Page 246 - BERESHIT

“And it happened after these things [lit. “these words”].” Rashi explains
that “these words” refers to the accusation of the Satan. The Satan was
questioning, even doubting Avraham’s loyalty to Hashem. Hashem
responded by giving Avraham a nisayon. This demonstrated his
unswerving faithfulness. His fulfillment of Hashem’s command to bring
his son up upon the altar successfully silenced the instigations of the Satan
and put an end to his pernicious dubiety.

“Hashem tested Avraham.” This teaches us an important lesson. Hashem
does not want such sacrifices. The whole parashah of the Akeidah was
meant only as a response to the claims of the Satan, to demonstrate
Avraham’s mesirut nefesh. Outside of a Divine imperative, it is nothing
less than an abominable act. The sacrifice of children to Molech, as well
as the sacrifice of the King of Moab, was abhorrent and their offerings
considered abominations.

“And it happened after these things.” This symbolizes our service of
Hashem and overcoming our nisyonot, which begin only after we brush
aside ‘these things.’ We need to put the vain luxuries and mundane