Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/182

 The Book of Genesis

164

where Abraham's descendants might later bring their sacrifices to God, and consecrate themselves to His service, just as Father Al)raham did of old. place

NOTES V.

The land

2.

of

Aloriah; presnnial)ly

the

in

salem, where, in historical times, Mt. Moriah, the

vicinity

of Jeru-

Temple mount, was

located.

Here, too, just as in the story of his call, Abraham does not But he relies on God's word, that exactly whither he is going. at the right moment He will point out the proper mountain upon

know

which

to offer the sacrifice.

The

Abraham drew

rabbis told that as

near the end of his journey, he saw the pillar of fire, in which God was later to lead Israel through the desert, upon the top of one of the mountains. He asked Isaac if he saw it too, and Isaac answered

But the two servants, when questioned, replied that they Then Abraham realized that this was no ordinary mountain, l)ut tlie one destined for the sacrifice, and that the pillar of fire symbolized God's presence, revealed to him and Isaac alone. It is s beautiful thorght that God's presence is revealed to those who live and work in perfect faith in Him. and who seek Him with their whole heart. that he did.

saw

nothing.

The saddle

3.

consisted only of a small pi^ce of cloth fastened

to the animal's back. in

East.

the

rode; y.

As

is

Elaborate saddles with stirrups were unknown customary in the Orient, only the old man

still

others accompanied him on

the

foot.

was necessary to carry itire from those days lire was not easily kindled. It

6.

since in

be carried with them, since in Palestine not

easily

V.

13.

created by It

was

moment

wood

is

the

hearth at home,

Wood,

too,

had

to

very scarce, and so

gathered.

The God

created,

rabbis told that this at

twilight of

they

told,

the

just

ram had been one eve of the

that

it

might

of the things

Sabbath of creation. offer

itself

at

this

for sacrifice in place of Isaac.

Vv. 14-18 are really an interpolation into the original story, and, on the whole, rather detract from than add to the merit of the The story is much more complete and artistic if we read narration. This must have been the original v. 19 immediately after v. 13. form of the storv.