*1 Presented at the 13th MJSA conference in Chicago Illinois.
   This slide show brings one up to date where the RASHI
   database is. I will follow up with a narrative version later

*2 This essay shows that (a) The next world is explicitly
   mentioned in the Torah (b) It is described as a place
   of learning and rejoicing in God & spiritual matters

*3 Gn18-27a and Dt01-05a APPEAR to contradict each other.
   We show a simple resolution below.

*4 We present a comprehensive view of the so called Akaydah
   We claim the sacrifice of Isaac was a test in prohpecy!
   Abraham was tested if he could sustain a prophetic
   relationship based on contradiction.

*5 Dr Loike wrote me recently. We have had a lull in questions.

SO I AM ASKING READERS FROM QUESTIONS ON RASHI, METHODOLOGY OR
ANYTHING. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS   SEND YOUR QUESTIONS

*1 - Gn22-02 says -- RAISE HIM FOR AN OLAH OFFERING
   - Gn22-04 says -- DONT TOUCH HIM

   The resolution of the contradiction is that Abraham was
   only required to bind Isaac but not kill him Thus Abraham
   was tested if he could receive prophecy using the method
   of contradictory statements

*2 -- Gn22-02e says -- OFFER ISAAC ON MOUNTAIN ILL SHOW YOU
   -- Gn22-04a says -- ABRAHAM SAW THE MOUNTAIN ON 3rd DAY
   -- Gn22-04b says -- ABE KNEW BY PROPHECY THIS WAS MOUNTAN*10

   Although there are no contradictions here nevertheless there
   is still the idea of DEVELOPMENT & RESOLUTION (MOUNTAIN
   I WILL SHOW YOU...followed by IDENTIFICATION) The idea of
   a 3 day delay to see the mountain also shows development

*3 Rashi explicitly identifies ABRAHAMS FEAR OF GOD with
   Abrahams willingness to act on contradictory statements
   (RAISE ISAAC AS AN OFFERING, DONT TOUCH HIM) and continue
   studying the matter till it was resolved. As indicated
   this is part of the hallmark of a prophet that they can
   simultaneously receive contradictory statements and act
   on it till it is resolved It is also the reason the temple
   was built on Mount Moriah since the purpose of the temple
   and sacrifices is to renew prophecy.

*4 As indicated in the introduction both Abraham and Isaac
   knew that Isaac would not die. They knew they would both
   return. They did not yet know the resolution of the
   contradictions and anxiously awaited Gods guidance.

*5 As indicated in the introduction the Akaydah symbolically
   affirmed that
   -- leaders (Abraham Isaac) should wait for GOD TO SHOW
      THEM THE LAMB (The followers)
   -- Leaders (Abraham Isaac) should NOT SLAUGHTER OR DO
      ANYTHING to followers (Leaders should not steer
      followers UNTIL the follower requests it)

*10 The verse uses the phrase HE LIFTED HIS EYES & SAW
    This phrase (LIFE EYES + SEE) occurs only about 2 dozen
    times in all of the BIble (Usually it simply says SEE).

    - The phrase seems to mean HE STUDIOUSLY OBSERVED
    - In about a 25% of the cases it is connected with actual
    PROPHECY Here are the cases where it refers to prophecy
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    Gn18-02 And Abraham LIFTED HIS EYES & SAW 3 Angels (Rambam)
    Gn22-04 And Abraham LIFTED HIS EYES & SAW mountain (Rashi)
    Nu24-02 He LIFTED HIS EYES & SAW the Jews & had a prophecy
    Jos5-13 Joshua LIFTED HIS EYES & SAW the angel Michael
    1C21-16 David LIFTED HIS EYES & SAW an Angel
    -----------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore it is a reasonable interpretation that either
    -- Abraham had been told to offer Isaac on a mountain
       with a certain sign

    -- Abraham was simply told to offer Isaac on a MOUNTAIN
       for which he would receive further information.Abraham
       then was shown the mountain in a prophetic vision

    Rashis actualy language is
    -------------------------------------------------------
    AND ABE SAW THE MOUNTAIN: (Rashi) It had a cloud on it
    -------------------------------------------------------
    In the Bible, CLOUD is a keyword for prophecies that
    are enigmatic (e.g. compare Job40-06 or Ez01-04).

    In summary the most reasonable interpretation is that
    God told Abraham that he should offer Isaac on a
    mountain that God would/did prophetically identify.

    Even though there is no contradiction here we have the idea
    of AMBIGUITY and RESOLUTION which we mentioned earlier.

    In a similar way the explicit Biblical statement that
    ABRAHAM SAW THE MOUNTAIN ON THE 3rd DAY contradicts
    the idea of INSTANTANEOUS prophecy and instead
    emphasizes development, and resolution.

    Rashis exact language is not as broad as we have taken it
    ---------------------------------------------------------
    Why did God wait 3 days to show him the mountain? So
    that people should not say that God appeared to him,
    caught him off guard and Abraham went and sacrificed
    Isaac. Therefore God waited till the 3rd day to show that
    Abraham had time to reflect and still wanted to offer.
    ----------------------------------------------------------

    The way we have taken it doesnt contradict this. Indeed,
    we simply emphasize that prophecy in general intrinsically
    requires deliberation and development

*1 The reference is to the several prophecies where God
   promises Abraham that he will become a large nation
   Thus Gn22-05 would read that
   ------------------------------------------------------
   Abraham and Isaac walked to the sacrifice of Isaac
   until its completion when they realized that the
   prophecies of THUS WILL YOUR CHILDREN BE NUMEROUS
   will be fulfilled(That is they realized that Isaac
   need not be sacrificed)
   ------------------------------------------------------

*2 This verse where the Patriarch Jacob promises many children
   to Joseph is a famous blessing (since it promises children
   in times of adversity) and is traditionally cited by parents
   to their children.

*3 The reference is to the famous confrontation of Elijah:
   -------------------------------------------------------
   If God is the true god walk after him; and if the baal
   is the true god walk after him
   -------------------------------------------------------
   Elijah cursed Achav not to have rain until he repented

*4 Daniel of course was prophesying on the most famous of
   all prophecies -- the Messianic prophecy

*5 e.g. Isa10-24 Isa18-24 Isa21-16 Isa29-22 Isa31-04
        Isa37-33 Isa42-5  Jer22-03 Jer23-02 Jer24-05

*6 eg Both Gn13-16 and Gn15-05 promise Abraham many children.
   But the keyword THUS is only present in Gn15-05 not Gn13-16