[Avodah] The Story of Sarah Imeinu and Hagar

[Shoshana L. Boublil]

Note: Much of the following is based on a Parshat HaShavu'a lesson given by
R' Micha HaLevy, Rabbi of Nachalat Yitzchak, Tel- Aviv.

For years, I've heard people cringe when discussing the story of Sarah
Imeinu and Hagar. The angel's instruction "Shuvi El Gevirtech VeHit'ani
Tachat Yadah" has raised many questions. There are midrashim that go so far
as to blame Sarah Imeinu's interaction with Hagar for our present day ills
(see for example sources brought in
http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/tanach/samet/b3-2.htm ).

But what if the story is actually slightly different.

Avraham and Sarah are in the middle of a cultural revolution. They are
introducing a belief in a single, non-physical Creator who is the god of
EVERYTHING. If we examine the tale of Hagar from this point of view, we find
that things may be different.

The facts as we are told them in the Torah is that Sarah has no child. She
suggests that Hagar bear Avraham's child. But she uses an interesting term:
"Ulai IBaneh MiMena".  Some explain that perhaps Hashem will have mercy on
her and she will also have a child. But there is another, simpler meaning -
surrogacy.

If Hagar was intended to be a surrogate for Sara (there were no egg or sperm
banks back then) that would mean that in fact at birth Hagar would hand the
child, who is Avraham Avinu's biological son, to Sarah who would then raise
him as her proper SON, in the culture of belief in Hashem, shared by Avraham
and Sarah. Hagar, according to the Torah, came from Egypt, perhaps
(according to Chazal) from the royal house, and had a different culture.

But Hagar goes back on the deal once she is pregnant. VaTeiKal Gvirta
BeEineha. Hagar wants to keep her child - and perhaps become a true wife to
Avraham, a wealthy and important man in Canaan of those days. Instead of
preparing to hand over the child - she makes it clear that she will be the
newborn child's true mother - and she will raise him in her, Egyptian
culture.

I'm going to insert a subtopic here. The connection will shortly become
clear. 

One of the most difficult things people who come on Aliyah face is the
cultural change. The differences between American (for example) and Israeli
societies are many. Some find the differences so hard to take, they truly
suffer - and in the end choose to leave Israel and return to the States. In
general, joining a different culture can be extremely difficult.

Back in Canaan, Sarah is probably heartbroken upon realizing that her dream
is being smashed, that she is losing her chance at a child. But she is
Avraham's partner in life (Hu MeGayer Et HaAnashim VeHi Et HaNashim), and
she probably takes it upon herself to educate Hagar so that the child,
Avraham's true son, will be raised in his biological father's beliefs.
Nobody has ever said this would be easy for Hagar to take. As the Torah
states: VaTe'aneha Sara. Not physically - but in attempting to force Hagar
to accept Avraham's culture, Hagar suffered greatly. The result: She runs
away.

Looking at the situation from this viewpoint, the angel's words become
understandable: "Shuvi El Gevirtech VeHit'ani Tachat Yadah".  The angel is
telling her that the surrogacy agreement is cancelled, the child will be
raised by Hagar - this is the meaning of the angel's name suggestion -
Yishma'el. You Hagar will keep your son - but Hagar must follow Sarah's
instruction in custom and education so that the child will be raised in his
father Avraham's belief system. It also explains the continued use of the
word "shifcha" - Hagar is supposed to be subordinate to Sarah. The cultural
shift is torture to Hagar. But looking at the tale as a cultural event, also
clarifies the discussions between Avraham, Sarah and HKB"H surrounding these
events.

We know the result. Hagar won it all: she kept her son, and she managed to
ignore Sarah and raised her son in her own culture. 

This is clear from what follows: VaTeireh Sarah Et Ben Hagar HaMitzrit.
Hagar maintains her Egyptian culture, and raises her son in that way.
Sarah's conclusion: Garesh Et Ben Ha'Amma HaZote VeEt BeNa".  As they are
not following the culture and belief in Hashem that will be the essence of
the nation of Israel, they should not inherit with the Israeli nation. In a
future that is intended to introduce and announce Hashem as King of the
World - Yishmael, who does not follow in Avraham's footpath, has no part. Ki
BeYitzchak YiKare Lecha Zera - Yitzchak is the true follower of Avraham's
ways, and through him the Nation of Israel will come to be.

Shabbat Shalom,

Shoshana L. Boublil