Most Rabbinic commentators of the Chumash (midrashic, medieval, and later periods) are of the opinion that Isaac during the Akedah is a fully grown adult who, once he figured out that he was going to be the sacrifice, became a willing participant in the ordeal. (For a summary of the various opinions regarding Isaac’s age,Continue reading “Don’t the rabbis care about ethics?”
Category Archives: Short take
The first rule of prophecy is that you don’t talk about your prophecy
It’s strange that Rivka never tells Yitzhak that she was told by God that Yaakov was to become the greater son, even though it probably would have made her life a lot easier. There seems to be a general pattern among the avot/imahot (patriarchs/matriarchs) that prophecies they receive are kept secret and shared with othersContinue reading “The first rule of prophecy is that you don’t talk about your prophecy”
Noam Elimelech: Abraham knew all along that Isaac will not be killed
The Noam Elimelech is a commentary on the Torah written by one of the early Hasidic masters, Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717–March 11, 1787) In another post, I noted the Noam Elimelech’s reading of the Akedah as being that both Avraham and Itzhak knew all along that G-d did not intend for Itzhak to beContinue reading “Noam Elimelech: Abraham knew all along that Isaac will not be killed”
What is a “Jewish” approach to the Binding of Isaac?
Even within traditional rabbinic literature, there is no one Jewish approach to the Akedah. Rather, there is a range of approaches and a continuing conversation over the ages. Rabbis famously disagree about everything, so it’s not a surprise that they also disagree about the Akeidah. While the disagreements are bounded by the text of BereshitContinue reading “What is a “Jewish” approach to the Binding of Isaac?”
Akedat Yitzhak Takes 