From Abraham to Today: Confronting the Cult of Death

I have encountered dozens of cults during my more than 42 years as Director of Jews for Judaism. But I never expected to witness the current “death cult” sweeping the world—one that glorifies death and threatens the very foundation of civil society.

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayera, found in Genesis 18:22, God commands Abraham to circumcise his son Isaac eight days after his birth. Thirty-seven years later, God tests Abraham by commanding him to offer his son on Mount Moriah.

Contrary to the prevalent pagan customs of the time, God uses this test to teach Abraham—and all future generations—that the Jewish people must reject human sacrifice and embrace life. The prophet Samuel expressed it clearly in I Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Throughout history, the Jewish people have consistently opposed human sacrifice, including one of the most horrific pagan practices described in Leviticus 18:21, the sacrificing of children to the false god Molech.

Today, we are witnessing a similar moral struggle—a battle between forces of evil that glorify death, and Judaism, which sanctifies and celebrates life. One of the most profound verses in the Torah, Deuteronomy 30:19, proclaims:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, so that you and your descendants may live”

May we soon see the day when God transforms the hearts of all nations, uniting humanity in peace and purpose, as it says in Zephaniah 3:9: “Then I will make the peoples pure of speech, so that they may all call upon the name of the Lord and serve Him together in unity.”

Then we will witness the fulfillment of the well-known prayer,

“May He who makes peace in His high places make peace for us and for all Israel. Amen.”

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz

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