Andy Kohlenberg responded:
<< I think that this is a very important insight. The need to make Yitzchak
into a great man also explains why G-d commanded Avraham to sacrifice him...
Sara understood this. When she heard about the Akayda, she realized that her
life's aim of raising a child to be as great as his father had been
achieved.>>
I really am puzzled why a more anthropologic approach to the Akeda does not
attract more religious people. I mean that by sacrificing a sheep in the
place of a valued human being the Jewish people then set a not to be
infringed upon precedent for all mankind to avoid human sacrifice. And later
there was no contradiction with the eseret hadebrot "Thou shalt not kill !"
I must say that the psychological attitude as described above is very
chilling and I cannot approve it.
Florence Amit
Email: amit-1@actcom.co.il
Phone: 972 76278843