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Abraham’s influence did not go to waste. His father Terach and his son Yishmael did return to Abraham’s ways. Hagar too did eventually return to Abraham a righteous woman.
The Controversy Surrounding Abraham’s Third Wife
After Sarah’s passing, Abraham remarried. However, the identity of his new wife is a subject of some controversy. According to Rashi, Keturah — the name she is given in this week’s Parsha — was none other than Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, whom Abraham had married and who bore him his first son Yishmael.
Rashi explains that the reason she was now called Keturah was because her deeds were as beautiful as incense, which is Ketoret in Hebrew. In addition, the word Keturah means “tied up,” because ever since she left Abraham she did not have relations with any other man.
The question can be asked, why Rashi feels compelled to explain that Keturah was really Hagar, the wife Abraham had previously sent away, and that her name Keturah was not her real name?
Understanding Abraham’s Life’s Work
The answer, provided by the Rebbe, lies in a better understanding of Abraham’s life’s work.
In all of the preceding narratives about Abraham, especially the one’s recounted in the Oral tradition of Judaism, Abraham’s ideal was to spread the word that there was only one G-d and the need to follow in G-d’s ways of justice and righteousness. From his earliest youth, Abraham destroyed idols and influenced countless people to follow in his footsteps.
Everyone who came in contact with Abraham was infected by his faith, kindness and righteousness. Even the most unrefined people did not remain the same, when they came in contact with Abraham.
Why Not Influence his Own Family?
All of this begs the obvious question. If Abraham was such a powerful influence on all the strangers with whom he had contact, even the lowliest classes of people, why couldn’t he have the same influence on his own family members? Why did he bear a child Yishmael who had to be sent away from home because of his recalcitrant behavior? Why did he have to send away his wife Hagar? Why didn’t the many years that he spent with her rub off on her?
In truth, Rashi already answered the question concerning Yishmael. Rashi comments that Yishmael eventually returned to his father Abraham a changed person. This is why, Rashi, in this week’s Parsha, explains, the Torah mentions Isaac’s name before that of Yishmael when they came to bury their father. Yishmael, though he was the senior of the two, conceded the role of Abraham’s heir to his younger brother Isaac.
Even Abraham’s father, Rashi informs us in another comment, did Teshuvah. Abraham’s rebelliousness against his father’s idolatrous ways, eventually paid off. Terach realized that his son Abraham was right in rejecting idol worship and he too became a monotheist.
Insofar as Hagar, however, the question that we raised still persists. Why was she not responsive to Abraham’s inspiration?
This question, that should disturb anyone who studies the Torah and is aware of Abraham’s prowess in inspiring others, is what Rashi is really addressing in his comment on Keturah. Rashi says: “This is Hagar.” In other words, Rashi is informing us that we were right. Abraham’s influence did not go to waste. Hagar did eventually return a righteous woman and that is why she was called Keturah because her deeds were both pleasant to G-d.
In addition, she also maintained her faithfulness and loyalty to Abraham.
No Good Effort goes to Waste
One of the lessons from this narrative is that no good effort goes to waste. Even when we do not see the immediate positive effects of our actions, we must realize that eventually the world will change for the good due to our efforts.
Some people raise the question how we can believe that Moshiach will imminently come and usher in an age of peace and holiness? In light of the above analysis, the question should be reversed. How come so many thousands of years of spiritual influence have not borne fruit? Why has the Age of Redemption not yet arrived considering the incredible volume of goodness that our forebears have generated?
And the answer is that, indeed, Moshiach’s arrival is imminent. All of the good will finally pay off.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Chayei Sarah by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
