Return to the Akeda-Why I Love Isaac
A Lecture by Prof. Elie Wiesel
92nd St Y May 16, 2012
Listening to my teacher and mentor, Elie Wiesel is always a privilege, enlightening, uplifting and moving.
Just hearing his voice can put me in a place of learning with an appreciation for his masterful teaching. The words that pour out are soothing and healing. I always feel moved and humbled when I have the opportunity to learn from him.
These are some of the teachings I came away with at his most recent lecture, Return to the Akeda- Why I Love Isaac.
Life is not made of years but moments. Isaac lived a unique moment in history, a solitary moment. There has been much written about Abraham, but not enough about Isaac. Although it’s called, Akeidat Yitzchak, it’s centered on Abraham. Midrash helps us in our quest for learning, our quest for study. Midrash, from the word, Lid’rosh, to study and extract hidden meanings- it can take centuries to search out these hidden meanings. Learning carries it’s own rewards.
Isaac- what do we know about him? He was almost sacrificed, he almost died and was saved by the voice of an angel. We read about Abraham but not his son’s unspeakable suffering.
Elie Wiesel loves Isaac- he suffered so much, he was used by the Almighty… why did his son have to experience fear and trembling? Can a being be used as a means? Why was the son’s fate also tested? Who is the central figure, Abraham or Isaac? It seems unjust to Elie Wiesel if Abraham and G-d had a problem, why should Isaac pay the price of proving loyalty?
Is Isaac the first survivor? Abraham returned from Mount Moriah alone- he left Isaac there? Imagine his loneliness! The relationship is not recorded of Isaac and Abraham as they got older. Isaac was 37 at the Akeidah- he must have been spoiled by his mother, his father traveled a lot. Finally he had a special moment with his father, they walked together, yachdav- to bring a sacrifice together. Isaac was promised an adventure with his father, walking 3 days and 3 nights in silence. Isaac’s curiosity turned into anguish. They were walking to Mount Moriah to bring an offering to G-d- does Isaac know the tragic truth? They both build an alter, Isaac carries the wood, but where is the sacrificial lamb?
“ G-d will show it to us”. An angel puts his hand on Abraham, “ Al tishlach yad’cha -do not lay a hand on the lad “
Why has Elie Wiesel chosen to return to the Akeidah 4-5 times in lectures?
The mystery of the Akeidah still resonates.
The story of Abraham has faith and drama. G-d calls out to Abraham and he answers, “ hineni here I am”.
What is Isaac’s hope? Born on Pesach at noon to two old parents. Laughter is his name- the midrash says all were laughing when Isaac was born, mother, father and G-d.
Until the age of 37 Isaac lived in Bersheeva. After the Akeidah there is no mention of them speaking to each other, father and son. When Abraham eulogized Sarah, he must have seen Isaac- it was never mentioned if they spoke.
At the Akeidah, Isaac said, “ father”
Abraham answered, “ hineni b’ni” here I am , my son
Isaac- “ where is the lamb?”
Abraham says, “ G-d will show it to us”
The knife is absent in his question. At 37 could he not comprehend the situation? He was called, “ hana’ar” the young.. what was he? Did he become young, weak and fragile? Did he age backwards?
In Elie Wiesel’s life he once met a Jewish journalist from London. In the early 1940’s he had to write an article that included reports of the death camps in Poland. He spent hours trying to find the words to describe it- he was only allowed 300 words for his article. He looked in the mirror and did not recognize himself- his black hair had turned white.
The Akeidah fascinates Elie Wiesel even more than Mt. Sinai. It haunts his entire existence. The relationship between father and son as they walk towards the pivotal moment in their relationship, and in Jewish history. Elie Wiesel feels closer to Isaac- it’s possible Jewish history is a series of sequels of the Mt. Moriah experience. Every generation has it’s own Abraham- Why doesn’t the text evoke Isaac’s feelings?
The Talmudic universe tries to show all possibilities. Why did G-d wait so long for Abraham to be tested ?
Isaac is a victim- at 37 he could have fought back- he respected his father, perhaps the son felt he shouldn’t stop his father. Is this the first act of martyrdom?
We who believe in His Torah choose life, not death-
Uvacharta bachayim- we must choose the living.
Isaac’s life was a near tragedy. How did Isaac react?
What could have been the happiest moment in is life turned dark and cruel. Did Isaac plead?
Avi, Avi, the text says. In Amsterdam there is a Rembrandt painting of Abraham looking angry- at G-d?
Was his love of G-d in conflict with his love of his son?
What was he thinking? Isaac must have felt alone and abandoned by his father and by G-d.
Is Abraham also testing G-d? daring him?
What does Isaac think or feel?
He had such love for his father until the last moment-
Did father and son ever speak again?
“ Now I know you are a G-d fearing man” , G-d says. G-d knows now? The questions still burns like an open wound.
Maybe it was a test and G-d didn’t want him to kill Isaac, to see if he loved him enough.
Isaac waited three years before going to meet and marry Rebecca. The text says he looked like he was from another universe. He belongs to the past and future of our people, his faith was tested. During the darkest of dark periods in our history father and son walked together in death and were separated. As the first survivor of burnt offerings of our people consumed in fire, we remember Isaac as one who has seen the fire.
We love Isaac for what he did with his memories. He got married, he had children, and he composed prayers.
In a memoir found in the mountains, a Sondercommando wrote, “ Will I ever be able to laugh again?”
Is it up to us, his heirs and successors to answer?
Leave a Reply