Emphasis Preaching Journal
The story of the binding...
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The story of the binding of Isaac or the Akeidah is the most read of all scriptures. Every
morning devout Jews read the Akeidah. It is part of the readings on the Jewish New Year,
Rosh Hashanah, and it is occurs once in the regular cycle of readings, making a total of
367 times a year the story is read! Why? According to the rabbis, as soon as the knife of
Abraham touched the throat of Isaac, his soul departed from him. The instant the angel of
the Lord forbade Abraham to harm the child, his soul returned. Thus, Isaac is considered
to have died and rose again on the altar.
