The Angel Intervenes

8-27 Genesis 22:9-19

Angel intervention
Isaac is bound.

Style is Hemmingway-like - lean descriptions – emotions not explained.
Thus the midrash is needed to explore the feelings and emotions.

1. Isaac speaks – he may jerk and ruin the sacrifice. Isaac volunteers to be sacrificed.
2. Abraham feels joy and sadness – tears – Isaac saw the angels – epic drama with tears and angels who appeal to God to rescue Isaac.


Call from the Angel – a new name for God – Adonai – the name associated with mercy.
(Elohim previously used – justice)

Angels are in heaven and they CALL from heaven ( Angels need assistance to get to earth physically)

Midrash: Abraham questions who angel and if the angel really represents God.

V16 – “by myself I swear” a message clearly from God.

“do not do anything to the boy”

Rambam – Opportunity for Abraham to demonstrate his fear of God – righteousness must be fulfilled in action … “lack of ego” demonstrated.

SRHirsch – After this experience Isaac is influenced by the willingness to be sacrificed. Now it is a part of our story – always ready to be sacrificed.

Eli Munk – The Ram – Rosh Hashanah
Symbolic act for the future of the Jews.
Ram’s horn = shoffar
We have all had to be Isaac.
All parts of the ram are used in the history of the Jewish people.
Akidah becomes part of our essence. Source of our moral strength.

V14 “lynchpin of the story” name of place = “God will see” –‘vision’ on the Mountain of God “ God Sees” verb “to see” throughout the story.

Martin Buber “Abraham – the seer” essay

Heschel – 1. How we SEE – Glory and Evil – both together. 2. Teacher (70’s) The angel is not too late – sometimes humans are too late.

V19 Where was Isaac?
1. He was sent to study Torah?
2. Hirsch: Isaac was there but not mentioned in this verse. It said they went “together”

The whole part is a message against human sacrifice.

Book: The Last Trial by Shalom Spiegel
The Last Trial: On the Legends and Lore of the Command to Abraham to Offer Isaac as a Sacrifice: The Akedah

Poem – 1953 – Israeli poet…
Isaac - Amir Gilboa

Early in the morning the sun took a walk in the forest
Together with me and with Father
And my right hand in his left.

Like lightning a knife flamed between the trees.
And I fear so the terror of my eyes facing blood on the leaves.

Father, hurry and save Isaac
And no one will be missing at lunchtime.

It is I who am being slaughtered, my son,
And my blood is already on the leaves.
And Father’s voice was stifled.
And his face pale.

And I wanted to cry out; writhing not to believe
And tearing open the eyes.
And I woke up.

And bloodless was my right hand.

Poem by Wilfred Owens – Anthem for Doomed Youth
http://www.rjgeib.com/heroes/owen/owen-poetry.html