Hi! OK, I just have a question regarding 92b
In both case, HAgar and Eliezer, they were in fact servants and are referred to as such in the Chumash.
So why is this considered an "insult" or a "blemish"? In what other way could or should Eliezer have introduced himself?
gk
Based on the Maharsha, Hagar, who was running away from Sarah, and who had no intention of returning, did not need to mention the fact that Sarah was (or had been) her mistress at all - so she could have replied that she was running away from Sarah.
Eliezer on the other hand, was a slave who was carrying out a mission on behalf of Avraham. True, he would have had to mention that he was Avraham's slave, but he might have left that belittling piece of information until later in his 'speech'.
And the Gemara teaches us that a) since the angel called her a Shifchah, she responded accordingly, and b) that Eliezer did the right thing in introducing himself by his title, in spite of his low status.
Be'Virchas Kol Tuv
Eliezer Chrysler