Parsha:

Lech Lecha,  Vayeira 

Collections: R' Ehrman Lech Lecha

Description

Upon his arrival in the Land, Avra(ha) builds a מזבח; he then builds another one where he sets up his camp and there, he "calls out Hashem's Name"; he sets up another מזבח when he settles in חברון and then, again, calls out in Hashem's Name at Beer Sheva, without building a מזבח. How are we to understand the purpose of these altars - which are inherently meant for offerings? We also note that each of these acts is followed by a challenge, a calamity or a threat - until he builds his final מזבח, atop Har haMoriah, and he offers up an animal (in lie of his son) as the denouement of the Akedah. We analyze these passages in their context and then propose an explanation for Avraham's activity, as well as proposing a reason for the Akedah itself.