The Parsha Discussion with Alex Israel — Vayera. The Akeida’s Contrary Commitments

Posted by Alex Israel on November 13, 2019
Topics: The Parsha Discussion, Bereishit (Genesis), VaYera

This week, I share a short passage from a book by Uriel Simon, one of Israel’s leading Modern-Orthodox bible professors. I have found his reading of the Akeida quite powerful and it resonates with me.

This week we read the formidable story of the Akeida. I have frequently avoided this great story in my teaching precisely because its questions are so great, the challenges so deep; after all, why does Abraham argue to save Sedom but does not question the command to sacrifice his son? Why does God ask Abraham to kill his son, and then reverse the command at the very last moment? What is to be learned from this story?

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About Alex Israel

Alex teaches Bible at Pardes and is the Director of the Community Education Program and the Summer Program. Alex was born and raised in London. He holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. Click here to read more. You can find books written by Alex by clicking here

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