Question: What is the importance of the akeidat Yitzchak (binding of Isaac) in Judaic thought?

Answer: Let us put this event in the context of Abraham’s life. Abraham was called “Ish Ivri” (“man of the side”) because he went against the idolatrous ways of the world and followed G-d. He epitomized the trait of kindness and spent much of his life dedicated to bringing in guests and teaching them the ways of G-d. Abraham and Sarah were unable to have children, yet they were promised by an angel of G-d that Sarah would miraculously conceive and bear Isaac, who would subsequently inherit Abraham’s mission as the person to teach the world about serving G-d.

Suddenly, Abraham is commanded to sacrifice his son! This went against everything that Abraham had worked for and believed. Child sacrifice was a practice that was popular with the pagan / idolatrous people of those times. Isaac was supposed to continue Abraham’s mission. G-d Himself had promised that Isaac would inherit the land of Israel and lead after Abraham. Abraham’s nature was to love every living creature… to sacrifice his son would be unthinkable!

Indeed, what was the nature of G-d’s request to sacrifice Abraham’s dear son, Isaac? I believe that the answer hinges upon an understanding of the process by which Abraham came to the realization of the existence of G-d.  (more…)