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Character Selection: Sarah

Biography

Sarah, originally named Sarai, is a central figure in the Tanach, known as the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. Her life is marked by significant events, including her journey from Ur to Canaan, her experience in Egypt, and the miraculous birth of Isaac in her old age. Sarah’s relationships, particularly with Abraham and Hagar, are pivotal in the narrative of the Jewish people.

Jewish Commentaries

Classical Commentaries

• Rashi: Rashi often highlights Sarah’s righteousness and her role as a matriarch. He notes her beauty and wisdom, emphasizing her faith in God’s promises.
• Ramban (Nachmanides): Ramban discusses Sarah’s actions, such as her treatment of Hagar, in the context of her prophetic insight and the broader divine plan.
• Ibn Ezra: Ibn Ezra focuses on Sarah’s name change from Sarai to Sarah, interpreting it as a sign of her elevated status and role.
• Abarbanel: Abarbanel explores Sarah’s character in the context of her relationship with Abraham, emphasizing her supportive role and her own spiritual journey.

Midrashic Sources

• Midrash Rabbah: The Midrash often portrays Sarah as a model of hospitality and kindness, paralleling her with Abraham. It also discusses her laughter upon hearing the prophecy of Isaac’s birth, interpreting it as a complex mix of joy and disbelief.
• Tanchuma: This Midrash emphasizes Sarah’s role in the covenantal promise, highlighting her faith and the significance of Isaac’s birth.

Kabbalistic Insights

• Zohar: The Zohar delves into the mystical aspects of Sarah’s life, particularly her connection to the divine feminine and her role in the spiritual lineage of Israel.

Talmudic Examples

• Bavli: The Talmud Bavli discusses Sarah’s beauty and righteousness, often comparing her to Eve in terms of her foundational role in Jewish history.
• Yerushalmi: The Talmud Yerushalmi highlights Sarah’s prophetic abilities and her influence on Abraham’s spiritual journey.

Psychoanalytic Analysis

Freudian Perspective

From a Freudian perspective, Sarah’s laughter upon hearing the prophecy of Isaac’s birth can be seen as a manifestation of the unconscious mind grappling with the tension between desire and reality. Her interactions with Hagar may reflect underlying conflicts and repressed emotions related to her role as a wife and mother.

Jungian Perspective

In Jungian terms, Sarah embodies the archetype of the Great Mother, representing fertility, nurturing, and the life-giving force. Her journey from Sarai to Sarah symbolizes a transformation and individuation process, aligning her personal identity with her divine purpose.

Lacanian Perspective

Lacanian analysis might focus on Sarah’s name change as a shift in her symbolic order, reflecting a new position within the patriarchal structure. Her laughter could be interpreted as a moment of jouissance, where the real breaks through the symbolic.

Character Traits

Rabbinic commentary often highlights Sarah’s traits of faith, hospitality, and righteousness. Her ability to maintain hope and trust in God’s promises, despite years of barrenness, is frequently emphasized.

Historical and Theological Relevance

Sarah’s impact is profound both historically and theologically. As the first matriarch, she is a foundational figure in the Jewish narrative, representing the covenantal promise and the continuity of the Jewish people. Her life story underscores themes of faith, resilience, and divine intervention.

Linguistic Notes

The name Sarah (שָׂרָה) in Hebrew means “princess” or “noblewoman.” The gematria (numerical value) of Sarah is 505, which can be explored for deeper symbolic meanings in Kabbalistic studies.

Philosophical Notes

Philosophically, Sarah’s story can be examined through the lens of existentialism, particularly in terms of her search for meaning and fulfillment in the face of life’s uncertainties. Her laughter at the prophecy of Isaac’s birth can be seen as a moment of existential realization, where the absurdity of life meets divine promise.

Bibliography

• Rashi’s Commentary on the Torah
• Ramban (Nachmanides), Commentary on the Torah
• Ibn Ezra, Commentary on the Torah
• Abarbanel, Commentary on the Torah
• Midrash Rabbah
• Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi
• Zohar
• Freud, Sigmund. “The Interpretation of Dreams.”
• Jung, Carl. “The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious.”
• Lacan, Jacques. “Écrits: A Selection.”

Character Impact Note

Sarah’s significance extends beyond the Jewish tradition, influencing Christian and Islamic narratives as well. Her interactions with other characters, such as Hagar and Isaac, have profound implications for the unfolding of biblical history. Her faith and resilience continue to inspire and shape religious thought and practice.

Opposite Character: Hagar

Analysis and Comparison

Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, presents a contrasting character. While Sarah is the matriarch of the covenant, Hagar is an outsider who becomes the mother of Ishmael. Her story highlights themes of exile, survival, and divine encounter. Unlike Sarah, Hagar’s journey is marked by marginalization and struggle, yet she also experiences divine intervention and promise.

In comparing Sarah and Hagar, we see a juxtaposition of privilege and marginalization, covenant and exile. Their interactions reflect complex dynamics of power, faith, and identity, offering rich material for psychoanalytic and theological exploration.