Parsha Points to Ponder for for LECH L'CHA

Published November 12, 2009

1) Why does the Torah repeat that Yishmael was WHOM HAGAR BORE when Avraham names him? The very same verse actually says AND HAGAR BORE A SON FOR AVRAHAM! (16:15)
2) Why does G-D say AND YOU, referring to Avraham, when He was already clearly speaking to Avraham (17:9)?
3) Why does the Torah state that Avraham circumcised his family AS G-D TOLD HIM (17:23)? We already know that this is why Avraham did this?

Parsha Points to Ponder is prepared by Rabbi Dov Lipman, who teaches at Reishit Yerushalayim and Machon Maayan in Beit Shemesh and is the author of “DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith” (Feldheim) and “TIMEOUT: Sports Stories as a Game Plan for Spiritual Success” a recent release by Devora Publishing (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Answers - Ponder the questions first and then look here

1) The S’forno answers that these words capture the two reasons why Avraham named his son, Yishmael. One was because G-D heard his own prayers but the other was because the angel had told Hagar that this would be his name.
2) The Kli Yakar teaches that since the purpose of the circumcision was to perform an external action to bring internal purity to the heart, Avraham, who already attained that purity of heart did not really have to circumcise himself. G-D only commanded him to do so for his family to learn from him and for the world to see. Thus, G-D must emphasize AND YOU must also perform this mitzva yourself.
3) The Ohr HaChayim explains that G-D specifically wanted Avraham to circumcise himself first and only then the others in his family since the mohel must, himself, be circumcised. These extra words indicate that Avraham not only performed the Mila but that he did so according to this specific rule.