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92NY’s Goldman Center for Children and Family provides an exceptional array of programs designed to support children at every stage of their development.
at The 92nd Street Y, New York. Supported by The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
Oct 30, 1986
The lecture focuses on a cruel story from the Book of Judges that is even more tragic than the Akedah. In this case, nothing intervenes to prevent the father’s going through with the sacrifice of his only child. Psychologically, the mistreated father does to his daughter what was done to him. At the same time Jephtah, a simple fighter, perhaps aspires to reach the heights of Abraham with the Akedah, but fails. The unnamed daughter accepts her tragic destiny with grace; she even words her acceptance in such a way as to spare her father pain, and spends her last months in a retreat in order to do the same. But why does neither father, nor daughter, nor God, resist carrying out Jepthah’s frivolous vow? Presented after the Nobel announcement, the lecture features two related personal stories: first, an invitation to throw out the World Series ball; second, an unforgettable Simchat Torah trip to Russia.
Explore The Book of Judges, 11 on Sefaria, a living library of Torah.
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