Toldos 1(a): Balancing Love and Fear

ואלה תולדות יצחק בן-אברהם,  אברהם הוליד את יצחק
And this is the legacy of Yitzchak the son of Avraham: Avraham gave birth to Yitzchak.

There are two main issues that require addressing. First of all, why do we need to repeat twice that Avraham was Yitzchak's father. The Passuk starts by saying that Yitzchak was the son of Avraham and then repeat that Avraham gave birth to Yitzchak! This is obviously redundant. Secondly, the Passuk clearly indicates that we are coming to hear about the legacy of Yitzchak, namely the birth of Yaakov. What does the identity of Yitzchak's father have to do with the birth of Yitzchak's son?

The Yesod Ha'Avodah of Slonim explains some fundemental concepts to clarify these questions.

The original Slonimer Shul in Lita

The Sefarim HaKedoshim have taught us that Avraham Avinu embodied serving Hashem through love. Every action was both a source of fascination and inspiration. Hashem even calls him "My loved one". Yitzchak's natural mode was that of serving Hashem through fear. In reference to this we often hear the term פחד יצחק, Yitzchak's fear. This is the tremendously abridged version of a topic that encompasses oceans of ink.

Serving Hashem through fear (Yirah) at its most basic level means doing what the Master says regardless of how much I understand and not withstanding how deeply I understand. However, serving Hashem through love (Ahavah) is motivated by the desire to become one with the Creator. The more I understand that which I am doing, the more I can feel that connection.

Neither mode is sufficient by itself. There are times that call for me to turn off the self and just do as I am told, and there are other scenarios that require an emotional investment. This inner-knowledge is in of itself a third trait of truth and balance. This is Yaakov's Midah of Truth, as it says "תתן אמת ליעקב", Give Truth to Yaakov.

In order for Yaakov, the embodiment of אמת, to come into the world then Avraham's Midah of Ahavah needs to be tempered by Yitzchak's Yitah and visa versa. So when coming to tell us that Yaakov was coming into the world we need to know that this balance was found. Yitzchak was the son of Avraham: This means that Yitzchak understood that fear needs a background of love. And when the Passuk continues and says that Avraham was the father of Yitzchak the meaning is that Avraham understood that Love needs to also be able to lead on to a place of fear. Once this equilibrium was established was the universe ready to accept Yaakov.

ואלה תולדות יצחק בן-אברהם,  אברהם הוליד את יצחק
And this is the legacy of Yitzchak the son of Avraham: Avraham gave birth to Yitzchak.