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Genesis 22:13 - Divine ram replaces Yitzchak

Genesis 22:13 - בראשית 22:13

Hebrew Text

וַיִּשָּׂא אַבְרָהָם אֶת־עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה־אַיִל אַחַר נֶאֱחַז בַּסְּבַךְ בְּקַרְנָיו וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָהָם וַיִּקַּח אֶת־הָאַיִל וַיַּעֲלֵהוּ לְעֹלָה תַּחַת בְּנוֹ׃

English Translation

And Avraham lifted up his eyes, and looked and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns: and Avraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in place of his son.

Transliteration

Va'yisa Avraham et eynav va'yar ve'hine ayil achar ne'echaz bas'vach be'karnav va'yelech Avraham va'yikach et ha'ayil va'ya'alehu le'olah tachat beno.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּשָּׂ֨א אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּרְא֙ וְהִנֵּה־אַ֔יִל אַחַ֕ר נֶאֱחַ֥ז בַּסְּבַ֖ךְ בְּקַרְנָ֑יו וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אַבְרָהָם֙ וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־הָאַ֔יִל וַיַּעֲלֵ֥הוּ לְעֹלָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת בְּנֽוֹ׃
וַיִּשָּׂ֨א אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּרְא֙ וְהִנֵּה־אַ֔יִל אַחַ֕ר נֶאֱחַ֥ז בַּסְּבַ֖ךְ בְּקַרְנָ֑יו וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אַבְרָהָם֙ וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־הָאַ֔יִל וַיַּעֲלֵ֥הוּ לְעֹלָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת בְּנֽוֹ׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Ram as a Substitute Offering

The verse describes Avraham finding a ram caught in the thicket, which he offers as a olah (burnt offering) in place of Yitzchak. Rashi (Bereshit 22:13) explains that this ram was prepared by Hashem from the six days of Creation, indicating its divine providence. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 56:9) elaborates that this ram was created at twilight before the first Shabbat, emphasizing its special role in Jewish history.

Symbolism of the Ram's Horns

The ram being caught by its horns carries deep symbolism. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 16a) connects this ram to the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah, which comes from a ram's horn. This links the Akeidah (Binding of Yitzchak) to the themes of judgment and mercy on Rosh Hashanah. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3:4) teaches that the shofar serves as a reminder of Avraham's devotion, awakening us to repentance.

The Thicket (Sevach) as a Metaphor

The word sevach (thicket) appears only twice in Tanach - here and in reference to the burning bush (Shemot 3:2). The Kli Yakar draws a parallel between these two instances, suggesting that just as the bush contained fire but was not consumed, Yitzchak was bound but not sacrificed. This demonstrates Hashem's principle that the Jewish people may face trials but will endure.

Avraham's Immediate Action

The Torah emphasizes that Avraham "went and took the ram" without hesitation. The Seforno notes that this shows Avraham's complete readiness to fulfill Hashem's command, even when the directive changed from sacrificing his son to offering an animal. This teaches the importance of being prepared to serve Hashem in whatever way He requires.

Theological Implications

  • The substitution of the ram establishes the principle of korbanot (sacrifices) replacing human offerings (Ramban)
  • The Akeidah narrative demonstrates that Hashem never intended actual human sacrifice, but rather tested Avraham's devotion (Meshech Chochmah)
  • The ram's appearance at the precise needed moment teaches hashgacha pratit (divine providence) in Jewish history (Malbim)

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 16a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the laws of slaughtering sacrifices, particularly regarding the ram that Abraham offered in place of Isaac.
📖 Berakhot 62b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the merits of Abraham and the significance of the ram as a substitute offering.
📖 Ta'anit 4a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing divine providence and the symbolism of the ram caught in the thicket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the ram caught in the thicket symbolize in Genesis 22:13?
A: According to Rashi and Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 56:9), the ram symbolizes divine providence. It was prepared by Hashem from the six days of Creation to be a substitute for Yitzchak (Isaac) at the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac). This teaches that everything in the world happens according to Hashem's plan.
Q: Why was the ram caught by its horns in the thicket?
A: The Talmud (Pirkei Avot 5:6) states that the ram's horns being entangled was part of Hashem's design - to delay Avraham just long enough to prevent him from sacrificing Yitzchak while still allowing the test of faith to be completed. The ram willingly gave itself to be sacrificed, showing its own divine purpose.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Avraham offering the ram instead of Yitzchak?
A: The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:24) explains this teaches that Hashem never truly wanted human sacrifice. The test was about Avraham's complete devotion, not about the act itself. This established the Jewish principle that animal offerings replace human offerings in serving Hashem.
Q: How is the ram from the Akeidah connected to Rosh Hashanah?
A: The shofar we blow on Rosh Hashanah comes from a ram's horn to recall this ram (Rosh Hashanah 16a). Just as the ram was a symbol of mercy replacing judgment for Yitzchak, the shofar reminds us of Hashem's mercy during judgment on Rosh Hashanah.
Q: Why does the Torah say Avraham saw the ram 'after' (achar)?
A: Rashi explains 'achar' means the ram was destined for this purpose from 'after' (i.e., following) the creation of the world. The Midrash (Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer 31) adds that Avraham first saw angels and clouds of glory before noticing the ram, showing multiple layers of divine revelation at this moment.