Beraishis 12M – Avraham Goes Down to Egypt

See post 12L where the question was raised as to Avraham’s reasons for leaving the Land of Canaan, in which God appeared to Avraham, indicating this was the Land he would be given. Why didn’t Avraham remain, putting his trust in God? Also, how could Avraham put his wife in peril, having her say that she was his sister? Wouldn’t that endanger her?

(Later, 14:22, we see that Avraham refuses payment for saving the people of Sedom. Surely this teaches us that he wasn’t concerned about personal gain.)

RSRH suggest the following explanation:

We of later generations have the fortune of hindsight. We can look back at Jewish survival and say God will help. But Avraham Avinu didn’t have someone who preceded him to see how Hashem takes care and ensures Jewish survival.

In addition, he adds, Avraham did not want to rely on miracles. We have a principal of אין סומכין על הנס. The first action when in danger of starvation is to find a way to get food.

As for his conduct in Egypt (and he repeats this again in chapter 20 as does Yitzchak in chapter 26), RSRH offers the following explanation:

If a woman was married, they might be quicker to take her than a single woman. They would just kill the husband. But in the case of a single woman, they might delay the process, offering the brother gifts, convincing him to agree to the marriage. While all of this takes place, there is a delay of time, and in the meantime, perhaps help will come from Heaven.

Avraham was concerned for Sarah. He states, they will keep you alive – meaning that will be a situation you would never want; living a life of shame.

Avraham then adds, to convince Sarah, if you won’t do it for yourself, do it for me!

At first the plan worked. But Avraham didn’t consider the king. A regular citizen would first go to her brother but the king could do otherwise and she was taken immediately. And still the king wanted to do things respectably and first presented Avraham with gifts.

Beraishis 12:10-20
pages 304-312