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We make a tremendous deal about self sacrifice of Avraham Avinu by Akeidas Yitzchok - the Abarbanel writes that it is "the entire glory of the Jewish people and their merit before their Father in Heaven (which is why we mention it constantly in our prayers)".

However, what is the big deal: we find countless examples of even gentiles who are willing to give up their lives for religion - as a wild example Arab suicide bombers who give up their lives for their belief. What is the difference between the akeida where Avraham was willing to sacrifice Yitzhak and gentiles who have self sacrifice?

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what does "arab" have anything to do with this? Also what does suicide bombing specifically have anything to do here? Isn't any religiously-motivated war activity comparable? – Charles Koppelman Nov 8 '12 at 22:36
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I'm closing this as off topic per meta.judaism.stackexchange.com/a/858/759 – Double AA♦ Nov 8 '12 at 22:59
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I think what he really meant to ask was: "What is the difference between self-sacrifice (Mesirut Nefesh) of a Jew and self-sacrifice of a gentile" – Danield Nov 8 '12 at 23:22
@Danield It doesn't sound like that to me, but if he did then he can clarify that in the question and it will be considered for reopening. – Double AA♦ Nov 8 '12 at 23:28
@DoubleAA Please see my edit – Michoel Nov 8 '12 at 23:56
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closed as off topic by Avrohom Yitzchok, Seth J, Double AA♦ Nov 8 '12 at 22:59

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2 Answers

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Well, in the former, the purpose was a test of faith from God to Avraham. In the latter, the purpose is killing as many people as possible (including yourself), in the name of God.

Their belief is to spread the Islam, and open war against those who are not willing to accept their Truth. Hence, they do it "in the name of God".

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Not to add this in the answer itself, but in my opinion using religion to justify some made up war is nonsense. They want us out, they claim they were here first. They use religion to justify their war on us. – Madara Uchiha Nov 8 '12 at 21:57
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No one is blaming the individual suicide bombers who truly believe that that is there destiny and do it for what they think is the right reason. However, their brain-washers and lying priests that persuade them to do things that they themselves would never do (as is well known) is where the blame lies. And for the few rabid jew-hating priests that really do believe that their destiny is to kill Jews, what is the difference between him and Abraham? Well, one was commanded and one only thinks he was. So he might really be doing what he thinks is right, but yet is still wrong. Like if a person dressed up as a King and commanded a stranger to kill the prince, would the King exempt him from punishment just because his intention was to heed the kings words? Of course not, he might not be truly to blame but his sin is too grave to escape punishment.

And we believe that we are the ones who are commanded!

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This answer is morally sick. – TRiG Nov 9 '12 at 23:04
@trig ha ha, each to their own! – yehuda Nov 10 '12 at 17:03

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