binding-of-isaac by Phillip Ratner
In this regard, it is better to see something than to hear about it, because to see is to know. In the biblical context we “see” the Master of the Universe when we come to Jerusalem (the Temple) to bring our offerings, and this is probably the deepest meaning this verb: we have eyes in order to see, in order to know our Creator.
We learn then that the Lord came to see Abraham in his tent, and later we read: “Because I know him (Abraham), that he will command his children and his household after him, that they shall keep the way of G-d, to do righteousness and justice (…).” (18:19), which are two of Love’s ways and attributes and two of the reasons He gives us to live in this world, because it is all about His will. This verse is abruptly juxtaposed to the next to call our attention to what is the opposite of Love’s ways: “And the Lord said, ‘Since the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah has become great, and since their sin is very grave, I will descend now and see whether according to her cry which has come to Me, they have done; destruction, and if not, I will know’.” (18:20-21); like in the generation of the Flood, the people of the valley of Sodom were already “dead” because of their corruption, and their destruction was already upon them. Divine fire destroyed their wickedness but not completely for Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his daughters from whom two of the “nations” of Canaan would be later born after incestuous relationships.
“And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said: ‘G-d has made laughter for me, so that all who hear will laugh with (because of) me’.” (21:5-6). Mystic Sages teach that this verse foretells the Messianic era, when “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14), and “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9). We all will rejoice with Divine Love completely revealed in the world, and we can also reveal Him by being and manifesting Love’s ways and attributes because this is how our Creator is with us, as He was with Abraham: “Abimelech and Pichol, his general, said to Abraham saying: ‘G-d is with you in all that you do.” (Genesis 21:22).
The parshah continues with one of the most significant events that determined the relationship between Israel and G-d, Love: “And he (Isaac) said: ‘Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ And Abraham said: ‘G-d will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering, my son.’ And they went both of them together.” (22:7-8). Isaac knew that his father would have to make an (animal) burnt offering after Isaac’s own offering of his entire life to G-d; and he asked his father for the lamb. It was clear for them that their lives, as well as all that exists in Creation, belong to G-d and this is a fundamental condition to accept His will. By truly knowing that His Love sustains all His Creation, we are compelled to trust in His Love and will. This awareness was unbreakable in Abraham and Isaac, and that is why the passage says “and they went both of them together“.
Should it be called a test, “that G-d tested Abraham” (22:1), or even a trial? As we mentioned many times in the book “God as Love”, Love does not cohabit with anything different than Him: the vessel of Love is Love. And both Abraham and Isaac indeed succeeded in becoming that Truth. Are we able to also become the Truth? Our Patriarchs did it for us to emulate them as the Chosen People that we are; hence we must fulfill this destiny as the mission that our Father wants from us. Love is the Light of the world, the Redemption that we must reveal from the darkness of ego’s fantasies and illusions. Once we all realize that Love is the Divine hand that redeems us from our deepest grief, sadness and pain, we will be truly free. It’s been said many times in the Torah and the Hebrew scriptures that the choice is only ours and that we must choose life over death, Love over darkness. If we are capable to create so much pain and suffering to each other in this world, we are also capable to create happiness and joy to each other. The result of choosing ego’s illusions of lack makes us inflict suffering on others, while choosing Love to share with others is the best joy we can experience. When Love is the cause also Love is the effect.
The sacrifice of Isaac was not about his life or his body, but his total devotion and commitment to the Creator, to be all that He wants us to be in the world that He created for us. “And Abraham called the name of that place Adonai-Yireh (“G-d will see“), as it is said to this day: ‘On the mount G-d will appear (see)’.” (22:14). This is where the Temple of Jerusalem (Yireh Salem), the highest level of Divine Love consciousness, is. It is the same place where we bring the choicest fruits of our own Love’s ways and attributes as offerings, so G-d may see our image and likeness of Him; and it is there where we become One with Him. He already manifests His Love for all His Creation by sustaining it every moment, now it is us who have to elevate our Love to Him, so both Loves meet and become One. This is indeed the place where we elevate all aspects and dimensions of our consciousness to do His will, and these are represented by the tithes brought to the Priests (Kohanim) and Levites, and the animals to be sacrificed in the Temple. Every level and aspect of consciousness must be bound to do that which is sacred (that is the original meaning of “sacrifice”: to do the sacred). G-d, Love, knew that Abraham and Isaac were bound to serve Him by loving Him with all their heart, all their soul and all their might.
In Vayeira we learn again that G-d, Love, sees us and recognizes us for the Love what we are and manifest when we walk in His ways because then Love is with us in all we do, as it happened with Abraham. When we live this Truth individually and collectively, Redemption is already present… and then we all rejoice and laugh as our Matriarch Sarah did when she heard that she was going to have a child.
Ariel Ben Avraham
Safed, Northern Galilee, Israel
Born in Cartagena, Colombia in 1958. After studying Cultural Anthropology in Bogota, moved to Chicago in 1984, where I worked as a writer, reporter and producer for WSNS/Telemundo for 18 years. Produced video documentaries related to art, music, history and culture, such as “Latin American Trails: Guatemala”, distributed by Facets.org. For more than thirty years studied spiritual traditions from all over the world, and the mysticism of major religions, understanding the mystic experience as the personal means to connect with Divinity. Since 2004 study and write about Jewish mysticism and spirituality, mainly derived from the Chassidic tradition, and the practical philosophy of the teachings of Jewish mystic Sages from the last 2000 years. The book “God as Love” is the compilation of my last three years studying and learning Jewish mysticism, and the messages of the book are part of the content, exercises and processes of a series of seminars, lectures and retreats that I facilitate in several locations in Israel.
