Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.

Genesis 22:9-12

The two are at the correct place and Abraham builds an alter. The wood is placed on it. Isaac is bound and place on the wood of the alter.

Abraham reaches out and raises the knife to slaughter his son...

Then a voice from the heavens was heard, "Abraham! Abraham!"

"Hee-nay-nee" responded the grieving father.

"Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him for now I know that you fear God and you have not kept back your only son from me."

Who is the person who arrived had stopped Abraham from doing what God had asked him to do? He is identified to be Messenger of YHVH when he comes on the scene, but ends up saying, "You have not kept back your only son from me."

These types of encounters involving changing identities and references happen throughout the scriptures. As much as this reading speaks of a father willing to allow his son to die a bloody death after being placed on wood, it also parallels a future event where one of Abraham's descendants does in fact die that way.

The cruelty of those who did the actual torture and killing of the latter, far outweighs the cruelty of Abraham in our reading for today. Think about it.

The story continues next week as Abraham is provided a substitute.

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Today's reading

Info on each letter starting at the beginning

If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here

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Thanks for reading.

Shabbat Shalom