We all know the big moments in his life – the covenant, the almost-sacrifice of Isaac. But sometimes the quiet moments, the unspoken fears, reveal the deepest longings of the heart.
According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating text that weaves together biblical narrative and rabbinic interpretation, Abraham prayed that his descendants wouldn’t be enslaved by the four kingdoms. This wasn't a casual wish; it was a prayer of such intensity that it sent him into a deep sleep.
Wait a minute, you might be thinking. Sleep during prayer? Seems counterintuitive, right? The text acknowledges this, posing the question: "Does then a man lie down and sleep, and yet be able to pray?" It explains that Abraham's sleep wasn't ordinary. It was a direct result of the sheer power and desperation of his prayer. He was so consumed with protecting his children that the effort exhausted him.
The verse in Genesis 15:12, "A deep sleep fell upon Abram," is then unpacked, layer by symbolic layer. And what follows is a powerful piece of allegorical interpretation. The "horror of great darkness" that fell upon him? It's a coded vision of the future.
"Horror," we're told, symbolizes the kingdom of Edom, often associated with Rome. The text points to Daniel 7:7: "And behold a fourth beast, terrible and powerful, and strong exceedingly." This beast, this "horror," represents the oppressive force that would challenge Israel.
"Darkness" represents those who would try to obscure the light of Torah, preventing the Jewish people from observing its precepts. They cast a shadow, dimming the spiritual vision.
"Great" refers to the kingdom of Media and Persia, a kingdom so vast and wealthy that they could afford to "sell Israel for nought." It speaks to a time when the value of the Jewish people would be tragically underestimated.
"Fell" signifies the kingdom of Babylon, the empire that brought down the crown of Israel. As Isaiah 21:9 declares, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen." The crown, a symbol of sovereignty and divine favor, was lost to them.
Finally, "Upon him" alludes to the Ishmaelites, upon whom the Son of David will flourish. The text sees a future where even those who might seem like adversaries will ultimately play a role in the redemption, as Psalm 132:18 promises: "His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon him shall his crown flourish."
Think about that. Abraham, lying in a deep sleep induced by his own fervent prayer, receives a glimpse into the future struggles of his descendants. He sees empires rise and fall, sees periods of darkness and oppression, but also glimpses the promise of ultimate redemption.
What does it mean to pray with such intensity that it changes your very state of being? And what can we learn from Abraham's fears about the future of his children, fears that resonate even today? Perhaps the lesson is that even in the face of "horror" and "darkness," the hope for a flourishing future, a future crowned with righteousness, remains a powerful force. A force powerful enough to move mountains, and perhaps, even to induce a prophetic sleep.