שמואל א, פרק א׳, פסוק ז׳

The annual journey to the Tabernacle transformed into a steady source of family tension. Rather than a time of spiritual joy, the pilgrimage became a painful routine marked by favoritism, jealousy, and deep sadness. Year after year, Elkanah maintained a habit of giving Hannah a choice, double portion of the sacrifice to show his great affection. The primary approach among commentators is that Elkanah initiated this yearly pattern of special treatment. However, another perspective suggests that it was actually Peninnah who consistently repeated her cycle of taunting during these trips [אברבנאל]. Ultimately, the dynamic was a direct chain of action and reaction. The more Elkanah went out of his way to show affection to Hannah, the more Peninnah, driven by jealousy, increased her provocations [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

These tense encounters always peaked whenever the family arrived at the House of God. The timing of this cruelty was not accidental. The taunts revolved heavily around the distribution of the sacrificial meat, an event that only occurred during the pilgrimage [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Peninnah would use this moment to sting Hannah, highlighting how she and her children received numerous portions, while Hannah was left with only one because she had no children to share it with [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A practical reason for the timing is that the two wives lived in separate areas, making the annual journey the only occasion they were forced together in the same place [אברבנאל]. Conversely, there is a view that Peninnah actually harbored positive intentions. By angering Hannah specifically at the Tabernacle, she hoped to push her to pray and cry out to God from a truly broken heart [אברבנאל].

The emotional toll of this constant harassment left Hannah weeping and unable to eat. The intense humiliation and profound sorrow completely stripped away her appetite [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Beyond the emotional distress, the physical act of prolonged crying naturally creates a sensation of fullness in the body, which further removed any physical desire for Hannah to consume her food [אברבנאל].