Lies and Gifts and Avram's Character

Torah Study with Rabbi Marder Gen 12:10 - 20

Many possible ways to interpret why Avram got all those gifts from Pharaoh. AND why was Pharaoh was so eager for Sari and Abraham to split and take all those gifts with them.

Why did Avram tell Sari to say she was his sister? On the surface this seems very unethical and selfish.
David Kimke – 13th Cen. France offered 2 options
1 – The “lie or die” suggestion – Avram would have a better chance to survive if she lies.
2 – The “marriage isn’t important” thought – as Avram has so little trust and faith at this point he believes he must compromise the honor of his wife to survive.

Verse 14 – Entering Egypt – it only says that Avram Enters – no mention of Sari or the others who traveled with him at this point.
Problematic wording.
Rashi says that this indicates that Avram hid Sari in a box to smuggle her in but it backfired when the Egyptians inquired to the content and he said it was garments. (or spices) and he was quick to agree to pay the tax on the garments which arose suspicion and the found Sari when they opened the box.

And there is the romantic version of the story – In Avram’s eyes Sari was still beautiful even though she was older.

When Sari was taken to Pharaoh's house – text is missing from the story to describe the ‘parting’.

Eli Munk – says that Avram was just “buying time” and didn’t think that Pharaoh would want Sari himself. He was obliged to accept the payment. But they both resort to prayer and God answered – Pharaoh returned Sari and told them to leave.

Sari’s abduction was one of the 10 trials of Abraham.

Midrash is troubled by Avram’s behavior – thus there are many different explanations.

Samson Raphael Hirsch says that Avram was desperate and felt he had no alternatives. He says there is a reason for his morally ambiguous behavior.
On the list of gifts he was given – the listing is haphazard in order indicating that Pharaoh was in a “frenzy” to gain Avram’s favor. One of the ‘gifts’ was a maidservant – but spelled without the vav – so not plural – midrash says this was Hagar – the same servant that later bears his son Ishmael.

Nahum Sarna on Camels – An anachronistic interpretation – Camels in the Bible are associated with women – here with Avram getting camels, again when they are taken to find a wife for Isaac ... They are rare and a sign of wealth.

Eli Munk – Avram is later shown as not being materialistic – he shows characteristics of generosity and lack of greed for things. Here is was obliged to accept the gifts.

There is an explanation of Pharaoh’s actions that there were plagues – a parallel to the Exodus story – In this case it is speculated that Pharaoh was plagued with a debilitating skin disease that made it impossible for him to have sex with Sari. This might explain his response a bit.

Another possibility is that the term Devar = Word – thus Sari had words with Pharaoh – She did reveal to him who she was.

And it does indicate that they prayed to God – Their prayers were answered!

And another question: Why didn’t Avram return all the gifts? “This is a great miracle in this story!”