Community Magazine November 2019

16 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE Words of Rabbi Eli J. Mansour “Whichever negative character trait is the most natural for us, and the most difficult to break – this is the job we were created for: to struggle against that trait.” לעילוי נשמתם של משה בן עליזה, יצחק הלל בן עליזה, והנרייט לאה בת עליזה, דוד בן גילה, רבקה בת גילה, יהושע בן גילה, משה בן גילה, שרה בת גילה, יעקב בן גילה, ואליאנה בת גילה. ולרפואה שלמה ליוסף בן אהובה מסעודה, שילת אהובה בת עליזה, ודניאל בן עליזה. Breaking the Imaginary Chains The story of akedat Yitzhak – “the binding of Yitzhak” – ranks among the most dramatic and emotional narratives in the Humash, and its unique importance is reflected in the prominent place it occupies in our prayers. It is included as part of the section that introduces our daily Shaharit service, and the everlasting merit of this great act is frequently invoked during our High Holiday prayers as we plea to Gd for a favorable judgment. Avraham exhibited extraordinary faith and sacrifice by preparing to slaughter his beloved son in fulfillment of Gd’s command, until, at the very last moment, he was instructed to withdraw his knife, and he offered an animal sacrifice, instead. Gd then spoke to Avraham and assured him that the merit of his limitless devotion would remain with his descendants for all eternity. One of the questions concerning this story with which the commentators grappled is why all the credit seems to be given to Avraham, and not to Yitzhak. The story begins by framing Gd’s command as a test specifically for Avraham: “It happened after these events that Gd tested Avraham …” And the promise of reward was expressed to Avraham, not to Yitzchak. More generally, rabbinic tradition has always focused on the greatness of Avraham’s faith as exhibited in his compliance with Gd’s command. But what about Yitzhak? According to the Midrash cited by Rashi, Yitzchak was not a small child at this time. In fact, he was an adult. He unquestioningly allowed his father to bind him upon an altar, ready to be sacrificed to Gd. Was this not at least as great an act of faith and unbridled devotion as Avraham’s? Does he not deserve credit for what he was prepared to do? The answer is that certainly, Yitzhak’s willingness to be sacrificed is no less inspiring than Avraham’s willingness to sacrifice him. Nevertheless, there was something unique about Avraham’s particular circumstance that made akedat Yitzhak an especially difficult test for him. Blind Faith One aspect of Avraham’s unique test has to do with his background, the theological journey upon which he embarked as a young child and continued throughout his life. Born into a pagan world, Avraham recognized on his own that there