For Judaism, it is Mount Moriah, where Abraham bound his son Isaac and laid him on a bed of kindling wood. The difference between the two religions, Wiesel says, is that in the Jewish story the father does not kill the son, but in the Christian story he does, founding a religion that has gone on to use death as a means of glorifying God. In one sense Wiesel makes a powerful observation, and we may find it hard not to nod our heads in agreement. Death, especially when it is untimely or inflicted by another person, can be a stumbling block for our faith. If all truth comes from life and never from death, then death is left bereft of any meaning.
Death becomes a barrier instead of a doorway.
The death of Jesus was different from all other deaths. The difference between Jesus and Isaac is that Isaac had no choice about whether to be sacrificed. The decision belonged to his father. Jesus had a choice. He willingly laid down his life.