Whose Test is It?

            Rabbinic tradition is that Isaac was an adult, aged thirty-seven when Abraham brought him to Mount Moriah and bound him on the altar. Thus, Isaac was a knowing and willing participant in the akeda.

            The question which begs asking is why Jewish tradition focuses on Abraham’s role in the akeda rather than on that of Isaac. It is true that we refer to akedat Yitzchak, the binding of Isaac, yet it is Abraham who is seen as the hero.

            The truth is that one of our Sages do stress Isaac’s role. The verse which  introduces  the akeda is: “and it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham ….” [Genesis 22:1]

Two Sages of the Talmud offer differing opinions as to the meaning of “these things”.

Rabbi Yoḥanan, quoting Rabbi Yossi ben Zimra, says “after the words of Satan”. Satan said to God that Abraham failed to express his appreciation to God for having had a son at age one hundred. “This old man did not offer even a single bird to You”, said Satan. God responded “If I were to ask him to sacrifice his son to Me, he would immediately do it”. Immediately after this conversation between God and Satan,  “God tested Abraham”.

Rabbi Levi says “After the words of Ishmael to Isaac”. Ishmael bragged that he is greater than his half-brother. He said to Isaac, “You were circumcised as an eight day old, I was thirteen and did not resist”. Isaac responded “You taunt me with a single limb. If the Holy One blessed be He were to say to me ‘sacrifice yourself to Me’, I will do so”. Immediately, “God tested Abraham”.

            Thus, in the opinion of Rabbi Levi, Isaac actually instigated the akeda! According to Rabbi Levi, Isaac was the initiator of his father’s test. Abraham is credited because it was his test, and therefore the focus is upon Abraham rather than upon Isaac.

            Rabbi Dov Eichenstein commented that Abraham’s experience, as a father was more intense than Isaac’s experience. As a father, Abraham felt not only his own distress but that of his son Isaac as well.

            My father commented that Abraham’s experience was the more prolonged experience. From before Abraham and Isaac left Be’er Sheba for their three day journey to Mount Moriah, Abraham knew the purpose of the journey. Until shortly before being bound on the altar, apparently Isaac did not understand that he was to be the sacrifice. (Only as Abraham and Isaac have left the donkey and servants behind and were walking to Mount Moriah did Isaac ask “behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the offering?” [Genesis 22:7]).

            I would add an additional aspect. For one on the level of Abraham, the thought of taking another’s life is more distressing than the prospect of losing one’s own life.