Page 268 - BERESHIT

Rashi explains that Sarah Imeinu passed away as a result of Akeidat
Yitzchak. Sarah Imeinu wasn’t concerned that Yitzchak would die. She
experienced pangs of anxiety after hearing that Yitzchak did not give up
his life to sanctify the Name of Hashem.

Avraham Avinu told Sarah that he wanted to take Yitzchak to learn Torah
in a yeshiva. Why didn’t Avraham tell her where he was going without
bending the truth? She would have been overjoyed to know that they were
going to the Akeidah. What is the connection between learning Torah and
bringing an offering?

A person has to contend with his Yetzer Hara before he can succeed in
learning Torah. It does not leave room for outside distractions or
extraneous diversions. It requires self-sacrifice, the subjection of one’s
Yetzer Hara and the negation of physical desire. Man’s study of Torah,
done in a ‘tent’ of learning, reflects the inner essence of sacrifice and
submission to Hashem’s will. This is why Avraham referred to Akeidat
Yitzchak as taking Yitzchak to a yeshiva.

One who enters the Beit Hamidrash to learn Torah is similar to Yitzchak
Avinu on the way to the Akeidah, fulfilling Hashem’s Will and bringing
an offering to Hashem from one’s own ‘flesh and blood.’