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The Parsha Discussion with Alex Israel — Vayera. The Akeida’s Contrary Commitments

Introduction

This week, I share a short passage from a book by Uriel Simon, one of Israel’s leading Modern-Orthodox bible professors. I have found his reading of the Akeida quite powerful and it resonates with me.

This week we read the formidable story of the Akeida. I have frequently avoided this great story in my teaching precisely because its questions are so great, the challenges so deep; after all, why does Abraham argue to save Sedom but does not question the command to sacrifice his son? Why does God ask Abraham to kill his son, and then reverse the command at the very last moment? What is to be learned from this story?

To read and learn more, Click here to download and print this week’s Parsha Discussion on Vayera. The Akeida’s Contrary Commitments.

Please note that if you are printing The Parsha Discussion on US paper, please select the option “fit to print”.

Read Previous Parsha DiscussionsListen to Alex Israel’s Podcast Library

Alex Israel

Rabbi Alex Israel teaches Bible at Pardes. Born and raised in London, he holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate.

Alex has taught for twenty years in many top Jerusalem Yeshivot and Midrashot. He is also a volunteer for Tzohar, a group that seeks to bridge the gaps between religious and secular communities In Israel. Alex lives with his wife and 4 children in Gush Etzion.

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