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Why did Sarah die upon hearing about the Akeida, and why does the Torah (תורה) write lev'kot (to cry) with a small letter? The Baal HaTurim's shocking statement—that Sarah brought her death upon herself—is explored through the lens of absolute justice versus divine mercy. When Sarah asked God to judge between her and Hagar, she invoked strict justice, not knowing her son would be tested by that same standard.
This shiur addresses two deeply troubling questions that have profound emotional and theological dimensions. First, why does the Baal HaTurim suggest that Avrohom only cried a little at Sarah's death, and that she brought her death upon herself? Second, why did Hagar abandon her dying son Yishmael in the desert, moving even further away from him—behavior that seems utterly contrary to motherhood? The shiur begins with the textual anomaly in Parshas Chayei Sarah: the word "lev'kot" (to cry) is written with an unusually small letter chaf. The Baal HaTurim explains this indicates Avrohom cried only a little, because Sarah caused her own death when she said to Avrohom regarding Hagar, "May God judge between me and you." The Midrash teaches that when someone invokes divine judgment on another, they are judged first. Furthermore, someone who brings death upon themselves does not receive a full eulogy.
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Bereishis 23:1-2 (Parshas Chayei Sarah)
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