Garage Sale Diamonds (Garage Sale Mystery) by Suzi Weinert Read Free Book Online Page B

nearly-sacrificed son Isaac, as the Jews record in the Torah, or Ishmael, as Muslims claim in Muhammad’s Quran modification?”
    “I see the problem. Were these Abraham’s only sons?” Jennifer asked.
    “He fathered more children, but these two ‘first’ sons create the schism between Judaism and Islam. Biblical scholars disagree about some ancient writings and what they really mean. Some think them more legend than gospel. Sumerian rules of succession at the time apparently upheld the rank of a son born to a first wife as greater for inheritance than a son born to a second wife or concubine. Sumerians also upheld that a child born to a relative of the man ranked higher than to a non-relative. Some scholars think Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister, which would give Isaac the birthright no matter if Ishmael was born first. Others think ‘sister’ is a generic term in that culture for any female relatives. Then Muslims point out God said elsewhere that marrying a sister was an abomination, making Ishmael the rightful heir, so even more confusion.”
    Jennifer nodded. “I see. Three great monotheistic religious nations sprang from Abraham just as prophesied. Judiasm through Isaac in Torah, Christianity through the Jewish prophet named Jesus in the New Testament, and Islam via the Prophet Muhammad’s Quran version of Ishmael’s Arab branch.”
    “Yes. Once Muhammad reinterpreted Abraham’s story, Muslims hated Jews for their cruel treatment of Hagar and her son Ishmael. Both were significant figures in their religion. But don’t forget that geo-political reasons also play strategic roles, compounded by ethnic and religious differences. Consider, as part of the picture, that current uprisings in the Arab world are not about scriptures but about land, politics and economics plus Islamic opposition to Westernization. Similarly, the nation of Israel isn’t biblically driven at this point but fighting for survival. It no longer boils down to just a theological debate.”
    Jennifer shifted in her chair. “Taking-what-you-have-that-I-want is as old as the caveman who found death a quick, permanent solution for anyone disagreeing with him. And he could steal his victim’s property afterward as further incentive.”
    “Religious zeal and a God’s presumed blessing to take-what-you-want, destroy-all-who-disagree, avenge-past-injustice—real or imagined—and blame scapegoats… All this nourishes a recipe for terrorism. Rewards with virgins in paradise and awed respect for martyrs on earth further this madness. Islam is not only a religion but an entire social, political, cultural, legal and military ideology.”
    “What happened to ‘live-and-let-live’?” Jennifer asked.
    “Ah, that’s the real puzzle. But how can we ‘get along’ with radicals single-mindedly focused on destroying Israel and, now, western cultures of Europe and America?”
    They pondered this question silently. Jennifer sighed. “Larry, I’m impressed by your knowledge. You’ve given me new insights. Thanks for taking time from your walk to tell me about this.”
    “My pleasure.” He stood, eyeing the last brownie.
    “Please take this for the walk home,” Jennifer urged.  “By the way, I’m curious. How do you happen to know so much about this subject?”
    “Well, it just so happens that at the Reform temple I mentioned, I’m the rabbi.”
    13
    Thursday,  almost midnight
    Ahmed bolted upright in bed. Sweat dampened his body and the sheets on which he slept. His frightened eyes swept the room until he realized the horrific memory of his parents’ deaths before his eyes was only the painful recurring dream. Distant in both time and location from that experience thirty years ago in the Middle East, he slept tonight in a house in McLean, Virginia.
    A glance at the clock confirmed he’d wakened in the middle of the night. He shook his head with grief at his father’s execution, his mother’s adored but deathly-still face and the