Hagar names God and Abram names Ishmael
13 – 17:1 Hagar names God and Abram names Ishmael
Starting with the questions: “why would Hagar want to have a child who is like a wild ass...?”
Note: The attitude of the nomadic tribes is different and perhaps this is a good quality to that community. And it was promised that he would lead to a ‘great nation’.
Hagar was a progenitrix of a ‘great nation’.
Theophany – Hagar’s experience with the messenger of God
Hagar gives a name to God. v13
What does this signify?
- an act of chutzpah
- an act of intimacy – gives a special bond or tie.
Name: EL RO-Ea - (aleph lamed resh aleph with a special vowel under the resh – chateph quamets)
Not translated in JPS
Rashi – Looks as the special vowel – God of seeing who sees the humiliation of the humbled.
God sees the suffering of the oppressed.
A common theme in Tanach – devine attention to the lowly - ie Psalm 119 – Hallel
Levi ben Gershon OR R. Gershom (France--end of 10th to beginning of 11th century). (France) Supernatural – Not an angel – rather a person – a prophet. She was surprised that there was another prophet of God - other than Abraham.
SR Hirsch – broad sense basic ideal – can’t flee from God – she realized that God is everywhere.
Women’s Commentary – hagar is happy to believe after the encounter in the wilderness.
“Wilderness is where God is found” - a concept that also repeats in Torah.
About the Well where she was – name is similar to Beer Shiva This well is celebrated in the Arab tradition. Symbolism of the well – a place to be refreshed and renewed.
The effect of this on social hierarchy – adds to the challenges of the social structure and to treat those lower – about power.
Tradition – used to be that the poor sat in the back of the synagogue – so when they turn around to greet the Sabbath bride the poor were in the front.
v15 – baby is born – Abraham names the child. But in v11 the angel tells Hagar to call him Ishmael.
How did this happen?
Pillow talk
Rashi – Abram knew becvause the holy spirit told him.
Naming him adds to the legitimacy of his son.
Focus on age – Abram is 86 - next age mention is when he is 99 and the circumcision happen – Ishmael will then be 13 – bar mitzvah.
Message 99 is not too old to be creative!
Starting with the questions: “why would Hagar want to have a child who is like a wild ass...?”
Note: The attitude of the nomadic tribes is different and perhaps this is a good quality to that community. And it was promised that he would lead to a ‘great nation’.
Hagar was a progenitrix of a ‘great nation’.
Theophany – Hagar’s experience with the messenger of God
Hagar gives a name to God. v13
What does this signify?
- an act of chutzpah
- an act of intimacy – gives a special bond or tie.
Name: EL RO-Ea - (aleph lamed resh aleph with a special vowel under the resh – chateph quamets)
- to see
- all seeing – God of vision
- God I have seen
- God who sees me
Not translated in JPS
Rashi – Looks as the special vowel – God of seeing who sees the humiliation of the humbled.
God sees the suffering of the oppressed.
A common theme in Tanach – devine attention to the lowly - ie Psalm 119 – Hallel
Levi ben Gershon OR R. Gershom (France--end of 10th to beginning of 11th century). (France) Supernatural – Not an angel – rather a person – a prophet. She was surprised that there was another prophet of God - other than Abraham.
SR Hirsch – broad sense basic ideal – can’t flee from God – she realized that God is everywhere.
Women’s Commentary – hagar is happy to believe after the encounter in the wilderness.
“Wilderness is where God is found” - a concept that also repeats in Torah.
About the Well where she was – name is similar to Beer Shiva This well is celebrated in the Arab tradition. Symbolism of the well – a place to be refreshed and renewed.
The effect of this on social hierarchy – adds to the challenges of the social structure and to treat those lower – about power.
Tradition – used to be that the poor sat in the back of the synagogue – so when they turn around to greet the Sabbath bride the poor were in the front.
v15 – baby is born – Abraham names the child. But in v11 the angel tells Hagar to call him Ishmael.
How did this happen?
Pillow talk
Rashi – Abram knew becvause the holy spirit told him.
Naming him adds to the legitimacy of his son.
Focus on age – Abram is 86 - next age mention is when he is 99 and the circumcision happen – Ishmael will then be 13 – bar mitzvah.
Message 99 is not too old to be creative!
posted by Chavarah @ 6:56 AM
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