Jason Miller
Rabbi Jason Miller wears several hats in the Metro Detroit Jewish community. He is the rabbi of Tamarack Camps and the part-time spiritual leader of Congregation T'chiyah in Oak Park. A graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, he earned a master's degree in education from the William Davidson Graduate School.
Rabbi Jason participates in the Rabbis Without Borders fellowship through CLAL (The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership), a program seeking to nurture and develop a network of rabbis with a shared vision to make Jewish wisdom available to anyone looking to enrich his or her life. He serves on the boards of several local organizations including JARC, The Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation, Family Circle, and COEJL.
He is currently on faculty at Oakland University and has taught courses in Judaism and Modern Jewish Thought at Michigan State University. As the author of the Jewish Techs blog on The New York Jewish Week website, Rabbi Jason writes about how modern technology affects Jewish life, particularly the impact of the Internet on Jewish education and the global Jewish community. He is also the founder and director of Kosher Michigan - a kashrut certification initiative seeking to increase the amount of kosher options in the community.
Contact: http://www.rabbijason.com/contact.htm
Blog: http://blog.rabbijason.com
Twitter: @rabbijason
Rabbi Jason participates in the Rabbis Without Borders fellowship through CLAL (The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership), a program seeking to nurture and develop a network of rabbis with a shared vision to make Jewish wisdom available to anyone looking to enrich his or her life. He serves on the boards of several local organizations including JARC, The Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation, Family Circle, and COEJL.
He is currently on faculty at Oakland University and has taught courses in Judaism and Modern Jewish Thought at Michigan State University. As the author of the Jewish Techs blog on The New York Jewish Week website, Rabbi Jason writes about how modern technology affects Jewish life, particularly the impact of the Internet on Jewish education and the global Jewish community. He is also the founder and director of Kosher Michigan - a kashrut certification initiative seeking to increase the amount of kosher options in the community.
Contact: http://www.rabbijason.com/contact.htm
Blog: http://blog.rabbijason.com
Twitter: @rabbijason
In the Spring of 2004, I took my final “Gillman Class” at the Seminary. Titled “The Theology of the Akeida,” the course focused on the binding of Isaac through art with a focus on the theological aspects of this challenging biblical event.
For the final project, Rabbi Gillman gave us the opportunity to retell the Akeida through a different perspective using the medium of our choice. I chose to tell the narrative through the eyes of Isaac who gives his perspective as a guest on Jerry Springer’s talk show.
The story of the Akeida as told by Isaac, a guest on the “Jerry Springer Show”
THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW
Episode #22: “My Crazy Dad Tried to Kill Me”
TRANSCRIPT
[Transcript of The Jerry Springer Show (Episode Number 22)]
*First Aired 2200 BCE*
[OPENING Music - Jerry Springer theme]
JERRY: [Standing in front of audience] Today we have several people who are were nearly murdered by their fathers. This has caused them some problems with relationships to say the least. And let me just say that it has cost quite a pretty penny for therapy sessions too!
AUDIENCE: [Laughter]
JERRY: Now, as we all know, child sacrifice is all the rage here in the Fertile Crescent... but come on people, you gotta’ admit killing your own kid – a little nutty! Right?
AUDIENCE: [Applause and Hooting]
JERRY: Okay, so without any further ado, let me introduce our first guest. We’re very happy that he joined us today because he hasn’t been seen by his own family in quite some time. Hasn’t seen his dad since that fateful day, that’s for sure. Ladies and Gentlemen, Isaac son of Abraham. Give him a hand.
AUDIENCE: [Applause and Hooting]
JERRY: [Standing in audience.] Now, Isaac, you don't look like you were harmed at all.
ISAAC: Jerry, first of all call me Itzy, everyone does. I actually wasn’t harmed. But my dad tried to kill me. In the name of religion no less!!!
AUDIENCE: [Gasps in disbelief]
JERRY: I know this isn’t easy for you Itzy, but try to tell us how it happened.
ISAAC: Okay, well this one day, my dad wakes me up really early. He grabs my half-brother Ishmael, whom I really don’t care for much ‘cuz we never get along, but that’s a different story. And then he also wakes up his servant Avimelech, who is pretty cool. I was like ‘Dad, what’s up with this? Do you know how early it is?’ So, he starts explaining that God told him to do something and so he’s got to do it. Well, this is nothing new. He’s always talking to God and...
JERRY: [Interrupting] Itzy, can we get to the gory details already my friend? “It’s sweeps week.” I have ratings to get!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ISAAC: Alright, alright. So, we arrive at this mountain, I can’t recall what it’s called... oh right... Moriah. That’s it.
JERRY: Great skiing there in the winter!
ISAAC: So, anyway, the next thing I know, my dad tells the other two guys to wait by the road. I’m no dummy, I take a look at what my dad’s got with him and I see some rope and a knife. So, I’m like, ‘Dad.’ And he said, ‘Here am I, my son.’ And then I said, ‘Okay, I see the fire and I see the wood; but where is the lamb for your sacrifice?’ And he’s like, ‘My son, God will provide the lamb.’ Well, now I’m shakin’ in my sandals because every time my dad says that God’s going to do something, everyone thinks he’s nuts. Myself included!
JERRY: Everyone thinks I’m a little nuts too!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ISAAC: Then I see him build an altar and start laying out some wood, and I’m just praying to God that the sacrifice is going to come walking by on four legs any moment now. The next thing I heard were the words, ‘Son, hop up on the altar here. This won’t barely hurtcha’ a bit. It will only take a second.’ I thought I was going to faint. Or puke. Or both.
JERRY: Now Itzy, you’re 37 years old and in good shape. You’re dad is not a young guy. Couldn’t you have wrestled him to the ground?
ISAAC: I thought about that, but he just kept reassuring me and all, so I figured, maybe this is the best way to show my old man that our God isn’t all he thinks. So, I hop on. And my crazy dad starts tying me up. And then the knife...
AUDIENCE: [In shock and disbelief] Ohhhhhh!
ISAAC: He brings the knife. Silvery, sharp.
AUDIENCE: [In shock and disbelief] Ohhhhhh!
ISAAC: And then... this angel
JERRY: A “Charlie’s Angel?” Which one? I like Cameron Diaz.
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ISAAC: No, no. A real angel, you know? An angel of God. So this angel calls out to my dad, and he’s like ‘Here I am.’ And the angel tells my dad to put down the knife and to not harm me. So I say ‘Ditto’ because I had to agree with the smart, realistic angel.
AUDIENCE: [Laughter]
ISAAC: And then this ram comes out of the bushes and my dad sacrifices that thing instead of me. I’ve never been the same since.
JERRY: Well, thank God for the Ram!
ISAAC: Thank God for God!
JERRY: What have you. Well, that is one great story that we just heard told by Isaac, son of Abraham. We have to break right now for these commercial messages, but when we return we’ll have a very special guest. Don’t go anywhere!
AUDIENCE: [Applause]
<Commercial Interruption>
JERRY: We’re back. Today we’re talking to sons who were almost killed by their fathers. We’re here now with Isaac, who was nearly bludgeoned to death by his dad.
ISAAC: Hey, it wasn’t that bad. It was just going to be a little cut.
JERRY: Ratings, ratings.
ISAAC: Right, I almost forgot.
JERRY: Well, we have a very special surprise here today. Itzy, brace yourself. We’re bringing out your dad. Abraham, get on out here!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ABRAHAM and ISAAC embrace
AUDIENCE: [Choked up and emotional] Awwwww!
ABRAHAM: Thanks for having me on your show Jerry.
JERRY: Thanks for being here. What should I call you? Abram? Abraham? Av Hamon Goyim?
ABRAHAM: Abe is fine, Jerry.
JERRY: Okay, Itzy, what do you want to say to your dad now that you have the opportunity.
ISAAC: Dad, I never really got the chance to tell you that you really freaked me out that day on Mount Moriah. But it also showed me how deep is your belief in the One True God – Ha Kadosh Barukh Hu. And, while I would have been really disappointed if that angel hadn’t shown up and the ram hadn’t come out of the bushes, I must admit that I love you and respect you for being such an unwavering believer.
ABRAHAM: Thanks son, that means a lot to me. It was just a test that God was putting me through and it wasn’t the first. I think I passed and you should know I never once thought that I would actually have to go through with it. Our God doesn’t want child sacrifice. God wants justice and mercy, peace and love.
ABRAHAM and ISAAC embrace
JERRY: [Crying hysterically] This is just too much for me. I’m speechless. I want my daddy!
ISAAC: Dad, this really is a great religion. And we have a great God too. You have taught me so much.
ABRAHAM: Thanks son. Now be off and start your own family so that the covenant may continue through you. I’ll have my trusty servant Avimelech run and fetch you a pretty young wife tomorrow.
JERRY: [Trying to regain composure] This is a very emotional episode of the Jerry Springer Show. We’ll take a commercial break right now, but when we return we’ll open it up to some audience questions for Abe and Itzy, my new Hebrew Homeboys. We’ll also talk to Yiftach, a man who killed his own daughter after promising God that he’d sacrifice the first thing that came out of his door when he returned home after war – Oops! And don’t forget to tune in tomorrow on the next Jerry Springer Show when our topic will be "The Sodomites and their Salty Women Fetish." We’ll be right back!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Abe, Abe, Abe, Abe, Abe...
For the final project, Rabbi Gillman gave us the opportunity to retell the Akeida through a different perspective using the medium of our choice. I chose to tell the narrative through the eyes of Isaac who gives his perspective as a guest on Jerry Springer’s talk show.
The story of the Akeida as told by Isaac, a guest on the “Jerry Springer Show”
THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW
Episode #22: “My Crazy Dad Tried to Kill Me”
TRANSCRIPT
[Transcript of The Jerry Springer Show (Episode Number 22)]
*First Aired 2200 BCE*
[OPENING Music - Jerry Springer theme]
JERRY: [Standing in front of audience] Today we have several people who are were nearly murdered by their fathers. This has caused them some problems with relationships to say the least. And let me just say that it has cost quite a pretty penny for therapy sessions too!
AUDIENCE: [Laughter]
JERRY: Now, as we all know, child sacrifice is all the rage here in the Fertile Crescent... but come on people, you gotta’ admit killing your own kid – a little nutty! Right?
AUDIENCE: [Applause and Hooting]
JERRY: Okay, so without any further ado, let me introduce our first guest. We’re very happy that he joined us today because he hasn’t been seen by his own family in quite some time. Hasn’t seen his dad since that fateful day, that’s for sure. Ladies and Gentlemen, Isaac son of Abraham. Give him a hand.
AUDIENCE: [Applause and Hooting]
JERRY: [Standing in audience.] Now, Isaac, you don't look like you were harmed at all.
ISAAC: Jerry, first of all call me Itzy, everyone does. I actually wasn’t harmed. But my dad tried to kill me. In the name of religion no less!!!
AUDIENCE: [Gasps in disbelief]
JERRY: I know this isn’t easy for you Itzy, but try to tell us how it happened.
ISAAC: Okay, well this one day, my dad wakes me up really early. He grabs my half-brother Ishmael, whom I really don’t care for much ‘cuz we never get along, but that’s a different story. And then he also wakes up his servant Avimelech, who is pretty cool. I was like ‘Dad, what’s up with this? Do you know how early it is?’ So, he starts explaining that God told him to do something and so he’s got to do it. Well, this is nothing new. He’s always talking to God and...
JERRY: [Interrupting] Itzy, can we get to the gory details already my friend? “It’s sweeps week.” I have ratings to get!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ISAAC: Alright, alright. So, we arrive at this mountain, I can’t recall what it’s called... oh right... Moriah. That’s it.
JERRY: Great skiing there in the winter!
ISAAC: So, anyway, the next thing I know, my dad tells the other two guys to wait by the road. I’m no dummy, I take a look at what my dad’s got with him and I see some rope and a knife. So, I’m like, ‘Dad.’ And he said, ‘Here am I, my son.’ And then I said, ‘Okay, I see the fire and I see the wood; but where is the lamb for your sacrifice?’ And he’s like, ‘My son, God will provide the lamb.’ Well, now I’m shakin’ in my sandals because every time my dad says that God’s going to do something, everyone thinks he’s nuts. Myself included!
JERRY: Everyone thinks I’m a little nuts too!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ISAAC: Then I see him build an altar and start laying out some wood, and I’m just praying to God that the sacrifice is going to come walking by on four legs any moment now. The next thing I heard were the words, ‘Son, hop up on the altar here. This won’t barely hurtcha’ a bit. It will only take a second.’ I thought I was going to faint. Or puke. Or both.
JERRY: Now Itzy, you’re 37 years old and in good shape. You’re dad is not a young guy. Couldn’t you have wrestled him to the ground?
ISAAC: I thought about that, but he just kept reassuring me and all, so I figured, maybe this is the best way to show my old man that our God isn’t all he thinks. So, I hop on. And my crazy dad starts tying me up. And then the knife...
AUDIENCE: [In shock and disbelief] Ohhhhhh!
ISAAC: He brings the knife. Silvery, sharp.
AUDIENCE: [In shock and disbelief] Ohhhhhh!
ISAAC: And then... this angel
JERRY: A “Charlie’s Angel?” Which one? I like Cameron Diaz.
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ISAAC: No, no. A real angel, you know? An angel of God. So this angel calls out to my dad, and he’s like ‘Here I am.’ And the angel tells my dad to put down the knife and to not harm me. So I say ‘Ditto’ because I had to agree with the smart, realistic angel.
AUDIENCE: [Laughter]
ISAAC: And then this ram comes out of the bushes and my dad sacrifices that thing instead of me. I’ve never been the same since.
JERRY: Well, thank God for the Ram!
ISAAC: Thank God for God!
JERRY: What have you. Well, that is one great story that we just heard told by Isaac, son of Abraham. We have to break right now for these commercial messages, but when we return we’ll have a very special guest. Don’t go anywhere!
AUDIENCE: [Applause]
<Commercial Interruption>
JERRY: We’re back. Today we’re talking to sons who were almost killed by their fathers. We’re here now with Isaac, who was nearly bludgeoned to death by his dad.
ISAAC: Hey, it wasn’t that bad. It was just going to be a little cut.
JERRY: Ratings, ratings.
ISAAC: Right, I almost forgot.
JERRY: Well, we have a very special surprise here today. Itzy, brace yourself. We’re bringing out your dad. Abraham, get on out here!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...
ABRAHAM and ISAAC embrace
AUDIENCE: [Choked up and emotional] Awwwww!
ABRAHAM: Thanks for having me on your show Jerry.
JERRY: Thanks for being here. What should I call you? Abram? Abraham? Av Hamon Goyim?
ABRAHAM: Abe is fine, Jerry.
JERRY: Okay, Itzy, what do you want to say to your dad now that you have the opportunity.
ISAAC: Dad, I never really got the chance to tell you that you really freaked me out that day on Mount Moriah. But it also showed me how deep is your belief in the One True God – Ha Kadosh Barukh Hu. And, while I would have been really disappointed if that angel hadn’t shown up and the ram hadn’t come out of the bushes, I must admit that I love you and respect you for being such an unwavering believer.
ABRAHAM: Thanks son, that means a lot to me. It was just a test that God was putting me through and it wasn’t the first. I think I passed and you should know I never once thought that I would actually have to go through with it. Our God doesn’t want child sacrifice. God wants justice and mercy, peace and love.
ABRAHAM and ISAAC embrace
JERRY: [Crying hysterically] This is just too much for me. I’m speechless. I want my daddy!
ISAAC: Dad, this really is a great religion. And we have a great God too. You have taught me so much.
ABRAHAM: Thanks son. Now be off and start your own family so that the covenant may continue through you. I’ll have my trusty servant Avimelech run and fetch you a pretty young wife tomorrow.
JERRY: [Trying to regain composure] This is a very emotional episode of the Jerry Springer Show. We’ll take a commercial break right now, but when we return we’ll open it up to some audience questions for Abe and Itzy, my new Hebrew Homeboys. We’ll also talk to Yiftach, a man who killed his own daughter after promising God that he’d sacrifice the first thing that came out of his door when he returned home after war – Oops! And don’t forget to tune in tomorrow on the next Jerry Springer Show when our topic will be "The Sodomites and their Salty Women Fetish." We’ll be right back!
AUDIENCE: [Hooting and waving fists in air] Abe, Abe, Abe, Abe, Abe...