1)

Why did Sarah doubt the words of the angel? Didn't she believe that HaSh-m can do as He pleases (as HaSh-m answered her)?

1.

Seforno: Of course she believed. The problem was, that she assumed the angel's words were merely a prophetic blessing, 1 which, under the circumstances, she thought, could not possibly materialize. To have children at her age would be akin to Techi'as ha'Mesim, which could only come about directly from HaSh-m.

2.

Ramban (to 18:15): Although the angels came in the guise of men, Avraham, in his wisdom, recognized them as angels of G-d, Sarah (like the wife of Mano'ach in Shoftim 13:6) did not. Perhaps she did not even see them.

3.

Moshav Zekenim: She initially heard on Pesach, and laughed six months later, in Tishrei, for no change had occurred. She thought that there was no longer sufficient time to give birth in Nisan, for she did not know that it would be a leap year with an added month. Also refer to 17:21:151.1:2.


1

Like that of Elisha to the Shunamis.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

2)

Rashi writes: "'[Sarah laughed] inwardly (b'Kirbah)' - Sarah looked towards her innards, and exclaimed, 'Could these still bear or nurse a child?'" Why does Rashi explain this way?

1.

Gur Aryeh: Otherwise, the word "b'Kirbah" would be unnecessary.

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