Hashem elevated Avraham to become a beacon illuminating mankind’s path. When Hashem called Avraham, his response was immediate: hbbv -I am ready, I am prepared for any sacrifice, any deed which is requested of me. hbbv denotes the unconditional compliance in advance of the actual order. Avraham reflects the fierce determination to comply with the command before subjecting it to critical review and personal judgment. This hbbv manifests the obedience with which man raises himself to join the angels’ heavenly chorus “to obey the voice of His word” (Tehillim 103:20).
This hbbv was the legacy Avraham bequeathed to his contemporaries and to his descendants. Avraham’s obedience has served as the paradigm for his children. Only those who strive to reach the lofty plateau of this hbbv may call themselves sons and daughters of Avraham.
Compliance with Hashem’s request was not an easy task for Avraham. He was asked to take his precious son and sacrifice him. Yet, neither the enormity of the challenge nor the pain of the act caused him to hesitate even for a moment to execute Hashem’s order. Avraham went together with his son Yitzchak – one to sacrifice, and one to be sacrificed – walking together to do Hashem’s bidding.
This unique event has inspired the Jewish people throughout its history and strengthened its loyalty to the Torah, even when it required the harshest sacrifices. A father prepares to sacrifice his son for the Torah, and the son is ready to be sacrificed because he accepts the Torah from his father. Fathers and sons have had no hesitation, no second thoughts; the young and the old walked together “obediently” ready to live or die in order to serve Hashem and preserve His Torah.
