“Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not borne children to him, and she had an Egyptian maidservant, and her name was Hagar” (Genesis 16:1). “Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not borne children to him…” “A woman of valor who can find? Far beyond pearls is her value [mikhra]” (Proverbs 31:10) – what is her “mikhra”? Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: Her pregnancy.1For a righteous woman, conception is difficult, more precious than pearls, as the Midrash goes on to elaborate.
That is what is written: “Your origins [mekhorotayikh] and your birth” (Ezekiel 16:3).2Since mekhorotayikh precedes “your birth,” the Midrash interprets it to mean conception. Abram was one year older than Naḥor and Naḥor was one year older than Haran. Consequently, Abram was two years older than Haran. Allowing one year for the pregnancy of Milka and one year for the pregnancy of Yiska, Haran begot children at the age of six years3Milka and Yiska were Haran’s daughters (Genesis 11:29).
Yiska is another name for Sarah. Sarah (Yiska) was ten years younger than Abraham (Genesis 17:17), and Haran was two years younger than Abraham. Sarah was thus born when Haran was eight years old, and her older sister Milka was conceived when Haran was six years old. and Abraham did not beget children.4Because he was so righteous, begetting children was much more difficult for him than for Haran. “Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not borne children to him [lo] [and she had [vela] an Egyptian maidservant]” – Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Yehuda said: To Abraham she did not bear children, but had she married someone else, she would have borne children.5It was Abraham who was infertile, not Sarah.
Rabbi Neḥemya said: Neither to him, nor to another. What then, is that which is written: “Had not borne children to him”? It means to him and to her [lo vela].6Although the word vela is the beginning of the next phrase, it is expounded as though it were appended to the previous phrase. “And she had an Egyptian maidservant, and her name was Hagar” – she was a maidservant of usufruct [melog] property.7Property that belongs to the wife, but whose produce or profit belongs to the husband.
He was obligated to pay for her sustenance but was not permitted to sell her.8That is why it states that Hagar was “her” maidservant. Had Abraham had ownership rights to her, she would have been "their” maidservant. They asked before Reish Lakish: What is the meaning of that which is stated in the Mishna:9Mishna Yevamot 7:1. Usufruct [melog] slaves?
He said to them: As one might say: ‘Pluck, pluck [melog melog].’10Just as one can pull out or cut someone’s hair, and that person’s head will constantly produce more hair, so with melog property, the husband keeps taking the profits, while the principle remains intact. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: Hagar was Pharaoh’s daughter. When Pharaoh saw the [miraculous] acts that were done on Sarah’s behalf in his palace, he took his daughter and gave her to him [Abraham].11In manuscripts: “To her (Sarah).”
He said: ‘It is preferable that my daughter be a maidservant in that household than be the mistress in another household.’ That is what is written: “And she had an Egyptian maidservant, and her name was Hagar” – here is your reward [ha agrikh]. Avimelekh, too, when he saw the miracles that were performed on Sarah’s behalf in his palace, he took his daughter and gave her to him.12In manuscripts: “To her (Sarah).”
He said: ‘It is preferable that my daughter be a maidservant in that household than be the mistress in another household.’ That is what is written: “The daughters of kings are among those who honor you; at your right hand stands the consort, attired in gold from Ofir” (Psalms 45:10).