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Isaac – “Your only son”

Answered by Rabbi Meir Goldberg

Question

Why is it repeated that Isaac is “thine only son” – Genesis 22:2 – 22:12 – 22:16- when obviously he was not his ONLY son? What about Ishmael?

Answer

Isaac is called the only son because he was the only one who followed in Abraham’s footsteps spiritually. Thus, he was the one in the end who inherited from Abraham.

Rabbi Meir Goldberg

Follow-up question

Question

Has there been any dialogue about this issue between the Jews and Muslims?

Answer

We very firmly believe that we practice what we feel is right (and we have ample historical evidence that the Torah was given at Sinai, this doesn’t require “a leap of faith”) and Christians and Muslims should do what they feel is right, without any interference between religions. We don’t need to compromise our beliefs to attain peace. Mutual respect is far more important.

Rabbi Meir Goldberg