Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was Avraham afraid that the people would kill him for his wife?
A: Avraham was concerned that the people of Gerar lacked 'yirat Elokim' (fear of God), meaning they had no moral restraints. As Rashi explains, he feared they would kill him to take Sarah, since she was beautiful and he pretended she was his sister to protect himself.
Q: What does 'fear of God' mean in this verse?
A: In this context, 'yirat Elokim' refers to basic moral decency and respect for divine law. Rambam teaches that fear of God is the foundation of ethical behavior. Avraham recognized that without it, people might act violently without conscience.
Q: How does this story about Avraham apply to us today?
A: This teaches us the importance of living among people who share moral values. The Talmud (Pesachim 113b) discusses how environment influences behavior. Like Avraham, we should be mindful of societies that lack ethical foundations.
Q: Why did Avraham say there was no fear of God in that place?
A: Avraham observed their behavior and concluded they didn't follow basic moral laws. As Ibn Ezra explains, he saw they were capable of murder to satisfy desires. This contrasts with Sedom, where their wickedness was openly evident - here it was hidden but equally dangerous.
Q: Was Avraham correct that they had no fear of God?
A: Interestingly, the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 52:3) notes that Avamelech later proved to have some fear of God. This shows that while Avraham's concern was valid, sometimes we can misjudge situations. The verse teaches us to be cautious but also recognize that God may intervene unexpectedly.
Avraham's Concern About the Lack of Yirat Shamayim
The verse (Bereishit 20:11) records Avraham's explanation for why he presented Sarah as his sister in Gerar. Avraham states, "כִּי אָמַרְתִּי רַק אֵין־יִרְאַת אֱלֹהִים בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה" ("Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place"). Rashi explains that Avraham feared the people of Gerar lacked yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven) and would kill him to take Sarah. This concern stemmed from his earlier experience in Egypt (Bereishit 12:10-20), where Pharaoh took Sarah after Avraham identified her as his sister.
The Nature of Avraham's Fear
Ramban (Nachmanides) offers a deeper insight: Avraham did not doubt that individuals in Gerar might fear God, but he was concerned that the society as a whole lacked moral restraint. The phrase "אֵין־יִרְאַת אֱלֹהִים בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה" implies a systemic absence of divine reverence, making it dangerous for a stranger. The Sforno adds that Avraham feared they would rationalize murder, believing that taking his wife was justified since he was an outsider.
Avraham's Strategy of Calling Sarah His Sister
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 57a) discusses Avraham’s reasoning: by presenting Sarah as his sister, he gave the people of Gerar a plausible reason to treat her with respect (as a single woman under familial protection) rather than as a war captive. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 52:5) suggests that Avraham acted based on his assessment of their moral state, demonstrating da'at Torah (Torah wisdom) in navigating a perilous situation.
Lessons in Trust and Human Nature