When HaSh-m told Avraham not to feel bad about sending away Yishmael and Hagar, why did He refer to the latter as "his maidservant"?
Seforno: He was referring to Sarah's instructions (not specifically mentioned) to expel them with signs that they were slaves. 1
What did HaSh-m mean when He instructed Avraham to listen to Sarah's voice"?
Rashi: He meant that he should follow the voice of her Ru'ach ha'Kodesh, 1 since Avraham was secondary to Sarah in prophecy. Also refer to 11:29:1.1:2.
Gur Aryeh: How is this derived? [The word "voice" is extra.] HaSh-m meant, 'Heed her Ru'ach ha'Kodesh;' for voice also comes in the form of Ru'ach (lit. wind).
What is the significance of the final phrase in the Pasuk, "for it is in Yitzchak that shall be deemed your offspring"?
Rashi (in Vayeitzei, 28:15): ?be'Yitzchak?, ?ve'Lo Kol Yitzchak' - to preclude Eisav (as well as Yishmael - Nedarim, 31a) from being called the offspring of Avraham. 1
Seforno: It implies that Yitzchak will be called Avraham?s offspring, and Yishmael and his sons will be his slaves'.
Rashbam: ?Because the B?ris that I established with your children to give them the land of Cana'an... I promised you with regard to Yitzchak - exclusively' (and the offspring of Yishmael and Eisav are therefore not obligated to perform the B?ris Milah ? Sanhedrin, 50b). 2
Targum Yonasan: It implies that the son of Hagar (Yishmael) will not be considered Avraham?s offspring'.
Oznayim la?Torah: Hashem was telling him that, not only would Yishmael not succeed in attaining the level to be called ?Zera Avraham?, but neither would all the offspring of Yitzchak. 3
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "Avraham was second to Sarah in prophecy." Why was this so?
Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 4, p. 148, to Tamid 32a): The male (Gever) is associated with the trait of Gevurah, as well as the left side (north, on the Torah's compass). But Avraham's trait was Chesed, and he (with Sarah) reached his greatness on the right (south) side 1 - where a woman is able to receive more than a man. 2
See Bereishis 12:9.
To add a bit of explanation -The left (north) side is associated with Midas ha'Din and Gevurah. Man is called a Gever, for his task in serving Hash-m involves overcoming his Yetzer ha'Ra (l'Hisgaber), more so than the task of a woman. Avraham lived in the south, just as his personal trait was Chesed (EK).
