an interesting idea
Nov. 28th, 2001 05:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cellioRuth Levenstein posted an interesting idea to a Jewish mailing list that I'm on.
It is generally held that the binding of Isaac (the Akeidah) was a test, and that Avraham passed the test by obeying the order to sacrifice his son. But maybe Avraham *failed* the test. Maybe passing the test would have meant protesting, as he did to protect S'dom and Gemorrah a few chapters earlier.
The story takes on a very different tone if you read it from this perspective.
It is generally held that the binding of Isaac (the Akeidah) was a test, and that Avraham passed the test by obeying the order to sacrifice his son. But maybe Avraham *failed* the test. Maybe passing the test would have meant protesting, as he did to protect S'dom and Gemorrah a few chapters earlier.
The story takes on a very different tone if you read it from this perspective.
(no subject)
Date: 2001-11-29 06:12 am (UTC)I have this image of a largish, white-bearded man with a stunned look on his face saying, "He did what? Oy, why did I decide that people were A Good Idea? Go stop him." then muttering under his breath, "Note to self: Don't talk to Abraham, it's just a bad idea."
Then again, the G-d that I perceive is far more fatherly, laid back, and reasonable than the Really Angry G-d(tm) that the church I grew up in told me about.
(no subject)
Date: 2001-12-05 02:52 pm (UTC)