“R. Simeon b. Abba said the word ‘please’ denotes an entreaty. This may be compared to a king of flesh and blood who fought many wars, and with his one warrior he emerged victorious. It soon happened that he faced a severe battle. He said to the warrior, ‘I pray of you, please stand with me in this battle lest people say that the earlier battles were of no consequence.’ So the Holy One Blessed Is He said to Abraham, ‘I have tested you with many trials and you withstood them all. Now please stand with Me in this one, lest people say that the earlier trials were of no consequence.’”
The Gemara continues, “[G-d said, ‘Take] your son.’ Abraham replied, ‘I have two sons.’ G-d replied, ‘Your only one.’ Abraham replied, ‘Each one is the only one of his mother,’ to which G-d replied, ‘The one you love.’ Abraham then replied, ‘I love them both.’ Finally G-d said, ‘Isaac.’”
The Gemara asks, “Why all this dialogue? So that his mind not go into sudden shock [i.e., to lead Abraham slowly to the realization that G-d was asking him to sacrifice Isaac].
“As [Abraham and Isaac] proceeded on the way, Satan approached [Abraham] and said (citing Job 4:2-5), ‘Hanisah dovor eilecha til’eh va’atzor b’milin mi yuchal. Hineh yasarta rabim v’yadayim rafot techazek. Koshel yekimun milecha u’birkayimkor’ot te’ametz. Ki atah tavo eilecha vatele tiga adecha va’tivhol – If He tests you with one thing, will you become weary? Who can withhold his words now? Behold you have rebuked many, and have strengthened weak hands. Your words stand up to one who stumbles; you would brace buckling knees. And now when it befalls you, you become weary? It touches you and you are bewildered.’”
Rashi explains this quote as follows: Satan was saying to Abraham, “Is it right that the one dear and beloved to you should test you in such a manner that causes you such grief with the cutting off of your generations? You have been the one to rebuke and fortify all that you encountered, and now He tests you and frightens you.”
The Gemara continues, “Abraham replied (cf. Psalms 26:2), ‘Ki ani b’teumi elech – I walk in my full trust [in G-d].’ Satan retorted (citing Job 4:6), ‘Ha’lo yir’atcha kislatecha – Was not your fear [of G-d] not your foolishness?’ Abraham, seeking to end the conversation, countered (citing Job 4:7), ‘Mi’hu noki avad – Which innocent person ever perished?’ [We might explain Abraham’s response as an acknowledgement of some wrong he did and that he was deserving of such harshness.]
“Since Satan saw that Abraham would not listen to him, he made a further effort to dissuade him, saying: ‘V’eilai davar yegunav – A message surreptitiously reached me… (ibid. 4:12). I have heard from behind the curtain. Ha’seh l’olah – A lamb for a burnt offering’ (Genesis 22:7), but not Isaac for a burnt offering. Abraham pushed him off, saying, ‘Such is the penalty of a liar that even when uttering a truth, he is not listened to.’”
(To be continued)