Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this Aliyah, we learn about the ultimate test of the Akeidah, where Hashem commands Avraham Avinu to take his beloved son, Yitzchak, and bring him up as an olah on Har HaMoriah. We see the incredible zrizus of Avraham as he wakes up early in the morning, saddles his own donkey, and sets out on the three-day journey together with Yitzchak and his attendants.

As they approach the place, Yitzchak asks his father about the missing sheep for the offering, and Avraham gently hints that Hashem will provide the lamb. They walk together with one heart, and Avraham builds the mizbeach, binds Yitzchak, and stretches out his hand to take the knife, demonstrating his complete bittul and yiras Shamayim before Hashem.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיְהִיAnd it wasאַחַרafterהַדְּבָרִיםthe eventsהָאֵלֶּהtheseוְהָאֱלֹהִיםand Godנִסָּהtestedאֶת—אַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidאֵלָיוto himאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidהִנֵּנִי׃here I am

רַשִׁ״י

אחרAfterהדבריםthe thingsהאלה.theseיֵשׁthere areמֵרַבּוֹתֵינוּfrom our Rabbisאוֹמְרִיםwho sayסנהדריןSanhedrinפ"ט89bאַחַרafterדְּבָרָיוthe wordsשֶׁלofשָׂטָן,Satanשֶׁהָיָהwho wasמְקַטְרֵגprosecutingוְאוֹמֵרand sayingמִכָּלfrom allסְעוּדָהthe feastשֶׁעָשָׂהthat madeאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלֹאnotהִקְרִיבdid he sacrificeלְפָנֶיךָbefore Youפַּרbullאֶחָדoneאוֹorאַיִלramאֶחָד;oneאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himכְּלוּםanythingעָשָׂהdid he doאֶלָּאexceptבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofבְּנוֹ,his sonאִלּוּifהָיִיתִיI wereאוֹמֵרsayingלוֹto himזְבַחsacrificeאוֹתוֹhimלְפָנַיbefore Meלֹאnotהָיָהwould he haveמְעַכֵּב;withheldוְיֵ"אֹand some sayאַחַרafterדְּבָרָיוthe wordsשֶׁלofיִשְׁמָעֵאל,Yishmaelשֶׁהָיָהwho wasמִתְפָּאֵרboastingעַלoverיִצְחָקYitzchakשֶׁמָּלthat he circumcisedבֶּןat the age ofי"גthirteenשָׁנָהyearsוְלֹאand did notמִחָה,protestאָמַרsaidלוֹto himיִצְחָקYitzchakבְּאֵבֶרwith a limbא'oneאַתָּהyouמְיָרְאֵנִי?intimidate meאִלּוּifאָמַרsaidלִיto meהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heזְבַחsacrificeעַצְמְךָyourselfלְפָנַי,before Meלֹאnotהָיִיתִיwould I haveמְעַכֵּב.withheld

רַשִׁ״י

הנני.Here am Iכָּךְsoהִיאisעֲנִיָּתָםthe answer ofשֶׁל·חֲסִידִים,pious onesלְשׁוֹןan expression ofעֲנָוָהhumilityהוּאit isוּלְשׁוֹןand an expression ofזִמּוּן:readiness

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidקַחtakeנָאpleaseאֶת—בִּנְךָyour sonאֶת—יְחִידְךָyour only oneאֲשֶׁרwhomאָהַבְתָּyou loveאֶת—יִצְחָקYitzchakוְלֶךְand goלְךָfor yourselfאֶלtoאֶרֶץthe land ofהַמֹּרִיָּהMoriahוְהַעֲלֵהוּand bring him upשָׁםthereלְעֹלָהfor an elevation offeringעַלuponאַחַדone ofהֶהָרִיםthe mountainsאֲשֶׁרwhichאֹמַרI will sayאֵלֶיךָ׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

קחTakeנא.nowאֵיןis notנָאnaאֶלָּאbutלְשׁוֹןan expression ofבַּקָשָׁה,requestאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himבְּבַקָּשָׁהpleaseמִמְּךָ,from youעֲמֹדstandלִיfor Meבְּזֶהin thisהַנִּסָּיוֹן,trialשֶׁלֹּאso that notיֹאמְרוּthey will sayהָרִאשׁוֹנוֹתthe first onesלֹאnotהָיָהwas thereבָהֶןin themמָמָּשׁ:substance

רַשִׁ״י

את—בנך.your sonאָמַרhe saidלוֹto Himשְׁנֵיtwoבָנִיםsonsיֵשׁthere areלִי,to meאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himאֶת—יְחִידְךָ;your only oneאָמַרhe saidלוֹto Himזֶהthis oneיָחִידis an only oneלְאִמּוֹto his motherוְזֶהand this oneיָחִידis an only oneלְאִמּוֹ,to his motherאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himאֲשֶׁרwhomאָהַבְתָּ;you loveאָמַרhe saidלוֹto Himשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themאֲנִיIאוֹהֵב,loveאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himאֶת—יִצְחָקYitzchakסנהדריןSanhedrinפ"טchapter nine.וְלָמָּהand whyלֹאdid He notגִּלָּהrevealלוֹto himמִתְּחִלָּה?from the beginningשֶׁלֹּאso as notלְעַרְבְּבוֹto confuse himפִּתְאוֹםsuddenlyוְתָזוּחַand become distractedדַּעְתּוֹhis mindעָלָיוupon himוְתִטָּרֵף,and become bewilderedוּכְדֵיand in orderלְחַבֵּבto make belovedעָלָיוupon himאֶת—הַמִּצְוָהthe mitzvahוְלִתֵּןand to giveלוֹto himשָׂכָרrewardעַלforכָּלeveryדִּבּוּרutteranceוְדִבּוּר:and utterance

רַשִׁ״י

ארץThe land ofהמוריה.Moriahיְרוּשָׁלַיִם,Yerushalayimוְכֵןand soבְּדִבְרֵיin Chroniclesהַיָּמִים·לִבְנוֹתto buildאֶת—בֵּיתthe House ofה'Hashemבִּירוּשָׁלִַםin Yerushalayimבְּהַרon MountהַמּוֹרִיָּהMoriahדבריChroniclesהימים·בtwoג'three.וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisפֵּרְשׁוּexplainedעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁמִּשָּׁםthat from thereהוֹרָאָהinstructionיוֹצְאָהgoes forthלְיִשְׂרָאֵל.to Yisraelוְאֻנְקְלוֹסand Onkelosתִּרְגְּמוֹtranslated itעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofעֲבוֹדַתthe service ofהַקְּטֹרֶתthe incenseשֶׁיֵּשׁwhich hasבּוֹin itמוֹרmyrrhנֵרְדְּnardוּשְׁאָרand otherבְּשָׂמִים:spices

רַשִׁ״י

והעלהו.And bring him upלֹאnotאָמַרdid He sayלוֹto himשְׁחָטֵהוּ,slaughter himלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notהָיָהwasחָפֵץdesiringהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heלְשָׁחֳטוֹto slaughter himאֶלָּאbut ratherלְהַעֲלֵהוּto bring him upלָהָרto the mountainלַעֲשׂוֹתוֹto make himעוֹלָה,a burnt offeringוּמִשֶּׁהֶעֱלָהוּand once he brought him upאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himהוֹרִידֵהוּ:bring him down

רַשִׁ״י

אחדOne ofההרים.the mountainsהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneמַתְהֵאmakes expectantהַצַּדִּיקִיםthe righteousוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatמְגַלֶּהrevealsלָהֶם;to themוְכָלand allזֶהthisכְּדֵיin orderלְהַרְבּוֹתto increaseשְׂכָרָן,their rewardוְכֵןand similarlyאֶלtoהָאָרֶץthe landאֲשֶׁרwhichאַרְאֶךָּI will show youבראשיתBereishisי"ב12,וְכֵןand similarlyבְּיוֹנָהwith Yonahוּקְרָאand callעָלֶיהָunto itאֶת—הַקְּרִיאָהthe proclamationיונהYonahג3ב2:

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיַּשְׁכֵּםAnd he arose earlyאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוַיַּחֲבֹשׁand he saddledאֶת—חֲמֹרוֹhis donkeyוַיִּקַּחand he tookאֶת—שְׁנֵיtwo ofנְעָרָיוhis youth-servantsאִתּוֹwith himוְאֵתand —יִצְחָקYitzchakבְּנוֹhis sonוַיְבַקַּעand he splitעֲצֵיwood ofעֹלָהa burnt-offeringוַיָּקָםand he aroseוַיֵּלֶךְand he wentאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרthatאָמַרsaidלוֹto himהָאֱלֹהִים׃G-d

רַשִׁ״י

וישכם.And he rose earlyנִזְדָּרֵזhe was alertלַמִּצְוָהfor the mitzvahפסחיםPesachimד'4:

רַשִׁ״י

ויחבש.And he saddledהוּאheבְעַצְמוֹ,himselfוְלֹאand notצִוָּהcommandedלְאֶחָדoneמֵעֲבָדָיו,of his servantsשֶׁהָאַהֲבָהfor loveמְקַלְקֶלֶתdisregardsהַשּׁוּרָה:the rule

רַשִׁ״י

את—שניtwo ofנעריו.his ladsיִשְׁמָעֵאלYishmaelוֶאֱלִיעֶזֶר,and Eliezerשֶׁאֵיןfor notאָדָםa manחָשׁוּבof importanceרַשַּׁאיis permittedלָצֵאתto go outלַדֶּרֶךְon the wayבְּלֹאwithoutב'twoאֲנָשִׁיםmenבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah,שֶׁאִםso that ifיִצְטָרֵךְwill needהָאֶחָדthe oneלִנְקָבָיוfor his needsוְיִתְרַחֵק,and go asideיִהְיֶהthere will beהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondעִמּוֹ:with him

רַשִׁ״י

ויבקע.And he cleavedתַּרְגּוּםthe translationוְצַלַּח,and he splitכְּמוֹlikeוְצָלְחוּand they rushedהַיַּרְדֵּןthe JordanשמואלShmuelב'IIי"ט19,לְשׁוֹןan expression ofבִּקּוּעַ,cleavingפינדר"אfendreבלע"ז:in foreign tongue

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

בַּיּוֹםOn the dayהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthe thirdוַיִּשָּׂאand he liftedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—עֵינָיוhis eyesוַיַּרְאand he sawאֶת—הַמָּקוֹםthe placeמֵרָחֹק׃from afar

רַשִׁ״י

ביוםOn the dayהשלישי.the thirdלָמָהwhyאֵחַרdid He delayמִלְּהַרְאוֹתוֹfrom showing himמִיָּד?immediatelyכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֹאמְרוּthey should sayהֲמָמוֹHe confused himוְעִרְבְּבוֹand confounded himפִּתְאוֹםsuddenlyוְטָרַףand bewilderedדַּעְתּוֹ,his mindוְאִלוּand ifהָיָהthere wasלוֹto himשָׁהוּתtimeלְהִמָּלֵךְto considerאֶלwithלִבּוֹhis heartלֹאnotהָיָהwould he haveעוֹשֶׂה:done

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd he sawאת—המקום.the placeרָאָהhe sawעָנָןa cloudקָשׁוּרboundעַלoverהָהָר:the mountain

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶלtoנְעָרָיוhis young menשְׁבוּstayלָכֶםfor yourselvesפֹּהhereעִםwithהַחֲמוֹרthe donkeyוַאֲנִיand Iוְהַנַּעַרand the ladנֵלְכָהwill goעַדuntilכֹּהthereוְנִשְׁתַּחֲוֶהand we will prostrateוְנָשׁוּבָהand we will returnאֲלֵיכֶם׃to you

רַשִׁ״י

עדUntilכה.hereכְּלוֹמַרmeaningדֶּרֶךְa pathמֻעָטshortלַמָּקוֹםto the placeאֲשֶׁרwhich isלְפָנֵינוּ.before usוּמִ"אַAnd MidrashicallyאֶרְאֶהI will seeהֵיכָןwhereהוּאit isמַהthatשֶּׁאָמַרwhich saidלִיto meהַמָּקוֹםthe OmnipresentכֹּהThusיִהְיֶהshall beזַרְעֶךָ:your seed

רַשִׁ״י

ונשובה.and we will returnנִתְנַבֵּאhe prophesiedשֶׁיָּשׁוּבוּthat they would returnשְׁנֵיהֶם:both of them

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיִּקַּחAnd he tookאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—עֲצֵיthe wood ofהָעֹלָהthe burnt offeringוַיָּשֶׂםand he placedעַלuponיִצְחָקYitzchakבְּנוֹhis sonוַיִּקַּחand he tookבְּיָדוֹin his handאֶת—הָאֵשׁthe fireוְאֶתand —הַמַּאֲכֶלֶתthe knifeוַיֵּלְכוּand they wentשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themיַחְדָּו׃together

רַשִׁ״י

המאכלת.The maachelesסַכִּין,a knifeעַלonשֵׁםthe accountשֶׁאוֹכֶלֶתthat it devoursאֶת—הַבָּשָׂר,the meatכְּמָהasדְתֵימָאthat you sayוְחַרְבִּיand my swordתֹּאכַלshall devourבָּשָׂרfleshדבריםDevarimל"ב32,וְשֶׁמַּכְשֶׁרֶתand because it preparesבָּשָׂרmeatלַאֲכִילָה.for eatingדָּ"אַanother explanationזֹאתthisנִקְרֵאתis calledמַאֲכֶלֶתmaachelesעַלonשֵׁםthe accountשֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵלthat Yisraelאוֹכְלִיםeatמַתַּןthe giving ofשְׂכָרָהּ:its reward

רַשִׁ״י

וילכוAnd they wentשניהםboth of themיחדו.togetherאַבְרָהָםAvrahamשֶׁהָיָהwho wasיוֹדֵעַawareשֶׁהוֹלֵךְthat he goesלִשְׁחֹטto slaughterאֶת—בְּנוֹhis sonהָיָהwasהוֹלֵךְwalkingבְּרָצוֹןwith willingnessוְשִׂמְחָהand joyכְּיִצְחָק,like Yitzchakשֶׁלֹּאwho notהָיָהwasמַרְגִּישׁsensingבַּדָּבָר:in the matter

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Pasuk 7

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidיִצְחָקYitzchakאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִיוhis fatherוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאָבִיmy fatherוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidהִנֶּנִּיhere I amבְנִיmy sonוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidהִנֵּהbeholdהָאֵשׁthe fireוְהָעֵצִיםand the woodוְאַיֵּהand where isהַשֶּׂהthe lambלְעֹלָה׃for a burnt offering

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֱלֹהִיםG-dיִרְאֶהwill seeלּוֹfor Himselfהַשֶּׂהthe lambלְעֹלָהfor a burnt-offeringבְּנִיmy sonוַיֵּלְכוּand they walkedשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themיַחְדָּו׃together

רַשִׁ״י

יראהHe will seeלוfor Himselfהשה.the lambכְּלוֹמַרmeaningיִרְאֶהHe will look outוְיִבְחַרand He will chooseלוֹfor Himselfהַשֶּׂה,the lambוְאִםand ifאֵיןthere is noשֶׂה,lambלעולהfor a burnt offeringבני.my sonוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהֵבִיןthat understoodיִצְחָקYitzchakשֶׁהוּאthat heהוֹלֵךְwas goingלְהִשָּׁחֵט,to be slaughtered

רַשִׁ״י

וילכוAnd they wentשניהםboth of themיחדו.togetherבְּלֵבwith a heartשָׁוֶה:equal

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיָּבֹאוּAnd they cameאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרthatאָמַרsaidלוֹto himהָאֱלֹהִיםGodוַיִּבֶןand he builtשָׁםthereאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—הַמִּזְבֵּחַthe altarוַיַּעֲרֹךְand he arrangedאֶת—הָעֵצִיםthe woodוַיַּעֲקֹדand he boundאֶת—יִצְחָקYitzchakבְּנוֹhis sonוַיָּשֶׂםand he placedאֹתוֹhimעַלuponהַמִּזְבֵּחַthe altarמִמַּעַלfrom aboveלָעֵצִים׃to the wood

רַשִׁ״י

ויעקד.And he boundיָדָיוhis handsוְרַגְלָיוand his feetמֵאֲחוֹרָיו;from behind himהַיָּדַיִםthe handsוְרַגְלַיִםand feetבְּיַחַדtogetherהִיאisעֲקִידָהbindingשבתShabbosנ"ד54,וְהוּאand itלְשׁוֹןis the language ofעֲקֻדִּים,streakedשֶׁהָיוּwhoseקַרְסוּלֵיהֶםankles wereלְבָנִים,whiteמָקוֹםthe placeשֶׁעוֹקְדִיןwhere they bindאוֹתָןthemבּוֹthereinהָיָהwasנִכָּר:recognizable

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיִּשְׁלַחAnd he sentאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—יָדוֹhis handוַיִּקַּחand he tookאֶת—הַמַּאֲכֶלֶתthe knifeלִשְׁחֹטto slaughterאֶת—בְּנוֹ׃his son

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיִּקְרָאAnd he calledאֵלָיוto himמַלְאַךְan angel ofיְהוָהHashemמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidהִנֵּנִי׃here I am

רַשִׁ״י

אברהםAvrahamאברהם.Avrahamלְשׁוֹןan expression ofחִבָּהaffectionהוּא,it isשֶׁכּוֹפֵלthat He repeatsאֶת—שְׁמוֹ:his name

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאַלdo notתִּשְׁלַחstretch outיָדְךָyour handאֶלagainstהַנַּעַרthe ladוְאַלand do notתַּעַשׂdoלוֹto himמְאוּמָּהanythingכִּיforעַתָּהnowיָדַעְתִּיI knowכִּיthatיְרֵאone who fearsאֱלֹהִיםGodאַתָּהare youוְלֹאand you did notחָשַׂכְתָּwithholdאֶת—בִּנְךָyour sonאֶת—יְחִידְךָyour only oneמִמֶּנִּי׃from Me

רַשִׁ״י

אלDo notתשלח.stretch outלִשְׁחֹט;to slaughterאָמַרhe saidלוֹto Himאִםifכֵּןsoלְחִנָּםfor nothingבָּאתִיI cameלְכָאן,to hereאֶעֱשֶׂהlet me makeבּוֹin himחַבָּלָהa woundוְאוֹצִיאand drawמִמֶּנוּfrom himמְעַטa littleדָּם,bloodאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himאלdo notתעשdoלוto himמאומהanything–אַלdo notתַּעַשׂmakeבּוֹin himמוּם:a blemish

רַשִׁ״י

כיForעתהnowידעתי.I knowאָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiאַבָּא,Abbaאָמַרsaidלוֹto HimאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֲפָרֵשׁI will explainלְפָנֶיךָbefore Youאֶת—שִׂיחָתִי,my complaintאֶתְמוֹלYesterdayאָמַרְתָּYou saidלִיto meכִּיforבְיִצְחָקin Yitzchakיִקָּרֵאshall be calledלְךָto youזָרַע,offspringוְחָזַרְתָּand You returnedוְאָמַרְתָּand You saidקַחTakeנָאpleaseאֶת—בִּנְךָ,your sonעַכְשָׁוnowאַתָּהYouאוֹמֵרsayאַלdo notתִּשְׁלַחstretch outיָדְךָyour handאֶלtoהַנַּעַר?the ladאָמַרsaidלוֹto himהַקָּבָּ"ה,the Holy One blessed be HeלֹאI will notאֲחַלֵּלprofaneבְּרִיתִיMy covenantוּמוֹצָאand the utterance ofשְׂפָתַיMy lipsלֹאI will notאֲשַׁנֶּהalterתהיליםTehillimפ"ט89;כְּשֶׁאָמַרְתִּיwhen I saidלְךָto you"קַח",takeמוֹצָאthe utterance ofשְׂפָתַיMy lipsלֹאI did notאֲשַׁנֶּהalter–לֹאI did notאָמַרְתִּיsayלְךָto youשְׁחָטֵהוּslaughter himאֶלָּאbut ratherהַעֲלֵהוּ,bring him upאַסַּקְתֵּיהּ,you brought him upאַחְתֵּיהּ.take him down

רַשִׁ״י

כיForעתהnowידעתי.I knowמֵעַתָּהfrom nowיֵשׁthere isלִיto meמַהwhatלְּהָשִׁיבto answerלַשָּׂטָןto the Satanוְלָאֻמּוֹתand to the nationsהַתְּמֵהִיםwho wonderמַהwhatהִיאisחִבָּתִיmy loveאֶצְלְךָ;towards youיֵשׁthere isלִיto meפִּתְחוֹןan opening ofפֶּהmouthעַכְשָׁו,nowשֶׁרוֹאִיםthat they seeכִּיthatיְרֵאa fearer ofאֱלֹהִיםG-dאַתָּה:are you

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיִּשָּׂאAnd he liftedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶת—עֵינָיוhis eyesוַיַּרְאand he sawוְהִנֵּהand beholdאַיִלa ramאַחַרafterwardsנֶאֱחַזcaughtבַּסְּבַךְin the thicketבְּקַרְנָיוby its hornsוַיֵּלֶךְand he wentאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיִּקַּחand he tookאֶת—הָאַיִלthe ramוַיַּעֲלֵהוּand offered it upלְעֹלָהfor a burnt-offeringתַּחַתinstead ofבְּנוֹ׃his son

רַשִׁ״י

והנהAnd beholdאיל.a ramמוּכָןpreparedהָיָהit wasלְכָךְfor thisמִשֵּׁשֶׁתfrom the sixיְמֵיdays ofבְרֵאשִׁית:Creation

רַשִׁ״י

אחר.Afterאַחֲרֵיafterשֶׁאָמַרthat saidלוֹto himהַמַּלְאָךְthe angelאַלdo notתִּשְׁלַחstretch outיָדְךָ,your handרָאָהוּhe saw itכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen itנֶאֱחָז,was caughtוְהוּאand thatשֶׁמְּתַרְגְּמִינָןis what we translateוּזְקַףAnd lifted upאַבְרָהָםAvrahamיַת—עֵינוֹהִיhis eyesבָּתַרafterאִלֵּין:these

רַשִׁ״י

בסבך.in a thicketאִילָן:a tree

רַשִׁ״י

בקרניו.by its hornsשֶׁהָיָהfor he wasרָץrunningאֵצֶלtoאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamוְהַשָּׂטָןand the Satanסוֹבְכוֹentangled itוּמְעַרְבְּבוֹand confused itבָאִילָנוֹת:in the trees

רַשִׁ״י

תחתIn the stead ofבנו.his sonמֵאַחַרSinceשֶׁכָּתוּבthat it is writtenוַיַּעֲלֵהוּand he offered it upלְעֹלָה,for a burnt offeringלֹאnotחָסֵרlacksהַמִּקְרָאthe verseכְּלוּם,anythingמַהוּwhat isתַּחַתin the stead ofבְּנוֹ?his sonעַלuponכָּלeveryעֲבוֹדָהserviceשֶׁעָשָׂהthat he performedמִמֶּנּוּfrom itהָיָהhe wasמִתְפַּלֵּלprayingוְאוֹמֵרand sayingיְהִיmay it beרָצוֹןthe willשֶׁתְּהֵאthat it should beזוֹthisכְּאִלּוּas ifהִיאitעֲשׂוּיָהis doneבִּבְנִי,to my sonכְּאִלּוּas ifבְּנִיmy sonשָׁחוּט,is slaughteredכְּאִלּוּas ifדָּמוֹhis bloodזָרוּק,is sprinkledכְּאִלּוּas ifהוּאheמֻפְשָׁט,is flayedכְּאִלּוּas ifהוּאheנִקְטָרis burntוְנַעֲשֶׂהand becomesדֶּשֶׁן:ashes

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיִּקְרָאAnd he calledאַבְרָהָםAvrahamשֵׁםthe name ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַהוּאthatיְהוָהHashemיִרְאֶהwill seeאֲשֶׁרasיֵאָמֵרit is saidהַיּוֹםtodayבְּהַרon the mountain ofיְהוָהHashemיֵרָאֶה׃He will be seen

רַשִׁ״י

ה'Hashemיראה.will seeפְּשׁוּטוֹits plain meaningכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹ,is like its Targumה'Hashemיִבְחַרwill chooseוְיִרְאֶהand will selectלוֹfor Himselfאֶת—הַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַזֶּהthisלְהַשְׁרוֹתto restבּוֹin itשְׁכִינָתוֹHis Shechinahוּלְהַקְרִיבand to offerכָּאןhereקָרְבָּנוֹת:sacrifices

רַשִׁ״י

אשרAsיאמרit is saidהיום.todayשֶׁיֹּאמְרוּthat they will sayלִימֵיfor the days ofהַדּוֹרוֹתthe generationsעָלָיוconcerning itבְּהַרon the mountain ofזֶהthisיֵרָאֶהwill appearהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heלְעַמּוֹ:to His people

רַשִׁ״י

היום.This dayהַיָּמִיםthe daysהָעֲתִידִין,futureכְּמוֹlikeעַדuntilהַיּוֹםthe dayהַזֶּהthisשֶׁבְּכָלwhich is in allהַמִּקְרָא,the Scriptureשֶׁכָּלthat allהַדּוֹרוֹתthe generationsהַבָּאִיםthe comingהַקּוֹרְאִיםwho readאֶת—הַמִּקְרָאthe verseהַזֶּהthisאוֹמְרִיםsayעַדuntilהַיּוֹםthe dayהַזֶּהthisעַלconcerningהַיוֹםthe dayשֶׁעוֹמְדִיםthat they standבּוֹ.in itוּמִ"אַAnd from Midrashה'Hashemיִרְאֶהwill seeעֲקֵדָהbindingזוֹthisלִסְלֹחַto forgiveלְיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelבְּכָלin everyשָׁנָהyearוּלְהַצִּילָםand to save themמִןfromהַפֻּרְעָנוּת,the punishmentכְּדֵיso thatשֶׁיֵּאָמֵרit will be saidהַיּוֹםthis dayהַזֶּה·–בְּכָלin allהַדּוֹרוֹתthe generationsהַבָּאִיםthe coming–בְּהַרon the mountain ofה'Hashemיֵרָאֶהthere will be seenאֶפְרוֹthe ashesשֶׁלofיִצְחָקYitzchakצָבוּרheaped upוְעוֹמֵדand standingלְכַפָּרָה:for atonement

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledמַלְאַךְthe angel ofיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamשֵׁנִיתa second timeמִןfromהַשָּׁמָיִם׃the heavens

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיֹּאמֶרand he saidבִּיby MyselfנִשְׁבַּעְתִּיI swearנְאֻםdeclaresיְהוָהHashemכִּיthatיַעַןbecauseאֲשֶׁרthatעָשִׂיתָyou have doneאֶת—הַדָּבָרthe thingהַזֶּהthisוְלֹאand notחָשַׂכְתָּwithheldאֶת—בִּנְךָyour sonאֶת—יְחִידֶךָ׃your only one

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

כִּיthatבָרֵךְblessingאֲבָרֶכְךָI will bless youוְהַרְבָּהand multiplyingאַרְבֶּהI will multiplyאֶת—זַרְעֲךָyour offspringכְּכוֹכְבֵיlike the stars ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְכַחוֹלand like the sandאֲשֶׁרwhich isעַלuponשְׂפַתthe shore ofהַיָּםthe seaוְיִרַשׁand shall inheritזַרְעֲךָyour offspringאֵת—שַׁעַרthe gate ofאֹיְבָיו׃his enemies

רַשִׁ״י

ברךblessingאברכך.I will bless youאַחַתoneלָאָבfor the fatherוְאַחַתand oneלַבֵּן:for the son

רַשִׁ״י

והרבהAnd I will greatlyארבה.multiplyאַחַתonceלָאָבfor the fatherוְאַחַתand onceלַבֵּן:for the son

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְהִתְבָּרֲכוּand shall bless themselvesבְזַרְעֲךָby your descendantsכֹּלallגּוֹיֵיthe nations ofהָאָרֶץthe earthעֵקֶבbecauseאֲשֶׁרthatשָׁמַעְתָּyou have obeyedבְּקֹלִי׃My voice

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיָּשָׁבAnd he returnedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֶלtoנְעָרָיוhis youthsוַיָּקֻמוּand they aroseוַיֵּלְכוּand they wentיַחְדָּוtogetherאֶלtoבְּאֵרBeerשָׁבַעShevaוַיֵּשֶׁבand he dweltאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבִּבְאֵרin Beerשָׁבַע׃Sheva

רַשִׁ״י

וישבAnd Abraham dweltאברהםAvrahamבבארin Beerשבע.Shevaלֹאnotיְשִׁיבָהdwellingמַמָּשׁ,literallyשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdבְּחֶבְרוֹןin Chevronהָיָהhe wasיוֹשֵׁב,livingי"בtwelveשָׁנִיםyearsלִפְנֵיbeforeעֲקֵדָתוֹthe binding ofשֶׁל·יִצְחָקYitzchakיָצָאhe leftמִבְּאֵרfrom BeerשֶׁבַעShevaוְהָלַךְand wentלוֹfor himselfלְחֶבְרוֹן,to Chevronכְּמוֹasשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is saidוַיָּגָרAnd he sojournedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofפְּלִשְׁתִּיםPhilistinesיָמִיםdaysרַבִּים,manyמְרֻבִּיםmore numerousמִשֶּׁלthan those ofחֶבְרוֹןChevronהָרִאשׁוֹנִים,the firstוְהֵםand theyכ"וtwenty-sixשָׁנָה,yearsכְּמוֹasשֶׁפֵּרַשְׁנוּwe explainedלְמַעְלָה:above

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיְהִיAnd it wasאַחֲרֵיafterהַדְּבָרִיםthe eventsהָאֵלֶּהtheseוַיֻּגַּדand it was toldלְאַבְרָהָםto Avrahamלֵאמֹרsayingהִנֵּהbeholdיָלְדָהhas borneמִלְכָּהMilcahגַםalsoהִואsheבָּנִיםsonsלְנָחוֹרto Nachorאָחִיךָ׃your brother

רַשִׁ״י

אחריAfterהדבריםthe thingsהאלהtheseויגדand it was toldוגו'.etc.בְּשׁוּבוֹupon his returnמֵהַרfrom the mountain ofהַמּוֹרִיָהMoriahהָיָהwasאַבְרָהָםAvrahamמְהַרְהֵרponderingוְאוֹמֵרand sayingאִלּוּifהָיָהhad beenבְנִיmy sonשָׁחוּטslaughteredכְּבָר,alreadyהָיָהhe would haveהוֹלֵךְgoneבְּלֹאwithoutבָנִים,childrenהָיָהit wasלִיfor meלְהַשִּׂיאוֹto marry himאִשָּׁהa wifeמִבְּנוֹתfrom the daughters ofעָנֵרAnerאֶשְׁכּוֹלEshcolוּמַמְרֵא,and Mamreבִּשְּׂרוֹannounced to himהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heשֶׁנּוֹלְדָהthat was bornרִבְקָהRivkahבַתthe daughter ofזוּגוֹ,his mateוְזֶהוּand this isהדבריםthe wordsהאלהthese,הִרְהוּרֵיthe thoughts ofדְּבָרִיםwordsשֶׁהָיוּthat wereעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofעֲקֵדָה:the Binding

רַשִׁ״י

גםAlsoהיא.sheאַףevenהִיאsheהִשְׁוָתequaledמִשְׁפְּחוֹתֶיהָher familiesלְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתto the families ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamי"ב,twelveמָהjust asאַבְרָהָםAvrahamי"בtwelveשְׁבָטִיםtribesשֶׁיָּצְאוּthat emergedמִיַּעֲקֹב,from Yaakovח'eightבְּנֵיsons ofהַגְּבִירוֹתthe principal wivesוד'and fourבְּנֵיsons ofשְׁפָחוֹת,handmaidsאַףso alsoאֵלּוּtheseח'eightבְּנֵיsons ofגְּבִירוֹתprincipal wivesוְד'and fourבְּנֵיsons ofפִּילֶגֶשׁ:a concubine

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

אֶת—עוּץUzבְּכֹרוֹhis firstbornוְאֶתand —בּוּזBuzאָחִיוhis brotherוְאֶתand —קְמוּאֵלKemuelאֲבִיthe father ofאֲרָם׃Aram

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וְאֶתand —כֶּשֶׂדKesedוְאֶתand —חֲזוֹChazoוְאֶתand —פִּלְדָּשׁPildashוְאֶתand —יִדְלָףYidlafוְאֵתand —בְּתוּאֵל׃Besuel

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וּבְתוּאֵלand Bethuelיָלַדbegotאֶת—רִבְקָהRivkahשְׁמֹנָהeightאֵלֶּהtheseיָלְדָהboreמִלְכָּהMilcahלְנָחוֹרto Nachorאֲחִיbrother ofאַבְרָהָם׃Avraham

רַשִׁ״י

ובתואלAnd Bethuelילדbegotאת—רבקה.Rivkahכָּלall ofהַיִּחוּסִיןthese genealogiesהַלָּלוּtheseלֹאwere notנִכְתְּבוּwrittenאֶלָּאexceptבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofפָּסוּקthe verseזֶה:this

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וּפִילַגְשׁוֹAnd his concubineוּשְׁמָהּand her nameרְאוּמָהwas Reumahוַתֵּלֶדand she boreגַּםalsoהִואsheאֶת—טֶבַחTevachוְאֶתand —גַּחַםGachamוְאֶתand —תַּחַשׁTachashוְאֶתand —מַעֲכָה׃Maachah

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The Aliyah continues with the Malach calling out from Shamayim to stop Avraham from harming Yitzchak, declaring that his fear of Elokim has now been proven. Avraham lifts his eyes and spots a ram caught in the thicket, which he offers up as a korban in place of his son, naming the place Hashem Yireh. After the Malach blesses Avraham with endless descendants who will inherit the gates of their enemies, Avraham returns to Beer-sheba, and the Aliyah concludes with the news of the family lineage of his brother Nachor, specifically mentioning the birth of Rivkah.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is telling us that when Avraham Avinu went to the Akeidah, he did not hesitate. The pasuk says, "Vayashkem Avraham baboker", he woke up early in the morning, and he personally saddled his donkey. Lichoira, this is a kasha: a wealthy leader like Avraham had plenty of servants to do this heavy work for him. Why did he do it himself? Rashi brings the famous Chazal that love disrupts the normal order of things. Avraham's love for Hashem and his desire to do His will was so powerful that it overrode his dignity and his physical comfort. He did not wait, he did not delegate, and he did not look for excuses to delay.

We often find ourselves facing our own small nisyonos throughout the day. The alarm goes off for minyan, or we have a set shiur to learn, or a difficult mitzvah comes our way. The yetzer hara immediately starts giving us excuses: "You are too tired," "Let someone else do it," or "You can do it later." The teretz to the yetzer hara is to learn from Avraham Avinu. When we have a chance to do a mitzvah, we have to run to it with zerizus, with a real excitement, showing Hashem that His will is our greatest joy.

This is the avodah of a Yid. We do not just perform mitzvos out of cold habit; we do them with warmth and energy. When we show Hashem that we are eager to do His ratzon, we break through our own limitations, and mimeila, Hashem opens up doors of blessing for us that we never thought possible.

Today, the moment you have a mitzvah to do or a shiur to attend, do not hesitate for even a second, jump up and do it immediately with joy, showing Hashem how much you love His Torah.