2019/5780

What would you say if Hashem performed an open miracle for you? When Sarah Imeinu gives birth to Yitzchak at the age of ninety-nine, she is filled with happiness and exclaims, “Tzechok Asah Li Elokim Kol HaShomei’a Yitzachak Li,” “God has made joy for me; whoever hears will rejoice with me” (BeReishit 21:6). The Netziv comments on this Pasuk (ibid. s.v. Tzechok) that the usage of the term “Elokim” to describe Hashem in this scenario is significant, as it informs us that God created this joy for Sarah through the Middat HaDin (attribute of justice). This interpretation, as well as Sarah’s exclamation, seems puzzling. Firstly, Sarah says that “whoever hears will rejoice with me.” Why would Sarah extend her happiness to others who heard of her story; wasn’t the birth of Yitzchak a personal miracle that happened to her and her alone? Secondly, why does the Netziv interpret this joy as emanating from God’s aspect of Din, rather than from the Rachamim (mercy) that allowed Sarah to have a child through this open miracle? 

Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the Kedushat Levi (ibid. s.v. Tzechok), helps us understand the Din used in this story through an analysis of the event in a larger sense. When Hashem gives one something without any reason or basis, it is easy to dismiss it and not understand that it came directly from HaKadosh Baruch Hu. When one experiences pain and trouble, however, and is redeemed by Hashem from anguish and brought to solace from sorrow, only then can one comprehend that the Berachot are from Hashem, the creator and orchestrator of the world. Throughout her life, Sarah was unable to have children. This caused tremendous Tza’ar (pain) for her, even pushing her to give Avraham Avinu her maidservant as a second wife to enable the family to continue. After the hardships, however, when she was finally able to have a child, she understood the tremendous Berachah that having Yitzchak was. This, explains the Berditchever, was how Sarah’s happiness was generated through the Din of Elokim. The incredible Simchah that Sarah experienced was enhanced and brought about through the contrasting Tza’ar that she had experienced.

The fact that Sarah Imeinu states that others will rejoice with her in the birth of Yitzchak also speaks to the greatness of her joy. Rashi (ibid. s.v. Yitzachak Li) quotes a Midrash that understands Sarah’s message that others will rejoice alongside her as a reference to an extended miracle that occurred. Not only did Sarah give birth miraculously to a child at ninety-nine years old, but many infertile women bore children on that day and many sick individuals were cured. Along with this literal Midrash, Rav Yosef Dov Soleveitchik notes that we can take a greater lesson from Sarah’s message. After Hashem had blessed her with the child that she had been praying for all of her life, Sarah felt that she could rejoice fully only if others rejoiced with her (Days of Deliverance p.118). Just as with regard to Shabbat, we are told to celebrate with our sons, daughters, servants, and maidservants (Devarim 12:18), so too all joyous occasions are not meant to be personal and secluded experiences but rather shared experience with others.

Through both of these ideas we can come to understand how to approach Tzarot (tribulations) and happiness in our life. With the perspective of Hashem as the Po’eil HaMetzi’ut, the great orchestrator of the world, one can come to understand that the trials that we experience lead to a greater appreciation for the Keil Borei Olam. Just as Sarah’s Simchah over Yitzchak’s birth was magnified by her acknowledgement of Hashem’s positive involvement in the world as contrasted by her previous Tzarot, so too proper navigation of the rough patches in life can give us a greater appreciation for joyous occasions. With this perspective, one can also understand that an individual can’t just celebrate alone. When Sarah realized that the birth of her son was a miracle that came directly from Hashem, she understood that she had to share the miracle, whether literally or through celebrating it with others. Hashem had not just given her a son, but rather an opportunity to spread Hashem’s joy and Simchah. By connecting with the story of the birth of Yitzchak, may we all be able to perceive Hashem in our lives and to share our Simchah with others.