Why God Tested Abraham at the Binding of Isaac

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 22:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And it came to pass after these things" (Genesis 22:1). Everywhere that "after" is stated, it is set apart. What is "after"? That the angels said to the Holy One, blessed be He: This Abraham, You graced him with a son at one hundred years, and he made a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned, yet he did not have to offer before You a single turtledove or a young pigeon. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them: If I were to tell him to offer up his son before Me, he would offer him. Therefore it is written, "And God tested Abraham." Another interpretation: That Ishmael said to Isaac: I am greater than you, for I received circumcision when I was thirteen years old, and it was in my power to protest, yet I did not protest; but you, when you received the circumcision, were eight days old, and you had no strength to protest, and therefore you did not protest. Isaac said to him: With one limb you make me afraid? Were the Holy One, blessed be His name, to say to me that I should offer up myself, I would offer it and I would not refuse. Therefore it is said, "And God tested Abraham."

Themes

The Binding Of IsaacTests Of FaithSibling RivalryAccusing AngelsSelf Sacrifice

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash AggadahJudah Pleads for Benjamin and Joseph Reveals Himself"And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him," Jacob had warned. To his sons he opened the wound: while Benjamin remained at his side, it was as tMidrash AggadahLeah and Rachel Bargain Over the Mandrakes and Jacob's NightWhen Reuben brought mandrakes from the field, the old wound between the sisters tore open. Leah spoke first, her voice sharp with grievance: "Is it not enough tMidrash AggadahTen Who Prophesied Without Knowing It from Abraham to HannahWhen Abraham climbed Mount Moriah with the wood on his son's shoulders, he turned to the young men and said, "We will worship and return to you." He meant only Midrash AggadahJacob Hides Dinah in a Chest from Esau and Withholds KindnessOn the night before he met his brother, Jacob counted his children across the ford of the Jabbok—and the Midrash asks: where was Dinah, his only daughter? He haMidrash AggadahRachel Names Naphtali and the Twin Readings of Her WrestlingWhen Rachel at last gave a name to the son borne for her, she reached into the very word and turned it over in her hands. Naftulei Elohim niftalti — "wresMidrash AggadahJoseph Obeys Jacob Though His Brothers Hate HimWhen Israel called out to his son, the boy answered without hesitation: "Here I am." The midrash pauses on those two small words, for in them lives the whole be