The Fullness of Abraham

On two separate occasions, Abraham is commanded by God to set out on a journey. The ascension to Moriah represents the realization of Abraham's initial departure from Haran.

Lech Lecha: Go Forth

On two separate occasions, Abraham is commanded by God to set out on a journey. In Genesis 12:1, God enjoins the patriarch to leave his birthplace and father’s house in Haran in order to go to the land that God will show him. Years later, Abraham is called again with the same words, Lech Lecha. This time he is told to take his beloved son Isaac to Mount Moriah and present him there as a burnt offering. The parallel between these two events are unmistakable. The first departure necessitated a break from the past in order to transform Abraham’s personal relationship with the Creator into an everlasting source of blessing for all people. The latter departure is the realization of Abraham’s initial journey – the culmination of a lifetime of testing and faith that would serve as an enduring testimony for all future generations.

The significance of Abraham’s culminating test cannot be understated. And for that reason, God designates a specific location for the pinnacle of his achievements:

“Please take your son, your only one, whom you love, yea, Isaac, and go away to the land of Moriah and bring him up there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains, of which I will tell you.” (Gen. 22:2)

This specific and familiar language leaves little doubt in the mind of the reader as to where Abraham is going. The expression, upon one of the mountains which I shall tell you, is similar to Moses’ sentiment whenever he refers to the future site of the Holy Temple: ‘In the place Hashem will choose,’ or, ‘In the place where Hashem will choose as a dwelling for His name’ (Deut. 15:20; 16:2; 17:8; 18:6). Later Scripture reveals the exact location of Moriah (1 Chr. 3:1). Thus, the commentators had little difficulty identifying the place of the Akeidah: 

To the land of Moriah – This is Jerusalem, and more precisely, the future site of the Holy Temple: Then Solomon began to build the House of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah… (Rash; cf. 1 Chr. 3:1).

The Place I Will Choose

Mount Moriah is the navel of creation. Jewish tradition teaches that the dust from which Adam was formed was taken from Mount Moriah. Adam erected the first altar at this site, and on the first Rosh Hashanah after creation, Cain and Abel presented offerings to God upon the very same altar that Adam had built. Jewish tradition also informs us that Noah’s altar was built on the same ground. It is no coincidence that Abraham, the new forerunner of humanity, brought an offering to the same location. Accordingly, it was also at this site that Jacob dreamed of a ladder rising to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Having witnessed this, Jacob declared Moriah to be none other than “the House of God” and “the gate to heaven” (Gen. 28:17). Subsequently, Jacob made a vow that could only be realized by future generations, when Moriah would become the epicenter of Jewish worship: If God will be with me… Then this stone, which I have placed as a monument, shall be a house of God, and everything you give me, I will surely tithe to you (ibid. 28:22).

The prophets of Israel went to great lengths to stress the significance of this holy abode, particularly in relationship to messianic redemption: And it shall be at the end of days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be firmly established at the top of the mountains, and it shall be raised above the hills, and all the nations shall stream to it. (Isa. 2:2).

At first, God did not reveal the exact mountain on which the sacrifice was to take place. Rashi explains that embarking on a journey without knowing the final destination makes the trial even more difficult and demands incredible devotion. For this reason, God deliberately keeps the righteous in suspense in order to increase their reward. The Midrash explains that Abraham was able to recognize “the place” when he saw a cloud affixed to the mountain. This is an allusion to the cloud that would ultimately reside above the future sanctuary as an indicator of God’s presence.

Considering Abraham’s unique role as the progenitor of the Jewish people and the source of blessing for the nations, it is no wonder that his most defining and pivotal act of faith took place at the site where man’s story with God began, and where their reconciliation will ultimately take place.