|
PARSHA VAYERA 07
THE TENOR OF SPEECH
“Whatever Sarah tells you Shema Bekolah do as she says” [Lit. Listen to her voice] (Gen.21.12)
Avraham is distressed by Sarah’s demand that he send Ishmael away. How can he comply and send away his son by Hagar? Avraham consults Hashem who tells him to do all that Sarah wishes of him in this matter.
Why does Hashem support Sarah here, for Hashem is just and Sarah’s demands seem to be unjust?
In response to Avraham’s plea for guidance, Hashem does not, as assumed above, take the side of Sarah. Literally speaking, Hashem says, ‘all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice’. He is suggesting that Avraham take cognisance of the tone of Sarah’s voice when weighing up the import of her words. Avraham does so and to his amazement discovers that Sarah’s request is reasonable.
The pitch, timbre and tone of speech convey information not explicitly stated. This principle applies to all speech, even that of Hashem. For this reason, the Trop - cantillation, is provided in the Torah as an aid to understand not just the words, but the meaning behind them. Indeed, Commentators on occasion turn to the Trop to convey the full implication of the text.
When people speak, we should listen to the tone of the voice for it tells us more than the words themselves can say.
|
