Midrash Sarah
Sara Lenowitz
Midrash Sarah
1. AND HE SAID, ÒTAKE YOUR SON, YOUR FAVORED ONE, ISAAC, WHOM YOU LOVE AND GO TO THE LAND OF MORIAH, AND OFFER HIM THERE AS A BURNT OFFERINGÉÓ (Genesis 22:2). It is written, ÒAt a night encampment on the way, the LORD encountered him and sought to kill him. So Zipporah took a flint and cut off her sonÕs foreskinÉÓ (Exodus 4:24-25). R. Esther said, ÒIsaac was the favored son as well as the circumcised son according to Jewish custom and law. For Ishmael was circumcised at thirteen years of age, as it is written, Ôand his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskinÕ (Genesis 17:25) but Isaac, who was born by our mother, Sarah, as it is written, ÔSarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the set time of which God had spokenÉÕ (Genesis 21:2), was circumcised on the eighth day like all Jewish males, as it is written, ÔOn the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcisedÉÕ (Leviticus 12:5). As the properly circumcised son, the convent is contingent upon IsaacÕs life and so G-d spared him.Ó R. Esther asserted, ÒJust as Zipporah protected her son through his circumcision, so Isaac, too, will be protected from being the sacrificial lamb, for Isaac was not sacrificed, but instead lived to fulfill G-dÕs covenant, and his descendents, too, were blessed.Ó And it came to pass that Isaac was the FAVORED ONE.
Midrash Sarah: Commentary
In
the exodus from Egypt Zipporah spared her son death by circumcising him, and
thus protected him in the eyes of G-d.
While the first-born Egyptian males fell, her son was saved by this very
act. Thus, SarahÕs perceived absence in the Akedah should not be confused with
her lack of presence. When Isaac was delivered to Abraham and Sarah, it is
written, that ÒThe LORD took note of Sarah as He had promised, and the LORD did
for Sarah as he had spokenÓ (Genesis 21:1). One should take careful note that the LORD did for Sarah,
not for Abraham. This, then, is a proclamation of SarahÕs active role in her
sonÕs birth, and subsequently, his life.
Her circumcised son, who was circumsiced according to Jewish law, on the
eighth day of his life, was protected from being sacrificed, just as was in the
case of ZipporahÕs son. Both boysÕ
circumcision is indicative of their coveted relationship with G-d, one that
ensured protection.
Midrash Sarah
2. AND HE SAID, ÒHERE ARE THE FIRESTONE AND THE WOOD, BUT WHERE IS THE SHEEP FOR THE BURNT OFFERING?Ó AND ABRAHAM SAID, ÒGOD WILL SEE TO THE SHEEP FOR HIS BURNT OFFERING MY SONÓ (Genesis 22:7-8). It is written, ÒBut his wife said to him, [ManoahÕs wife] ÔHad the LORD meant to take our lives, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and meal offering from us, nor let us see all these things; and He would not have made such an announcement to usÓ (Judges 13:23). Rabbi Esther said, ÒManoahÕs wife was confident that they would not die at the hands of the LORD, but, on the contrary, she would give birth to a son after being barren for years; as it is written, ÔHis wife was barren and borne no children.Õ (Judges 13: 2).Ó Another interpretation, Rabbi Esther said, ÒShe received this message through an angel of the LORD, as it is written, ÔAn angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, You are barren and have borne no children; but you shall conceive and bear a sonÕ (Judges 13:3). Sarah, too, was unable to have children, only giving birth to Isaac in her old age. Similarly, Sarah and Abraham found out about the impending birth of their son through a messenger of G-d, as it is written, ÔThen one said, ÔI will return next year, and your wife Sarah shall have a sonÕ (Genesis 18:10).Ó Abraham and Sarah had fulfilled all of G-dÕs requests, and so it said, GOD WILL SEE TO THE SHEEP FOR THIS BURNT OFFERING.
Midrash Sarah: Commentary
Although Manoah was not sure of the LORDÕs
intentions, his wife knew that He would bring them the child that He had
promised. When Manoah realized
that both he and his wife had seen an angel of the LORD he was sure they would
die because they had seen a divine being.
His wife, however, was certain that the LORD would not kill them, and
was confident in G-dÕs promise.
They complied with the LORDÕs requests and offered up a burnt offering
and thus received the child they had so desired. This too is indicative of SarahÕs presence in the Akedah,
although she is seemingly silent for Sarah, too, was more confident in G-d, and
her absence should not be confused with her questioning of G-d. Her silence is representative of her
utmost trust in G-d, as ManoahÕs wife, too, was
trusting. Sarah received Isaac
from G-d after being barren for so long, and this was the child both she and
Abraham had been longing for.
Because they had followed all of
G-dÕs demands and
requests, she was confident that He would not kill Isaac, but let them keep the
child He had promised and delivered.