Difference between revisions of "Banishment of Hagar and Yishmael/2"
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<category>Yishmael's Negative Behavior | <category>Yishmael's Negative Behavior | ||
<p>Sarah's actions were motivated by the problematic behavior of Yishmael, and the desire to protect Yitzchak from his repugnant deeds and influence.</p> | <p>Sarah's actions were motivated by the problematic behavior of Yishmael, and the desire to protect Yitzchak from his repugnant deeds and influence.</p> | ||
| − | <mekorot><multilink><a href="ToseftaSotah5-7" data-aht="source">Tosefta</a><a href="ToseftaSotah5-7" data-aht="source">Sotah 5:7</a><a href="Tosefta" data-aht="parshan">About the Tosefta</a></multilink>, R. Akiva, R. Elazar b. R. Yosi HaGelili, and R. | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="ToseftaSotah5-7" data-aht="source">Tosefta</a><a href="ToseftaSotah5-7" data-aht="source">Sotah 5:7</a><a href="Tosefta" data-aht="parshan">About the Tosefta</a></multilink>, R. Akiva, R. Elazar b. R. Yosi HaGelili, R. Yishmael, and R. Levi in <multilink><a href="ToseftaSotah6-3" data-aht="source">Tosefta</a><a href="ToseftaSotah6-3" data-aht="source">Sotah 6:3</a><a href="Tosefta" data-aht="parshan">About the Tosefta</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="SifreDevarim6-4" data-aht="source">Sifre Devarim</a><a href="SifreDevarim6-4" data-aht="source">6:4</a><a href="Sifre Devarim" data-aht="parshan">About Sifre Devarim</a></multilink>, and <multilink><a href="BereshitRabbah53-11" data-aht="source">Bereshit Rabbah</a><a href="BereshitRabbah53-11" data-aht="source">53:11</a><a href="Bereshit Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bereshit Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="ShemotRabbah1-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Rabbah</a><a href="ShemotRabbah1-1" data-aht="source">1:1</a><a href="Shemot Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shemot Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TargumPseudo-JonathanBereshit21-9-17" data-aht="source">Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a><a href="TargumPseudo-JonathanBereshit21-9-17" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:9-17</a><a href="Targum Pseudo-Jonathan" data-aht="parshan">About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="PirkeiDeRabbiEliezer30" data-aht="source">Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer</a><a href="PirkeiDeRabbiEliezer30" data-aht="source">30</a><a href="Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer" data-aht="parshan">About Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiBereshit21-9-111417" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiBereshit21-9-111417" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:9-11,14-15,17</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamBereshit21-9-1120" data-aht="source">R. Avraham b. HaRambam</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamBereshit21-9-1120" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:9-12</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamBereshit21-14" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:14</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamBereshit21-20" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:20</a><a href="R. Avraham Maimonides" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham Maimonides</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanBereshit21-9-11" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanBereshit21-9-11" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:9-11</a><a href="RambanBereshit21-15" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:15</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefibnKaspiTiratKesefpp98-99" data-aht="source">R. Yosef ibn Kaspi</a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiTiratKesefpp98-99" data-aht="source">Tirat Kesef pp. 98-99</a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiBereshit21-9" data-aht="source">Bereshit 21:9</a><a href="R. Yosef ibn Kaspi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi</a></multilink>,</mekorot> |
<point><b>"מְצַחֵק"</b> – Though all these sources assume that Yishmael's behavior was reprehensible,they disagree regarding what action is referred to by the term "מְצַחֵק":<br/> | <point><b>"מְצַחֵק"</b> – Though all these sources assume that Yishmael's behavior was reprehensible,they disagree regarding what action is referred to by the term "מְצַחֵק":<br/> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li><b>Cardinal sins</b> – According to most of these commentators, the word refers either to idolatry,<fn>See R. Akiva, the anonymous opinion in Tosefta, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, and Rashi. As evidence that the root "צחק" can be understood in this manner, R. Akiva points to <a href="Shemot32-6" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:6</a>, where the nation is "מצחק" before the Golden Calf.<br/>Targum Pseudo-Jonathan presents Yishmael as worshiping both idols and Hashem (some versions omit this detail).  It also relates how both Hagar and Yishmael worshiped idols on their trek in the wilderness.  [It renders the phrase "וַתֵּתַע בְּמִדְבַּר" metaphorically to mean that she wandered after idolatry.] It appears from the Targum that, as a punishment for this action, Yishmael came down with a fever which depleted their water supply.<br/>It is noteworthy that Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer presents only Hagar as worshiping idolatry (and this is what causes their water to run out), while Yishmael himself prays to Hashem, the God of his father Avraham (again in contrast to Targum Pseudo Jonathan which has Hagar praying to the idolatrous god of her father). Numerous scholars have noted that this likely reflects Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer's identification of Yishmael as the father of Islam, which he viewed as a monotheistic religion.</fn> murder,<fn>See R. Yishmael and Rashi. Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer | + | <li><b>Cardinal sins</b> – According to most of these commentators, the word refers either to idolatry,<fn>See R. Akiva, the anonymous opinion in Tosefta, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, and Rashi. As evidence that the root "צחק" can be understood in this manner, R. Akiva points to <a href="Shemot32-6" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:6</a>, where the nation is "מצחק" before the Golden Calf.<br/>Targum Pseudo-Jonathan presents Yishmael as worshiping both idols and Hashem (some versions omit this detail).  It also relates how both Hagar and Yishmael worshiped idols on their trek in the wilderness.  [It renders the phrase "וַתֵּתַע בְּמִדְבַּר" metaphorically to mean that she wandered after idolatry.] It appears from the Targum that, as a punishment for this action, Yishmael came down with a fever which depleted their water supply.<br/>It is noteworthy that Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer presents only Hagar as worshiping idolatry (and this is what causes their water to run out), while Yishmael himself prays to Hashem, the God of his father Avraham (again in contrast to Targum Pseudo Jonathan which has Hagar praying to the idolatrous god of her father). Numerous scholars have noted that this likely reflects Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer's identification of Yishmael as the father of Islam, which he viewed as a monotheistic religion.</fn> murder,<fn>See R. Yishmael and Rashi. R. Levi in Bereshit Rabbah and  Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer speak not just in general of spilling blood, but have Yishmael attempting to kill Yitzchak himself. Support for this meaning is brought from the deadly "משחק" set up between the soldiers of Yoav and Avner in <a href="ShemuelII2-14" data-aht="source">Shemuel II 2:14</a>.</fn> or illicit relations,<fn>See R. Eliezer the son of R. Yose HaGelili who points to the story of Mrs. Potiphar in <a href="Bereshit39-17" data-aht="source">Bereshit 39:17</a>, where the root "צחק" suggests sexual behavior.</fn> the three cardinal sins in Judaism.</li> |
<li><b>Sin of speech</b> – Ramban asserts that Yishmael was mocking Yitzchak and the party, while Ibn Kaspi posits that he was poking fun at Sarah.  In contrast, R. Avraham b. HaRambam maintains that Yishmael was more generally fooling around and speaking with a foul mouth.</li> | <li><b>Sin of speech</b> – Ramban asserts that Yishmael was mocking Yitzchak and the party, while Ibn Kaspi posits that he was poking fun at Sarah.  In contrast, R. Avraham b. HaRambam maintains that Yishmael was more generally fooling around and speaking with a foul mouth.</li> | ||
<li><b>Gambling</b> – Ibn Kaspi also raises the possibility that Yishmael was gambling (משחק בקוביא)‎.</li> | <li><b>Gambling</b> – Ibn Kaspi also raises the possibility that Yishmael was gambling (משחק בקוביא)‎.</li> | ||
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>Disinheritance</b></point> | <point><b>Disinheritance</b></point> | ||
| − | <point><b>Banishment</b></point> | + | <point><b>Banishment</b><ul> |
| + | <li>According to , in order to ensure that Yishmael did not act as a negative influence on Yiitzchak, he needed to be expelled from the house.  R. Avraham b. HaRambam adds that Sarah feared that she and Avraham might die while Yitzchak was still young, leaving him to grow up with Yishmael.</li> | ||
| + | <li>R. Levi, Rashi, and Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer all maintain that Yishmael had attempted to kill Yitzchak.  As such, Yishmael's banishment was necessary to physically protect Yitzchak.</li> | ||
| + | <li></li> | ||
| + | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>"Why is Avraham "upset about his son"?</b></point> | <point><b>"Why is Avraham "upset about his son"?</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Why is Hagar also expelled?</b></point> | <point><b>Why is Hagar also expelled?</b></point> | ||
Version as of 07:23, 22 October 2015
Banishment of Hagar and Yishmael
Exegetical Approaches
Yishmael's Negative Behavior
Sarah's actions were motivated by the problematic behavior of Yishmael, and the desire to protect Yitzchak from his repugnant deeds and influence.
Sources:Tosefta, R. Akiva, R. Elazar b. R. Yosi HaGelili, R. Yishmael, and R. Levi in Tosefta, Sifre Devarim, and Bereshit Rabbah, Shemot Rabbah, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, Rashi, R. Avraham b. HaRambam, Ramban, R. Yosef ibn Kaspi,
"מְצַחֵק" – Though all these sources assume that Yishmael's behavior was reprehensible,they disagree regarding what action is referred to by the term "מְצַחֵק":
- Cardinal sins – According to most of these commentators, the word refers either to idolatry,1 murder,2 or illicit relations,3 the three cardinal sins in Judaism.
- Sin of speech – Ramban asserts that Yishmael was mocking Yitzchak and the party, while Ibn Kaspi posits that he was poking fun at Sarah. In contrast, R. Avraham b. HaRambam maintains that Yishmael was more generally fooling around and speaking with a foul mouth.
- Gambling – Ibn Kaspi also raises the possibility that Yishmael was gambling (משחק בקוביא).
Disinheritance
Banishment
- According to , in order to ensure that Yishmael did not act as a negative influence on Yiitzchak, he needed to be expelled from the house. R. Avraham b. HaRambam adds that Sarah feared that she and Avraham might die while Yitzchak was still young, leaving him to grow up with Yishmael.
- R. Levi, Rashi, and Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer all maintain that Yishmael had attempted to kill Yitzchak. As such, Yishmael's banishment was necessary to physically protect Yitzchak.
"Why is Avraham "upset about his son"?
Why is Hagar also expelled?
"לֶחֶם וְחֵמַת מַיִם" – were there sufficient provisions?
Why does Hashem save Yishmael?
Hagar's status
When does the story take place?
Ensuring Yitzchak's Inheritance
Sources:Rashbi's opinion in Tosefta, Sifre Devarim, and Bereshit Rabbah, Ralbag, Abarbanel, Seforno, Shadal,
Jealousy
Sources:
