These are the stories of Abraham. There are many today who do not know that Judaism, Christianity and Islam all share a common origin. Yet all trace their earliest belief in God back to one man – Abraham.
According to the written Bible and Qur'an we learn that Abraham had two sons. Jews and Christians are recognized as the descendents of Abraham's son Isaac. The descendents of Abraham's son Ishmael are known as Muslims.
Going back to ancient times, people were regaled by storytellers who told the tales of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, and Ishmael and Isaac. Although our books tell of a painful separation in Abraham's family, we learn that Ishmael and Isaac overcame that division and together peacefully buried their beloved father Abraham in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. We call this The Cave of Reconciliation.
Still at different times in history, depending on the teller, or the book, events and locations change. For example, in the Biblical account, Isaac is offered up to God, while it is Ishmael who is bound up in the Islamic story. And because of Abraham's willingness to follow the Voice of God, both sons live and their lineage is registered in our Sacred Books. Life-giving waters appear in desolate places to save the lives of Abraham's family. We are all taught to remember that Abraham's tent flaps were always open so that he could welcome friends as well as strangers. Today, these same stories are repeated in our holy places, in our homes and even in the movies.
The Cave of Reconciliation is a double-faced book, created to remind us of our shared beginnings, to explore our commonalities and to learn about our differences. After all, our collective belief is rooted in our mutual love of the One God, and His servant Abraham/Ibrahim.
Pecki makes it possible for us to enter into the cave with Ishmael. There we can celebrate the common belief of Judaism and Islam. The genius of how this book turns around to begin on the other side makes us see our religions as two sides of the same coin.
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi is the founder of the Jewish Renewal movement.
Author: Gate to the Heart and Wrapped in a Holy Flame and The Dream Assembly
"This beautifully illustrated book is a dialogue between the Bible's narrative of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac on the one hand, and the Quran narrative of Ibrahim and Hagar, on the other. It can be a wonderful text for the home and the classroom, for Jewish-Muslim and Jewish, Christian, Muslim dialogue as well."
Dr. Eugene Fisher, Interfaith officer for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
"What we need most now is to create a culture of interfaith understanding among our children so we instill in them at an early age precious values such as respect, tolerance, and recognition of multiple truths. Truly, The Cave of Reconciliation is an amazing and much needed effort toward creating such a culture."
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Chairman, Cordoba Initiative
A beautiful book to build bridges between the children of Abraham.
Irvin J. Borowsky
Founder/Chairman
American Interfaith Institute and the National Liberty Museum
This book breaks new ground in re-telling the sacred stories common to all those who call Abraham their father - Jew, Muslim and Christian - in a way which delights the eye and warms the heart.
It is particularly significant in the way in which, at this time of division and hatred in parts of our world, it helps Jew and Muslim to realize afresh their common heritage through the stories they share, and the Christian dimension is not neglected.
The Very Rev'd Richard Giles
Dean
Philadelphia Cathedral
"The Cave of Reconciliation is a must-read for every parent! Read it first to yourself, then read it aloud to your children, and help build a future of understanding, a world beyond the egotistical boundaries that separate human beings for each other, nature and the Only Being."
Murshid Saadi Shakur Chishti, author of The Tent of Abraham and The Sufi Book of Life
Because we have two eyes, we are able to get perspective on the world, to see its depth. What Pecki Witonsky has done with this wonderful book is to give us two wise eyes to look at the stories of Abraham's family -- the eyes of both Muslim and Jewish / Christian tradition. May we use this gift to see our world more wisely!
Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Director of The Shalom Center and co-author, The Tent of Abraham (Beacon Press).
