Sarah/0

Sarah

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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 Affliction 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 not being overly harsh? See Sarah's Treatment of Hagar for discussion.

• 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

Lack of Belief?

Upon hearing the news that she is to give birth at ninety, Sarah laughs (Bereshit 18:12).  Hashem rebukes her, "הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵי״י דָּבָר", implying that behind Sarah's laughter lay a lack of belief in Hashem's abilities. How are we to understand this, and why is Sarah's laughter chastised whereas Avraham's earlier laughter upon hearing the initial prophecy (Bereshit 17:17) is not rebuked?

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.

Wife, Sister or Both?

¹ See also Sifre Devarim and Bavli Sanhedrin, but these sources speak only of Avraham.