Burning Bush, 10-29
Shabbat: Tests. Chabad. Org
Seventh Reading: Genesis 22:1–22:24
“ [G‑d] said [to Abraham], “Please Take your son, your only one, the one you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Take him up there as an ascent-offering, on one of the mountains that I will designate to you.” Genesis 22:2
The primary aspect of this test was not the self-sacrifice it entailed but the challenge it posed to Abraham’s implicit faith in G‑d: G‑d had promised Abraham that Isaac would be the one to perpetuate his legacy; now G‑d was commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, in seeming contradiction to His very own word. Yet Abraham unquestioningly carried out G‑d’s command.
G‑d tests us in order to bring our hidden soul-powers to the fore. In fact, life in general is such a test. Before it descended into this world, the soul related to G‑d within the limits of reason; the soul never experienced a love for Him that transcends reason. But once the soul is encased in a physical body, which is by nature antagonistic to spirituality, it must summon its innermost strength to remain faithful to G‑d despite life’s daily trials and tribulations. With this newfound strength, the soul comes to understand and appreciate G‑d in a much more profound and intimate way than it ever could have before descending into this world. Sefer HaMa’amarim 5700, p. 37.”
Rabbi Gordon says the Jews bless the nations and Hashem loves them because they fear God. This story proves it. Isaac became the spiritual sacrifice and offering for the Jewish people on that day, an offering they “eat” daily forever and remember in daily prayer. His “ashes” bring them forgiveness.
So is Jesus to Christians. But God’s only begotten son completed the sacrifice physically and spiritually is God.
The two stories, Jesus and Isaac, bear pondering, my whole life. God guide my thoughts. Amen
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