Initially, I had planned to write about Sarah as the quintessential infertile matriarch. In Genesis 21:1 it says: “G-d took note of Sarah,” leading to the reversal of her infertility and the birth of Yitzchak. The term pakad is also used as a promise by Yosef and his descendants in Egypt that “G-d will surely take notice and bring you up from this land” (Gen 50:24). I had planned to use this sentiment to give support to those suffering with infertility and pregnancy loss (October is infant and pregnancy loss awareness month). The juxtaposition of the miracle of healing the infertile and the Exodus from Egypt demonstrates the specific divine intervention to alter the course of natural history.
However, in the wake of recent events, the message has taken a decidedly different tone. The story of Sarah resonates with me in new ways. We are now all Sarah and Yosef. We are walking in the footsteps of our forefathers in Egypt. The days filled with uncertainty and yet steadfast in our belief that come what may, our blessing awaits us.
In my line of work, I have the privilege to witness miracles in the vein of “Hashem pakad et Sarah” every day. Unexpected outcomes, critical turns of events, small but steady progress, all leading a beautiful new life. In these little moments I see the kind of divine intervention Sarah must have felt when Yizchak was born. In this week’s haftara, Yeshayahu compares Israel to a childless woman, promising that one day she will “rejoice” (Is 54:1). I sincerely hope that just as we are witness to personal moments of divine intervention, our brothers and sisters who are held hostage should experience a “pakod yifkod Hashem etchem, v’healeh etchem,” to safely return home and a time of peace and we can merit seeing joy throughout the land.
