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In Parashat Chayei Sarah, the greatness of Avraham Avinu and Yitzchak Avinu appear in their own unique circumstances. However, on the surface, it appears that Yitzchak is the least relatable of the Avot. Clearly Avraham relates to us through the Middah of Chesed and his tremendous belief in Hashem. Also, Yaakov was the image of an ultimate father who merited all his children to be Tzaddikim and one of the forefathers of the Jewish people. How does Yitzchak Avinu relate to us?
At first glance, it appears that Yitzchak’s shining moment is Akeidat Yitzchak, which was Avraham’s test. The spotlight was taken off of Yitzchak and was given to Avraham. This should have been Yitzchak’s defining moment, yet it was overshadowed by Avraham. The Gemara (Pesachim 88) tells us that each of the Avot is related to the Beit HaMikdash in a unique way. During Akeidat Yitzchak, the Passuk refers to the mountain as a “Har,” which symbolizes that upwards battle one may have to improve. In Yeshayahu, the Passuk refers to the Beit HaMikdash as the “House of the God of Jacob.” Lastly regarding Yitzchak, when he goes out to Daven it says, “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field.” The connection of Avraham and Yakov to the Beit HaMikdash as it is referred to as “Har Habayit.” What is the connection of Sadeh?
Throughout Yitzchak’s actions in his lifetime, it appears that he is a carbon copy of Avraham. For example, following in the path of Avraham, Yitzchak dug up all the wells that Avraham previously had. Also, Yitzchak established Mincha, which during the times of the Beit HaMikdash was the Tamid Shel Bein Ha’Arbayim which was basically the same as the Tamid Shel Shachar. Clearly, it seems that Yitzchak is merely chasing after Avraham’s legacy trying to keep up. However, the difference between Avraham and Yitzchak is that Avraham had tens of thousands of followers whereas Yitzchak had maybe one. When Avraham started the monotheistic movement, there was an abundance of excitement at the start of the movement. When it came to Avraham, he built the mountain which hit a plateau during the times of Yitzchak. Although Yitzchak didn’t help grow the movement, he was vital to the operation because he maintained the movement that Avraham Avinu started.
We should learn from Yitzchak to always strive to improve instead of staying stagnant. Improving involves working on ourselves slowly. Instead of running to change yourself to one extreme, we should walk slowly and improve ourselves step by step. If Yitzchak had just decided that Avraham’s movement was fine without him, Judaism would not be as we know it today. Rather, Yitzchak knew that he always had to improve and therefore was the glue of the Jewish people and held together the movement of Avraham Avinu. Be'Ezrat Hashem, we should try to emulate Yitzchak Avinu and improve ourselves through the study of Torah, fulfillment of Mitzvot, and all aspects of life.