Rabbi Howard Morrison

It is impossible not to read today's parsha with one eye without keeping another eye on Israel and the Jewish world.

We are introduced to the relationship of Yitzchak and Yishmael. Yishmael is "Metzachek" on Yitzchak. The meanings are vast. He made sport of, made fun of, abused in some way - all really bad - So bad that while Abraham is unsure what to do, Sarah has moral clarity. Yishmael and Hagar must be banished for the sake of Yitzchak. God says to Abraham to listen to Sarah's voice. 

This text reverberates for us. Yitzchak is the Jewish people. Yishmael for us right now represents a particular evil segment neighboring Israel called Hamas. Listen to Sarah's voice. The latter cannot be allowed to be Metzachek on Yitzchak.

Let's analyze the most perplexing chapter of the entire Torah, the binding of Yitzchak. Books have been written on it. A modern etiological approach suggests that this narrative points to the litmus test distinction between the ethos of Abraham versus the world. The Abrahamic Hebrew way will never allow for the killing of children to worship God. Animal offerings are Biblically instituted as a substitute. This while the pagans of the time killed children in their worship.

The Jewish people revere human life, especially as it pertains to our children. The evil despots show no regard to protecting their children toward their fundamentalist beliefs 

Today, an empty chair adorns our Bimah. Surrounded by a Tallit and Siddur, symbols of faith and hope, the sign reads, "BRING THE HOSTAGES HOME." They are all our children.

With so much anti-Jewish hatred here and around the world, we pray for all our children. It is no accident that once our patriarchs become a nation, we are called Bnai Yisrael, the Children of Israel.

May the hostages come home soon and safely, and may all the Children of Israel be safe in Israel and around the world 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison