“She called the name of the Lord Who spoke to her: You are the God who sees me, for she said: Indeed, I have seen here too, after my vision” (Genesis 16:13). “She called the name of the Lord Who spoke to her: You are the God who sees me” – Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon and Rabbi Yoḥanan in the name of Rabbi Elazar bar Shimon: The Holy One blessed be He never deigned to speak with a woman except for that righteous woman [Sarah], and that, too, was out of necessity.44God had been speaking to Abraham: “Why is it that Sarah laughed” (Genesis 18:13).

Sarah interrupted with her denial: “I did not laugh” (Genesis 18:15). Then it was necessary for the Holy One blessed be He to set her straight: “No, but you did laugh” (Genesis 18:15). Rabbi Abba said in the name of Rabbi Beiri: See how much He spoke in a roundabout manner with her: “No, but you did laugh” (Genesis 18:15).45Instead of saying: “Yes, you laughed,” He said it in an indirect manner. But is it not written [here]: “She called the name of the Lord who spoke to her”?

Rabbi Yehoshua bar Neḥemya said: That was through an angel. But is it not written [regarding Rebecca]: “The Lord said to her”? (Genesis 25:23). Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina bar Ḥama: That was through an angel. Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Yosei ben Zimra: It was through Shem.46Rebecca had gone to consult Shem son of Noah, who was a spiritual leader at the time.

“You are the God who sees me” – Rabbi Aivu said: It is You who sees the wretchedness of the wretched. “For she said: Indeed, I have seen here [halom] too, after my vision” – she said: ‘As if it was not enough that I encountered divine speech, [I have been granted] kingship as well,’47I was informed that kings would descend from my son. just as it says [of David]: “That You have brought me to this point [halom]” (II Samuel 7:18).

“Indeed, I have seen…after my vision” – as if it was not enough that I was enabled to see an angel together with my mistress, even my mistress who was with me did not see it.48As explained later in a parable. Another interpretation, as if it was not enough for me that I encountered [angels] together with my mistress, I [have encountered them now] by myself. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: This is analogous to a noblewoman to whom the king said: ‘Pass by in front of me.’

She passed before him as she was being supported by her maidservant. She turned her face aside and did not see the king, but the maidservant saw him.