1. The Purpose of the Angels’ Visit to Avraham
We began by welcoming everyone to the unity minyan, a beautiful annual gathering that brings together so many beloved members of the community. Turning to the parsha, we are learning Sheni—the second section—but the story spills over from Rishon, the first section. The Torah describes how three angels, disguised as men, came to visit Avraham. Rashi explains that each angel had a distinct mission: one came to heal Avraham after his bris milah—circumcision; one came to overturn Sedom—Sodom; and one came to deliver the news to Sarah that she would have a child. The angel who healed Avraham later went on to save Lot and his family from Sedom.
A question arises: why was it necessary for an angel to tell Sarah about the forthcoming birth? Avraham had already been told twice by Hashem that he would have a child—first at the bris bein habesarim—covenant between the parts—in Parshat Lech Lecha, and again on the day Hashem commanded him regarding circumcision. In these earlier revelations, it was not always explicit that Sarah would be the mother, but Rashi clarifies that Hashem’s promise referred specifically to Avraham and Sarah. Despite this, it seems Avraham never communicated this prophecy directly to Sarah.
2. Why Did Sarah Need to Hear the News?
The Torah emphasizes that a special angel was sent specifically for Sarah, even though Avraham already knew about the impending birth. This raises an important question: what is gained by informing Sarah directly? Couldn’t Hashem simply give her a child without prior notification? While it is clear why an angel was needed to heal Avraham or overturn Sedom, it is less obvious why an angel needed to inform Sarah.
Upon closer reading of the verses, another difficulty emerges: although the angels ostensibly came to tell Sarah, they never actually speak directly to her. Instead, they converse with Avraham while Sarah listens from behind the door. Rashi notes that when they ask “Where is Sarah?” it is not in order to deliver her the news but rather as a greeting or for other reasons. So if their purpose was truly to inform her, why do they not address her directly?
3. Sarah’s Reaction and Its Puzzling Aspects
The narrative becomes even more complex when we consider Sarah’s reaction. The Torah states that both Avraham and Sarah were elderly and naturally unable to have children. When she hears she will bear a child, Sarah laughs. Rashi distinguishes between Avraham’s earlier laughter—a laugh of joy and belief—and Sarah’s laughter here, which Rashi interprets as disbelief or even mockery (leig lagah). Yet this seems puzzling: immediately prior, there is evidence of miraculous change in her body (acharei velosi hayta li edna—“after I have withered shall I again have youth?”), as she regains her period after menopause.
If she witnesses this miracle unfolding within herself, how could she still doubt? The Torah records her saying that her master (Avraham) is old, suggesting perhaps she attributes any remaining impossibility not just to herself but also to him.
4. Hashem’s Intervention and Its Deeper Message
Hashem intervenes at this point and questions Avraham: “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything beyond Hashem’s ability?” Rashi suggests Hashem was upset with her lack of belief and reaffirms His promise that within a year she will indeed have a son.
The commentators are troubled by what follows: when confronted, Sarah denies having laughed because she is afraid. This denial seems difficult—if she fears God and believes in Him, why would she lie? The conversation ends with Avraham insisting that she did laugh.
5. The Role of Belief in Receiving Blessings
A possible resolution emerges from reflecting on why Hashem orchestrated these events in this way. Hashem does many good things for us but desires us to be proper recipients of His kindness through our belief in Him. Our faith becomes the vehicle through which blessings descend into our lives.
If one does not believe in Hashem’s promise or possibility of miracles, one may block oneself from receiving those blessings fully. Thus it was crucial for Sarah not only to know about the impending birth but also truly believe it could happen—her belief itself would enable her miracle.
6. The Test of Faith for Sarah Versus Avraham
This episode serves as a test for how much one can believe in something supernatural occurring outside natural law. For Avraham, who had already heard directly from Hashem and believed without hesitation, faith came easily—especially since he suspected these visitors were angels repeating what God had already told him.
Sarah’s situation was different: she did not receive a direct message from God or recognize these men as angels. She observed some changes in herself but could attribute them to rare natural occurrences rather than miracles. Her laughter was not directed at God per se but at what seemed like an impossible prediction coming from strangers.
7. Why Did Hashem Address Avraham?
Hashem addresses His rebuke not directly to Sarah but through Avraham because He always spoke with Avraham rather than with Sarah directly. However, this is not merely criticism of Sarah; rather, Hashem wants Avraham to encourage her faith so that she can become worthy of receiving this miraculous blessing.
When God says “Is anything too wondrous for Hashem?”, He provides Avraham with further reassurance and material with which he can strengthen Sarah’s trust in Hashem’s power.
8. A Drush on Sarah’s Denial and Our Lesson Today
On a deeper level (drush)—not strictly according to pshat—Sarah’s denial may be understood differently: She claims “I didn’t laugh,” meaning she did not laugh at God Himself because she never received His message directly or recognized its divine source at that moment.
Avraham responds by pointing out that even indirect disbelief matters—her uncertainty reflected insufficient faith in what could be possible through Hashem’s will.
The Torah tells us this story so we learn its lesson: even when circumstances seem entirely natural or hopeless—when age or other limitations make success appear impossible—if we truly believe in Hashem’s ability and do not dismiss miracles as laughable impossibilities, our faith itself becomes the channel for endless blessing and kindness from above.
No matter our age or situation—even if we feel too old or limited—if we trust deeply in Hashem’s power and goodness, we can achieve great things both physically and spiritually. The key is unwavering trust: if you believe in Hashem wholeheartedly, you will succeed.