Page 243 - BERESHIT

name (the heel). Hashem then changed his name to , denoting

striving for greatness.

In the Shemoneh Esrei we evoke the merit of the Avot by saying, “The
G-d of Avraham, the G-d of Yitzchak, and the G-d of Yaakov.” They were
the ones who led the way and taught us how to serve Hashem. Each one,
in his own way, paved the road for us to follow.

The Hebrew word is an acronym for the words (food),

(drink), and (lodging). These correspond to Avraham, Yitzchak, and

Yaakov. refers to Avraham, as he provided all with food.

refers to Yitzchak, as he dug wells (see Bereishit 26). The act of digging

also alludes to the middah of avodah. refers to Yaakov, as he was

wont to learn without sleep. Avraham’s planting of the Aishel thus

symbolizes the seeds of fine middot sown by Avraham for his descendants

to learn from.

“And it happened after these things [literally:
these words] that Hashem tested Avraham and
He said to him, ‘Avraham,’ and he said, ‘Here
I am.’ And he said, ‘Please take your son, your
only one, whom you love – Yitzchak – go to the
land of Moriah, and bring him up there as an
offering on one of the mountains which I shall
tell you’”

(Bereishit 22:1-2)