|
|
| After the Last Trial
Our title was inspired by that of a well known book, The Last Trial, written by the late Shalom Spiegel (1984). Spiegel discussed some of the most fanciful and allegorical traditions associated with the account of the offering up of Isaac by Abraham on Mt Moriah. One point was glossed over, however, and we will address it here. Every great trial involves elements of both allegory and plain meaning.What if Abraham initially failed to perceive the spirit in which Yahweh's words were spoken? Was the real test of the Akedah to know on which level of interpretation to take the directions? This study promotes a minority view of Genesis 22 that absolutely needs to be shouted from the housetops. Its simplicity, when considered, is both stunning and breath-taking in its serenity. Through reading After The Last Trial, you will finally understand. For a brief review of the material, see "A Parable on Genesis 22."
There was a well known teacher of the Jews, beloved of his brethren, and called by many "Rabbi";
R. Acha said:
Avraham began to question,
“These things are surely very perplexing.” Yesterday you said to me, “For in Yitschak shall your seed be called,” then you said to me, “Take your son,” and now you say to me, “Do not send your hand against the youth!”
Elohim said to Avraham: “I shall not break my covenant,
nor change that which has issued from my lips” (Ps 89:35).
When I told you to “take your son,”
I did not say “slaughter him,”
but only “raise him” (“ha’aleyhu”).
For cherishing; I told you to raise him up here,
and you did as I bid.
Now take him down.
This is what is written,
“It never entered my mind” (Jeremiah 19:5, 32:35)
to go to the First Segment of
“After The Last Trial”,
| |
|