Endangering Sarai in Egypt/2

Endangering Sarai in Egypt

Exegetical Approaches

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Unaware of Danger

Avram did not recognize that going down to Egypt was going to endanger Sarai until it was too late.

Sources:Bavli Bava Batra16aAbout the Bavli, TanchumaLekh Lekha 5About the Tanchuma, RambamCommentary on the Mishnah Avot 5:17About R. Moshe Maimonides, RadakBereshit 12:11-17About R. David Kimchi, AbarbanelBereshit 12:10Bereshit 12:16About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel¹

Descent to Egypt

Preservation of Life Most Important

It was legitimate to put Sarai in potential danger if in so doing Avram's life was to be saved.

Sources:Iggeret Pirkoi b. BavoiGinze Shechter Part I, p. 19-20About Iggeret Pirkoi b. Bavoi (Ginze Shechter Part I, AbarbanelBereshit 12:10About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel²

Hoping to Protect Sarai

Avram had a plan which he hoped would protect both him and Sarai and had never intended to save himself at her expense.

Sources:Bereshit Rabbah40:5About Bereshit Rabbah, TanchumaLekh Lekha 5About the Tanchuma, RashiBereshit 12:10-14About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RanBereshit 12:11About R. Nissim Gerondi, AbarbanelBereshit 12:10Bereshit 12:16About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel,

Avram Sinned

Avram's actions in descending to Egypt and endangering Sari were problematic and Avram was punished for them.

¹ Abarbanel combines this approach with the others below.

² He combines this approach with others.