Parsha in a Nutshell: Avram begins his journey out of his father's home, to Egypt and back to Israel. He has no children until he takes Hagar who bares Ishmael. Hagar and Ishmael are banished from Avram's house. Sari bares Issac. Avram and Sari have their names changed to Avraham and Sarah. HaShem enters into a covenant with Avraham promising the land of Israel and his everlasting bond, signified by circumcision.
General Observation
During the course of the parsha, G-d approaches Avram three times promising children. In the first instance, Avram's decendants are to be as numerous as dust. In the second, as countless as the stars. In the final instance of this promise, it requires HaShem to introduce himself in a forceful manner, using the name Sh-di for the first time in the narrative of the Torah and causing such awe in Avram, that the message seems to finally sink in. Why all the convincing? Avram left the security of his father's household with barely a suggestion. But for this he needs to be knocked over the head? What is that teaching us and why doesn't Rashi note it in some manner? It seems like an obvious question, but his line by line commentary doesn't end itself to commenting on the arc of the narrative.
General Observation
During the course of the parsha, G-d approaches Avram three times promising children. In the first instance, Avram's decendants are to be as numerous as dust. In the second, as countless as the stars. In the final instance of this promise, it requires HaShem to introduce himself in a forceful manner, using the name Sh-di for the first time in the narrative of the Torah and causing such awe in Avram, that the message seems to finally sink in. Why all the convincing? Avram left the security of his father's household with barely a suggestion. But for this he needs to be knocked over the head? What is that teaching us and why doesn't Rashi note it in some manner? It seems like an obvious question, but his line by line commentary doesn't end itself to commenting on the arc of the narrative.
- 12/5: In Rashi's notes that this pasuk signifies Avram and Sari converting their slaves. But to what? The key covenant with Avraham has not yet occurred. In a similar vein, 14/14 describes Avram's "initiates". One explanation is that they were initiated into the commandments or the commandment of circumcision. But how could that be since, like 12/5 these things were not a part of the vernacular at this point in time. Rashi rejects that and suggests that they either agreed to work with him or gave him advice on circumcision. But again, how can they give advice on something that hasn't happened. The episode theat leads to the Brit Milah is dramatic and sudden. How could Avram be taking advice on the matter at this point?
- 12/18: Pharoh says..."Why did you not tell she is your wife" How did he know this was the cause of his affliction? There is noting the narrative that would suggest he had an inkling and Rashi is silent on this passage.
- 16/2: Although we might learn that having children is key to being "built up" and not having a life of ruin, per Rashi's commentary, why are we learning this through the birth of Ishmael? One could extrapolate this teaching to mean that one should go to any lengths to have a child, even if it destroys the family, which almost happened to Avram and Sari.
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