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How is the Akedah remembered in Jewish worship and tradition?
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Abraham
The March of Abraham, painting by József Molnár, 19th century; in the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest.
In Jewish tradition, the Akedah—the binding of Isaac—is a profound symbol of Abraham’s faithfulness and obedience to God. It is remembered and invoked in worship through several key practices:1
- Rosh Hashanah Liturgy: The story of the Akedah (Genesis 22) is the designated Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Following this reading, the shofar (ram’s horn) is sounded, serving as a reminder of the ram that replaced Isaac on the altar and calling the community to spiritual awakening.12
- Appeals for Divine Mercy: The Akedah is frequently cited in prayers as a source of merit. By recalling Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, worshippers ask God to remember that faithfulness and show mercy to his descendants, effectively asking that God’s compassion outweigh His anger.13
- Fast Day Prayers: On fast days, synagogue liturgy includes specific petitions that invoke the covenant and the binding of Isaac, asking God to consider Abraham’s suppression of his own compassion to fulfill the divine will.1