For the Refua Shlema of Mishael ben Devorah
(who is undergoing another kidney-stone treatment today), Mordechai Tzvi ben
Sara & Binyamin ben Blanka.
When one puts all their life on the line for
Hashem. The story of Akedat Yitzchak is one of the most famous Historical
events in the World. It is one of the events that we, as Am Yisrael and the
children of Hashem, base our entire belief in. How far should a Jew go to show
his/her love for Hashem? How much did Avraham do just to prove that he was
really a Yereh Elokim, had fear of Heaven?! The story is packed with all levels
of Torah, including Pshat, Remez, Drash and Sod (Simple meaning, Hidden or
symbolic, Inquire/Drasha, and Mystery/Kabballah). But do we ever look at the
story of the Akeda from Yitzchak Avinu’s point of view?
A brief version of the story from the Torah
HaKdosha: Hashem commands Avraham to go with his son, Yitzchak to an unknown
location. Avraham bright and early the next morning sets off to where Hashem
leads him with Yitzchak. After three days of traveling, they reach Har HaMoriah
(Mount Moriah, present day Jerusalem/Western Wall). There Hashem intructs
Avraham to bring all utensils used for a Korban
(sacrifice) to the top of the mountain. Avraham ties down Yitzchak and is about
to sacrifice his own son (who was 37 years old). An Angel, sent by Hashem,
comes and stops him. Another Angel comes, sent by Hashem, and blesses both
Avraham and Yitzchak. They take a Ram instead and sacrifice it to Hashem. They
return to Be’er Sheva and life continues for the first Jews in the world.
All the Mepharshim usually bring up the
Nisyonot, obstacles/tests, that Avraham Avinu had to face in order to actually
get on a high level of Emunah (faith) to sacrifice his OWN SON! It’s pretty
unbelievable! But let’s take a look at what the Ben Ish Chai says about
Yitzchak’s viewpoint.
The Ben Ish Chai brings a piece of Gemara from
Masechet Sanhedrin explaining that Yitzchak really brought the Akedah on himself.
Sanhedrin 89b says that Yishmael and Yitzchak were arguing which one is bigger
in regards to the amount of Mitzvot they have. Yishmael claimed he is more
spiritual because it was tougher to get circumcised at the age of 13 rather
than Yitzchak’s circumcision, which was at the age of 8 days. So Yitzchak says
back: If Hashem tells me to give my life up for Him I would do it (meaning
human sacrifice)! Immediately Hashem goes to Avraham and commanded him to go to
Har HaMoriah with Yitzchak.
The Ben Ish Chai asks: If Yitzchak really
wanted to show how much he is willing to give up for Hashem, why did Hashem
then command Avraham to sacrifice his son and not Yitzchak to sacrifice
himself? He brings a simple answer: When one hears from a human being something
related to Judaism rather than from G-d, it is a lot more difficult to follow.
The fact that Yitzchak didn’t even hear the commandment from G-d directly is
already a much bigger Nisayon!
What does this teach us? A bunch of things,
but let’s focus on two. One: Watch what comes out of our mouth. Shlomo HaMelech
says that Life depends on the tongue (speech). Also, in the Igeret HaRamban,
The Ramban says that if one thinks before they say something, they will never
sin, because everything revolves around the tongue. Two: Prikei Avot teaches us
that one succeeds to distance from doubt (which is a huge obstacle in life
because confusion is like a curse) ONLY by having a Rabbi. When Yitzchak
listened to everything his Father told him, only then did they both get the
Blessing from Hashem. One reaches these levels by following the Chachamim (The
Wise, the Rabbis) of the Generation.
B’H we should all run after Mitzvot and Ma’asim Tovim and have the
Zchut (privilege) to see many many
Smachot in the near future to come!
SHABBAT SHALOM!
Want
today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy
recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on
the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper
information!
Check anonymous Reaction Below:
0 comments:
Post a Comment