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A Father's Cry

Father Abraham
Knife raised to slaughter his son
Steadfast, serving God --
Hands steady; thoughts a-tremble
'My only son, brave Yitzchok!'




                             *Yitzchok is the Hebrew name for Isaac

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Gershon Wolf

May 24, 2019 at 7:06 PM

Indeed, Abraham was a man of supreme faith. In every way, he (not Moses, Jesus, or Muhammed) is the true father of all 3 major Western faiths. He showed us what kindness was --inviting itinerant travelers into his tent 3 days after his circumcision at age 99, even running to greet them despite his screaming pain--and then, childless with Sarah for so long, was willing to sacrifice his beloved Isaac for the sake of God -- just a test clearly... He was the ultimate father. TYSM, WA!

W.A. Cholt

May 24, 2019 at 6:28 PM

Abraham, a man of great faith. Nicely written.

Gershon Wolf

May 24, 2019 at 7:09 PM

See misplaced comment above yours under the poem. Sorry, I put it in the wrong place. I have to go right now, so I can't correct it until after the Sabbath is over. :) gw

Caren Krutsinger

May 17, 2019 at 8:00 PM

This kind of faith terrified me at twelve when I first thought about it, maybe because Isaac was twelve. It still does.

Anne-Lise Andresen

May 17, 2019 at 1:34 PM

- Gershon - Who can slaughter their own son ... (?) ... No God would make me do this - // Anne-Lise :)

Gershon Wolf

May 17, 2019 at 4:24 PM

Understandable... This whole narrative is upsetting at first... Yet God never meant for Abraham to slaughter Isaac. This was the tenth of ten tests, by which God determined that Abraham would stay faithful to Him, and after which God revealed everything to Abraham, including the destiny of Israel to go down to Egypt for 400 years, but return triumphant... :) gw

Line Gauthier

May 17, 2019 at 1:02 PM

Hard to imagine. Well penned, Gershon.

Gershon Wolf

May 17, 2019 at 4:21 PM

It IS hard to imagine...that someone as kind as Abraham, renowned worldwide for his kindness, would be willing to slay his lone son (from Sara; Ishmael was from Hagar)---in order to carry out God's command to him...Clearly, he passed this test, (the tenth and final trial through which God tested his loyalty/faith). ~ gw