Difficulties in Keeping a Beautiful Wife: The Legend of Abraham and Sarah in Jewish and Islamic Tradition ‘Reyes FtesToN? Th sharing of similar traditions between Judaism and Islam has long oem recognized, but thee has been lle agreement about the historia and textual natore ofthe relationship betwee Jewish and Ilarie tradition. By focusing on the consatual meanings of a legend found Fepeately in Jewish and Ilamic sources, thi sty offers a reconstruction ‘fis textual and historia rations to Judai and Islam, This aro, Feveals another facet af the socal story of the caries Jewish Muslim relations. ‘The legend! examined here depicts a hero protecting his wif’ vitwe oF himseir from harm in forepn land by hiding his trae mart status sad aiming his wife as his sister. A elassic story occurring thre times in the Hebrew BID, the Genesis 12:10-20 rendition deserter Abram hiding Ms relationship with Sarat from Pharaoh, we in Genesis 201-18 Abraham hides his telatonship with Sarah from Abimelekh of Gerss” The thd ‘enition ofthe theme in Geness 26117 depicts Issue hiding his marital ‘elationsip with Rebecea from an Abimelekh. Modern biblical scholarship ‘has grappled Tor more than a century with the repetitions snd variations plot, structure and syle inthe tre renditions ofthe tale ad 8 wide ange ‘of opinion has been expresed as to te historical and rary elaionsip ‘between the three renditions. Agreement has yet to be reached regarding the finction and relationship ofthe various tlings ofthe legend, though one “Dears ether i ey ten ane Siena et teracas pc namndumenee Scioeeabi aa ee eS Man aon, "The Frm of Fane’ Po Nira a Am Duster eh Sons SRS Tei suns tne a ey em yh en gn a DUPICULTIES IN KESPING A BEAUTE ro