Anyone who has ever gone to a therapist - and that includes myself, as well as 92% of all Californians - knows that one of the first things we are asked to do is to describe our childhood, our parents, etc., because much of who we are now is a result of who and

The various midot of Am Yisrael started at the beginning of our history.

where we come from.


The various midot of Am Yisrael started at the beginning of our history. One of those traits - the ability to sacrifice for a greater good (and a greater G-d!) - was passed down to us from Father Avraham. Most people assume this genetic strength derives from the episode of the Akeida in our parsha, but long before that, Avraham was willing to be thrown into a fiery furnace rather than abdicate his belief in one G-d. So, what was so special about the Akeida test?


Furthermore, the Akeida is known as Akeidat Yitzchak, not Nisayon (the Test of) Avraham. Yitzchak, 37 years old at the time of the Akeida, understood fully what was happening. In fact, says Midrash Rabbah, he insisted on being tied down - though the text indicates that G-d never commanded that - so as to be sure that he would not falter at the last moment. He was a "full partner" in this event; so why does Avraham get the credit for passing the test?


Twice in the Akeida narrative we are told, "The two of them walked together." They each had an equal share in this moment. Avraham had successfully inculcated his monumental mesirat nefesh into his son. Now that quality would go on forever, in all Jews.


Our current generation is the first generation of Jews in 2,000 years where parents have not had to warn their children that they might very well have to give up their lives in order to remain faithful Jews. No Inquisitions, pogroms, Shoahs; no attempts at mass conversions or blood libels; no massacres of Jews by wild mobs.


But Avraham and Yitzchak's virtue of self-sacrifice does have one manifestation in today's world: Israel. When a father takes his son to Israel - and in particular, when he sends him

Avraham and Yitzchak's virtue of self-sacrifice does have one manifestation in today's world.

 to serve in our holy IDF - he reaffirms that G-d's will supersedes all other considerations. He is "binding" his faith on the mizbeyach of loyalty to HaShem no less than what our Avot and Imahot did in their own day.


The knife at the Akeida is referred to in our parsha as a ma'a'chelet, an unusual term roughly translated as "that which enables us to eat." Why this term and not the more common sakin? Chazal explain that from the heroic actions of this knife, Am Yisrael would be "fed" and nourished for all time.


I think it's fair to say that due to those heroic parents who place Israel before all other considerations and are zealous in this fundamental mitzvah, Am Yisrael will persevere and prosper. Like Yitzchak - whose name means "laughter" - we shall cry along the way, but we have the last laugh in history.