Was Ishmael a Tzaddik?
Rashi, the great classical Torah commentator, tells us that Ishmael did teshuvah (repented) before Abraham passed away.[1] Indeed, the expression vayigveh (he breathed his last) used to describe the death of Ishmael, is only used in regard to tzaddikim.[2] Some commentaries explain that through his teshuvah he transformed all his sins into virtues, thus his entire life was ultimately redeemed.[3] Being the son of Abraham was the ostensible cause for Ishmael s teshuvah. Yet, it was Sarah s banishing Ishmael that ultimately caused him to return to the right path. Abraham felt that the best way to influence Ishmael was through love and kindness. However G-d tells Abraham that he should defer to Sarah and send Ishmael away. Because chesed (love) that is not balanced with gevurah (discipline) can ultimately turn destructive. Rain without discipline will flood the fields; rain must fall in drops so that the earth can absorb the moisture. Ishmael will be a wild man. He inherited the passionat
