In an attempt to include biblical study into my day, those of you who've been with us in Israel know that walking in the footsteps of our forefathers is a thrill I get almost daily, here in the hills of Judea. The lessons abound, and here's one for today: We know that God tested Abraham ten times, and that the pinnacle came as his faith was tested by forcing a sacrifice of his son, 'his only son, Isaac". If you're like me, it's hard to imagine most any parent willing to do that, not even when told to by God Himself. Yet Abraham stood the test and those difficult passages are written down for us to read, to imagine and to contemplate today.
Abraham, after passing the test and having his son spared, had reached the highest of spiritual heights in that difficult act. He did so on Mt. Moriah, at the center of ancient Jerusalem, atop the hill, and he received abundant blessing in return, as we are told in Genesis:
15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore....
He then turns to go home, to continue his regular life - yet from the heights of Moriah he does not fall, he does not return to a lower mundane existence: 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba.
Abraham remains spiritually elevated even as he leaves the mountain, the city of Jerusalem, and incorporates those heights into his life. May we merit to do the same, together.
Ruthie, Sarah and the Team
