In Defense of Sarah

November 15, 2024

“We’re quick to judge Sarah” — who after finally giving birth to Isaac, insists Abram cast out his concubine Hagar and their son Ishmael — “but Sarah drew the short straw,” argues Rabbi Rena Rifkin. We demonize her for one cruel act “without understanding this moment in the context of her life,” she says. “If we treat others in our world the way we have treated Sarah, then we, like Sarah and Hagar, will forever be pitted against one another…”