This episode was written and filmed in less than two weeks as the show's reaction to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. The episode was not written to be part of the show's continuity.
When originally aired, this episode contained an introduction from several of the cast members. In particular, Joshua Lyman's part of the intro reads: "Now, don't panic. We're in show business and we'll get back to tending our egos in short order, but tonight we offer a play-it's called 'Isaac and Ishmael.' We suggest you don't spend a lot of time trying to figure out where this episode comes in in the timeline of the series; it doesn't. It's a story-telling aberration, if you'll allow."
This is the first episode where Stockard Channing (Abbey Bartlet) is listed as a starring cast member.
Had the highest viewership of any West Wing episode, and was the highest viewed show that week.
This episode is one of few that doesn't include the ending theme. Instead, the name of each of the main cast is shown on screen while "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield plays.