In recent years, the general public has become increasingly aware of the need to connect to the Jewish bookshelf, including the Jewish current affairs – the weekly Torah portion. However, here the argument is made that just as the Talmudic sages, Rashi, Ibn Ezra, the Ramban, and the 'Or Chayim' interpret the verses of the Torah portion, so too can each individual present their own personal interpretation of the weekly Torah portion, since there are 'seventy faces to the Torah'.
This is a ridiculous claim, unheard of in any other theoretical field.
Why pay a lawyer - anyone can interpret the law as they see fit! And why is only a doctor allowed to write prescriptions - I too can read the entry for the disease in the encyclopedia and draw conclusions about how to diagnose and treat it. And maybe we'll also allow anyone to fly a passenger plane and sign building plans?
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The use made in this context of the concept of 'seventy faces of the Torah' is also fundamentally distorted. Indeed, the Torah has seventy faces, marvelous depths, and many layers, but all of these are like layers in the trunk of a tree, which are part of the overall structure of the tree. Thus, the 'seventy faces' are based on the deep foundations of the sages and the giants of the generations, and not on the superficial beliefs and interpretations of the sages in their own eyes.
Lack of understanding
We see a sad illustration of that culture of 'contemporary interpretations' in the reference to the binding of Isaac. Throughout the generations, the binding of Isaac has been a symbol and example of a wonderful, unparalleled devotion to life. We remember it in our prayers every day, and on Rosh Hashanah we also ask - "And the binding of Isaac to his seed today, remember with mercy.".
And suddenly today, when everyone sees themselves as 'biblical interpreters', we begin to hear new songs. Those same sages in their eyes explain to our forefather Abraham that love for a son should be stronger than anything else. They will teach our forefather Abraham - who waited a hundred years for the birth of his son Isaac - what the love of a father for a son is...
All of these musings reflect abysmal ignorance and a fundamental lack of understanding of the story of the Akida. It sharpens in the sharpest and most acute way the question - how much are we willing to sacrifice for our faith and values.
We all face such dilemmas every day. Returning a wallet full of bills to its owner? Giving up on a tempting deal when it turns out to be trespassing? Donating a kidney to save the life of a person confined to dialysis?
What is more precious than life?
How should we educate our children - to think about themselves and their own well-being or to sacrifice their lives for the sake of others? Is the one who presents the example of Major Roy Klein, the late, who jumped on a grenade in the Second Lebanon War and saved his soldiers - someone who does not love his children? He loves life very much, and wants with all his heart and soul that his children return safe and sound, but he sets before his eyes a higher value than that - saving the lives of others.
The experience of the Akida proved the absolute loyalty of our forefather Abraham to the Creator of the world, who is the ultimate truth. When he was commanded to give him what was most precious to him, he did so with love and courage, without hesitation. This is the greatness of the Akida, and this is the privilege that is available to us in all generations.
