My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Vayera
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on October 25, 2007 | Tags: Vayera
In Parshah Vayera we encounter the Akedah, the story of the binding of Isaac in preparation for a sacrifice for which, thankfully, there is a last minute substitution. It is a story the defies easy explanation, and each time we read it we may have new questions. It begins as we’re told “God put Abraham to the test.” (Gen. 22:1). It’s a test he presumably passes by showing he is willing to follow God’s commands even to the point of giving up his beloved son, and ultimately God orders the sacrifice of Isaac to stop. Yet does he really pass? When God ordered the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham passionately argued to spare their lives if as few as ten righteous people could be found. For his own son Isaac he doesn’t question a thing. One might argue that his personal interest made him hesitate to challenge God but as Hillel would later say, “If not now, when?” The incident seems to have created a rift between Abraham and Isaac that is only healed with Abraham’ death later on. If Isaac was asked, do you think he would say his father had passed the test?
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
