I was proud to have been a participant in anti Vietnam War protests when I was in college and I am equally proud to have had all three of my children become IDF soldiers, two of whom became officers and extended their years of service. On the other hand, my wife and I have struggled with the fact that we put our children in harm's way. Neither of us grew up in Israel, where the great majority of native Israelis have done so for multiple generations. Your reading of the Akedah is both comforting and troubling. We are here in Israel for reasons closely tied to our love of the Jewish people and our desire to be directly involved in extending their time on Earth. Yet the thought of losing one of them for such abstract notions is almost unbearable.
Yes.. FWIW, I think that here in the west we have an illusion of safety. Days might come that will ask us to sacrifice for the common good and for survival's sake and I am afraid that we're not cultivating the moral fortitude here required to overcome great battles..
I feel as though the Jewish heart has been ripped open since 10/7/23. It revealed some hard truths about US/Israel differences. You raise provocative questions about the context for Israeli sacrifice and American individualism. How can we learn from the Akedah here in our own Jewish communities about how to integrate and elevate both our individual experiences of Faith and visions of Sacrifice in order to strengthen our ties and connection with Israel?
Yes - exactly. And i'd say that the hard truths are not only for the sake of Israel - i.e., it's looking at our culture here in America and asking ourselves if we're living in the right way.
Yes it works both ways but especially here in the States where a majority is fundamentally assimilated and therefore removed from Israel and what sacrifice means. You raise such a good point that there needs to be some real live conversations on what sacrifice means on all levels, not just sacrificing ones life for one's country.
The section of Aaron's book that you reference - where he discusses Maimonides - tries to hold both positions at the same time. Abraham *does* hear God telling him to sacrifice Isaac, and he also hears God telling him not to sacrifice Isaac. Even if the latter command is closer to God's ultimate will, reflects a higher level of prophecy, supersedes the initial command when they are in conflict, they are somehow both true. God demands AND rejects sacrifice, and we are left to struggle with that.
Your essay also reminded me of a powerful passage written by Rav Yoel Bin Nun about an argument he and his wife have about the akedah, but also about sending children off to the army. He talks about how his wife firmly believes that Abraham *knew* that he wouldn't be sacrificing Isaac on the altar, but Rav Yoel felt that Abraham expected to complete the sacrifice. With that introduction, he writes:
And on this I disagree with my wife who says I send my children to Tzahal with a complete belief that they will return in peace. And I am in no way sending them to an Akedah. An accident can happen at any time or place but my children, the soldiers are leaving on the condition they will return home safely. And I say they leave with the hope and prayers that they will return safely but with the knowledge of the dangers. We do not run from danger and we do not hold back our children from the army because of the great privilege we have to live as a free and sovereign nation in our land. And with this we are following the tradition of Abraham and Yitzchak. (translation from here: https://thelehrhaus.com/timely-thoughts/thoughts-on-aliyah-and-the-akeidah-from-israel-at-war/)
Thank you so much - appreciate your comment on Aaron's book. I do think his orientation answers some questions while opening others. I really appreciate you sharing the quote from R' Yoel Bin Nun and the argument with his wife. It really brings home how real this is -
Thanks, Mijal. I feel *grounded* in our peoples sacrifice for something bigger. It makes my heart bigger and gives me a purpose. I think most Jews would say the same both in Israel and abroad. 💙🇮🇱 Shabbat shalom!
Interesting commentary. For full transparency, I had not given much attention to this part of the parsha as an adult. Hearing your perspective on it and relating to today is quite interesting. Thank you for your insights as always
beautifully written. thank you. I have always said that any one who moves to Israel either with a family or planning one is knowingly willing to sacrifice their children for the country.
I was proud to have been a participant in anti Vietnam War protests when I was in college and I am equally proud to have had all three of my children become IDF soldiers, two of whom became officers and extended their years of service. On the other hand, my wife and I have struggled with the fact that we put our children in harm's way. Neither of us grew up in Israel, where the great majority of native Israelis have done so for multiple generations. Your reading of the Akedah is both comforting and troubling. We are here in Israel for reasons closely tied to our love of the Jewish people and our desire to be directly involved in extending their time on Earth. Yet the thought of losing one of them for such abstract notions is almost unbearable.
Yes.. FWIW, I think that here in the west we have an illusion of safety. Days might come that will ask us to sacrifice for the common good and for survival's sake and I am afraid that we're not cultivating the moral fortitude here required to overcome great battles..
This is one time I will hope that you are wrong.
Alan so great to see you hear!
Same here
I feel as though the Jewish heart has been ripped open since 10/7/23. It revealed some hard truths about US/Israel differences. You raise provocative questions about the context for Israeli sacrifice and American individualism. How can we learn from the Akedah here in our own Jewish communities about how to integrate and elevate both our individual experiences of Faith and visions of Sacrifice in order to strengthen our ties and connection with Israel?
Yes - exactly. And i'd say that the hard truths are not only for the sake of Israel - i.e., it's looking at our culture here in America and asking ourselves if we're living in the right way.
Yes it works both ways but especially here in the States where a majority is fundamentally assimilated and therefore removed from Israel and what sacrifice means. You raise such a good point that there needs to be some real live conversations on what sacrifice means on all levels, not just sacrificing ones life for one's country.
The section of Aaron's book that you reference - where he discusses Maimonides - tries to hold both positions at the same time. Abraham *does* hear God telling him to sacrifice Isaac, and he also hears God telling him not to sacrifice Isaac. Even if the latter command is closer to God's ultimate will, reflects a higher level of prophecy, supersedes the initial command when they are in conflict, they are somehow both true. God demands AND rejects sacrifice, and we are left to struggle with that.
Your essay also reminded me of a powerful passage written by Rav Yoel Bin Nun about an argument he and his wife have about the akedah, but also about sending children off to the army. He talks about how his wife firmly believes that Abraham *knew* that he wouldn't be sacrificing Isaac on the altar, but Rav Yoel felt that Abraham expected to complete the sacrifice. With that introduction, he writes:
And on this I disagree with my wife who says I send my children to Tzahal with a complete belief that they will return in peace. And I am in no way sending them to an Akedah. An accident can happen at any time or place but my children, the soldiers are leaving on the condition they will return home safely. And I say they leave with the hope and prayers that they will return safely but with the knowledge of the dangers. We do not run from danger and we do not hold back our children from the army because of the great privilege we have to live as a free and sovereign nation in our land. And with this we are following the tradition of Abraham and Yitzchak. (translation from here: https://thelehrhaus.com/timely-thoughts/thoughts-on-aliyah-and-the-akeidah-from-israel-at-war/)
Thank you so much - appreciate your comment on Aaron's book. I do think his orientation answers some questions while opening others. I really appreciate you sharing the quote from R' Yoel Bin Nun and the argument with his wife. It really brings home how real this is -
Thanks, Mijal. I feel *grounded* in our peoples sacrifice for something bigger. It makes my heart bigger and gives me a purpose. I think most Jews would say the same both in Israel and abroad. 💙🇮🇱 Shabbat shalom!
Amanda, love love hearing from you. What a beautiful expression, "it makes my hear bigger and gives me a purpose". Thank you for sharing!! xo
Interesting commentary. For full transparency, I had not given much attention to this part of the parsha as an adult. Hearing your perspective on it and relating to today is quite interesting. Thank you for your insights as always
Thank you, Eric!
beautifully written. thank you. I have always said that any one who moves to Israel either with a family or planning one is knowingly willing to sacrifice their children for the country.
fran shifrin
Thank you for such a thoughtful commentary on Akedah!
I've also struggled with the Akedah for a long time, and this was a comforting new perspective. Thanks Mijal!