Avraham's knife was called Ma'achelet. Why?











up vote
2
down vote

favorite












What is the reason behind the word Ma'achelet used for the knife used by Avraham in the binding of Yitzchok? Is it an indication of specific function? Is this name used elsewhere? Does it indicate any particular type or style of knife?



Did Avraham assign this name or was it inherited?



Please include sources and links for any details to an answer.



Thank you.










share|improve this question
























  • I think this was asked here
    – sam
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This seems like an unusual usage of the word "name"
    – Double AA
    8 hours ago










  • @DoubleAA Surprisingly, Many hunters have a practice of naming their weapon (tool). Think Daniel Boone and his rifle 'Tick-Licker'.
    – Yaacov Deane
    6 hours ago















up vote
2
down vote

favorite












What is the reason behind the word Ma'achelet used for the knife used by Avraham in the binding of Yitzchok? Is it an indication of specific function? Is this name used elsewhere? Does it indicate any particular type or style of knife?



Did Avraham assign this name or was it inherited?



Please include sources and links for any details to an answer.



Thank you.










share|improve this question
























  • I think this was asked here
    – sam
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This seems like an unusual usage of the word "name"
    – Double AA
    8 hours ago










  • @DoubleAA Surprisingly, Many hunters have a practice of naming their weapon (tool). Think Daniel Boone and his rifle 'Tick-Licker'.
    – Yaacov Deane
    6 hours ago













up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











What is the reason behind the word Ma'achelet used for the knife used by Avraham in the binding of Yitzchok? Is it an indication of specific function? Is this name used elsewhere? Does it indicate any particular type or style of knife?



Did Avraham assign this name or was it inherited?



Please include sources and links for any details to an answer.



Thank you.










share|improve this question















What is the reason behind the word Ma'achelet used for the knife used by Avraham in the binding of Yitzchok? Is it an indication of specific function? Is this name used elsewhere? Does it indicate any particular type or style of knife?



Did Avraham assign this name or was it inherited?



Please include sources and links for any details to an answer.



Thank you.







parshanut-torah-comment words vayera binding-of-isaac






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 8 hours ago









b a

15.9k23376




15.9k23376










asked 9 hours ago









Yaacov Deane

7,267837




7,267837












  • I think this was asked here
    – sam
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This seems like an unusual usage of the word "name"
    – Double AA
    8 hours ago










  • @DoubleAA Surprisingly, Many hunters have a practice of naming their weapon (tool). Think Daniel Boone and his rifle 'Tick-Licker'.
    – Yaacov Deane
    6 hours ago


















  • I think this was asked here
    – sam
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This seems like an unusual usage of the word "name"
    – Double AA
    8 hours ago










  • @DoubleAA Surprisingly, Many hunters have a practice of naming their weapon (tool). Think Daniel Boone and his rifle 'Tick-Licker'.
    – Yaacov Deane
    6 hours ago
















I think this was asked here
– sam
9 hours ago




I think this was asked here
– sam
9 hours ago




6




6




This seems like an unusual usage of the word "name"
– Double AA
8 hours ago




This seems like an unusual usage of the word "name"
– Double AA
8 hours ago












@DoubleAA Surprisingly, Many hunters have a practice of naming their weapon (tool). Think Daniel Boone and his rifle 'Tick-Licker'.
– Yaacov Deane
6 hours ago




@DoubleAA Surprisingly, Many hunters have a practice of naming their weapon (tool). Think Daniel Boone and his rifle 'Tick-Licker'.
– Yaacov Deane
6 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
5
down vote













Rashi vayeira 22:6 (based on Midrash Rabba Gen. 56:3):



המאכלת: סכין, על שם שאוכלת את הבשר, כמה דתימא (דברים לב מב) וחרבי תאכל בשר, ושמכשרת בשר לאכילה. דבר אחר זאת נקראת מאכלת, על שם שישראל אוכלים מתן שכרה:



Translation (courtesy of Chabad):



the knife: Heb. הַמַאֲכֶלֶת, so called because it consumes (אוֹכֶלֶת) the flesh, as it is stated (Deut. 32:42):“and My sword will consume (תֹּאכַלוּ) flesh,” and because it renders meat fit for consumption (אַכִילָה). Another explanation: This [knife] was מַאִכֶלֶת because the people of Israel still eat (אוֹכְלִים) the reward given for it. — [from Gen. Rabbah 56:3]






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    4
    down vote













    It was used because "Ma'acheles" means knife (see Bereishis 22:6 with Mefarshim), as quoted from Rashi above (first Pshat), Onkelos, Rashbam, R' Avraham Ben Harambam, and many, many others.



    Therefore, the Passuk is telling us that Avraham took a knife to slaughter his son. Based on a quick search, the word "Sakin", or knife, does not appear in Tanach.



    Ma'acheles appears in Mishlei 30:14 (where Rashi explains that it is a "Sakin" or knife), as well as Shoftim 19:29, where it is used to cut up a person, and translated by Targum Yonasan as "Sakina", a knife.



    It seems to be used to cut up people, and according to some, animals as well (see above mefarshim inside).






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      Sakin in Tanach: he.m.wikisource.org/wiki/מ%22ג_משלי_כג_ב. This was quoted in yesterday’s daf...
      – Joel K
      8 hours ago










    • @JoelK I missed it, as I searched with a Samech... Feel free to edit it in.
      – רבות מחשבות
      8 hours ago












    • I find the Shoftim citation which actually uses the term Ma'achelet ( and where it is used in a murder) most interesting from the perspective of the Midrash Rabbah explanation. Although, the Midrash seems to be suggesting that 'Sachin' and 'Cherev' are synonyms for Ma'achelet. But they are clearly not synonyms.
      – Yaacov Deane
      6 hours ago










    • The comment of Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam is clearly pointing to a knife that is specifically used for Shechitah as opposed to other blades.
      – Yaacov Deane
      6 hours ago










    • @YaacovDeane indeed, I was referring to him in my final comment
      – רבות מחשבות
      6 hours ago



















    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    5
    down vote













    Rashi vayeira 22:6 (based on Midrash Rabba Gen. 56:3):



    המאכלת: סכין, על שם שאוכלת את הבשר, כמה דתימא (דברים לב מב) וחרבי תאכל בשר, ושמכשרת בשר לאכילה. דבר אחר זאת נקראת מאכלת, על שם שישראל אוכלים מתן שכרה:



    Translation (courtesy of Chabad):



    the knife: Heb. הַמַאֲכֶלֶת, so called because it consumes (אוֹכֶלֶת) the flesh, as it is stated (Deut. 32:42):“and My sword will consume (תֹּאכַלוּ) flesh,” and because it renders meat fit for consumption (אַכִילָה). Another explanation: This [knife] was מַאִכֶלֶת because the people of Israel still eat (אוֹכְלִים) the reward given for it. — [from Gen. Rabbah 56:3]






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      5
      down vote













      Rashi vayeira 22:6 (based on Midrash Rabba Gen. 56:3):



      המאכלת: סכין, על שם שאוכלת את הבשר, כמה דתימא (דברים לב מב) וחרבי תאכל בשר, ושמכשרת בשר לאכילה. דבר אחר זאת נקראת מאכלת, על שם שישראל אוכלים מתן שכרה:



      Translation (courtesy of Chabad):



      the knife: Heb. הַמַאֲכֶלֶת, so called because it consumes (אוֹכֶלֶת) the flesh, as it is stated (Deut. 32:42):“and My sword will consume (תֹּאכַלוּ) flesh,” and because it renders meat fit for consumption (אַכִילָה). Another explanation: This [knife] was מַאִכֶלֶת because the people of Israel still eat (אוֹכְלִים) the reward given for it. — [from Gen. Rabbah 56:3]






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        5
        down vote










        up vote
        5
        down vote









        Rashi vayeira 22:6 (based on Midrash Rabba Gen. 56:3):



        המאכלת: סכין, על שם שאוכלת את הבשר, כמה דתימא (דברים לב מב) וחרבי תאכל בשר, ושמכשרת בשר לאכילה. דבר אחר זאת נקראת מאכלת, על שם שישראל אוכלים מתן שכרה:



        Translation (courtesy of Chabad):



        the knife: Heb. הַמַאֲכֶלֶת, so called because it consumes (אוֹכֶלֶת) the flesh, as it is stated (Deut. 32:42):“and My sword will consume (תֹּאכַלוּ) flesh,” and because it renders meat fit for consumption (אַכִילָה). Another explanation: This [knife] was מַאִכֶלֶת because the people of Israel still eat (אוֹכְלִים) the reward given for it. — [from Gen. Rabbah 56:3]






        share|improve this answer














        Rashi vayeira 22:6 (based on Midrash Rabba Gen. 56:3):



        המאכלת: סכין, על שם שאוכלת את הבשר, כמה דתימא (דברים לב מב) וחרבי תאכל בשר, ושמכשרת בשר לאכילה. דבר אחר זאת נקראת מאכלת, על שם שישראל אוכלים מתן שכרה:



        Translation (courtesy of Chabad):



        the knife: Heb. הַמַאֲכֶלֶת, so called because it consumes (אוֹכֶלֶת) the flesh, as it is stated (Deut. 32:42):“and My sword will consume (תֹּאכַלוּ) flesh,” and because it renders meat fit for consumption (אַכִילָה). Another explanation: This [knife] was מַאִכֶלֶת because the people of Israel still eat (אוֹכְלִים) the reward given for it. — [from Gen. Rabbah 56:3]







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 8 hours ago









        Oliver

        7,233841




        7,233841










        answered 9 hours ago









        sam

        24.4k14793




        24.4k14793






















            up vote
            4
            down vote













            It was used because "Ma'acheles" means knife (see Bereishis 22:6 with Mefarshim), as quoted from Rashi above (first Pshat), Onkelos, Rashbam, R' Avraham Ben Harambam, and many, many others.



            Therefore, the Passuk is telling us that Avraham took a knife to slaughter his son. Based on a quick search, the word "Sakin", or knife, does not appear in Tanach.



            Ma'acheles appears in Mishlei 30:14 (where Rashi explains that it is a "Sakin" or knife), as well as Shoftim 19:29, where it is used to cut up a person, and translated by Targum Yonasan as "Sakina", a knife.



            It seems to be used to cut up people, and according to some, animals as well (see above mefarshim inside).






            share|improve this answer

















            • 1




              Sakin in Tanach: he.m.wikisource.org/wiki/מ%22ג_משלי_כג_ב. This was quoted in yesterday’s daf...
              – Joel K
              8 hours ago










            • @JoelK I missed it, as I searched with a Samech... Feel free to edit it in.
              – רבות מחשבות
              8 hours ago












            • I find the Shoftim citation which actually uses the term Ma'achelet ( and where it is used in a murder) most interesting from the perspective of the Midrash Rabbah explanation. Although, the Midrash seems to be suggesting that 'Sachin' and 'Cherev' are synonyms for Ma'achelet. But they are clearly not synonyms.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • The comment of Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam is clearly pointing to a knife that is specifically used for Shechitah as opposed to other blades.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • @YaacovDeane indeed, I was referring to him in my final comment
              – רבות מחשבות
              6 hours ago















            up vote
            4
            down vote













            It was used because "Ma'acheles" means knife (see Bereishis 22:6 with Mefarshim), as quoted from Rashi above (first Pshat), Onkelos, Rashbam, R' Avraham Ben Harambam, and many, many others.



            Therefore, the Passuk is telling us that Avraham took a knife to slaughter his son. Based on a quick search, the word "Sakin", or knife, does not appear in Tanach.



            Ma'acheles appears in Mishlei 30:14 (where Rashi explains that it is a "Sakin" or knife), as well as Shoftim 19:29, where it is used to cut up a person, and translated by Targum Yonasan as "Sakina", a knife.



            It seems to be used to cut up people, and according to some, animals as well (see above mefarshim inside).






            share|improve this answer

















            • 1




              Sakin in Tanach: he.m.wikisource.org/wiki/מ%22ג_משלי_כג_ב. This was quoted in yesterday’s daf...
              – Joel K
              8 hours ago










            • @JoelK I missed it, as I searched with a Samech... Feel free to edit it in.
              – רבות מחשבות
              8 hours ago












            • I find the Shoftim citation which actually uses the term Ma'achelet ( and where it is used in a murder) most interesting from the perspective of the Midrash Rabbah explanation. Although, the Midrash seems to be suggesting that 'Sachin' and 'Cherev' are synonyms for Ma'achelet. But they are clearly not synonyms.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • The comment of Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam is clearly pointing to a knife that is specifically used for Shechitah as opposed to other blades.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • @YaacovDeane indeed, I was referring to him in my final comment
              – רבות מחשבות
              6 hours ago













            up vote
            4
            down vote










            up vote
            4
            down vote









            It was used because "Ma'acheles" means knife (see Bereishis 22:6 with Mefarshim), as quoted from Rashi above (first Pshat), Onkelos, Rashbam, R' Avraham Ben Harambam, and many, many others.



            Therefore, the Passuk is telling us that Avraham took a knife to slaughter his son. Based on a quick search, the word "Sakin", or knife, does not appear in Tanach.



            Ma'acheles appears in Mishlei 30:14 (where Rashi explains that it is a "Sakin" or knife), as well as Shoftim 19:29, where it is used to cut up a person, and translated by Targum Yonasan as "Sakina", a knife.



            It seems to be used to cut up people, and according to some, animals as well (see above mefarshim inside).






            share|improve this answer












            It was used because "Ma'acheles" means knife (see Bereishis 22:6 with Mefarshim), as quoted from Rashi above (first Pshat), Onkelos, Rashbam, R' Avraham Ben Harambam, and many, many others.



            Therefore, the Passuk is telling us that Avraham took a knife to slaughter his son. Based on a quick search, the word "Sakin", or knife, does not appear in Tanach.



            Ma'acheles appears in Mishlei 30:14 (where Rashi explains that it is a "Sakin" or knife), as well as Shoftim 19:29, where it is used to cut up a person, and translated by Targum Yonasan as "Sakina", a knife.



            It seems to be used to cut up people, and according to some, animals as well (see above mefarshim inside).







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 8 hours ago









            רבות מחשבות

            11.9k118102




            11.9k118102








            • 1




              Sakin in Tanach: he.m.wikisource.org/wiki/מ%22ג_משלי_כג_ב. This was quoted in yesterday’s daf...
              – Joel K
              8 hours ago










            • @JoelK I missed it, as I searched with a Samech... Feel free to edit it in.
              – רבות מחשבות
              8 hours ago












            • I find the Shoftim citation which actually uses the term Ma'achelet ( and where it is used in a murder) most interesting from the perspective of the Midrash Rabbah explanation. Although, the Midrash seems to be suggesting that 'Sachin' and 'Cherev' are synonyms for Ma'achelet. But they are clearly not synonyms.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • The comment of Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam is clearly pointing to a knife that is specifically used for Shechitah as opposed to other blades.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • @YaacovDeane indeed, I was referring to him in my final comment
              – רבות מחשבות
              6 hours ago














            • 1




              Sakin in Tanach: he.m.wikisource.org/wiki/מ%22ג_משלי_כג_ב. This was quoted in yesterday’s daf...
              – Joel K
              8 hours ago










            • @JoelK I missed it, as I searched with a Samech... Feel free to edit it in.
              – רבות מחשבות
              8 hours ago












            • I find the Shoftim citation which actually uses the term Ma'achelet ( and where it is used in a murder) most interesting from the perspective of the Midrash Rabbah explanation. Although, the Midrash seems to be suggesting that 'Sachin' and 'Cherev' are synonyms for Ma'achelet. But they are clearly not synonyms.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • The comment of Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam is clearly pointing to a knife that is specifically used for Shechitah as opposed to other blades.
              – Yaacov Deane
              6 hours ago










            • @YaacovDeane indeed, I was referring to him in my final comment
              – רבות מחשבות
              6 hours ago








            1




            1




            Sakin in Tanach: he.m.wikisource.org/wiki/מ%22ג_משלי_כג_ב. This was quoted in yesterday’s daf...
            – Joel K
            8 hours ago




            Sakin in Tanach: he.m.wikisource.org/wiki/מ%22ג_משלי_כג_ב. This was quoted in yesterday’s daf...
            – Joel K
            8 hours ago












            @JoelK I missed it, as I searched with a Samech... Feel free to edit it in.
            – רבות מחשבות
            8 hours ago






            @JoelK I missed it, as I searched with a Samech... Feel free to edit it in.
            – רבות מחשבות
            8 hours ago














            I find the Shoftim citation which actually uses the term Ma'achelet ( and where it is used in a murder) most interesting from the perspective of the Midrash Rabbah explanation. Although, the Midrash seems to be suggesting that 'Sachin' and 'Cherev' are synonyms for Ma'achelet. But they are clearly not synonyms.
            – Yaacov Deane
            6 hours ago




            I find the Shoftim citation which actually uses the term Ma'achelet ( and where it is used in a murder) most interesting from the perspective of the Midrash Rabbah explanation. Although, the Midrash seems to be suggesting that 'Sachin' and 'Cherev' are synonyms for Ma'achelet. But they are clearly not synonyms.
            – Yaacov Deane
            6 hours ago












            The comment of Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam is clearly pointing to a knife that is specifically used for Shechitah as opposed to other blades.
            – Yaacov Deane
            6 hours ago




            The comment of Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam is clearly pointing to a knife that is specifically used for Shechitah as opposed to other blades.
            – Yaacov Deane
            6 hours ago












            @YaacovDeane indeed, I was referring to him in my final comment
            – רבות מחשבות
            6 hours ago




            @YaacovDeane indeed, I was referring to him in my final comment
            – רבות מחשבות
            6 hours ago



            Popular posts from this blog

            What visual should I use to simply compare current year value vs last year in Power BI desktop

            How to ignore python UserWarning in pytest?

            Alexandru Averescu