When Hashem commands Avraham to bring Yitzchak as a sacrifice, Yitzchak is specified as בנך, יחידך אשר אהבת, the son, the only one, the one that you love. What is gained by adding the description of "the loved one?"
 |
| At the Kever of the Chidushei HaRim |
Says the Chiddushei HaRim, for Avraham to go into a stoic trance, divorce his feelings towards his son and only then slay him, then the impact would be less. To become an emotionless zombie and then draw the knife is much less of an accomplishment. HaKadosh Baruch Hu was telling Avraham Avinu to enter into an emotional storm. "This is the son you love. I know that. You know that. Give Me that love. Don't ignore it." To fully experience his affection towards Yitzchak and give him to Hashem none-the-less is a far greater display of Dveikus.
This is incredibly relevant to our Avodas Hashem. For example, Chazal tell us that when we reject non-Kosher food we should not take the attitude of "that is gross", rather we should let ourselves feel our internal push to take the cheeseburger and then not eat it because our relationship with Hashem comes first.
Avodas Hashem is so much more potent when we are not robots. Hashem wants us to feel our feelings bring them into the experience. It's okay to feel things like "this is hard" or "this is challenging my Emunah." My Avodas Hashem is so much more complex and nuanced when I become close to Hashem with all facets of my being. Angels don't have feelings, but people do - and Hashem wants us.
No comments:
Post a Comment