah's status was in doubt. This could explain Sarah's overly harsh reaction to Hagar's belittling of her in Bereshit 16.12 It also suggests that the first few Avraham stories might be aimed at presenting the rejected heirs – Lot, Avraham's servant Eliezer, and Yishmael.
