— It rises in the west and it sets in the east.

— And do you say prayers?

— Certainly. And they are very beautiful. We praise the Almighty for the wisdom with which He runs the universe.

— Would you like to stay among us or would you prefer to go home?

— I would like to go home.

Whereupon King Solomon summoned Ashmedai, king of demons, and ordered him to take back to his home this descendant of Cain’s. But Ashmedai shook his head and said:

— Unfortunately, that can no longer be done; it is not in my power.

A saying: Cain’s true punishment? He unlearned the meaning of Shabbat.

THE SACRIFICE
OF ISAAC: A
SURVIVOR’S STORY

THIS STRANGE TALE is about fear and faith, fear and defiance, fear and laughter.

Terrifying in content, it has become a source of consolation to those who, in retelling it, make it part of their own experience. Here is a story that contains Jewish destiny in its totality, just as the flame is contained in the single spark by which it comes to life. Every major theme, every passion and obsession that make Judaism the adventure that it is, can be traced back to it: man’s anguish when he finds himself face to face with God, his quest for purity and purpose, the conflict of having to choose between dreams of the past and dreams of the future, between absolute faith and absolute justice, between the need to obey God’s will and to rebel against it; between his yearnings for freedom and for sacrifice, his desire to justify hope and despair with words and silence—the same words and the same silence. It is all there.

As a literary composition, this tale—known as the Akeda—is unmatched in Scripture. Austere and powerful, its every word reverberates into infinity, evoking suspense and drama, uncovering a whole mood based on a before and continuing into an after, culminating in a climax which endows its characters with another dimension. They are human—and more: forceful and real despite the metaphysical implications. At every step, their condition remains relevant and of burning gravity.

This very ancient story is still our own and we shall continue to be bound to it in the most intimate way. We may not know it, but every one of us, at one time or another, is called upon to play a part in it. What part? Are we Abraham or Isaac? We are Jacob, that is to say, Israel. And Israel began with Abraham.

Let us reread the text.

• • •

Once upon a time there lived a man for all seasons, blessed with all talents and virtues, deserving of every grace. His name was Abraham and his mission was to serve as God’s messenger among men too vain and blind to recognize His glory. Tradition rates him higher than Moses—whose Law he observed; higher even than Adam—whose errors he was asked to correct.