parsha of the week: rabbi avi billet

The humility of knowing what is hidden

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Rabbi Menachem Recanati, the 13th century Italian commentator, quotes the Zohar in making what is seemingly a bizarre claim — that until Avraham was circumcised, he was never intimate with Sarah. (17:1) This theory is premised in the idea that the foreskin is a barrier to an element of spiritual fulfillment that is “impossible” for the uncircumcised male to achieve. Sarah’s awareness of this reality, long before her husband was given any commandment, caused her to see her marriage as a spiritual one.

This would explain simply why Sarah was insistent that Avraham take an Egyptian woman in order to father a child (at least ten years into their marriage and 14 years before his circumcision) and why Avraham and Sarah are married for at least 25 years without children.

Earlier in the parsha, Avraham declares, as he and Sarah (Avram and Sarai at the time) are heading to Egypt to find food during a famine, “Now I know (Hinei Na Yadati) that you are a beautiful woman.” (12:11) Avraham had been married to Sarah for some time but only now he realizes she is beautiful? How could this be? Radak answers that “Hinei Na” is simply how people spoke. And Chizkuni says the verse should be read like this: “I know that since you are a beautiful woman…”

Aside from that, each of the many explanations given has its own lesson attached to it. Take the interpretation you like and develop an applied lesson on your own.

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