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Save "Vayera ~ Laughter, really?
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Vayera ~ Laughter, really?

~ The root TZ.CH.K. is what we are interested on, not only because it is the root of the name of the patriarch, but also because it seems to be the reason Sarah expels Ishmael and Hagar.

~ By the context, on each of those, we will try to approximate to the possible meanings of the root.

(א) וַֽה׳ פָּקַ֥ד אֶת־שָׂרָ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמָ֑ר וַיַּ֧עַשׂ ה׳ לְשָׂרָ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽר׃ (ב) וַתַּ֩הַר֩ וַתֵּ֨לֶד שָׂרָ֧ה לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם בֵּ֖ן לִזְקֻנָ֑יו לַמּוֹעֵ֕ד אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹקִֽים׃ (ג) וַיִּקְרָ֨א אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶֽת־שֶׁם־בְּנ֧וֹ הַנּֽוֹלַד־ל֛וֹ אֲשֶׁר־יָלְדָה־לּ֥וֹ שָׂרָ֖ה יִצְחָֽק׃ (ד) וַיָּ֤מׇל אַבְרָהָם֙ אֶת־יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֔וֹ בֶּן־שְׁמֹנַ֖ת יָמִ֑ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹקִֽים׃ (ה) וְאַבְרָהָ֖ם בֶּן־מְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה בְּהִוָּ֣לֶד ל֔וֹ אֵ֖ת יִצְחָ֥ק בְּנֽוֹ׃ (ו) וַתֹּ֣אמֶר שָׂרָ֔ה צְחֹ֕ק עָ֥שָׂה לִ֖י אֱלֹקִ֑ים כׇּל־הַשֹּׁמֵ֖עַ יִֽצְחַק־לִֽי׃ (ז) וַתֹּ֗אמֶר מִ֤י מִלֵּל֙ לְאַבְרָהָ֔ם הֵינִ֥יקָה בָנִ֖ים שָׂרָ֑ה כִּֽי־יָלַ֥דְתִּי בֵ֖ן לִזְקֻנָֽיו׃ (ח) וַיִּגְדַּ֥ל הַיֶּ֖לֶד וַיִּגָּמַ֑ל וַיַּ֤עַשׂ אַבְרָהָם֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֣ה גָד֔וֹל בְּי֖וֹם הִגָּמֵ֥ל אֶת־יִצְחָֽק׃

(1) Ad-nai took note of Sarah as promised, and Ad-nai did for Sarah what had been said. (2) Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken. (3) Abraham gave his newborn son, whom Sarah had borne him, the name of Isaac. (4) And when his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him. (5) Now Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. (6) Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter TZeCHoK; everyone who hears will laugh YiTZCHaK with/for me.” (7) And she added: “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would suckle children! Yet I have borne a son in his old age.” (8) The child grew up and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

~ What kind of laughter is Sarah's? How many different interpretations can you think of?

~ Keep in mind that the goal is to find the why of the expulsion.

Becoming laughter - another source in Tanach - for adults only
(א) וַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־ה׳ אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר׃ (ב) בֶּן־אָדָ֑ם שְׁתַּ֣יִם נָשִׁ֔ים בְּנ֥וֹת אֵם־אַחַ֖ת הָיֽוּ׃ (ג) וַתִּזְנֶ֣ינָה בְמִצְרַ֔יִם בִּנְעוּרֵיהֶ֖ן זָנ֑וּ שָׁ֚מָּה מֹעֲכ֣וּ שְׁדֵיהֶ֔ן וְשָׁ֣ם עִשּׂ֔וּ דַּדֵּ֖י בְּתוּלֵיהֶֽן׃ (ד) וּשְׁמוֹתָ֗ן אׇהֳלָ֤ה הַגְּדוֹלָה֙ וְאׇהֳלִיבָ֣ה אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ וַתִּהְיֶ֣ינָה לִ֔י וַתֵּלַ֖דְנָה בָּנִ֣ים וּבָנ֑וֹת וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן שֹׁמְר֣וֹן אׇהֳלָ֔ה וִירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם אׇהֳלִיבָֽה׃ (ה) וַתִּ֥זֶן אׇהֳלָ֖ה תַּחְתָּ֑י וַתֶּעְגַּב֙ עַֽל־מְאַהֲבֶ֔יהָ אֶל־אַשּׁ֖וּר קְרוֹבִֽים׃

(1) The word of GOD came to me: (2) O mortal, once there were two women, daughters of one mother. (3) They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore while still young. There their breasts were squeezed, and there their virgin nipples were handled. (4) Their names were: the elder one, Oholah (Tent) and her sister, Oholibah (My Tent Is in Her) They became Mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem. (5) Oholah whored while she was Mine, and she lusted after her lovers, after the Assyrians, warriors.

(כט) וְעָשׂ֨וּ אוֹתָ֜ךְ בְּשִׂנְאָ֗ה וְלָֽקְחוּ֙ כׇּל־יְגִיעֵ֔ךְ וַעֲזָב֖וּךְ עֵירֹ֣ם וְעֶרְיָ֑ה וְנִגְלָה֙ עֶרְוַ֣ת זְנוּנַ֔יִךְ וְזִמָּתֵ֖ךְ וְתַזְנוּתָֽיִךְ׃ (ל) עָשֹׂ֥ה אֵ֖לֶּה לָ֑ךְ בִּזְנוֹתֵךְ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גוֹיִ֔ם עַ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־נִטְמֵ֖את בְּגִלּוּלֵיהֶֽם׃ (לא) בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ אֲחוֹתֵ֖ךְ הָלָ֑כְתְּ וְנָתַתִּ֥י כוֹסָ֖הּ בְּיָדֵֽךְ׃ {ס} (לב) כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אדושם ה׳ כּ֤וֹס אֲחוֹתֵךְ֙ תִּשְׁתִּ֔י הָעֲמֻקָּ֖ה וְהָרְחָבָ֑ה תִּהְיֶ֥ה לִצְחֹ֛ק וּלְלַ֖עַג מִרְבָּ֥ה לְהָכִֽיל׃ (לג) שִׁכָּר֥וֹן וְיָג֖וֹן תִּמָּלֵ֑אִי כּ֚וֹס שַׁמָּ֣ה וּשְׁמָמָ֔ה כּ֖וֹס אֲחוֹתֵ֥ךְ שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ (לד) וְשָׁתִ֨ית אוֹתָ֜הּ וּמָצִ֗ית וְאֶת־חֲרָשֶׂ֛יהָ תְּגָרֵ֖מִי וְשָׁדַ֣יִךְ תְּנַתֵּ֑קִי כִּ֚י אֲנִ֣י דִבַּ֔רְתִּי נְאֻ֖ם אדושם ה׳׃ {ס} (לה) לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אדושם ה׳ יַ֚עַן שָׁכַ֣חַתְּ אוֹתִ֔י וַתַּשְׁלִ֥יכִי אוֹתִ֖י אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוֵּ֑ךְ וְגַם־אַ֛תְּ שְׂאִ֥י זִמָּתֵ֖ךְ וְאֶת־תַּזְנוּתָֽיִךְ׃ {ס}

(29) They shall treat you with hate, and they shall take away all you have toiled for, and leave you naked and bare; your naked licentiousness, wantonness, and whoredom will be exposed. (30) These things shall be done to you for your whoring with the nations, for defiling yourself with their fetishes. (31) You walked in your sister’s path; therefore I will put her cup into your hand. (32) Thus said the Sovereign GOD: You shall drink of your sister’s cup, so deep and wide; you will be TZeCHoK and scorn, it holds so much. (33) You shall be filled with drunkenness and woe. The cup of desolation and horror, the cup of your sister Samaria— (34) You shall drink it and drain it, and gnaw its shards, and you shall tear your breasts, for I have spoken—declares the Sovereign GOD. (35) Assuredly, thus said the Sovereign GOD: Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, you in turn must suffer for your wanton whoring.

~ This is the only other occurrence of TZ.CH.K. as a noun, that is, laughter.

~ Is it positive or negative? How negative?

~ Note the connotation with sexually unacceptable behavior. Can you reread Sarah's sentence with a negative sexual connotation? Bear in mind the ages of Avraham and Sarah.

(ט) וַתֵּ֨רֶא שָׂרָ֜ה אֶֽת־בֶּן־הָגָ֧ר הַמִּצְרִ֛ית אֲשֶׁר־יָלְדָ֥ה לְאַבְרָהָ֖ם מְצַחֵֽק׃ (י) וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לְאַבְרָהָ֔ם גָּרֵ֛שׁ הָאָמָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את וְאֶת־בְּנָ֑הּ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִירַשׁ֙ בֶּן־הָאָמָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את עִם־בְּנִ֖י עִם־יִצְחָֽק׃ (יא) וַיֵּ֧רַע הַדָּבָ֛ר מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵ֣י אַבְרָהָ֑ם עַ֖ל אוֹדֹ֥ת בְּנֽוֹ׃ (יב) וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֱלֹקִ֜ים אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֗ם אַל־יֵרַ֤ע בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ עַל־הַנַּ֣עַר וְעַל־אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ כֹּל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאמַ֥ר אֵלֶ֛יךָ שָׂרָ֖ה שְׁמַ֣ע בְּקֹלָ֑הּ כִּ֣י בְיִצְחָ֔ק יִקָּרֵ֥א לְךָ֖ זָֽרַע׃ (יג) וְגַ֥ם אֶת־בֶּן־הָאָמָ֖ה לְג֣וֹי אֲשִׂימֶ֑נּוּ כִּ֥י זַרְעֲךָ֖ הֽוּא׃

(9) Sarah saw the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham MeTZaCHeK. (10) She said to Abraham, “Cast out that slave-woman and her son, for the son of that slave shall not share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” (11) The matter distressed Abraham greatly, for it concerned a son of his. (12) But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed over the boy or your slave; whatever Sarah tells you, do as she says, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be continued/called for you. (13) As for the son of the slave-woman, I will make a nation of him, too, for he is your seed.”

~ What exactly Sarah sees? When does she see it?

אם הענין כפשוטו הוא שהזקנים מקפידים מאד כשצוחקים האנשים. לפי שחושבים שצוחקים מהם. ולפי ששרה היתה זקנה ואמרה כל השומע יצחק לי. כשראתה לישמעאל מצחק חשבה שצחק ממנה.

R. Abraham Saba (ca. 1440–1508) Tzror HaMor, on Genesis 21:9

If we were to interpret the matter according to its simple meaning, it is that elderly people get distressed when people laugh since they think people are laughing at them. Since Sarah was elderly, and she had previously said “whoever hears will laugh at me,” when she saw Ishmael laughing, she thought he was laughing at her.

"The most common interpretation is that she saw him “playing.” This interpretation appears already in the Greek LXX, “playing” [παίζοντα], which has an extra clause at the end specifying that he was playing “with Isaac her son” (μετὰ Ισαακ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτῆς). The Latin Vulgate also translates “playing” (ludentem), and in many manuscripts also includes the phrase cum Isaac filio suo “with Isaac her son” as well. "

~ What is the problem with translating "playing" for this Hebrew verb?

(א) מצחק. כי כן מנהג כל נער ותקנא בו בעבור היותו גדול מבנה:

(1) Metzachek. Ishmael was acting as a boy is wont to act. Sarah was jealous because he was older than her son.

(ט) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹקִים֙ אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם וְאַתָּ֖ה אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֣י תִשְׁמֹ֑ר אַתָּ֛ה וְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אַֽחֲרֶ֖יךָ לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃ (י) זֹ֣את בְּרִיתִ֞י אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁמְר֗וּ בֵּינִי֙ וּבֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וּבֵ֥ין זַרְעֲךָ֖ אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ הִמּ֥וֹל לָכֶ֖ם כׇּל־זָכָֽר׃ (יא) וּנְמַלְתֶּ֕ם אֵ֖ת בְּשַׂ֣ר עׇרְלַתְכֶ֑ם וְהָיָה֙ לְא֣וֹת בְּרִ֔ית בֵּינִ֖י וּבֵינֵיכֶֽם׃ (יב) וּבֶן־שְׁמֹנַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים יִמּ֥וֹל לָכֶ֛ם כׇּל־זָכָ֖ר לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֑ם יְלִ֣יד בָּ֔יִת וּמִקְנַת־כֶּ֙סֶף֙ מִכֹּ֣ל בֶּן־נֵכָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹ֥א מִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֖ הֽוּא׃ (יג) הִמּ֧וֹל ׀ יִמּ֛וֹל יְלִ֥יד בֵּֽיתְךָ֖ וּמִקְנַ֣ת כַּסְפֶּ֑ךָ וְהָיְתָ֧ה בְרִיתִ֛י בִּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם לִבְרִ֥ית עוֹלָֽם׃ (יד) וְעָרֵ֣ל ׀ זָכָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִמּוֹל֙ אֶת־בְּשַׂ֣ר עׇרְלָת֔וֹ וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵעַמֶּ֑יהָ אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֖י הֵפַֽר׃ {ס} (טו) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹקִים֙ אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם שָׂרַ֣י אִשְׁתְּךָ֔ לֹא־תִקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמָ֖הּ שָׂרָ֑י כִּ֥י שָׂרָ֖ה שְׁמָֽהּ׃ (טז) וּבֵרַכְתִּ֣י אֹתָ֔הּ וְגַ֨ם נָתַ֧תִּי מִמֶּ֛נָּה לְךָ֖ בֵּ֑ן וּבֵֽרַכְתִּ֙יהָ֙ וְהָֽיְתָ֣ה לְגוֹיִ֔ם מַלְכֵ֥י עַמִּ֖ים מִמֶּ֥נָּה יִהְיֽוּ׃ (יז) וַיִּפֹּ֧ל אַבְרָהָ֛ם עַל־פָּנָ֖יו וַיִּצְחָ֑ק וַיֹּ֣אמֶר בְּלִבּ֗וֹ הַלְּבֶ֤ן מֵאָֽה־שָׁנָה֙ יִוָּלֵ֔ד וְאִ֨ם־שָׂרָ֔ה הֲבַת־תִּשְׁעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תֵּלֵֽד׃ (יח) וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶל־הָֽאֱלֹקִ֑ים ל֥וּ יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל יִחְיֶ֥ה לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃ (יט) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹקִ֗ים אֲבָל֙ שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתְּךָ֗ יֹלֶ֤דֶת לְךָ֙ בֵּ֔ן וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ יִצְחָ֑ק וַהֲקִמֹתִ֨י אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֥י אִתּ֛וֹ לִבְרִ֥ית עוֹלָ֖ם לְזַרְע֥וֹ אַחֲרָֽיו׃ (כ) וּֽלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל֮ שְׁמַעְתִּ֒יךָ֒ הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ בֵּרַ֣כְתִּי אֹת֗וֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִ֥י אֹת֛וֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֥י אֹת֖וֹ בִּמְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֤ר נְשִׂיאִם֙ יוֹלִ֔יד וּנְתַתִּ֖יו לְג֥וֹי גָּדֽוֹל׃ (כא) וְאֶת־בְּרִיתִ֖י אָקִ֣ים אֶת־יִצְחָ֑ק אֲשֶׁר֩ תֵּלֵ֨ד לְךָ֤ שָׂרָה֙ לַמּוֹעֵ֣ד הַזֶּ֔ה בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה הָאַחֶֽרֶת׃

(9) God further said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring to come throughout the ages shall keep My covenant. (10) Such shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. (11) You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. (12) And throughout the generations, every male among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days. As for the homeborn slave and the one bought from an outsider who is not of your offspring, (13) they must be circumcised, homeborn and purchased alike. Thus shall My covenant be marked in your flesh as an everlasting pact. (14) And if any male who is uncircumcised fails to circumcise the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from kin; he has broken My covenant.” (15) And God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah. (16) I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she shall give rise to nations; rulers of peoples shall issue from her.” (17) Abraham threw himself on his face and YiTZCHaKed, as he said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man a hundred years old, or can Sarah bear a child at ninety?” (18) And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live by Your favor!” (19) God said, “Nevertheless, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Yitzchak and I will maintain My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring to come. (20) As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I hereby bless him. I will make him fertile and exceedingly numerous. He shall be the father of twelve chieftains, and I will make of him a great nation. (21) But My covenant I will maintain with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year.”

~ What kind of laughing is Avraham's? What is God's response?

~ If you look at the idea that this root has a negative connotation, why is God telling Avraham how to call the child?

(ו) וַיְמַהֵ֧ר אַבְרָהָ֛ם הָאֹ֖הֱלָה אֶל־שָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מַהֲרִ֞י שְׁלֹ֤שׁ סְאִים֙ קֶ֣מַח סֹ֔לֶת ל֖וּשִׁי וַעֲשִׂ֥י עֻגֽוֹת׃ (ז) וְאֶל־הַבָּקָ֖ר רָ֣ץ אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיִּקַּ֨ח בֶּן־בָּקָ֜ר רַ֤ךְ וָטוֹב֙ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֶל־הַנַּ֔עַר וַיְמַהֵ֖ר לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֹתֽוֹ׃ (ח) וַיִּקַּ֨ח חֶמְאָ֜ה וְחָלָ֗ב וּבֶן־הַבָּקָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וְהֽוּא־עֹמֵ֧ד עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם תַּ֥חַת הָעֵ֖ץ וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃ (ט) וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵׄלָ֔יׄוׄ אַיֵּ֖ה שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִנֵּ֥ה בָאֹֽהֶל׃ (י) וַיֹּ֗אמֶר שׁ֣וֹב אָשׁ֤וּב אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה וְהִנֵּה־בֵ֖ן לְשָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וְשָׂרָ֥ה שֹׁמַ֛עַת פֶּ֥תַח הָאֹ֖הֶל וְה֥וּא אַחֲרָֽיו׃ (יא) וְאַבְרָהָ֤ם וְשָׂרָה֙ זְקֵנִ֔ים בָּאִ֖ים בַּיָּמִ֑ים חָדַל֙ לִהְי֣וֹת לְשָׂרָ֔ה אֹ֖רַח כַּנָּשִֽׁים׃ (יב) וַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן׃ (יג) וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ה׳ אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י זָקַֽנְתִּי׃ (יד) הֲיִפָּלֵ֥א מֵה׳ דָּבָ֑ר לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד אָשׁ֥וּב אֵלֶ֛יךָ כָּעֵ֥ת חַיָּ֖ה וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה בֵֽן׃ (טו) וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ שָׂרָ֧ה ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ר לֹ֥א צָחַ֖קְתִּי כִּ֣י ׀ יָרֵ֑אָה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ׀ לֹ֖א כִּ֥י צָחָֽקְתְּ׃

(6) Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quick, three seahs of choice flour! Knead and make cakes!” (7) Then Abraham ran to the herd, took a calf, tender and choice, and gave it to a servant-boy, who hastened to prepare it. (8) He took curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree as they ate. (9) They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he replied, “There, in the tent.” (10) Then one said, “I will return to you next year, and your wife Sarah shall have a son!” Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him. (11) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years; Sarah had stopped having her periods. (12) And Sarah TZCHaKed to herself, saying, “Now that I’ve lost the ability, am I to have enjoyment—with my husband so old?” (13) Then Ad-nai said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah TZaCHaK, saying, ‘Shall I in truth bear a child, old as I am?’ (14) Is anything too wondrous for Ad-nai ? I will return to you at the same season next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” (15) Sarah lied, saying, “I did not TZaCHaK,” for she was frightened. Came the reply, “You did TZaCHaK.”

~ What is happening, in this one? Who laughed first, in the Torah?

~ Is God angry at Sarah, too?

The root TZ.CH.K. elsewhere

(יב) וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֜ים אֶל־ל֗וֹט עֹ֚ד מִֽי־לְךָ֣ פֹ֔ה חָתָן֙ וּבָנֶ֣יךָ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יךָ וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־לְךָ֖ בָּעִ֑יר הוֹצֵ֖א מִן־הַמָּקֽוֹם׃ (יג) כִּֽי־מַשְׁחִתִ֣ים אֲנַ֔חְנוּ אֶת־הַמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּֽי־גָדְלָ֤ה צַעֲקָתָם֙ אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י ה׳ וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֥נוּ ה׳ לְשַׁחֲתָֽהּ׃ (יד) וַיֵּצֵ֨א ל֜וֹט וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר ׀ אֶל־חֲתָנָ֣יו ׀ לֹקְחֵ֣י בְנֹתָ֗יו וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ ק֤וּמוּ צְּאוּ֙ מִן־הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה כִּֽי־מַשְׁחִ֥ית ה׳ אֶת־הָעִ֑יר וַיְהִ֥י כִמְצַחֵ֖ק בְּעֵינֵ֥י חֲתָנָֽיו׃

(12) Then the agents said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? Sons-in-law, your sons and daughters, or anyone else that you have in the city—bring them out of the place. (13) For we are about to destroy this place; because the outcry against them before ה׳ has become so great that ה׳ has sent us to destroy it.” (14) So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Up, get out of this place, for ה׳ is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law as a MeTZaCHeK.

~ How do the sons-in-law react to Lot? Why?

(ו) וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יִצְחָ֖ק בִּגְרָֽר׃ (ז) וַֽיִּשְׁאֲל֞וּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמָּקוֹם֙ לְאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֑וא כִּ֤י יָרֵא֙ לֵאמֹ֣ר אִשְׁתִּ֔י פֶּן־יַֽהַרְגֻ֜נִי אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמָּקוֹם֙ עַל־רִבְקָ֔ה כִּֽי־טוֹבַ֥ת מַרְאֶ֖ה הִֽוא׃ (ח) וַיְהִ֗י כִּ֣י אָֽרְכוּ־ל֥וֹ שָׁם֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים בְּעַ֖ד הַֽחַלּ֑וֹן וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֤ה יִצְחָק֙ מְצַחֵ֔ק אֵ֖ת רִבְקָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃ (ט) וַיִּקְרָ֨א אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ לְיִצְחָ֗ק וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אַ֣ךְ הִנֵּ֤ה אִשְׁתְּךָ֙ הִ֔וא וְאֵ֥יךְ אָמַ֖רְתָּ אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֑וא וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ יִצְחָ֔ק כִּ֣י אָמַ֔רְתִּי פֶּן־אָמ֖וּת עָלֶֽיהָ׃ (י) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ מַה־זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֑נוּ כִּ֠מְעַ֠ט שָׁכַ֞ב אַחַ֤ד הָעָם֙ אֶת־אִשְׁתֶּ֔ךָ וְהֵבֵאתָ֥ עָלֵ֖ינוּ אָשָֽׁם׃ (יא) וַיְצַ֣ו אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ אֶת־כׇּל־הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר הַנֹּגֵ֜עַ בָּאִ֥ישׁ הַזֶּ֛ה וּבְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת׃

(6) So Isaac stayed in Gerar. (7) When the local leaders/the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say “my wife,” thinking, “The local leaders might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.” (8) When some time had passed, Abimelech king of the Philistines, lookied out of the window, and saw - behold! Isaac was MeTZaCHeK with his wife Rebekah. (9) Abimelech sent for Isaac and said, “So she is your wife! Why then did you say: ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought I might lose my life on account of her.” (10) Abimelech said, “What have you done to us! One of the people might have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us!” (11) Abimelech then charged all the people, saying, “Anyone who touches this man or his wife shall be put to death.”

~ Even if you don't know what the connotation of TZ.CH.K. is, what is obvious from this context?

~ Note the parallel conjunction "with" present in the LXX but missing in the Hebrew text.

(יא) וַיְהִי֙ כְּהַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֥א הַבַּ֖יְתָה לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת מְלַאכְתּ֑וֹ וְאֵ֨ין אִ֜ישׁ מֵאַנְשֵׁ֥י הַבַּ֛יִת שָׁ֖ם בַּבָּֽיִת׃ (יב) וַתִּתְפְּשֵׂ֧הוּ בְּבִגְד֛וֹ לֵאמֹ֖ר שִׁכְבָ֣ה עִמִּ֑י וַיַּעֲזֹ֤ב בִּגְדוֹ֙ בְּיָדָ֔הּ וַיָּ֖נׇס וַיֵּצֵ֥א הַחֽוּצָה׃ (יג) וַיְהִי֙ כִּרְאוֹתָ֔הּ כִּֽי־עָזַ֥ב בִּגְד֖וֹ בְּיָדָ֑הּ וַיָּ֖נׇס הַחֽוּצָה׃ (יד) וַתִּקְרָ֞א לְאַנְשֵׁ֣י בֵיתָ֗הּ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר רְא֗וּ הֵ֥בִיא לָ֛נוּ אִ֥ישׁ עִבְרִ֖י לְצַ֣חֶק בָּ֑נוּ בָּ֤א אֵלַי֙ לִשְׁכַּ֣ב עִמִּ֔י וָאֶקְרָ֖א בְּק֥וֹל גָּדֽוֹל׃ (טו) וַיְהִ֣י כְשׇׁמְע֔וֹ כִּֽי־הֲרִימֹ֥תִי קוֹלִ֖י וָאֶקְרָ֑א וַיַּעֲזֹ֤ב בִּגְדוֹ֙ אֶצְלִ֔י וַיָּ֖נׇס וַיֵּצֵ֥א הַחֽוּצָה׃ (טז) וַתַּנַּ֥ח בִּגְד֖וֹ אֶצְלָ֑הּ עַד־בּ֥וֹא אֲדֹנָ֖יו אֶל־בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ (יז) וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלָ֔יו כַּדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה לֵאמֹ֑ר בָּֽא־אֵלַ֞י הָעֶ֧בֶד הָֽעִבְרִ֛י אֲשֶׁר־הֵבֵ֥אתָ לָּ֖נוּ לְצַ֥חֶק בִּֽי׃

(11) One such day, he came into the house to do his work. None of the household being there inside, (12) she caught hold of him by his garment and said, “Lie with me!” But he left his garment in her hand and got away and fled outside. (13) When she saw that he had left it in her hand and had fled outside, (14) she called out to her servants and said to them, “Look, he had to bring us a Hebrew to TZaCHeK with/on us! He came to lie with me; but I screamed loud. (15) And when he heard me screaming at the top of my voice, he left his garment with me and got away and fled outside.” (16) She kept his garment beside her, until his master came home. (17) Then she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew slave whom you brought to us came to TZaCHeK with/on me"

~ Note that the verb is used with the conjunction "on" on both occurrences. What is the implication of that?

(ד) וַיִּקַּ֣ח מִיָּדָ֗ם וַיָּ֤צַר אֹתוֹ֙ בַּחֶ֔רֶט וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֵ֤לֶּה אֱלֹקֶ֙יךָ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶעֱל֖וּךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (ה) וַיַּ֣רְא אַהֲרֹ֔ן וַיִּ֥בֶן מִזְבֵּ֖חַ לְפָנָ֑יו וַיִּקְרָ֤א אַֽהֲרֹן֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר חַ֥ג לַה׳ מָחָֽר׃ (ו) וַיַּשְׁכִּ֙ימוּ֙ מִֽמׇּחֳרָ֔ת וַיַּעֲל֣וּ עֹלֹ֔ת וַיַּגִּ֖שׁוּ שְׁלָמִ֑ים וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב הָעָם֙ לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל וְשָׁת֔וֹ וַיָּקֻ֖מוּ לְצַחֵֽק׃ {פ}

(4) This he took from them and cast in a mold, and made it into a molten calf. And they exclaimed, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (5) When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron announced: “Tomorrow shall be a festival of Ad-nai!” (6) Early next day, the people offered up burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; they sat down to eat and drink, and then rose to TZaCHeK.

~ Possible translations:

- The Schocken Bible, Everett Fox, 1995: "to revel"

- The Contemporary Torah, JPS, 2006 / JPS 1985: "to dance"

- JPS 1917: "to make merry"

- The Koren Jerusalem Bible, : "to disport themselves"

- Metsudah Publications, 2009: "to amuse themselves"

- The Kehot Chumash: "to revel, including indulging in forbidden relations"

- Rashi Chumash, R. Shraga Silverstein (d. 2014): "to make sport [i.e., to commit adultery and to kill]"

- Charles Kahane, NY, 1963: "to make merry in a riotous manner"

(כא) וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּהוּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַֽיְנַקְּר֖וּ אֶת־עֵינָ֑יו וַיּוֹרִ֨ידוּ אוֹת֜וֹ עַזָּ֗תָה וַיַּאַסְר֙וּהוּ֙ בַּֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֔יִם וַיְהִ֥י טוֹחֵ֖ן בְּבֵ֥ית (האסירים) [הָאֲסוּרִֽים]׃ (כב) וַיָּ֧חֶל שְׂעַר־רֹאשׁ֛וֹ לְצַמֵּ֖חַ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר גֻּלָּֽח׃ {פ}
(כג) וְסַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים נֶֽאֶסְפוּ֙ לִזְבֹּ֧חַ זֶֽבַח־גָּד֛וֹל לְדָג֥וֹן אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם וּלְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ נָתַ֤ן אֱלֹקֵ֙ינוּ֙ בְּיָדֵ֔נוּ אֵ֖ת שִׁמְשׁ֥וֹן אוֹיְבֵֽנוּ׃ (כד) וַיִּרְא֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ הָעָ֔ם וַֽיְהַלְל֖וּ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י אָמְר֗וּ נָתַ֨ן אֱלֹקֵ֤ינוּ בְיָדֵ֙נוּ֙ אֶת־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔נוּ וְאֵת֙ מַחֲרִ֣יב אַרְצֵ֔נוּ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר הִרְבָּ֖ה אֶת־חֲלָלֵֽינוּ׃ (כה) וַֽיְהִי֙ (כי טוב) [כְּט֣וֹב] לִבָּ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ קִרְא֥וּ לְשִׁמְשׁ֖וֹן וִישַֽׂחֶק־לָ֑נוּ וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ לְשִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן מִבֵּ֣ית (האסירים) [הָאֲסוּרִ֗ים] וַיְצַחֵק֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּעֲמִ֥ידוּ אוֹת֖וֹ בֵּ֥ין הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃

(21) The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and shackled him in bronze fetters, and he became a mill slave in the prison. (22) After his hair was cut off, it began to grow back. (23) Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon and to make merry. They chanted, “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy Samson.” (24) When the people saw him, they sang praises to their god, chanting, “Our god has delivered into our hands the enemy who devastated our land, and who slew so many of us.” (25) As their spirits rose, they said, “Call Samson here and let him SaCHeK for us .” Samson was fetched from the prison, and he TZaCHeK in front of them. Then they put him between the pillars.

וַתֵּרֶא שָׂרָה אֶת בֶּן הָגָר הַמִּצְרִית (בראשית כא, ט), אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הָיָה אוֹמֵר בּוֹ דָּבָר לִגְנַאי, וַאֲנִי אוֹמֵר בּוֹ דָּבָר לְשֶׁבַח, דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וַתֵּרֶא שָׂרָה וגו', אֵין מְצַחֵק אֶלָּא גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת, הֵיךְ מָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (בראשית לט, יז): בָּא אֵלַי הָעֶבֶד הָעִבְרִי אֲשֶׁר הֵבֵאתָ לָנוּ לְצַחֶק בִּי, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיְתָה אִמֵּנוּ שָׂרָה רוֹאָה אוֹתוֹ לְיִשְׁמָעֵאל מְכַבֵּשׁ גִּנּוֹת וְצָד נְשֵׁי אֲנָשִׁים וּמְעַנֶּה אוֹתָן. תָּנֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר, אֵין הַלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה שֶׁל צְחוֹק אֶלָּא עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות לב, ו): וַיֵּשֶׁב הָעָם לֶאֱכֹל וְשָׁתוֹ וַיָּקֻמוּ לְצַחֵק, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיְתָה אִמֵּנוּ שָׂרָה רוֹאָה אֶת יִשְׁמָעֵאל בּוֹנֶה בִּימוֹסִיּוֹת וְצָד חֲגָבִים וּמַקְרִיב עֲלֵיהֶם. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּנוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר אֵין הַלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה צְחוֹק אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן שְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים, הֵיךְ מָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (שמואל ב ב, יד): יָקוּמוּ נָא הַנְּעָרִים וִישַׂחֲקוּ לְפָנֵינוּ. רַבִּי עֲזַרְיָה מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי לֵוִי אָמַר, אֲמַר לֵיהּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל לְיִצְחָק נֵלֵךְ וְנִרְאֶה חֶלְקֵנוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה, וְהָיָה יִשְׁמָעֵאל נוֹטֵל קֶשֶׁת וְחִצִּים וּמוֹרֶה כְּלַפֵּי יִצְחָק, וְעוֹשֶׂה עַצְמוֹ כְּאִלּוּ מְצַחֵק, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (משלי כו, יח יט): כְּמִתְלַהְלֵהַּ הַיֹּרֶה זִקִּים וגו' כֵּן אִישׁ רִמָּה אֶת רֵעֵהוּ וְאוֹמֵר הֲלֹא מְצַחֵק אָנִי, וְאוֹמֵר אֲנִי בּוֹ דָּבָר לְשֶׁבַח אֵין לָשׁוֹן הַזֶּה שֶׁל צְחוֹק אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן יְרֻשָּׁה, שֶׁבְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנּוֹלַד אָבִינוּ יִצְחָק הָיוּ הַכֹּל שְׂמֵחִים, אָמַר לָהֶם יִשְׁמָעֵאל שׁוֹטִים אַתֶּם, אֲנִי בְּכוֹר וַאֲנִי נוֹטֵל פִּי שְׁנַיִם, שֶׁמִּתְּשׁוּבַת אִמֵּנוּ שָׂרָה לְאַבְרָהָם (בראשית כא, י): כִּי לֹא יִירַשׁ בֶּן הָאָמָה הַזֹּאת עִם בְּנִי, אַתָּה לָמֵד, כִּי לֹא יִירַשׁ עִם בְּנִי אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁאֵינוֹ יִצְחָק, וְעִם יִצְחָק אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ בְּנִי, קַל וָחֹמֶר עִם בְּנִי עִם יִצְחָק.

“Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she bore to Abraham, playing...She said to Abraham: Banish this maidservant and her son, for the son of this maidservant will not inherit with my son, with Isaac” (Genesis 21:10).
“Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian” – Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: Rabbi Akiva used to say something derogatory regarding this, but I say something complimentary regarding it. Rabbi Akiva expounded: “Sarah saw [the son of Hagar…playing [metzaḥek]]” – metzaḥek is nothing other than sexual immorality, just as it says: “The Hebrew slave whom you brought to us came to me to play with [letzaḥek] me” (Genesis 39:17). It teaches that our matriarch Sarah would see Ishmael force himself on women, trap married women, and violate them.
It is taught: Rabbi Yishmael says: This expression of tzeḥok is nothing other than idol worship, as it is stated: “The people sat to eat and drink and they rose to revel [letzaḥek]” (Exodus 32:6). It teaches that our matriarch Sarah would see Ishmael building altars, trapping grasshoppers, and sacrificing [them] upon them.
Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili says: This expression of tzeḥok is nothing other than an expression of bloodshed, as it says: “Let the lads rise now and play [visaḥaku] before us” (II Samuel 2:14). Rabbi Azarya said in the name of Rabbi Levi: Ishmael said to Isaac: ‘Let us go and see our portion in the field.’ Ishmael would then take a bow and arrows and shoot toward Isaac, conducting himself as though he was [just] playing. That is what is written: “Like the prankster who shoots firebrands, [arrows, and death], so is a man who deceives his friend, and says: Am I not joking?” (Proverbs 26:18–19).
But I [Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai] say something complimentary regarding it. This expression of tzeḥok is nothing other than an expression of inheritance. When our patriarch Isaac was born, everyone was rejoicing. Ishmael said to them: ‘You are fools. I am the firstborn and I will inherit twice as much.’ From Sarah’s response to Abraham: “For the son of this maidservant will not inherit with my son, with Isaac,” you may learn this.
“For…will not inherit with my son” – even if he were not Isaac, and “he will not inherit…with Isaac” – even if he were not my son; all the more so “with my son, with Isaac.”

~ Can you see the sources of the disagreement of the rabbis regarding the issue? Who agrees with you?

אמר ר"ש בן יוחאי ארבעה דברים היה ר"ע דורש ודברי נראין מדבריו דרש ר"ע (בראשית כ״א:ט׳) ותרא שרה את בן הגר המצרית אשר ילדה לאברהם מצחק אין צחוק האמור כאן אלא עבודת כוכבים שנא' (שמות לא) וישב העם לאכול ושתו ויקומו לצחק מלמד שהיתה אמנו שרה רואה את ישמעאל בונה במסין וצד חגבים ומעלה ומקטיר לעבודת כוכבים ר"א בנו של ר' יוסי הגלילי אומר אין צחוק האמור כאן אלא גילוי עריות שנא' (בראשית ל״ט:י״ז) בא אלי העבד וגו' לצחק בי מלמד שהיתה [אמנו שרה] רואה את ישמעאל מכבש את [הגנות] ומענה את הנשים ר' ישמעאל אומר אין לשון צחוק אלא שפיכות דמים שנא' (שמואל ב ב׳:י״ד) ויאמר אבנר אל יואב יקומו נא הנערים וישחקו לפנינו [וגו'] ויקומו ויעברו במספר [וגו'] ויחזיקו איש בראש רעהו וחרבו בצד רעהו ויפלו יחדיו מלמד שהיתה אמנו שרה רואה את ישמעאל נוטל קשת וחצים ומזרק כלפי יצחק שנא' (משלי כ״ו:י״ט) כמתלהלה היורה זקים וגו' כן איש רמה [וגו'] ואני אומר חס ושלום שיהיה בביתו של [אותו] צדיק ההוא כך. אפשר [למי] שנא' עליו (בראשית י״ח:י״ט) כי ידעתיו למען אשר יצוה וגו' יהא בביתו עבודת כוכבים [וגילו] עריות ושפיכות דמים אלא אין צחוק האמור כאן אלא לענין ירושה שכשנולד אבינו יצחק לאברהם אבינו היו הכל שמחין ואומרין נולד בן לאברהם [נולד בן לאברהם] נוחל את העולם ונוטל שני חלקים והיה ישמעאל מצחק [בדעתו] ואומר אל תהי שוטים [אל תהי שוטים] אני בכור ואני נוטל שני חלקים שמתשובת הדבר אתה למד [שנאמר] (בראשית כ״א:י׳) כי לא יירש בן האמה וגו' ורואה אני את דברי מדברי ר"ע.
Said Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai: There were four matters that Rabbi Akiva expounded upon [midrashically], but I prefer my own words to his. Rabbi Akiva expounded (Gen 21:9), "And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian that she bore to Abraham m'tzachek (lit., 'laughing' or 'sporting')." Laughter is not what is being spoken of here; rather, idol worship, as it is said [during the sin of the golden calf] (Ex. 32:6), "And the people sat down to eat and drink, and [then] they arose to sport (l'tzachek)." It teaches that our Matriarch Sarah saw Ishmael building high places and hunting for locusts, and offering it up and turning it into smoke for idol worship. Rabbi Eliezer, the son of Rabbi Yosei HaGalili says, laughter (tzachok) is not spoken of here; rather sexual immorality, as it is said [in the matter of Potiphar's wife] (Gen 39:17), "The [Hebrew] servant came to me, etc., to sport (l'tzachek) with me." It teaches that our Matriarch Sarah saw Ishmael trampling the gardens and afflicting the women. Rabbi Yishmael says, the word tzachok means nothing other than the spilling of blood, as it is said (2 Sam. 2:14-16), "And Abner said to Joab, 'Let the young men arise and sport (visachaku) before us', etc. And they got up and they were counted by number, etc. And each man grabbed his neighbor by the head and [stuck] his sword into his neighbor's side, and they fell together." It teaches that our Matriarch Sarah was seeing Ishmael taking a bow and arrow and shooting them toward Isaac [as though in sport], as it is said (Prov. 26:19-20, JPS tr.), "Like a madman scattering deadly firebrands, arrows, is one who cheats his fellow and says, 'I was only joking.'" And I say, God forbid that there would be such things occurring in the house of this same tzaddik (i.e., Abraham)! Is it possible that the one for whom it is said (Gen. 18:19), "For I have known him in order that he command [his sons and his household after him, that they shall heed the path of God, to perform righteousness and justice]," that there would be idol worship, sexual immorality, and the spilling of blood in his household?! Rather, "tzachok" is only mentioned here in connection with inheritance, for from the time that our Patriarch Isaac was born to our Father Abraham, everyone was joyous, and they said, "A son is born to Abraham! A son is born to Abraham!" He had waited for so long, and he was given two portions. And Ishmael laughed to himself, and he said, "Don't be foolish! Don't be foolish! I am the first-born and I will take both portions." Then, at the conclusion of the matter, you learn, as it is said (Gen. 21:10), "for the son of this maidservant [shall not inherit with my son, with Isaac]." And I prefer my words to the words of Rabbi Akiva.
ר' לוי אמר אחר דבריו של ישמעאל ליצחק אמר לו ישמעאל ליצחק אני גדול ממך במצות שאתה מלת בן שמנת ימים ואני בן שלש עשרה שנה אמר לו ובאבר אחד אתה מגרה בי אם אומר לי הקב"ה זבח עצמך לפני אני זובח מיד והאלהים נסה את אברהם

The Gemara cites an explanation of the verse: “And it came to pass after these matters that God tried Abraham” (Genesis 22:1). Rabbi Levi says: This means after the statement of Ishmael to Isaac, during an exchange between them described in the verse: “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar…mocking” (Genesis 21:9). Ishmael said to Isaac: I am greater than you in the fulfillment of mitzvot, as you were circumcised at the age of eight days, without your knowledge and without your consent, and I was circumcised at the age of thirteen years, with both my knowledge and my consent. Isaac said to Ishmael: And do you provoke me with one organ? If the Holy One, Blessed be He, were to say to me: Sacrifice yourself before Me, I would sacrifice myself. Immediately, God tried Abraham, to confirm that Isaac was sincere in his offer to give his life.

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