A different Perspective...

For our beginning classes we have been discussing the story of Abraham in the eyes of Kierkegaard, and how he feels as if Christianity is selling this story short by making Abraham into the Tragic Hero. Also pinpointing how we as Christians refuse to accept the fact that there is some questioning in calling Abraham the Father of Faith.

This week I thought back to my Life class and wondered if this story was just as controversial in any other religion or was it just a "Christian thing". My main interest was the Jewish religion with my main question being, "How do the Jewish intellects react to this?" With some research I discovered that in the Jewish religion this particular story is given  a special title, "The Akedah". The word itself means binding, for Abraham's act of binding Issac upon wood intending to slay him.To most of the Jewish community the story serves as an example of martyrdom,using Issac as the main example and different means of sacrifice(God excepts all sacrifices not just human). However, there are some Jewish scholars that agree with Kierkegaard, stating that Abraham's action is considered a suspension over a law. Abraham is considered to be the patriarch of Divine Lovingkindness, but his attempt to sacrifice to sacrifice is own his is contradictory to his supposed nature. This is much like Kierkegaard's explanation of Abraham believing in the paradox.

I just thought it was interesting to understand a different perspective on this situation since we never questioned it in class. It seems if the Jewish community is stuck in the same position we are, understanding that what Abraham did take courage to actually attempt to go through with it and maybe he deserves some credit for that aspect, but in no way does his actions to believe the paradox that his son could live and die at once, or to go against the name of his supposed kind and loving  nature make him the Father of Faith or the Patriarch of Divine Lovingkindess

"Akedah." Jewish Virtual Library - Homepage. Web. 8 Sept. 2011. 
"The Problem of the Akedah in Jewish Thought." Rabbi Louis Jacobs. Web. 8 Sept. 2011