At the conclusion of this week’s parsha we read about Akeidas Yitzchak. Hashem commanded Avraham to offer his son Yitzchak as a korban, and he obeyed.
Hashem first said, “Kach na es bincha,” to which Avraham said I have two sons, then Hashem responded, “es yechidcha,” to which Avraham replied that they are both meyuchad to their mothers. Hashem then said “asher ahavta,” and Avraham said that he loves them both. Then Hashem finally said, “es Yitzchok.”
(We know that Jews always ask a lot of questions. Had Avraham not asked so many questions and just taken Yishmael and shechted him, look at how many problems he would have solved.)
This monumental event remains today as merit for Avraham’s children in front of Hashem, as the Gemara tells us the “ashes” of Yitzchak remain in front of Hashem.
On fast days and in selichos we mention a line in tefillah as follows: May the one who answered Avraham Avinu on Har Hamoriah, answer us as well. The meforshim were bothered by a simple question. Where do we find that Avraham davened on Har Hamoria, and was answered? The pasuk from where we derive that Avraham davened Shachris was not on Har Hamoriah. The only time we know that Avraham was on Har Hamoriah was during the Akeida, but where do we find that he davened there?
The sefer Hareri Kedem (Vol 2, bi’urim on the Haggadah) suggests that indeed Avraham did not verbalize this prayer; rather it was an internal prayer. Avraham went to do the Akeida with all his heart and soul. He had no doubts; he had full intention to follow the commandment of Hashem. Even though this commandment contradicted every logical fiber in his body, we are told that Avraham didn’t question Hashem, he simply went wholeheartedly to fulfill the will of Hashem. Yet, his natural fatherly instincts were screaming out inside. How can a father slaughter his son? The physical body was davening to Hashem to stop the event from occurring. And Hashem listened to this tefillah. Hashem called to Avraham and prevented the slaughter of Yitzchak.
It is the silent tefillah that we are not even necessarily aware of that we ask Hashem to answer. May the one who answered Avaraham Avinu when he wasn’t even aware that he was davening, answer our internal silent undetected prayers as well.
In the tefillah of Ana B’koach (recited before Lecha Dodi) we say, “Accept our pleas and listen to our cries, One who knows the inner thoughts.” The question is obvious. If we are pleading and crying why do we invoke the attribute of Hashem, that he is the One who knows the inner thoughts? Why wouldn’t we appeal to the attribute of Hashem that he listens to our tefillos or something of that nature.
The Alter of Slabadka said that it is because we are asking Hashem to answer the tefillos of our innermost thoughts, those that we may not even be aware of. That is why we invoke the middah of Hashem that he is the One who knows the inner thoughts.
In the month of Cheshvan, the first Beis Hamikdash was completed (Melachim I 6:38), though it wasn’t inaugurated until Tishrei of the following year.
The Pesikta Rabasi (6) says that since the first Beis Hamikdash was completed in Cheshvan but not inaugurated till later, Hashem will repay Cheshvan: the third and final Beis Hamikdash will be dedicated in Marcheshvan. May it be this year, amen.