HaShem will see

(Genesis 22:14)

Cheshvan 14, 5778/November 4, 2017

In last week's Torah reading we meet Avraham, a complete unknown, whom G-d calls upon to "Lech lecha," to leave Haran and head for Canaan, a land he's never been to to forge a relationship with and establish a covenant with G-d.

Slowly, we begin to get glimpses of who Avraham is, insights into his character, and an understanding of why G-d chose him to be the father of a future nation dedicated to the establishment of and the spreading of the knowledge of G-d's presence on earth.

Avraham is a man of peace who does not hesitate to enter into armed conflict when his brother-in-law Lot is taken hostage. He refuses to accept booty from a war that he other wise had no interest in. He is a modest man, seeking only G-d's goodness, yet he readily measures up to the most powerful leaders and chieftains of his time, when necessary, as he did with Pharaoh and Avimelech, and the righteous Melchitzedek.

Avraham has deep abiding love for his wife Sara, his full partner in his physical and spiritual journey, not merely his equal, but, as G-d is quick to point out to Avraham his superior in prophetic insight, whose will must be honored, even when in conflict with Avraham's wishes.

Yet, on the other hand, Avraham possesses a finely honed sense of justice and does not hesitate to dare question G-d's pursuit of justice after G-d's intentions for Sodom become clear.

Avraham is the model of hospitality, seeking the companionship of the three passersby, who open this week's parasha, Vayera, even as he is recovering from his circumcision at the age of ninety nine, and even as he is engaged in an encounter with G-d. Avraham and Sara prepare a feast for the three strangers, in reality, angels of HaShem, and Avraham accompanies them on their way when they leave for Sodom.

Avraham makes painful decisions concerning the fates of his sons, Ishmael, the son of Hagar, and Yitzchak, the son of Sara.

In short, Avraham, who walked into our lives an unknown entity, has displayed his impeccable qualities in the most difficult and life-changing encounters and challenges. We now understand why he was picked by G-d to begin this long journey, to establish a covenant with G-d and to father a nation that would keep this covenant to the end of time.

It is hard to fathom the depth of faith that Avraham had for G-d. He followed every instruction he received from G-d with alacrity. He accepted G-d's many promises, promises concerning the land of Israel and promises of offspring and of great future nations, even when all visible evidence would seem to indicate otherwise. If we were to do a cold tally we might conclude that, up to this point, Avraham proved himself a man of action, while G-d's promises were still, by and large, yet to be fulfilled.

Yes, Yitzchak is born to Sara, and G-d has, indeed, kept His word to Avraham, a son that will father a nation, but then G-d throws a wrench in the works, and asks Avraham to do the impossible: "Take your son, your only one, whom you love, yea, Yitzchak, and go away to the land of Moriah and bring him up there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains, of which I will tell you." (Genesis 22:2) Avraham is literally thrust into an impossible predicament. He knows that what G-d is asking is wrong. But he also knows that if G-d is asking this of Avraham, then it cannot be wrong, and G-d's word must be obeyed.

And so, as many times before, Avraham rises at dawn and sets out to fulfill G-d's instructions, without hesitation, without question. This is Avraham's greatest test, but to be sure, it is also G-d's greatest test, as Avraham forces the impossible to its only possible conclusion: "Do not stretch forth your hand to the lad, nor do the slightest thing to him, for now I know that you are a G-d fearing man, and you did not withhold your son, your only one, from Me." (ibid 22:12)

Both G-d and Avraham have pushed one another to the very limit of mutual faith and trust. And now it is clear to both G-d and Avraham that they are both on the same page. G-d will do His all for Avraham and Avraham with do his all for G-d. It is now that "Avraham named that place, HaShem will see, as it is said to this day: On the mountain, HaShem will be seen." (ibid 22:14) Avraham and G-d see eye-to-eye, and the future looks bright!

-The Temple Institute