Difference between revisions of "Avraham and Yitzchak/0"
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| + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><b>I. Family Life</b></span></td> | ||
| + | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
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| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"> |
| − | <p><b><span style="color: #0000ff;">Barren wife</span></b></p> | + | <p><b><span style="color: #0000ff;"> a. Barren wife</span></b></p> |
</td> | </td> | ||
<td>Despite blessings of progeny, both Sarah and Rivka are initially unable to have children.</td> | <td>Despite blessings of progeny, both Sarah and Rivka are initially unable to have children.</td> | ||
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| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #0000ff;"> b. Two children</span></b></td> |
<td> Each of Avraham and Yitzchak bear two children, one of which is favored by the mother, while the other is loved by the father.</td> | <td> Each of Avraham and Yitzchak bear two children, one of which is favored by the mother, while the other is loved by the father.</td> | ||
<td>In Avraham's case, each child is born of a different mother. In contrast, Yitzchak's twin sons are both born to Rivka.</td> | <td>In Avraham's case, each child is born of a different mother. In contrast, Yitzchak's twin sons are both born to Rivka.</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #0000ff;"> c. Younger son  chosen</span></b></td> |
<td> In both stories the mother (Sarah/Rivka) ensures that it is the younger child who inherits or is blessed.</td> | <td> In both stories the mother (Sarah/Rivka) ensures that it is the younger child who inherits or is blessed.</td> | ||
<td>Avraham knowingly banishes Yishmael due to Sarah's demand and Hashem's sanction thereof, whereas Yitzchak is duped by Rivka into blessing Yaakov..</td> | <td>Avraham knowingly banishes Yishmael due to Sarah's demand and Hashem's sanction thereof, whereas Yitzchak is duped by Rivka into blessing Yaakov..</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #0000ff;"> d. Son marries non-Canaanite</span></b></td> |
<td>Both Avraham and Yitzchak ensure that their chosen son does not marry a Canaanite, but rather a woman from the family in Charan.</td> | <td>Both Avraham and Yitzchak ensure that their chosen son does not marry a Canaanite, but rather a woman from the family in Charan.</td> | ||
<td>While Avraham sends his servant to fetch the wife, Yitzchak sends Yaakov himself. Moreover, Yaakov has an additional purpose in leaving, his flight from Esav</td> | <td>While Avraham sends his servant to fetch the wife, Yitzchak sends Yaakov himself. Moreover, Yaakov has an additional purpose in leaving, his flight from Esav</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #0000ff;"> e. Rejected son leaves<br/></span></b></td> |
<td>Both Yishmael and Esav leave their homeland, but grow to be great nations and fathers of 12 princes/alufim.</td> | <td>Both Yishmael and Esav leave their homeland, but grow to be great nations and fathers of 12 princes/alufim.</td> | ||
<td>---</td> | <td>---</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #339966;">II. Sister-wife Episode</span></b></td> |
| − | <td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" colspan="2"> | + | <td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" colspan="2"> </td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #339966;"> a. Famine</span></b></td> |
<td> A famine leads both Avraham and Yitzchak to uproot.</td> | <td> A famine leads both Avraham and Yitzchak to uproot.</td> | ||
<td>Though both patriarchs head to Egypt, Yitzchak is told to remain in Canaan.</td> | <td>Though both patriarchs head to Egypt, Yitzchak is told to remain in Canaan.</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #339966;"> b. Fear </span></b></td> |
<td>Recognition of their wives' beauty causes both husbands to fear that the women will be taken by the locals, while they are killed.</td> | <td>Recognition of their wives' beauty causes both husbands to fear that the women will be taken by the locals, while they are killed.</td> | ||
<td>In Avraham's case, Sarah is, nonetheless, taken to the king, while Rivka is not.</td> | <td>In Avraham's case, Sarah is, nonetheless, taken to the king, while Rivka is not.</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #339966;"> c. Wife-sister</span></b></td> |
<td>Sarah and Rivka are passed off as Avraham and Yitzchak's sisters</td> | <td>Sarah and Rivka are passed off as Avraham and Yitzchak's sisters</td> | ||
<td>---</td> | <td>---</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #339966;"> d. Great wealth </span></b></td> |
<td>The story ends with a description of the wealth of Avraham/Yitzchak</td> | <td>The story ends with a description of the wealth of Avraham/Yitzchak</td> | ||
<td>In contrast to Avraham who is enriched by the many gifts of the king, Yitzchak earns his own wealth through his successful sowing.</td> | <td>In contrast to Avraham who is enriched by the many gifts of the king, Yitzchak earns his own wealth through his successful sowing.</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>III. Life in Gerar</b></span></td> |
| − | <td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" colspan="2"> | + | <td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" colspan="2"> </td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #ff0000;"> a. Digging wells</span></b></td> |
<td>Avraham and Yitzchak both dig wells in Gerar which are a source of dispute with the Philistines.</td> | <td>Avraham and Yitzchak both dig wells in Gerar which are a source of dispute with the Philistines.</td> | ||
<td>Avraham's accusations focus on one stolen well, while Yitzchak deals with multiple squabbles.</td> | <td>Avraham's accusations focus on one stolen well, while Yitzchak deals with multiple squabbles.</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #ff0000;"> b. Visit of Avimelekh </span></b></td> |
<td>Avimelekh and his general Fikhol visit, stating their recognition that Hashem is with Avraham/ Yitzchak.</td> | <td>Avimelekh and his general Fikhol visit, stating their recognition that Hashem is with Avraham/ Yitzchak.</td> | ||
<td>---</td> | <td>---</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #ff0000;"> c. Oath</span></b></td> |
<td><b></b>The two sides make a covenant and swear not to harm the other.</td> | <td><b></b>The two sides make a covenant and swear not to harm the other.</td> | ||
<td>---</td> | <td>---</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #ff0000;"> d. Beer Sheva</span></b></td> |
<td>Beer Sheva is named</td> | <td>Beer Sheva is named</td> | ||
<td>By Avraham the name refers to the oath (שבועה) taken by Avraham and Avimelekh, while by Yitzchak it refers to the well named "שבע".</td> | <td>By Avraham the name refers to the oath (שבועה) taken by Avraham and Avimelekh, while by Yitzchak it refers to the well named "שבע".</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"> </td> |
<td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" colspan="2"><span style="color: #800080;"><b>Death</b></span></td> | <td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" colspan="2"><span style="color: #800080;"><b>Death</b></span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="color: #800080;"><b>Old age </b></span></td> |
<td>Both patriarchs die at a "ripe old age".</td> | <td>Both patriarchs die at a "ripe old age".</td> | ||
<td>---</td> | <td>---</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: | + | <td style="text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="color: #800080;"><b>Burial</b></span></td> |
<td>Despite the earlier conflicts and potential for enmity, Yishmael and Yitzchak together bury Avraham and Yaakov and Esav join to bury Yitzchak.</td> | <td>Despite the earlier conflicts and potential for enmity, Yishmael and Yitzchak together bury Avraham and Yaakov and Esav join to bury Yitzchak.</td> | ||
<td>---</td> | <td>---</td> | ||
Version as of 15:05, 11 November 2015
Avraham and Yitzchak
Introduction
The dictum, מעשה אבות סימן לבנים (the deeds of the fathers are a sign for the sons), is particularly apt when speaking of the lives of Avraham and Yitzchak. The stories of father and son are surprisingly similar, and many of the episodes that define the Avraham narrative find their echo in the life of Yitzchak. In several of these cases, linguistic parallels strengthen the comparison.
Content Parallels and Contrasts
| Parallels | Contrasts | |
| I. Family Life | ||
| a. Barren wife | Despite blessings of progeny, both Sarah and Rivka are initially unable to have children. | While Sarah gives Hagar to Avraham in order to bear an heir, Rivkah's womb opens after prayer. |
| b. Two children | Each of Avraham and Yitzchak bear two children, one of which is favored by the mother, while the other is loved by the father. | In Avraham's case, each child is born of a different mother. In contrast, Yitzchak's twin sons are both born to Rivka. |
| c. Younger son chosen | In both stories the mother (Sarah/Rivka) ensures that it is the younger child who inherits or is blessed. | Avraham knowingly banishes Yishmael due to Sarah's demand and Hashem's sanction thereof, whereas Yitzchak is duped by Rivka into blessing Yaakov.. |
| d. Son marries non-Canaanite | Both Avraham and Yitzchak ensure that their chosen son does not marry a Canaanite, but rather a woman from the family in Charan. | While Avraham sends his servant to fetch the wife, Yitzchak sends Yaakov himself. Moreover, Yaakov has an additional purpose in leaving, his flight from Esav |
| e. Rejected son leaves | Both Yishmael and Esav leave their homeland, but grow to be great nations and fathers of 12 princes/alufim. | --- |
| II. Sister-wife Episode | ||
| a. Famine | A famine leads both Avraham and Yitzchak to uproot. | Though both patriarchs head to Egypt, Yitzchak is told to remain in Canaan. |
| b. Fear | Recognition of their wives' beauty causes both husbands to fear that the women will be taken by the locals, while they are killed. | In Avraham's case, Sarah is, nonetheless, taken to the king, while Rivka is not. |
| c. Wife-sister | Sarah and Rivka are passed off as Avraham and Yitzchak's sisters | --- |
| d. Great wealth | The story ends with a description of the wealth of Avraham/Yitzchak | In contrast to Avraham who is enriched by the many gifts of the king, Yitzchak earns his own wealth through his successful sowing. |
| III. Life in Gerar | ||
| a. Digging wells | Avraham and Yitzchak both dig wells in Gerar which are a source of dispute with the Philistines. | Avraham's accusations focus on one stolen well, while Yitzchak deals with multiple squabbles. |
| b. Visit of Avimelekh | Avimelekh and his general Fikhol visit, stating their recognition that Hashem is with Avraham/ Yitzchak. | --- |
| c. Oath | The two sides make a covenant and swear not to harm the other. | --- |
| d. Beer Sheva | Beer Sheva is named | By Avraham the name refers to the oath (שבועה) taken by Avraham and Avimelekh, while by Yitzchak it refers to the well named "שבע". |
| Death | ||
| Old age | Both patriarchs die at a "ripe old age". | --- |
| Burial | Despite the earlier conflicts and potential for enmity, Yishmael and Yitzchak together bury Avraham and Yaakov and Esav join to bury Yitzchak. | --- |
Literary Allusions
Analysis
- Degree of similarity –
- Distinctive phrases –
