It isn’t easy to wake up in the morning. 

In this week’s Torah portion, the Torah describes for us three times that Abraham arose in the morning, each for a task more difficult than the last. The first time is in connection with the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gemorrah. The second is when Abraham sends away Hagar and Ishmael. And the third is in the story of Akeidat Yitzchak, the Sacrifice of Isaac. 

Let us start at the beginning. 

God tells Abraham that God is going to destroy the city of Sodom. How does Abraham respond? He argues with God. He says to God, “Is it possible that the Judge of the entire earth shall not do justice?” What if there are 50 righteous people in the city of Sodom? And God agrees not to destroy the city if there are 50 righteous people. Abraham asks whether there are 45 righteous people, and God agrees not to destroy the city if there are 45  righteous people. 

Abraham asks about 40, then 30, then 20, then 10, and each time God agrees not to destroy the city on account of those righteous people. And then Abraham says … nothing. He stops. He does not ask whether there are nine righteous people. He does not ask whether there is one righteous person – his nephew Lot resides in the city. 

Abraham stops. He has asked himself, “Is it possible that the Judge of the entire earth shall not do justice?” God is just. And Abraham seems satisfied that justice is being served.

The next morning, Abraham wakes up and goes to the place where he argued with God. He sees, off in the distance, the smoke rising. He sees the signs of the destruction of the cities. And he is silent. Is it possible that the Judge of the entire earth shall not do justice? This, is justice. 

And so when Sarah tells Abraham to send away Hagar and Ishmael, Abraham is distraught. God tells Abraham to listen to Sarah. And Abraham wakes in the morning. He prepares bread and water, and he sends Hagar and Ishmael on their way. Wordlessly. Because could it be possible that the Judge of the entire earth shall not do justice?

And so when God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, to slaughter his own child — his only remaining child! — Abraham is silent. Abraham wakes in the morning. He saddles his donkey. He splits the wood. He prepares to sacrifice his son. 

These three stories are actually three versions of the same narrative. In each situation, Abraham is asked to give up, to sacrifice, to leave or lead to certain death, his own progeny. First his nephew Lot, his assumed heir. Then Ishmael, his firstborn son. Finally Isaac, the son of his wife. Though in each story an angel intervenes, Abraham has no way to know the ultimate outcome. Yet, Abraham remains silent. He says nothing. 

He takes Isaac up the mountain. He builds the altar. He ties his son to the altar. He lifts the knife to slaughter his child. As he is about to swing the knife down, an angel appears and yells, “Stop!” And then the angel says something very curious: “Now I know that you are a man who fears God.” 

Now I know? God told Abraham to leave his home, to abandon the house of his father and the city he knew, to go to a place that God had yet to show him, and Abraham went. God told to Abraham circumcise himself, and Abraham did so. God told Abraham to send away his firstborn son, and Abraham did it. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, and Abraham is ready to do it. What is it that God now knows? Is doesn’t seem that it is Abraham who lacks faith in God, but God who lacks faith in Abraham. 

“Now I know, that you are a man who fears God.” 

Abraham fears God. He asks, “Is it possible that the Judge of the entire earth shall not do justice?” God is just. But justice is harsh. Justice demands punishment. Justice does not save a city because of the merits of one person. Abraham fears the God of justice. 

Abraham knows the God of justice. God is challenging Abraham to find the God of compassion. 

Compassion does not ask what is fair, what is balanced. Compassion demands kindness, sympathy and charity, even when it is not fair. Even when one is not deserving. Even when it upsets the cause of justice. 

It is when the angel says these words to Abraham, “Abraham lifts his eyes,” and finally, truly, wakes up.