Final Test of AbrahamFinal Test of Abraham

• The The AkedahAkedah = The Binding of Isaac = The Binding of Isaac

• Jewish Rabbinical Tradition Jewish Rabbinical Tradition – – The 10th Test of AbrahamThe 10th Test of Abraham

• Read during Rosh HashanahRead during Rosh Hashanah –– Jewish New YearJewish New Year – – The Old passes awayThe Old passes away –– The New beginsThe New begins

• All Rabbis struggle with this storyAll Rabbis struggle with this story

Final Test of AbrahamFinal Test of Abraham

Rabbinical Commentary:Rabbinical Commentary:

““I have to strip the Akedah of its I have to strip the Akedah of its literal elements. Looking at it as literal elements. Looking at it as a story involving a real man and a story involving a real man and a real son is just too terrible!”a real son is just too terrible!”

Final Test of AbrahamFinal Test of Abraham

Rabbi Joseph R. Black:Rabbi Joseph R. Black:““On a literal level, the text teaches us On a literal level, the text teaches us that the binding of Isaac is a test of that the binding of Isaac is a test of Abraham’s faith. God needs to know Abraham’s faith. God needs to know if Abraham and his descendents will if Abraham and his descendents will be able to fulfill their part of the be able to fulfill their part of the covenantal relationship. And yet this covenantal relationship. And yet this answer is so problematic. What kind answer is so problematic. What kind of God would ask a parent to sacrifice of God would ask a parent to sacrifice a child as a test? It doesn’t make a child as a test? It doesn’t make sense. There must be something sense. There must be something more than that.”more than that.”

http://www.congregationalbert.orghttp://www.congregationalbert.org

Five Main Levitical OfferingsFive Main Levitical Offerings

Lev. Ch. 1 Burnt OfferingLev. Ch. 1 Burnt Offering – – ConsecrationConsecration

Lev. Ch. 2 Grain OfferingLev. Ch. 2 Grain Offering – – WorshipWorship

Lev. Ch. 3 Fellowship OfferingLev. Ch. 3 Fellowship Offering – Peace– Peace

Lev. Ch. 4 Sin OfferingLev. Ch. 4 Sin Offering – – ReconciliationReconciliation

Lev. Ch. 5 Guilt / Trespass OfferingLev. Ch. 5 Guilt / Trespass Offering – Restitution– Restitution

Mamre

Kadesh

Shu

r

Gerar

Beersheba

Moriah

““The Mountains of Moriah”The Mountains of Moriah”

3 mountain peaks:3 mountain peaks:

Mount of OlivesMount of Olives – 2,736 – 2,736 feet above feet above sea levelsea level

Mount MoriahMount Moriah – 2,549 – 2,549 feet above sea feet above sea levellevel

Mount ZionMount Zion – 2,532 – 2,532 feet above feet above sea levelsea level

Topology of Mount MoriahTopology of Mount Moriah

Mt

of

Oliv

es

Kid

ron

Val

ley

Solomon’sSolomon’sTempleTemple

Peak of Peak of MoriahMoriah

City of City of DavidDavidM

t Z

ion