Jewish Perspectives as I See Them

I am not an expert in Jewish interpretation. However, chapter 4, was a very clear and understandable way to be reminded and even introduced to the Jewish Sages.
When beginning to understand Jewish writings and interpretation of sacred text it is important to remember that few Jewish theologians interpret the bible literally. Rabbinic midrashic texts particularly treat interpretation as a multi faceted lens through which the sacred text is taught and interpreted. Therefore, in Jewish tradition, the “text cannot be reduced to one single ‘correct’ meaning.”
This way of interpretation can take a turn towards the playful as well as the reverent. And it means that texts can have layers of meaning which make for a rich reading of text.
What was stunning to me, as I read in Chapter 4 about the various ways of interpreting the Hagar/Sarah story, is that many Jewish interpreters wrote about Hagar in a favorable light. While they certainly claimed Sarah as their mother Hagar is not always painted as a harlot or sinner.
Rabbinic scholars wrestled with the fact that Hagar met God’s angels and it was she, not Sarah, who spoke to God directly. A few scholars dismiss the gift of seeing angels as unique to Hagar pointing out that it probably happened simply because she was in Abraham’s household. But other scholars point out that not only does Hagar she angels, she sees angels that Sarah is unable to see. The slave is more in touch with God than the master.
A number of medieval Sages commented on Sarah’s lack of moral integrity in her abusive treatment of Hagar. One Sage goes so far as to name Sarah’s abuse as torture. Yet, Nahmanides, named Sarah’s treatment of Hagar as sinful and torturous, he still maintained the superiority of Sarah and ‘thus the children of Sarah would rule over Hagar’s children forever.’
Modern Jewish writers are as divergent as the ancients’ in their interpretation of the Hagar/Sarah story. Feminist Jewish writings give Hagar’s position more dignity than the ancient text would probably afford to a foreign slave woman. Other modern Sages try to understand Sarah’s behavior in light of the historical significance and how the story has played out in modern history. Sarah was protecting her progeny from the future history of slavery and oppression.
All of the interpretations can show the reader how easy it is to become the oppressor even when one has been the oppressed. This is one of the most difficult moral dilemmas of humanity.
And we are all vulnerable. Most women in religious environments have experienced a degree of oppression based on gender. Like Sarah and Hagar we could be tempted to play out our own journey by oppressing others. We might rationalize, “I had to work hard to get here, so does she.”
How do we see other’s place in society as worthy, just as worthy as our own? How do we assure ourselves that we will not fall into the trap of moving from oppressed one to oppressor?