Akarah - Childlessness

Rabbi Jennifer Clayman led a terrific discussion ...

Genesis 16:1 - Childlessness
This is first mentioned in Genesis 11:30 – the term akarah – barren but not necessarily infertile
Nachum Sarna – this is more of a literary divice – a focus on Avram’s family.
Notes the recurring theme in Torah of childlessness – Sarah / Hannah / Samson’s Mother/ Rachel
Robert Alter Book: The Art of Biblical Narrative
Reference of the ‘same story repeated with different characters’ - looking from the literary view
Parallel with the Homeric type scenes.
Types:
Annunciation
Birth to barren mother
Meeting at a well
Finding a well
Danger in the desert
Etc.

Duplication may be accidental or intentional from the “Biblical editor” to make a point.

Story of Hagar repeats two times in Chapter 16 & 21 –
gives 2 views and/or to invite comparisons and to make a point.

Sari vs Hannah – Sari laughs / Hannah prays – contrasts in their attitudes.
But clearly Avram is concerned and ‘talks’ to God about the childless situation.

Women’s Commentary page 52 – Discusses fertility as a concern. Highlights the importance of offspring for the family survival – especially in Biblical times. This explains some different attitudes toward the family values.

Contrast Samuel vs Samson – both sons of ‘barren’ mothers.

Question: Is the birth of a child to a ‘barren’ mother a miracle that begets a ‘hero’?

This opens the way for more midrash!