Could you do what you were told, even if the outcome may be something too horrible to bear? In Parshat Vayera, G-d asks Abraham this exact question, and his answer might surprise you. In this parsha, we hear the story of the Binding of Isaac. Also known as the Akedah, Abraham is instructed by G-d to take his son Isaac, his only offspring and miracle child, to the Land of Moriah and to offer him as a sacrifice. On him and Isaac’s journey, Isaac asks him where the lamb for the offering is, and rather than telling his son the truth, he simply answers “G-d will provide”. 

Eventually they reach the sight of the sacrifice, Mount Moriah. There, Abraham, still unwilling to answer his son’s questions, builds an altar, binds Isaac, and lays him upon the altar. Still willing to sacrifice his son, Abraham raises his hand over Isaac, yet at the last moment, an angel calls out for him to stop. The angel tells him that his fear of G-d has been proven, that this commandment was simply a test of loyalty. In an unseen turn of events, a ram appears in the bushes to replace Isaac as sacrifice, and all is okay.

But is all truly okay? Abraham and Isaac’s relationship is forever altered and strained following this event, and how could it not be? Imagine the betrayal Isaac felt after learning that not only was his father willing to sacrifice him, but that he never even questioned his need to do so. What does it mean to listen to what someone tells you to do and to never once think for yourself about what it could mean? For Abraham and Isaac, the outcome turned out to be okay, but even then it was only on paper, as it was impossible for there not to be lasting effects of the incident. On a more relevant scale, the chances a tragedy so major could be avoided are scarily low. In today’s world, everyone has obligations to one another, and it isn’t just ourselves that we hurt when we choose not to question. Whether it’s concerning misinformation you read online, or a rumor that spreads in the halls of your school, it's irresponsible to trust in everything you hear, and the consequences can be dire if we let it go too far.

So choose to be a critical thinker, to question the first thing you hear come out of someone’s mouth. Not everything you get told is right, and not every person acts with your best interests at heart. Remember that it is not only you whom you have an impact on, and that the choices you make and whether or not you choose to trust blindly may lead to an aftermath you weren’t prepared for.

Shabbat Shalom,
Eden Perman
Chai Tov BBG #2541
Great Midwest Region #61

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Simchat Torah Challenge Podcast Series

Interested in listening to this week's parsha? Check out BBYO Bulgaria's take on Parshat Vayera's as a part of the Simchat Torah Challenge Podcast Series. The Simchat Torah Challenge is a yearlong journey where teens from around the Order are exploring the Torah, one parsha at a time. Teens are connecting with the text, sharing their thoughts, and exploring how it relates to their own lives.