Parshat Vayera: Not Easily Persuaded
by Rabbi Lobel

(Genesis; Chapter 22, Verses 1-2) And it happened after these words that G-d tested Abraham and he (G-d) said to him “Abraham” and he (Abraham) said, “Here I am.” And G-d said, “Please take your son, your only one, whom you love, Isaac. Go to the land of Moriah, and bring him up there as an offering upon one of the mountains which I shall tell you.”

The Medrah Rabba (56:4) records an actual conversation between Abraham and Satan: Samoel (Satan) came towards Abraham and said, “Old man, old man, have you lost your mind? The son that was given to you at one hundred years of age you are going to slaughter?”
Abraham answers, “In spite of this I will slaughter Isaac.”
Satan retorts, “Tomorrow, G-d will test you harshly again. Do you think you will be able to pass?”
Abraham stands his ground and says, “Let the tests keep coming.”
Satan: “Tomorrow, G-d will say you are liable for murder, you killed Isaac.”
Abraham: “In spite of this, I will slaughter Isaac.”

Satan is trying to dissuade Abraham through logic. How could he slaughter his precious son? How could G-d want such a thing? Not only are you mistaken, but G-d will hold you liable for murdering your only son.

Abraham, rather than trying to refute Satan’s arguments simply persists that he will sacrifice Isaac.

The Yefeh Towar, a commentary on the Medrash, explains that Abraham had a clear conversation with G-d as to what he was to do. As the Torah says, “And G-d said, ‘Please take your son...’” Satan was arguing with Abraham, rationally, that he was hallucinating. Yet, Abraham knew he had a clear understanding of G-d’s request and answered briefly, “In spite of this, I will slaughter Isaac.”

If Abraham knew he was correct, knew that he was commanded by G-d, why did he not argue with Satan? Because arguing gives the opposition the opportunity to persuade you otherwise. Instead, Abraham avoided confrontation with Satan by answering, “In spite of this...” Meaning, despite your rational argument, I (Abraham) will carry out my obligation. Abraham understood the task at hand, to slaughter his only son. He would not risk his clarity of mind by debating Satan.

Many times we have a clear understanding but our emotions and rationalizations interfere and convince us otherwise. In Abraham’s case, Satan tried to interfere with false, seemingly rational, arguments. Our minds often do the same to us.