הנצי"ב בהעמק דבר בפרשת לך לך explains the verse "וַי נַגַע ה' אֶת פַּר עֹּה נ ג ע ים ג דֹּל ים ו אֶת בֵּיתוֹ עַל ד בַר ש רַי אֵשֶׁת אַב ר ם (יב יז)" and why the Torah emphasizes "אֵשֶׁת אַב ר ם". He teaches that the Torah is instructing us about the power of the three pillars of Divine Providence: Torah, Avodah (service), and Chesed (kindness). Each of the Avos (Patriarchs) excelled in one of these pillars—Avraham in Torah, Yitzchak in Avodah, and Yaakov in Chesed—and each pillar brings a unique form of Divine protection and blessing.
Torah is likened to a sword, providing protection in all forms of battle—physical, spiritual, and against illness. Avodah brings sustenance to the world, and Chesed creates peace. The level of Divine Providence a person receives depends on their own spiritual conduct. Although all three Patriarchs engaged in all three pillars, each was distinguished by one. Avraham was the first to toil in Torah, Yitzchak excelled in Avodah, and Yaakov in Chesed beyond human nature. The Torah uses metaphors—Avraham called the Temple Mount a "mountain" (symbolizing victory in battle), Yitzchak a "field" (symbolizing sustenance), and Yaakov a "house" (symbolizing peace).
Therefore, the miracles and Divine interventions in their lives corresponded to their unique strengths. For Sarah, being Avraham's wife, the intervention came through afflictions, as befitting Avraham's pillar.
