Sarah Imeinu Foresaw in Her Prophecy that which Avraham Avinu Did Not See
Thus, when we witness the extreme cruelty and barbarity of the descendants of Yishmael—may their names be blotted out—we can take solace in the episode described in next week’s Torah-reading. HKB”H renders a decision in the matter of the emotional dispute between Sarah Imeinu and Avraham Avinu concerning the banishment of Hagar and her son Yishmael. It is written (Bereishis 21, 9):
"ותרא שרה את בן הגר המצרית אשר ילדה לאברהם מצחק, ותאמר לאברהם גרש האמה הזאת ואת בנה, כי לא יירש בן האמה הזאת עם בני עם יצחק."
Sarah saw the son of Hagar, the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Avraham, mocking. So, she said to Avraham, “Drive out this slave-woman and her son; for the son of this slave-woman will not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak!” Citing the Midrash, Rashi comments: Since he (Yitzchak) is my son, Yishmael should not inherit with him; even if he were not as upright as Yitzchak, or if he were only as upright as Yitzchak—even if he were not my son—this one (Yishmael) would not be worthy to inherit with him. All the more so that Yishmael should not inherit “with my son, with Yitzchak,” who possesses both qualities; he is my son, and he is upright.
Despite her protests, Avraham Avinu did not initially give in to Sarah’s wishes. As the passuk says (ibid. 11): "וירע הדבר מאד בעיני אברהם על אודת בנו"—the matter greatly distressed Avraham regarding his son. Ultimately, HKB”H decided the matter for them; He told Avraham in no uncertain terms (ibid. 12): "אל ירע בעיניך על הנער ועל אמתך, כל אשר תאמר אליך שרה שמע בקולה, כי ביצחק יקרא לך זרע"—be not distressed over the youth or over your slave-woman; whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice.
Here Rashi teaches us that Avraham was inferior to Sarah in matters of nevuah. We will endeavor to explain what nevuah Sarah saw that justified the banishment of Hagar and Yishmael.
Thus, we learn that Sarah Imeinu, our first matriarch—the original “yidishe mame”—foresaw the intense hatred of the murderous descendants of Yishmael toward the descendants of Yitzchak in the distant future. Their sole goal and desire is to brutally slaughter ever single Jew inside and outside of Eretz Yisrael. This prompted her to implore Avraham Avinu, our first patriarch, to separate them permanently, for all times: “Drive out this slave-woman and her son; for the son of this slave-woman will not inherit with my son, with Yitzchak!” HKB”H concurred with Sarah and advised Avraham: “Whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice,” because she is able to foresee what you cannot—that the descendants of Yishmael are going to brutally slaughter the descendants of Yitzchak in the future.
Let us endeavor to explain why HKB”H did not reveal this troubling nevuah to Avraham Avinu. HKB”H intended to fulfill his promise to Avraham in this week’s parsha (ibid. 15, 15): "ואתה תבוא אל אבותיך בשלום תקבר בשיבה טובה"—and you will come to your ancestors in peace; you will be buried in a good old age. According to Rashi, this implies that: G-d informed Avram that Yishmael would repent during his lifetime, and that Eisav would not fall into bad ways in his lifetime. This is why he (Avraham) died five years prematurely; and on that day, Eisav rebelled.
This illustrates for us that our merciful Father in Heaven concurred centuries ago to uphold the decision of Sarah Imeinu to drive the slave-woman, Hagar, and her son, Yishmael, away from Yitzchak. In similar fashion, he will keep His word and will always stand guard to keep the descendants of Yishmael at a distance and to protect the offspring of Yitzchak. Clearly, however, we must be worthy of this divine protection; we must be motivated to perform sincere, complete teshuvah for all of our wrongdoings; we must study Torah and be dedicated to the performance of mitzvos. In return, HKB”H will keep these wild animals, these savage murderers, the descendants of Yishmael away from us. He will rain upon them and all of Yisrael’s enemies that join them harsh, awful plagues, in keeping with the passuk in parshas Ha’azinu (Devarim 32, 41): "אִם שַׁנּוֹתִי בְּרַק חַרְבִּי וְתֹאחֵז בְּמִשְׁפָּט יָדִי אָשִׁיב נָקָם לְצָרָי וְלִמְשַׂנְאַי אֲשַׁלֵּם, אַשְׁכִּיר חִצַּי מִדָּם וְחַרְבִּי תֹּאכַל בָּשָׂר מִדַּם חָלָל וְשִׁבְיָה מֵרֹאשׁ פַּרְעוֹת אוֹיֵב, הַרְנִינוּ גוֹיִם עַמּוֹ כִּי דַם עֲבָדָיו יִקּוֹם וְנָקָם יָשִׁיב לְצָרָיו וְכִפֶּר אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּו". If I whet the shine of My sword, and My hand shall grasp judgment, I shall return vengeance upon My enemies and upon those that hate Me shall I bring retribution. I shall make My arrows drunk with blood and My sword shall devour flesh, because of the blood of corpse and captivity, because of the earliest incursions of the enemy. Sing, nations, the praises of His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants: he will bring retribution upon His enemies, and He will appease His land and His people.
