1985 – The Sacrifice of Isaac, Menashe Kadishman

The theme of the near-sacrifice of Isaac runs through Jewish literature and art from earliest times until today. Menashe Kadishman (1932-2015) made several works on this subject, some connected with his own son’s entering the army. On the right of this work outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a worried couple; on the left, a large ram’s head that symbolizes the sacrifice substituted for Isaac in the biblical narrative. In the foreground lies a solitary disk, the head of Isaac. Is he to be sacrificed this time? (Image copyright Tel Aviv Museum of Art; gift of Rachel and Dov Gottesman)