Rosh Hashanah Torah Readings

The Parshah in a Nutshell

Elul 28, 5771 · September 27, 2011 Rosh Hashanah Torah Readings Genesis 21:1-34; Genesis 22:1-24 Day 1: G-d remembers Sarah and gives her and Abraham a son, who is named Isaac (Yitzchak) meaning "will laugh"; Abraham is 100 years old, and Sarah 90. Isaac is circumcised at the age of eight days. Hagar and Ishmael are banished from Abraham's home and wander in the desert; G-d hears the cry of the dying lad and saves his life by showing his mother a well. The Philistine king Avimelech makes a treaty with Abraham atBe'er Sheva. Day 2: G-d commands Abraham to sacrifice his son on Mount Moriah (the Temple Mount) inJerusalem. Isaac is bound and placed on the altar, and Abraham raises the knife to slaughter his son. A voice from heaven calls to stop him, saying it was a test; a ram, caught in the undergrowth by its horns, is offered in Isaac's place.