357. Abraham Begot Isaac
November 1957
It is interpreted about the verse, “Abraham begot Isaac,” that Isaac’s features were similar to those of Abraham, and they all testified that Abraham begot Isaac.
We should ask, since the writing says, “These are the generations of Isaac son of Abraham,” and it does not detail who are the generations. Rather, the verse explains about the generations of Isaac that “Abraham begot Isaac.”
To explain the above-said, we should first present the Mishnah, “The world stands on three things: on the Torah, on work, and on doing Hassadim [mercies].” Abraham was called “a man of Hesed,” dedicating his strength to do Hesed [mercy/grace] to people. Isaac is called “the pillar of the work,” dedicating his soul to the altar. Jacob was called “the pillar of the Torah,” as it is written, “Let truth be given to Jacob.” The Torah is called “Torah of truth,” and as it is written, “a complete man, dwelling in tents,” and RASHI interpreted, “The tent of Shem and the tent of Ever, and engaging in the Torah.”
Every person should achieve these three pillars. Previously, these three pillars were revealed one at a time through our patriarchs, each of whom revealed one pillar. After those three pillars were revealed, we have the power to also walk by the same ways that our fathers had paved for us.
For this reason, we are called by the name “a nation of Segula [virtue/power/cure],” for we have the Segula from the inheritance of our fathers to keep the three pillars by which there is existence to the world, meaning that by them the world will exist and achieve the goal for which it was created.
Hence, when the verse comes to clarify the generations of Isaac, meaning which quality of pillars Isaac bequeathed to his sons, the verse interprets “Abraham begot Isaac.” That is, do not think that the generations of Isaac are only the quality of Isaac that he bequeathed to his sons, but rather also the quality of Abraham.
This is the meaning of the words, “These are the generations of Isaac,” meaning those two attributes he placed in Jacob. Hence, from Abraham, whose own quality was only Hesed, emerged Ishmael, and from Isaac, who had his own quality, as well as inclusion with Abraham, emerged Esau. But when he had the three pillars, his complete measure could emerge, to have twelve tribes.
Since our fathers have already bequeathed us with those three pillars, we can easily follow in their footsteps. If a person sees that it is difficult for him to follow in their footsteps, he should pray to the Creator to deliver him. This is not help above nature, since these qualities are already clothed in our fathers.
Precisely in matters that are above nature, it is impossible to pray, as The Zohar explains about why Abraham did not pray for Sarah, who was barren, while Isaac did pray. It explains that Isaac, too, did not pray for Rebecca. The verse makes a precision, “Isaac pleaded on behalf of his wife,” and not “on behalf of Rebecca,” “for she was barren,” since for a barren to have sons is above nature, and he did not pray for above nature, for the Creator to give him such big help.
It follows that once our fathers have extended these three pillars, we must do all that we can and pray to the Creator that we will also be rewarded with these three pillars, which are the existence of the world, meaning to achieve the goal for which the world was created.