Abraham and Sarah, in their old age, miraculously have a child named Isaac. Isaac, which in Hebrew means to laugh or chuckle, is a living reminder that G-d can make even the impossible come to fruition.

G-d then commands Abraham to sacrifice his precious son and Isaac passively agrees. It is written that they went together- and that is an ideal in Jewish life. Generations that can walk together in concert because they are bound together by the commitment to G-d, the common history, and the bonds of family- those are basic Jewish ideas which remain valid throughout the millenia and have brought the Jewish people until today.

G-d then reveals that it was never His intention for this sacrifice to actually happen- that human life is far too valuable to waste. Isaac is saved and then marries Rebecca...

Taught by Rabbi Berel Wein - http://jewishhistory.org

< Prev		Next >