Parashat Va'era (Genesis 18:1 - 23:20)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

Va'era, Genesis 18:1 - 23:20 features Akedat Yitzhak (the Binding of Isaac), known in English as The Sacrifice of Isaac (although he does not end up being sacrificed). This is one of the moments in the Torah that seems made to be put to film. Abraham is told by God to go to a certain place to sacrifice his son Isaac. We all know the end of the story, Isaac is not sacrificed but both men and the Jewish people are changed forever.

Why would God ask this of Abraham? Why doesn't Abraham protest? Abraham didn't say anything when God told him to go in Lech Lecha. Wha does his silence tell you? What does it say about Abraham's character?
When Abram is told to leave his homeland in Lech Lecha God uses three phrases to describe the place to be left. In this parasha Isaac is described with four different phrases (Gen 22:2). Why does God use those multiple phrases in these situations?
When the moment passes Abraham sacrfices a ram (22:13). Why? Whose idea was it to make that sacrifice? God makes another promise to Abraham after the ram is sacrificed, why does God wait?
In 22:6 Isaac asks where the animal to be sacrificed is. Abraham says, "God will see to the sheep for His burnt offering, my son." Now if you change the punctuation a little what else might Abraham have been saying to Isaac? Why do you think that Isaac accepts that answer and doesn't push Abraham any harder for a real answer?
Imagine you are one of the workers who accompanied Abraham and Isaac on this journey. What might you have been thinking? Why wouldn't you ask any questions? What do you think it was like to work with (or for) Abraham? What kind of boss do you imagine he was?