The Akeidah: What's the Point?
The story of the Akeidah famously starts with the phrase “והאלוקים ניסה את אברהם” – God tested Avraham. Why did God need to test Avraham? What is the meaning of this episode? And what does it teach us for Jewish history? Join Shira Selter and explore different perspectives of classical Jewish thinkers on this fundamental story.
Shira Selter has a Bachelor of Education in Tanach and Jewish History from Herzog College in Israel. Prior to this, she studied at Nishmat for a year. During her national service, Shira volunteered as a program director for Livnot U'Lehibanot in Tzfat, where she organized and led Jewish identity programs for college-aged participants from overseas. She served as a madricha at Midreshet Amudim, as well as a teaching assistant at MMY and at Midreshet Amudim. Shira has taught Mishna, history and English to middle schoolers in Efrat, and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Tanach at Bar-Ilan University.