How the Good Son Saves His Father - Abraham Redeems Terah

Midrash Aggadah, Leviticus 1:8

"And the sons of Aaron shall arrange [the wood]." We learned there: All kinds of wood are fit for the arrangement upon the altar, except for [the wood] of the olive and of the vine, because the wine and the oil are offered upon the altar. If so, the fruits saved the trees. From here our Rabbis, of blessed memory, said: The good son saves the father from Gehinnom. And so we find with Abraham our father, peace be upon him, that he saved Terah, as it is said, "And you shall come to your fathers in peace" (Genesis 15:16). This teaches that He informed him that Terah had done repentance, and that he has a portion in the World to Come.

Themes

Biblical References