We learn many lessons about human nature this week: How Hagar felt superior to Sarai when she was able to conceive and her mistress was not; about Yishmael’s outwardly dignified persona which masks his wild nature; and then, we learn about counseling.
When Hagar became arrogant, Sarai made her work very hard. This didn’t comport with her feelings of superiority, so Hagar ran away.
An angel appeared to her and asked her where she had come from. She responded that she ran away from her mistress, Sarai.
Rashi explains, the angel knew where she had come from. Rather, it was an opening for her, so he might engage her in conversation.
Rashi says the opening was “for her,” not the angel. We can learn from this that when someone is in a situation and they need counseling, they have to be made to feel safe to open up.
The interest and concern in her the angel exhibited, enabled her to discuss her situation and realize she’d made the problem, not Sarai.
The best way to convince people of the truth in any situation is to help them to come to the realization on their own. Repeating the same thing over and over with force may just make them shut you out and remain convinced they are right.
Thought of the week:
Many people checking a certification don’t care if something is really kosher or not. They just want someone else to be punished if it isn’t.
