In this week's portion, called Vayeira (and it appeared), the offering of Isaac is recounted. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son by his wife Sarah, whom he had at 100 years old (Sarah was 90). Abraham does not hesitate and sets out early in the morning on the journey to where he is to make the sacrifice.
Much has been written about this famous Torah story; it even has its own name: Akeidat Yitzchak, the Binding of Yitzchak (referring to his being bound hand and foot to be slaughtered). Among all the lessons to be learned from the story is the following.
Throughout his life, Abraham faced numerous situations that tested his devotion to God. In some instances, his life was in danger, such as when King Nimrod threw him into a fiery furnace, and after three days, he emerged unharmed. Other instances involved the loss of Sarah, with the consequent destruction of his family and future descendants, when Sarah was taken before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and later before Abimelech, the king of Graar. In all these situations, Abraham sacrificed his life for the sake of spreading his monotheistic faith.
Sin embargo, en la ofrenda de su hijo único se presentó una circunstancia que hasta el momento no había ocurrido (y por eso, cuando Avraham pasa la prueba, Di-s le dice «Ahora se que eres temeroso de Di-s», ¿acaso antes, después de otras nueve pruebas difíciles superadas, no lo sabía?): en todas las pruebas anteriores había habido testigos. Es decir, siempre hubo alguien que observó la fuerza de las convicciones de Avraham y aprendió de ello algo. Aún cuando es tirado en el horno ardiente, en cuyo caso él mismo hubiera muerto, valía la pena el sacrificio en aras del beneficio de los que observaban, que vean cómo una persona entregaba su vida por el monoteísmo.
Por el otro lado, en la prueba de la ofrenda de Itzjak, no había nadie observando. Aún los jóvenes que acompañaron a Avraham hasta el lugar donde Di-s lo mandó, no presenciaron el sacrificio mismo, sino que se quedaron a una distancia desde donde no podía ver…
This teaches us that sacrifice for true convictions isn't just about having someone see and praise it, so that one can gain personal benefit. Rather, sacrifice is a way of life that encompasses every aspect of a person. When one eats, when one speaks, when one performs even the most basic functions, one can do so as a sacrifice or not, primarily knowing that life isn't about impressing others with one's achievements, but about making the world a dwelling place for God, even if one is alone with no one to witness one's good deeds and behavior.