SUNDAY SERMON
Prophet Abraham The Hebrew:
The First Successful Prophet – OpEd
September 8, 2024
By Rabbi Allen S. Maller
Egyptians (who are not Semites) and Semites mostly circumcised their Priest’s boys. Two groups of Semites migrated west toward the Levent c.2400 B.C.E. The Eastern Semitic Akkadians migrated to Mesopotamia, and established the Akkadian Empire. The Northwest Semitic Amorites migrated and settled in the Canaan areas. After the Late Bronze Age Collapse c.1250 BCE. the Amorite language split into Hebrew, Phoenician, Aramaic and Arabic.
The Philistines migrated from the Greek Aegean islands into today’s Gaza area and conquered Gath, Gaza, Ekrom, Askelon, and Asher; a generation or two after the Hebrews first entered from the East.
The Philistines didn’t circumcise their boys which was offensive to the Semites and Egyptians. They also ate pork which was offensive to the 12 Tribes of Israel. Everybody except the Israelites practiced polytheism and worshipped idols, which was very offensive to the Israelites.
Prophet Abraham, the Hebrew (Genesis 14:13) was the first, and only prophet, to successfully establish, through the biological descendants of his two sons, Prophet Ishmael and Prophet Isaac the three ongoing monotheistic religions, that have lasted into the 21st century: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
What makes Prophet Abraham, “whom God chose to be His friend” (Arabic Qur’an 4:125, Hebrew Bible Prophet Isaiah 41:8, and Greek New Testament Book of James [brother of Jesus] 2:23) so special? For Jews and Christians Abraham is the first monotheist. But for Muslims, Adam was the first of many thousands of prophets of God, each of whom called upon the people of their own tribe or nation to worship only the One Imageless God. There have also been about 315 messengers, who brought a unique set of laws to their own tribe or nation. Thus God provided humans with Divine guidance and knowledge long before the birth of Abraham.
All prophets Divinely inspired by the one and only God are of course monotheists. Pious believers of any individual prophet should not “discriminate between anyone of His prophets” (Qur’an 2:285 & 4:152) This is why prophet Muhammad said, “Prophets are brothers in faith, having different mothers. Their religion is, however, one.” (Muslim, book #030, Hadith #5836) All prophets have the same father, who is the One Imageless God whose inspiration gives birth to their prophethood.
Prophet Abraham was the first of those we know to receive a written Sacred Scripture. All of the others were among Prophet Abraham’s biological descendants through Ishmael and Isaac. Is being ‘the first’ what makes Abraham so special that his name appears 69 times in the Qur’an, second only to Moses (136 times)? I do not think being ‘first’ is why Abraham plays such an important part in all three Abrahamic religions.
Rather Abraham is famous for the numerous ways God tested him, especially the two terrible tests of; banishing Hagar and his first born son Ishmael (Qur’an 2:124 & Genesis 9:9-21); and calling on Abraham to make his son an offering to God. (Qur’an 37:100-113 & Genesis 22:1-24)
Most Muslim commentators say the son, unnamed in the Qur’an, was Ishmael. Some Muslims assert it was Isaac. Perhaps both participated in the test at different times, so that each son could produce descendants who in time would become a blessing for other nations of the earth. (Genesis 22:16-18 & Qur’an 4:163)
The great French commentator Rashi, notes that earlier rabbinic commentary states that one of the two young men who accompanied Abraham and Isaac was Ishmael. The Artscroll commentary states that Ishmael had come back to visit his father. Thus, both sons shared the test.
In any case, Abraham’s test with his son became an iconic sign of faith and trust in God’s will; for Jews, Christians and Muslims. In addition to the test of his two sons, Abraham is unique in the numerous prophets God chose from among his own descendants, whose names are recorded in the Bible and the Qur’an. With the exception of Balaam (and perhaps Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18), all Biblical prophets and most of the 25 prophets named in the Qur’an, are descendants of Abraham.
“We did grant the Family of Abraham the Book, the Wisdom and a mighty (three religious communities) kingdom.” (Qur’an 57:26) This insightful verse relating the special virtue of Abraham states, “Abraham was a community”. (Qur’an 16:120) How can one person be an umma, an ongoing people-community?
I am not a Muslim; I am a Reform Rabbi who first became interested in Islam when I studied it at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the following year at UCLA over 65 years ago. I have continued my study of Islam off and on for six decades. As a Rabbi I am faithful to the covenant that God made with Prophet Abraham – the first Hanif (monotheistic) Jew, and I submit to the commandments that God made with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai.
As a Reform Rabbi I believe that Jewish spiritual leaders should modify Jewish tradition as social and historical circumstances change and develop. I also believe we should not make religion difficult for people to practice. These are lessons that Prophet Muhammad taught 12 centuries before the rise of Reform Judaism in early 19th century Germany.
In many ways, statements in the Qur’an about Orthodox Jewish beliefs and Ahadith relating Prophet Muhammad’s comments about Orthodox Judaism, and religion in general, prefigure the thinking of Reform Rabbis some 12-13 centuries later. Had the Orthodox Jews of Medina been more open to his teachings, Reform Judaism would have started almost 14 centuries ago.
Of the 14 million Jews in the world today the majority, both in Israel and throughout the world, are no longer Orthodox. The largest denomination of non-Orthodox Jews in the US and Canada, where 6+ million Jews live, is the Reform movement. In the UK, Reform Jews are called Liberal Jews.
Few people remained loyal to the teachings of their religious leaders when, in later decades or generations, things turned against them. The few individuals who in their own life did remain faithful to the teachings of their prophet saw their children or grandchildren turn away. As literalists they could not interpret the hidden ways of God’s guidance when they suffered continual defeat or disappointment.
This is why even the descendants of prophets like Noah and Ishmael did not remain an ongoing monotheistic community; and after several generations reverted to idolatry and polytheism.
Prophet Abraham reached a higher level of religious self consciousness. Prophet Abraham realized that everything comes from God; both what we think is good and what we think is bad. We should not judge life from our very limited personal perspective. In the words of a Hassidic Rabbi, Moses of Kobryn, “A suffering person should not say: ‘That’s bad. That’s bad.’ Nothing God imposes on a human is bad. But it is all right to say: ‘That’s bitter!’ For there are some medicines that are made with bitter herbs.”
The ability of religious scholars and leaders to find hidden meanings in revealed texts in order to explain gaps between the literal statement in revealed texts and subsequent different outcomes, expanded in the centuries after Prophet Abraham’s assent to a higher level of religious self consciousness.
Religious self consciousness even penetrated dualistic and polytheistic systems which began to move toward monotheism. An increased understanding of loyalty to God in good times and bad times made people willing to undergo a lifetime of suffering and even martyrdom, without abandoning trust in God. This higher level of spiritual commitment enabled suffering or oppressed religious communities to prevail over pragmatism, and survive.
Thus Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own life in Nimrod’s fire (Qur’an 21:68-71 and oral traditions in both Jewish and Muslim sources) and to twice risk sacrifice of his sons, after waiting for so many years until he finally had two sons. Indeed, because Abraham had reached this level of religious consciousness he could be tested and would become an excellent example for all mankind.
For rising up above ‘functional benefits’ religion, Abraham became the first prophet to establish an ongoing religious community among his immediate descendants: Jews who were believers; then by spiritual adoption- Christians who were believers; and then by reversion- Muslims who were believers.
As the Qur’an states: “God said I will surely make you the leader of humanity and Abraham asked ‘What about my offspring?’ God replied, ‘My pledge does not apply to those who do evil” (2:124} “This was the legacy that Abraham be-quested to his sons as did Jacob when he said: “My sons, (who will become the Jewish community) God has chosen for you this way of life” (2:132)
All three Abrahamic religions believe they inherited the blessing of Abraham, (2:134-137) and for all three religions the blessing does not include those individuals who refuse to submit to the will of God as reflected in the prophet and book they were given. (2:124) Thus, in all three communities there are some who do not attain a level of spiritual consciousness and awareness that transcends the basic ‘heavenly help’ of literal reward and punishment for orthodox dogma and rule keeping. Those who do reach the level of Abraham, the friend of God, need to keep the others from leading the community astray.
Since all prophets are brothers, religious leaders should openly and actively act against those in their own community who claim their religion or their prophet is superior to another, as Prophet Muhammad did according to a Hadith reported byAbu Huraira: Two persons, a Muslim and a Jew, quarreled. The Muslim said, “By Him Who gave Muhammad superiority over all the people! The Jew said, “By Him Who gave Moses superiority over all the people!” At that the Muslim raised his hand and slapped the Jew on the face. The Jew went to the Prophet and informed him of what had happened. The Prophet sent for the Muslim and asked him about it. The Muslim informed him of the event.”
“The Prophet said: Do not give me superiority over Moses, for on the Day of Resurrection all the people will fall unconscious and I will be one of them. I will be ‘the first’ to gain consciousness, and I will see Moses (already) standing and holding the side of the Throne (of Allah). I will not know whether (Moses) had also fallen unconscious and got up before me, or if Allah has exempted him from that stroke.” (Bukhari book 76 #524).
Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders should all learn humility from this teaching of Prophet Muhammad and we should all teach this humility to our followers. Then God’s blessing promise will be fulfilled: “I will make you (Abraham) an imam (religious leader) for all people”. (Qur’an 2:124 & Genesis 22:17-18)
Then the 2500 year old vision of Prophet Isaiah will be fulfilled: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. On that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing upon the heart. The LORD of Hosts will bless them saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:23-5)
Rabbi Allen S. Maller
Allen Maller retired in 2006 after 39 years as Rabbi of Temple Akiba in Culver City, Calif. He is the author of an introduction to Jewish mysticism. God. Sex and Kabbalah and editor of the Tikun series of High Holy Day prayerbooks.
September 8, 2024
By Rabbi Allen S. Maller
Egyptians (who are not Semites) and Semites mostly circumcised their Priest’s boys. Two groups of Semites migrated west toward the Levent c.2400 B.C.E. The Eastern Semitic Akkadians migrated to Mesopotamia, and established the Akkadian Empire. The Northwest Semitic Amorites migrated and settled in the Canaan areas. After the Late Bronze Age Collapse c.1250 BCE. the Amorite language split into Hebrew, Phoenician, Aramaic and Arabic.
The Philistines migrated from the Greek Aegean islands into today’s Gaza area and conquered Gath, Gaza, Ekrom, Askelon, and Asher; a generation or two after the Hebrews first entered from the East.
The Philistines didn’t circumcise their boys which was offensive to the Semites and Egyptians. They also ate pork which was offensive to the 12 Tribes of Israel. Everybody except the Israelites practiced polytheism and worshipped idols, which was very offensive to the Israelites.
Prophet Abraham, the Hebrew (Genesis 14:13) was the first, and only prophet, to successfully establish, through the biological descendants of his two sons, Prophet Ishmael and Prophet Isaac the three ongoing monotheistic religions, that have lasted into the 21st century: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
What makes Prophet Abraham, “whom God chose to be His friend” (Arabic Qur’an 4:125, Hebrew Bible Prophet Isaiah 41:8, and Greek New Testament Book of James [brother of Jesus] 2:23) so special? For Jews and Christians Abraham is the first monotheist. But for Muslims, Adam was the first of many thousands of prophets of God, each of whom called upon the people of their own tribe or nation to worship only the One Imageless God. There have also been about 315 messengers, who brought a unique set of laws to their own tribe or nation. Thus God provided humans with Divine guidance and knowledge long before the birth of Abraham.
All prophets Divinely inspired by the one and only God are of course monotheists. Pious believers of any individual prophet should not “discriminate between anyone of His prophets” (Qur’an 2:285 & 4:152) This is why prophet Muhammad said, “Prophets are brothers in faith, having different mothers. Their religion is, however, one.” (Muslim, book #030, Hadith #5836) All prophets have the same father, who is the One Imageless God whose inspiration gives birth to their prophethood.
Prophet Abraham was the first of those we know to receive a written Sacred Scripture. All of the others were among Prophet Abraham’s biological descendants through Ishmael and Isaac. Is being ‘the first’ what makes Abraham so special that his name appears 69 times in the Qur’an, second only to Moses (136 times)? I do not think being ‘first’ is why Abraham plays such an important part in all three Abrahamic religions.
Rather Abraham is famous for the numerous ways God tested him, especially the two terrible tests of; banishing Hagar and his first born son Ishmael (Qur’an 2:124 & Genesis 9:9-21); and calling on Abraham to make his son an offering to God. (Qur’an 37:100-113 & Genesis 22:1-24)
Most Muslim commentators say the son, unnamed in the Qur’an, was Ishmael. Some Muslims assert it was Isaac. Perhaps both participated in the test at different times, so that each son could produce descendants who in time would become a blessing for other nations of the earth. (Genesis 22:16-18 & Qur’an 4:163)
The great French commentator Rashi, notes that earlier rabbinic commentary states that one of the two young men who accompanied Abraham and Isaac was Ishmael. The Artscroll commentary states that Ishmael had come back to visit his father. Thus, both sons shared the test.
In any case, Abraham’s test with his son became an iconic sign of faith and trust in God’s will; for Jews, Christians and Muslims. In addition to the test of his two sons, Abraham is unique in the numerous prophets God chose from among his own descendants, whose names are recorded in the Bible and the Qur’an. With the exception of Balaam (and perhaps Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18), all Biblical prophets and most of the 25 prophets named in the Qur’an, are descendants of Abraham.
“We did grant the Family of Abraham the Book, the Wisdom and a mighty (three religious communities) kingdom.” (Qur’an 57:26) This insightful verse relating the special virtue of Abraham states, “Abraham was a community”. (Qur’an 16:120) How can one person be an umma, an ongoing people-community?
I am not a Muslim; I am a Reform Rabbi who first became interested in Islam when I studied it at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the following year at UCLA over 65 years ago. I have continued my study of Islam off and on for six decades. As a Rabbi I am faithful to the covenant that God made with Prophet Abraham – the first Hanif (monotheistic) Jew, and I submit to the commandments that God made with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai.
As a Reform Rabbi I believe that Jewish spiritual leaders should modify Jewish tradition as social and historical circumstances change and develop. I also believe we should not make religion difficult for people to practice. These are lessons that Prophet Muhammad taught 12 centuries before the rise of Reform Judaism in early 19th century Germany.
In many ways, statements in the Qur’an about Orthodox Jewish beliefs and Ahadith relating Prophet Muhammad’s comments about Orthodox Judaism, and religion in general, prefigure the thinking of Reform Rabbis some 12-13 centuries later. Had the Orthodox Jews of Medina been more open to his teachings, Reform Judaism would have started almost 14 centuries ago.
Of the 14 million Jews in the world today the majority, both in Israel and throughout the world, are no longer Orthodox. The largest denomination of non-Orthodox Jews in the US and Canada, where 6+ million Jews live, is the Reform movement. In the UK, Reform Jews are called Liberal Jews.
Few people remained loyal to the teachings of their religious leaders when, in later decades or generations, things turned against them. The few individuals who in their own life did remain faithful to the teachings of their prophet saw their children or grandchildren turn away. As literalists they could not interpret the hidden ways of God’s guidance when they suffered continual defeat or disappointment.
This is why even the descendants of prophets like Noah and Ishmael did not remain an ongoing monotheistic community; and after several generations reverted to idolatry and polytheism.
Prophet Abraham reached a higher level of religious self consciousness. Prophet Abraham realized that everything comes from God; both what we think is good and what we think is bad. We should not judge life from our very limited personal perspective. In the words of a Hassidic Rabbi, Moses of Kobryn, “A suffering person should not say: ‘That’s bad. That’s bad.’ Nothing God imposes on a human is bad. But it is all right to say: ‘That’s bitter!’ For there are some medicines that are made with bitter herbs.”
The ability of religious scholars and leaders to find hidden meanings in revealed texts in order to explain gaps between the literal statement in revealed texts and subsequent different outcomes, expanded in the centuries after Prophet Abraham’s assent to a higher level of religious self consciousness.
Religious self consciousness even penetrated dualistic and polytheistic systems which began to move toward monotheism. An increased understanding of loyalty to God in good times and bad times made people willing to undergo a lifetime of suffering and even martyrdom, without abandoning trust in God. This higher level of spiritual commitment enabled suffering or oppressed religious communities to prevail over pragmatism, and survive.
Thus Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own life in Nimrod’s fire (Qur’an 21:68-71 and oral traditions in both Jewish and Muslim sources) and to twice risk sacrifice of his sons, after waiting for so many years until he finally had two sons. Indeed, because Abraham had reached this level of religious consciousness he could be tested and would become an excellent example for all mankind.
For rising up above ‘functional benefits’ religion, Abraham became the first prophet to establish an ongoing religious community among his immediate descendants: Jews who were believers; then by spiritual adoption- Christians who were believers; and then by reversion- Muslims who were believers.
As the Qur’an states: “God said I will surely make you the leader of humanity and Abraham asked ‘What about my offspring?’ God replied, ‘My pledge does not apply to those who do evil” (2:124} “This was the legacy that Abraham be-quested to his sons as did Jacob when he said: “My sons, (who will become the Jewish community) God has chosen for you this way of life” (2:132)
All three Abrahamic religions believe they inherited the blessing of Abraham, (2:134-137) and for all three religions the blessing does not include those individuals who refuse to submit to the will of God as reflected in the prophet and book they were given. (2:124) Thus, in all three communities there are some who do not attain a level of spiritual consciousness and awareness that transcends the basic ‘heavenly help’ of literal reward and punishment for orthodox dogma and rule keeping. Those who do reach the level of Abraham, the friend of God, need to keep the others from leading the community astray.
Since all prophets are brothers, religious leaders should openly and actively act against those in their own community who claim their religion or their prophet is superior to another, as Prophet Muhammad did according to a Hadith reported byAbu Huraira: Two persons, a Muslim and a Jew, quarreled. The Muslim said, “By Him Who gave Muhammad superiority over all the people! The Jew said, “By Him Who gave Moses superiority over all the people!” At that the Muslim raised his hand and slapped the Jew on the face. The Jew went to the Prophet and informed him of what had happened. The Prophet sent for the Muslim and asked him about it. The Muslim informed him of the event.”
“The Prophet said: Do not give me superiority over Moses, for on the Day of Resurrection all the people will fall unconscious and I will be one of them. I will be ‘the first’ to gain consciousness, and I will see Moses (already) standing and holding the side of the Throne (of Allah). I will not know whether (Moses) had also fallen unconscious and got up before me, or if Allah has exempted him from that stroke.” (Bukhari book 76 #524).
Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders should all learn humility from this teaching of Prophet Muhammad and we should all teach this humility to our followers. Then God’s blessing promise will be fulfilled: “I will make you (Abraham) an imam (religious leader) for all people”. (Qur’an 2:124 & Genesis 22:17-18)
Then the 2500 year old vision of Prophet Isaiah will be fulfilled: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. On that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing upon the heart. The LORD of Hosts will bless them saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:23-5)
Rabbi Allen S. Maller
Allen Maller retired in 2006 after 39 years as Rabbi of Temple Akiba in Culver City, Calif. He is the author of an introduction to Jewish mysticism. God. Sex and Kabbalah and editor of the Tikun series of High Holy Day prayerbooks.
Highway 61 Revisited
Written by: Bob Dylan
Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”
Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn’t give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said there’s only one place I know
Sam said tell me quick man I got to run
Ol’ Howard just pointed with his gun
And said that way down on Highway 61
Well Mack the Finger said to Louie the King
I got forty red white and blue shoestrings
And a thousand telephones that don’t ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things
And Louie the King said let me think for a minute son
And he said yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61
Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren’t right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said come here and step into the light he says hmm you’re right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61
Now the rovin’ gambler he was very bored
He was tryin’ to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We’ll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”
Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn’t give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said there’s only one place I know
Sam said tell me quick man I got to run
Ol’ Howard just pointed with his gun
And said that way down on Highway 61
Well Mack the Finger said to Louie the King
I got forty red white and blue shoestrings
And a thousand telephones that don’t ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things
And Louie the King said let me think for a minute son
And he said yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61
Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren’t right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said come here and step into the light he says hmm you’re right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61
Now the rovin’ gambler he was very bored
He was tryin’ to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We’ll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61
Copyright © 1965 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1993 by Special Rider Music
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