19 Marcheshvan 5784
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Vayera
The Stone Edition Chumash Commentary:
Ishmael is expelled: In the ninth of Abraham's Ten Trials, God commanded him to banish Ishmael, because he was a menace to the spiritual health - and perhaps the very life - of Isaac. To signify Ishmael's gross nature, the Torah describes him as the son of Hagar, the Egyptian. Despite her many years in the home of Abraham and Sarah, Hagar remained an Egyptian princess, and Ishmael gravitated to her influence rather than Abraham's. That Abraham found it repugnant to send Ishmael away is clear from the narrative, but he was strong enough to do whatever he was commanded. As the Patriarch of Israel, his primary responsibility was to subordinate his feelings of love to the dictates of the future.
If only the leaders of the Jewish people today would follow Avraham Avinu's example!!
~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~
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