יצחק אבינו

Isaac is the quiet patriarch of the three, and also the most mysterious. He was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, after years of waiting, and was the first to be circumcised at eight days as God commanded (Genesis 21). His very existence was a miracle, 'for through Isaac shall your seed be called,' the continuation of the covenant resting on him.

His life was sealed in his youth at the moment of the binding. Isaac was not a small child but a grown young man, and he went with his father to the mountain in full agreement, 'and the two of them went together' (Genesis 22). One who was bound on the altar willingly carried within him all his life the trait of strength and self-sacrifice, and so he is the symbol of judgment and awe alongside his father's kindness.

He did not choose his wife alone: Eliezer, Abraham's servant, was sent to find him a wife, and through an act of kindness at the well Rebecca was revealed (Genesis 24). Isaac brought her into his mother's tent, 'and he loved her and was comforted after his mother,' continuing the dynasty of kindness of Abraham's house.

Isaac is the only patriarch who never left the land of Canaan. In a time of famine God commanded him not to go down to Egypt (Genesis 26). He re-dug his father's wells that the Philistines had stopped up, and did not fight over them, but dug and called in God's name in a new place. A strength of patience, not of conquest.

In his old age, blind, he sought to bless Esau, but Rebecca and Jacob turned the blessing toward the one worthy of it (Genesis 27). Even when he learned of it, Isaac confirmed: 'he too shall be blessed,' for he recognized this was the will of Heaven.

Isaac teaches that there is a quiet heroism: to remain, to deepen, to re-dig the wells of the fathers rather than seek new ones. To this day we call God 'the God of Isaac,' and recall the merit of the binding in every prayer.