[HANASHIR:9820] Sarah's Song - a new midrash on the Akedah

[Ros Schwartz <ros_schwartz...>]

my words are inadequate
   in the face of immeasurable tragedy.

Sarah's Song celebrates the triumph of love over terror, of life over death.

only love can overcome the presence of such deep hatred, evil, in our midst.

my prayers and love are with all of you.

- ros




Sarah's Song 


Ros Schwartz (c) September 2001


Avram my Avram your eyes are on fire
"I've heard God's voice, I must sacrifice Isaac"
Avram my Avram your words burn with flame
"I've heard God's voice, God is calling my name ... "

Avram my love can you see can you hear me
This altar of death is your heart, turned to stone
Isaac our child is God's gift born of laughter
You speak in God's name but the voice is your own

But Avram my Avram is drowning in fire
And my river of tears turns to mist in the flame
He can hear none of my prayers and entreaties
Only the lies that he speaks in God's name

Now I take a ram and embrace it so closely
begging forgiveness for I must take its life
my child is God's gift, and his father must not kill him
I will offer this ram as the sacred sacrifice

So I walk up the mountain but one pace behind them
Isaac can see but cannot understand
what is this fire that burns in his father's eyes
why does his mother hold a sheep in her hands

Avram my Avram can you hear can you see me
Oh Avram my love you are deaf you are blind
Now I weep and I pray from the depths of my soul
As you climb Mount Moriah with death on your mind

Now we stand together at the crest of the mountain
a natural rock altar waits for the knife
I watch the sun rising, its heat will soon sear us
Oh my little ram - you must save Isaac's life

Now Avram my love lays our son on the altar
Now he sharpens the knife, now he tightens the rope
My Isaac lies silent, his face like a statue
Run out little ram - you hold my only hope

Then my little ram as he runs toward my husband
is caught in the thicket by one of his horns
he cannot escape though he tries and he struggles
while Avram my Avram ...  is lifting his arms

I am drowning in tears I am drowning in fire
And my son and my husband are statues of stone
Where is the breath of love that once flowed between us?
Where is God's light?  Why am I so alone?

How can I save you my Isaac my child
from your father who's lost in the flame of his words
suddenly suddenly I feel God's presence
my world has been shattered ... and I will be heard

Some say an angel called to Avram that morning
Stilling his hand from his murderous choice
I heard no angel in the deafening silence
but I heard God speak ...  in the sound of my voice

Avram, I whisper, God has saved us from drowning
Take this ram at your side for the sacred sacrifice
Isaac our child is God's gift born of laughter
We must not worship death, we must celebrate life

Avram my Avram my heart is on fire
Isaac our child is God's gift born of laughter
Avram my Avram my soul burns with flame
I've heard God's voice, God is calling my name ... 

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