OK, this week we read parsha Vayeira (18:1-22:24) which continues the story of Abraham and his son, Isaac. The reading begins with a lesson in hospitality, as Abraham welcomes in 3 strangers to his home while still in recovery from his circumcision. The stangers turn out to be messengers (or angels, if you prefer) from God who give him the message that his wife, Sarah, will give birth to a son, Isaac, within the year.
They also bring the message that Sodom and Gomorrah are about to become compost toast (like that, nanc?). Abraham intercedes in an effort to save the rightous, persuading God to agree to spare Sodom if as few as 10 rightous men can be found in the city. It is from this example that Jews to this day, 4,000 years later, need at least 10 men to form a minyon for prayer.
Of course, the Sodomizers and Gomorrans are leveled when even that small number cannot be reached. Abrahams brother, Lott, is spared his life when two of the messengers from Abraham's house come and help him out.
Later, Abraham is ordered by God to expel Ishmael and take his beloved Isaac to be bound and sacrificed. Abraham shows his faith in God by performing these commands without argument, and of course Isaac is not sacrificed as an angel intervenes to stop it from happening.
MZ believes the lesson of Abraham here is that he had ultimate faith that God would NEVER allow the command to sacrifice Isaac take place, and he carried his faith in this right to the end when Isaac was indeed redeemed. The faith Isaac must have had that God knows what He's doing is a powerful lesson for us all, as well.
That event, known as the Akeida, or "Binding", is understood to have taken place where?? Anyone?? Yes, on the site we now call the Temple Mount.
Nice to know the moslems are running it so nicely, eh?
Good Shabbos!
-MZ
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abraham said to isaac, "the Lord will provide a lamb." what faith abraham had. i've often wondered who had more faith in whom, abraham in G-d or G-d in abraham? good shabbos to you and your family, madze.
this was our study at church this past month. uncanny i tell you.
but he never hesitated kuhnkat - he never broke stride when he told isaac the Lord would provide the sacrifice. after all, abraham was given the promise and he and sarah by this time were over one hundred years of age - they knew there would be no more children for them. i'd like to believe G-d had more faith in abraham, even after sarah botched it.
have you noticed, in the bible from adam to the end - it is always a woman who creates the problems? here is perhaps one of the nanciist nancisms to come about:
when G-d made adam and plucked eve from his rib, he robbed adam of any chance of understanding the mind of a woman. what do we whiney women complain most about in our relationships to men? not that i'm guilty, but it is, "you don't understand me..." "you never talk to me..." "why can't you see my point of view..." "how come this..." "how come that..."
we're never completely happy and enjoy letting you know about it. there is a mystery here that i've been trying to figure out for the past 35 years or so. if i ever get close - millions of men across the planet will have a permanent smile upon their faces. just so you know - i thank G-d everyday for our differences - i could not stand another me!
i would never interrupt anyone at a girly bar. that would make me look desperate. have never gone looking for my man, therefore have never had to find him - he finds me. what kind of women are you hanging out with kuhnkat? that you would have to hang out at girly bars?
Oh I miss Getsit. He/She would have said something delicously intolerant for this post.
Sigh....
don't get madze, but have you seen this yet?:
http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20051118-115819-4166r
something must be done about aliens!
direct hit kuhnkat! did you have a wondy day? mine could not have been better. we're watching maverick with mel gibson - one of our family favorites.
madze - how do you feel about this?:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/11/19/193948.shtml
what is to become of those of us who take the word of G-d literally? this world is becoming sadder by the moment. hope you had a peaceful shabbos.
well kuhnkat - i'm beginning to get pissed off, but as a good person told me once better off than on. why does no one see this? i'm going to read my churchill this week and i don't mean the cigar store indian churchill either. i'm so angry my blood pressure has just risen to 120/70 which is high for me. if nothing else kills me, all this business with israel will.
Greetings all! Nanc, you stole my thunder. I was going to make a posting on the reform conference. In fact, I think I still will anyway...but I'll be sure to give you props.
just so you know - i heard that we may not call people failures anymore; we must say they are suffering "deferred success"! i have heard about all my ears can hold for one weekend. that's it, i'm turning my ears and eyes off for the rest of the day.
had you going there for a second. and i defer all thunder back to madze.
article at:
http://today.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2005-11-18T014425Z_01_MCC806199_RTRIDST_0_OUKOE-UK-WORDS.XML
misguided criminals = terrorist
thought shower = brainstorming
this is one our family uses:
poop in a group = get your sh*t together
what next guys?
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