Hagar – A figure for concern or distaste?

Genesis 16 Speculating about Hagar

Rabbi Adam led Torah Study in a lively discussion on Hagar!
The attitude changes – Hagar as a slave is neutral, When she has a child her status rises - maybe even above Sari.
This becomes a big problem for Sari.
Hagar runs away – Then she is convinced by an “angel” to return.
Much midrash around what really happened here.

Power Dynamics – Who is in charge? Avram? Sari? Or Hagar?

There are parallels with the story of Jacob and his children.

This episode is the beginning of the end of the relationship between Avram and Sari.

Term: “Wife” - Hagar is elevated to “wife” status. v3 – Sari gave Hagar to Avram as a ‘wife’. Then it becomes a rivalry.

The term: ISH ISHA – the ‘matik’ in the hay makes it pronounced slightly differently. And makes the term in the feminine possessive form.

Avram is absent – he doesn’t make decisions in the situation.
Interest to speculate about his attitude about his son and Hagar.

Do not hear Hagar’s point of view until she is in the desert.

v6 “your slave is in your hands” Avram’s attitude is complicated to understand and is further complicated by Hagar being Egyptian.

Hagar name = “stranger”

Question of what was Hagar really like? Is she a “tramp”, a victim or a heroine?

Midrash link