Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted
Hebrew Text
וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אָמַר־לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים וַיִּבֶן שָׁם אַבְרָהָם אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וַיַּעֲרֹךְ אֶת־הָעֵצִים וַיַּעֲקֹד אֶת־יִצְחָק בְּנוֹ וַיָּשֶׂם אֹתוֹ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ מִמַּעַל לָעֵצִים׃
English Translation
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Avraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Yiżĥaq his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Transliteration
Va'yavo'u el-hamakom asher amar-lo ha'Elohim va'yiven sham Avraham et-hamizbe'ach va'ya'aroch et-ha'etzim va'ya'akod et-Yitzchak b'no va'yasem oto al-hamizbe'ach mi'ma'ala la'etzim.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ אֶֽל־הַמָּקוֹם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽמַר־ל֣וֹ הָאֱלֹהִים֒ וַיִּ֨בֶן שָׁ֤ם אַבְרָהָם֙ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ אֶת־הָעֵצִ֑ים וַֽיַּעֲקֹד֙ אֶת־יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֔וֹ וַיָּ֤שֶׂם אֹתוֹ֙ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ מִמַּ֖עַל לָעֵצִֽים׃
🎵 Listen to leining
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Ta'anit 4a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the merits of the patriarchs and the binding of Isaac (Akedah) as a significant event in Jewish tradition.
📖 Sanhedrin 89b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the binding of Isaac, focusing on Abraham's obedience to God's command and the theological implications of the event.
📖 Berakhot 62b
Mentioned in a discussion about the actions of the patriarchs, particularly Abraham's readiness to sacrifice Isaac, as an example of extreme devotion to God.
The Place of the Akeidah
The verse states, "And they came to the place which God had told him of" (Bereshit 22:9). Rashi explains that this refers to Har HaMoriah, the future site of the Beit HaMikdash (Temple in Jerusalem). The Midrash (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 31) teaches that this was the same location where Adam, Kayin, and Hevel brought offerings, and where Noach sacrificed after the flood. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 2:2) emphasizes that this place was chosen by divine decree for its eternal sanctity.
Avraham's Actions: Building the Altar and Preparing the Wood
Avraham's meticulous actions—building the altar, arranging the wood, and binding Yitzchak—demonstrate his complete devotion to Hashem's command. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 89b) notes that Avraham did not delay, fulfilling the mitzvah with urgency. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 56:8) highlights that Avraham built the altar himself, rather than delegating, showing his personal commitment. The arrangement of the wood ("וַיַּעֲרֹךְ אֶת־הָעֵצִים") is interpreted by the Sforno as an act of precision, ensuring everything was prepared properly for the offering.
The Binding of Yitzchak (Akeidah)
The phrase "וַיַּעֲקֹד אֶת־יִצְחָק בְּנוֹ" ("and bound Yitzchak his son") is central to the narrative. The Ramban explains that Yitzchak, at 37 years old, willingly submitted to being bound, demonstrating his own righteousness. The Talmud (Ta'anit 4a) states that Yitzchak's ashes are considered as if they were actually offered, meriting eternal atonement for future generations. The Kli Yakar adds that the binding was necessary to prevent any involuntary movement that might invalidate the sacrifice.
Laying Yitzchak on the Altar
The verse concludes, "וַיָּשֶׂם אֹתוֹ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ מִמַּעַל לָעֵצִים" ("and laid him on the altar upon the wood"). The Ibn Ezra notes that this phrasing indicates Yitzchak was placed directly on the wood, ready for the final act. The Malbim explains that this moment was the ultimate test of Avraham's faith, as he overcame his natural paternal instincts to fulfill Hashem's will. The Zohar (1:120b) teaches that this act elevated both Avraham and Yitzchak to the highest spiritual levels, binding them eternally to divine service.