Yitzchak's Role in the Akeidah/1
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Yitzchak's Role in the Akeidah
Introduction
Partner or Victim?
Bereshit 22 describes Hashem's ultimate test of Avraham in the story commonly known as the "Binding of Isaac". Despite its name, most discussions of the story revolve not around Yitzchak, but around Hashem and Avraham. What, though, was Yitzchak's role in the story? Was he a willing participant or an unwilling victim? Was he privy to the fact that he was meant to be the sacrifice from early on, or did he only find out at the last minute? Finally, how old was Yitzchak during the episode? Was he a youth, too young to appreciate the nature of the test, or a mature adult, fully cognizant of all its ramifications? Would he have been able to resist Avraham had he so desired?
