Laughter and Balance
Genesis 17:19-27
Isaac Arrives - Ishmael vs Isaac - Balance
Abraham is 99 and Isaac is 8 days old when they were both circumcised.
The final section of God’s promise
The meaning of Isaac’s name – Laughter
Hirsch – the absurdity of our continued existance – defiant laughter of the Jews (19th Cen)
Sarna – originally Itzak El – Itzak is the short form – and meaning God Laughs or God will Laugh
Hypochlor – shortening a name – child talk (greek)
Why shortened? 1. Might not give the right image. 2. Laughter in Bible is usually of the mocking or pitying type (Psalm 2:4)
Itzak also means – to play.
Rashi – on laughter
Abraham in joy – Sarah in skepticism – Itzak laughs out loud.
The first Jewish child named for laughter – interesting basis of our origins.
In the Talmud when the Rabbis want to solve an issue for themselves and they tell God to “stay out of it” then God laughs!
Biblical names have endured through history.
Gematria interpretation of Itzak’s name
Yud = 10 = Abraham’s 10 trials
Tzadie = 90 = Sarah’s age
Het = 8 = days to the brit
Kuf = 100 Abraham’s age
This is the story of Isaac’s life
Isaac’s name is the only one given by God and not changed.
v20 – Isaac – the covenant focus
Ishmael – promised to be also the head of great nation
The balance of Isaac vs Ishmael:
Ishmael – sire 12 princes
Richard Friedman – Ishmael is the ancestor of the Ishmaelites.
Menahem Recanati - Kabalistic theory – Ishmael begat 12 princes – Eclesiastic - “true good fortune in a time of misfortune”
Reflect that both good fortune and misfortune come from God.
Dualism – 2 polarities – a theory that is verified in physics.
Complementary opposites.
Positive way to understand misfortune.
“sparks of light embedded in the darkness”
Nasi / Naseem - Prince
Hirsch – Jewish concept of nationhood comes from those who are elevated – Nisiem – lifted above and carried by the people. (this is what he says a ruler should be)
Rashi - Nasi – also means a cloud – use of the term nasi rather than sar
Shevetim = tribes of Israel
Clouds blow away.
Ishmael’s glory is transient like clouds.
Bakhuda The Koran scholar – Spain 11th Century
2047 years from creation the Arabs became a great nation. The Ishmaelites waited and then they dominated. The descendents of Isaac can wait a bit longer!
Book: Abraham Halkin and David Hartman. Crisis and Leadership: Epistles of. Maimonides.
Rambam – numeric value = name of Mohamed in 12th century Egypt he was the physician in the court – the Jews of Yemin wrote to him for advice as they were being persecuted. He wrote them a letter on how to survive.
Roots of anti-Semitism – references to oppressed communities.
Isaac Arrives - Ishmael vs Isaac - Balance
Abraham is 99 and Isaac is 8 days old when they were both circumcised.
The final section of God’s promise
The meaning of Isaac’s name – Laughter
Hirsch – the absurdity of our continued existance – defiant laughter of the Jews (19th Cen)
Sarna – originally Itzak El – Itzak is the short form – and meaning God Laughs or God will Laugh
Hypochlor – shortening a name – child talk (greek)
Why shortened? 1. Might not give the right image. 2. Laughter in Bible is usually of the mocking or pitying type (Psalm 2:4)
Itzak also means – to play.
Rashi – on laughter
Abraham in joy – Sarah in skepticism – Itzak laughs out loud.
The first Jewish child named for laughter – interesting basis of our origins.
In the Talmud when the Rabbis want to solve an issue for themselves and they tell God to “stay out of it” then God laughs!
Biblical names have endured through history.
Gematria interpretation of Itzak’s name
Yud = 10 = Abraham’s 10 trials
Tzadie = 90 = Sarah’s age
Het = 8 = days to the brit
Kuf = 100 Abraham’s age
This is the story of Isaac’s life
Isaac’s name is the only one given by God and not changed.
v20 – Isaac – the covenant focus
Ishmael – promised to be also the head of great nation
The balance of Isaac vs Ishmael:
Ishmael – sire 12 princes
Richard Friedman – Ishmael is the ancestor of the Ishmaelites.
Menahem Recanati - Kabalistic theory – Ishmael begat 12 princes – Eclesiastic - “true good fortune in a time of misfortune”
Reflect that both good fortune and misfortune come from God.
Dualism – 2 polarities – a theory that is verified in physics.
Complementary opposites.
Positive way to understand misfortune.
“sparks of light embedded in the darkness”
Nasi / Naseem - Prince
Hirsch – Jewish concept of nationhood comes from those who are elevated – Nisiem – lifted above and carried by the people. (this is what he says a ruler should be)
Rashi - Nasi – also means a cloud – use of the term nasi rather than sar
Shevetim = tribes of Israel
Clouds blow away.
Ishmael’s glory is transient like clouds.
Bakhuda The Koran scholar – Spain 11th Century
2047 years from creation the Arabs became a great nation. The Ishmaelites waited and then they dominated. The descendents of Isaac can wait a bit longer!
Book: Abraham Halkin and David Hartman. Crisis and Leadership: Epistles of. Maimonides.
Rambam – numeric value = name of Mohamed in 12th century Egypt he was the physician in the court – the Jews of Yemin wrote to him for advice as they were being persecuted. He wrote them a letter on how to survive.
Roots of anti-Semitism – references to oppressed communities.
posted by Chavarah @ 8:22 PM
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