<b>And it came to pass after these words that God did prove Abraham (Gen. 22:1).</b> What words were spoken? Ishmael had said to Isaac: I am superior to you, for I underwent circumcision at the age of thirteen, and underwent the pain (that accompanied it), while you were merely eight days old at the time of your circumcision and could feel no pain. Why, even if your father had wished to slaughter you, you would not have known the difference. If you had been thirteen years old, you could not have tolerated the anguish that accompanies circumcision. Isaac retorted: That is not so! Even if the Holy One, blessed be He, should command my father: “Slaughter thy son Isaac,” I would not resist. Immediately thereafter Scripture states: <i>And it came to pass after these things that God did prove Abraham</i>.
When the Holy One, blessed be He, embarked upon the creation of the world, the ministering angels said to him: <i>What is man, that Thou art mindful of</i> (lit. remember) <i>him?</i> (Ps. 8:5). The Holy One, blessed be He, responded: You have asked me, <i>What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?</i> because you beheld the wickedness of the generation of Enosh, but now I will reveal to you the greatness of Abraham so that you may remember him, as is said: <i>And God remembered Abraham</i> (Gen. 19:29).
You (angels) say (to Me), <i>What is man, that Thou dost remember Him?</i> because it is said <i>The Lord remembered Sarah</i>, but now you are destined to see a father who is willing to slay his own son, and a son who is willing to be sacrificed for the sake of My Holy Name.