In this week’s Parsha, Vayera, Sarah tells Avraham to banish Hagar and her son Yishmael due to Yishmael’s negative influence on Yitzchak. Avraham is displeased and distressed. Yet, Hashem tells him: “Do not be displeased concerning the lad and concerning your handmaid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her voice, for through Isaac your descendants will be named (Gen. 21:12)
Our sages comment on this verse that Abraham was inferior to Sarah in prophecy! (Shemot Rabba 1:1).
Abraham is normally the main focus of our attention and yet we are told that Sarah should have the central role since her spiritual level as a prophetess was higher than her husband’s.
God instructs him: “Whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her.”
Sarah occupies a prominent place in the Torah, both in her life and death.
Rabbi Shabtai Sabato explains that God more regularly spoke to Abraham, yet the quality of Sarah’s prophecy was greater. Sarah had a greater understanding of the significance of the prophecies, and what their divine task entailed.
Together they were charged with leading the process of a new nation, a new land, and a new Torah. Together precisely because they complemented one another.
Another fascinating aspect of Abraham and Sarah’s prophecies is that there is no mention of Abraham talking to God after Sarah’s death.
It is as if God’s regular revelation to Abraham could no longer occur once she had departed.
Regardless of who was on a higher spiritual level, the togetherness they shared had disappeared and with it Abraham’s ability to prophesy.
Rabbi Sabato notes that this is an example of one of the rules governing prophecy: “The Divine Spirit does not rest upon one who is sad.”
Since Abraham grieved after his wife’s death, he was not able to reach the level of joy and completeness necessary to receive the word of God.
May we all merit such a level of joy and completeness! Shabbat Shalom!
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