Midrash Play

Midrash Play – Lech Lecha

Excerpts from THE TRIAL OF SARAH

written by Gloria Itman Blum

SARAI (explaining to audience)

We were fleeing famine. Abram had a plan to smuggle me into Egypt as his sister but the soldiers found me and took us to the Pharaoh.

Abram (standing before Pharaoh)

Sire, I come from Canaan . My name is Abram, son of...

Pharaoh (seated on high stool)

Ah, yes... we've heard of Abram and his unique beliefs. What brings you here?

Abram

There's famine in Canaan . We seek refuge with you until the famine is over.

Pharaoh

You seek refuge? And yet, you try to smuggle in a... a precious object, and you try to bribe our guards to keep this secret from us.

Abram

Permit me, Sire, to properly introduce you to Sarai, my (clears his throat) younger sister.

Pharaoh

We've heard of Sarai. We hear that mystical powers run in your family.

Abram

This is true, Sire.

Pharaoh

Mystical powers appeal to us, Abram. What is the source of these powers?

Abram

Power comes from the One Creator.

Pharaoh

Yes, yes, we have heard about this singular God who saves you from famine by sending you to us. But who is hiding in your shadow? Come closer.

(Sarai comes forward from behind Abram. Pharaoh is entranced by her beauty)

You've found your refuge. Guard! Give Abram what he needs. Now go with the guard.

Abram

Thank you for your generous hospitality. And my sister?

Pharaoh

(to Abram) Your sister will stay with us.

(to Sarai) You can advise us on our affairs.

(to Abram) You may go now.

(to Sarai) So, Sarai, oracle of Ur Kasdim, come over here. Look deep into our eyes. What do you see?

Sarai (looks into Pharaoh's eyes)

I see your favorite daughter... a beauty. Spend more time with her before it's too late.

Pharaoh

My Hagar, What do you mean? She's perfectly healthy! She's only eight years old. What can happen to her?

Sarai

I said she won't be with you for long but she will live a long life. She will give birth to a son. He will lead a powerful nation that believes in One Creator.

(explains to the audience)

Several weeks passed. My profound belief in the One Creator fascinated the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh showered me with gold, silver and servants. He gave me the land of Goshen . Abram returned to speak with him.

Abram

Sire, we thank you for your generous hospitality, but we have received news from Canaan that the famine has ended and now we must return.

Pharaoh

You and your tribe may go but Sarai stays. She'll remain in our safe keeping.

Abram

Your concern for my sister's safety is appreciated but...

Pharaoh (to Sarai)

Our soul has found a new freedom in her presence. Our wish is to take Sarai as our wife... our fifth but most precious wife...

Abram (interrupting)

Sire, I'm sure my sister is more than complimented by your proposal but..

Pharaoh (to Sarai)

Are you complimented by our proposal?

Abram

I must inform you that Sarai is already someone's wife! My wife.

Pharaoh

What? You two are married? (Abram nods, Pharaoh continues, in anger) You said that Sarai was your sister.

Abram

Yes sire, she is my sister.

Pharaoh

But now you say she can't be ours that she's your wife.

Abram

Yes, that's also true. Sarai and I are born into the same family and we are also married.

Pharaoh (to Sarai)

Why didn't you tell us this before?

Sarai

You never asked.

Abram

I knew you would be taken by Sarai...

pharaoh

Of course I was taken by Sarai. What did you expect?

Abram

But had you known I was her husband, you would've had me slain.

pharaoh

That's right! And as her brother?

Abram

I could stay alive.

Pharaoh

Abram, you disappoint us. You pretend to be a man of God yet you lied to save your own life. What makes you think we will not kill you now? (to Sarai ) You deserve more than this shallow... relative. You deserve a king... or better, a Pharaoh who values your life.

Sarai

Sire, I find no fault in what you say.

Pharaoh

Come then, sit on this throne next to me. Be at my side.

Sarai

You tempt me with an offer no woman could refuse.

pharaoh

Then come to me.

Sarai (hesitates and backs away, then stands beside Abram)

Sire, I belong with my husband, Abram.

Pharaoh

But if you come up here (patting the pillow next to him)... we will let this coward go unharmed.

Sarai

I expect you to release us.

Pharaoh

And if we don't?

Sarai

I know that you will... eventually.

Pharaoh

How can you be so sure?

Sarai

I'm sure because I have no doubt.

Pharaoh (laughing)

You have no doubt in what?

Sarai

I have no doubt that if you won't release us, you and your family and your people and land will be plagued with deadly disease.

Pharaoh (laughing)

Oh really? By whom?

Sarai

God.

Pharaoh

Such talk! Is this how you repay our hospitality?

Sarai

Your hospitality is appreciated but we must go. Our Creator has other plans for us.

pharaoh

This “creator” begs to differ... (tries to laugh but coughs)... with your… (coughs)…

Sarai (to audience)

Despite the Pharaoh's disbelief, he, his family and people were stricken. The punishment I predicted set in and the Pharaoh was convinced. To placate this angry God, he not only released us but gave us camels and donkeys loaded with gold and silver and his best livestock as well as slaves.

Pharaoh (to audience)

We have seen the awesome power, the painful power, of the One Creator. He has caused us to believe that it would be better for our daughter to be a handmaiden in Abram's tent than a princess in our palace.

(to Sarai)

I feel my heart break as I give you my Hagar, my exquisite daughter. I ask that you protect her as your own as you raise her to fulfill her destiny.

SARAI (to audience)

Frightened and uprooted, Hagar became the daughter and little sister I never had. We showered each other with love and affection beyond our fondest dreams. Hagar blossomed into an exotically beautiful young woman. But still, Abram and I were impatient. Still childless we longed to have a son. One morning I spoke with my husband.

Enter Abram

Sarai (continues, to Abram)

Abram, I once had a vision that Hagar would give birth to a son, who would become the leader of a powerful nation that believes in One God. I think our time has come.

ABRAM

What are you saying?

SARAI

Would you take Hagar as your concubine?

ABRAM

A second wife?

SARAI

Yes. Our lives would become...

ABRAM

...complicated. It isn't easy with one wife... yet two wives... ay, ya, yay!

You and Hagar are like one now. This could split you apart… jealousy and, God forbid, hatred.

SARAI

Or we could become even closer sharing and loving our child. We could become a family... a growing family.

ABRAM

You're willing to share me? Share her?

SARAI

Temporarily…until she conceives.

ABRAM

But how would you feel knowing we're alone together?

SARAI

I would hate it but I see beyond it to our future. (tense pause) How would you feel?

ABRAM

Excited!

SARAI

Of course you would… I'll go talk to her now. I'll send her to your tent tonight.

ABRAM

Tonight Hagar will enter my tent. God willing, I'll be ready to fill her with a new life. Umm... I can feel my readiness arising!

EXIT ABRAM

Sarai

Hagar, may I come into your tent?

Sarai and Hagar stand side-by-side

HAGAR

Of course! Oh Mistress, Sarai, I think I'm in love with the boy in the orchard... and I think he feels the same about me!

SARAI

Too young.

HAGAR

But I'm 15 years old.

SARAI

You need someone more mature.

HAGAR

He's 16!

SARAI

You need someone to provide for you and your children.

HAGAR

All the “mature men” are taken...

SARAI

I have a unique opportunity to propose to you.

HAGAR

Tell me what it is!

SARAI

Something that would change your life, my life and Abram's life, perhaps forever!

HAGAR

A riddle? That's what this is Sarai, isn't it? Hmm, what could I possibly do that would change your life and the Master's life and my life... forever? (She laughs) Oh, I like this riddle. Something I can do... It makes me feel powerful... like a queen and king... a queen... No! That must be the wrong answer to the riddle. No. It's too bold for a child to say.

SARAI

This is not a riddle and you're not a child any more. You're a young woman ready to start a new life with a... mature man.

HAGAR

And who could that man be?

SARAI

Your father. Uh, Master.

HAGAR

Master Abram?

SARAI

Abram and I have tried for years and this old body won't bear fruit. But you’re young. I want you to lay with Abram, be his wife and give us a beautiful son.

HAGAR

What are you saying? What are you talking about?

SARAI

You could awaken his youthful spirit and create life.

HAGAR

But how would you feel knowing I'm sleeping with your husband?

SARAI

We'd share him. We'd share our child. We'd be a joyful family. Imagine an adorable child kicking inside you as we feel him and give birth to him together.

HAGAR

What will happen after the baby is born? What if you're using me just to have your baby?

SARAI

Haven't we always kept our promises to each other?

HAGAR

Promise me you won't use me just to get what you want. Promise me.

SARAI

Hagar, I promise I'll never use you or abandon you. And you'll have great status as the Master's wife and "Mother of the Master's heir."

HAGAR

But... what if I have a girl? What then?

SARAI

Then, I could find another concubine for the old man.

HAGAR

I'll do it.

EXIT HAGAR

Sarai (to audience)

Hagar soon conceived. Abram and I, and the entire tribe, were thrilled with the prospect of an heir. I moved Hagar into my tent so that she could receive the best of care.

ENTER HAGAR

HAGAR

I'm nine moons pregnant and I feel fat and ugly. Sarai, I don't want to eat any more!

SARAI

Here, Hagar, open up. Eat. I was out all day on my hands and knees picking these herbs for you. Now open up.

HAGAR

Phooey! It's awful! It's too strong!

SARAI (tasting herbs)

My daughter, you're right, it's stronger than usual. But it's good for you.

HAGAR

I don't need it.

SARAI

It's for our child. Here... you don't want anything to go wrong, do you?

FATMA (from off-stage)

Hagar?

HAGAR

Come in, Fatma.

SARAI

Wait out there, Fatma. You eat this and Fatma can come in.

HAGAR

Stop it! You're treating me like a child! I can't take it! Fatma, come in now!

FATMA (from off-stage)

Mistress Sarai, if this isn't a good time to visit...

HAGAR

This is a perfect time, Fatma. Come in and sit.

SARAI

Fatma, you're right, this is not a good time to visit. Come back later. Hagar needs to nap now.

HAGAR

"Hagar needs to nap now. Hagar needs to wash herself now. Hagar needs to eat now. Hagar needs to relieve herself now." For eight moons you've been smothering me! Can you hear me, old woman?

SARAI

I'm not deaf! You're carrying my child and I won't let you hurt him! You'll do as I say.

HAGAR

No I won't! Our Master's tent isn't big enough for two wives! I'm leaving!

EXIT HAGAR

SARAI

What do you mean? Hagar, where are you going? Come back! For heaven's sake, bring her back!

EXIT SARAH

ENTER HAGAR

HAGAR

It's frightening out here in the desert at night. What? Oh! What was that? A wild animal? I'd rather die out here than go back to Sarai's tent! I was a fool to get myself pregnant. I wouldn't be in this horrible situation if it weren't for you, unborn child! (Hagar hits herself in the stomach) You… you wild animal, stop moving inside me! Why won't you stop! Because of you I have no place to go. I hate you! (She hears a noise) What's that? A snake? A hyena? A lion? No, it's something worse! Get away! Get away from me, Demon! Away! Away! Get away! Oh God, help me! What am I going to do?