Commentaire de citation sur La Genèse 26:25

לא־לוהי אביו יצחק, “to the G-d of his father Yitzchok. His father Yitzchok had offered a sacrifice at the same altar, as we know from Genesis 26,28.

את שבעת המזבחות — “Seven altars I have set in order” is not written here, but “THE SEVEN ALTARS”. He said to Him: The ancestors of these people together built before Thee seven altars, but I alone have built altars equal to all of them. — Abraham built four: (Genesis 12:7) “And he built there an altar to the Lord who had appeared to him”; (Genesis 12:8) “And he removed thence unto the mount… [and he built there an altar]; (Genesis 13:18) “And Abraham moved his tent … [and built there an altar]”; and one he built on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:9). Isaac built one: (Genesis 26:25) “And he built there an altar”. Jacob built two, one at Shechem and one at Bethel (Genesis 33:20 and Genesis 35:7);

Seeing his molten image having proved deceitful,
the human repented,
and conceived Seth in his image and likeness.
Seth conceived Enosh;
from them came Enoch who walked before God,
knowing and cognizing Him in truth.
As it says:
“And Enoch walked with God” [Gen. 5:22].
Generations passed until Noah’s arose,
the tenth in count since Adam’s.
He too knew God with a perfect knowledge,
prudence dwelling with Wisdom.
Thus Noah found favor in God’s eyes,
as it is written:
“And Noah found favor” [Gen. 6:8].
Among Noah’s three sons,
Shem was chosen, for he was the first born,
recognizing his Creator,
knowing and cognizing Him in faith.
His descendent Ever grasped hold of God’s path,
upheld its steps,
was chosen from his entire generation
to be singled out for fame and praise.
By means of a knowledge
complete, lucid and pure,
Shem and Ever comprehended the rational commandments
and statutes divine,
setting right the branches on high.
And they charged the multitudes
to walk in God’s paths.
The generations progressed.
The tenth after Noah’s
was distinguished by the man
chosen from the womb since the dawn,
our father Abraham.
He perceived a knowledge of his Creator
transcending his predecessors’,
comprehending God’s reality
in a manner formerly unknown.
He began to call upon God’s name
among all of the nations and kingdoms,
as it is written:
“And there he built an altar to the Lord
and called upon God’s name” [Gen. 12:8].
And it says:
“He planted an oak in Be‘er Sheva
and invoked the name of the Lord, the God of the world” [Gen. 21:33].
Since he took possession of the attribute of divine love,
his son Isaac was chosen from among all of his sons and offspring.
As it is written:
“God said to Abraham:
‘Do not be distressed over the boy or your handmaid;
whatever Sarah tells you, do as she says,
for it is through Isaac that your offspring will be continued’” [Gen. 21:12].
Isaac attained knowledge of his Creator,
he too exhorting his sons to walk in God’s ways,
as it is written:
“he built an altar there and invoked the Lord by name,
pitching there his tent” [Gen. 26:25].
He took divine justice as his portion.
When his son Jacob was born,
the image of the likeness of the blessed Holy One,
engraved on the Throne of Glory,
manifested itself in the world.
For Jacob grasped the attributes of justice and mercy
a path equalized and balanced,
so that his ways were imbued with truth
and the paths of peace.
For fourteen years
he studied in Ever’s school
and from his father Isaac
and his grandfather Abraham,
he received the knowledge of God.
Thus, shekhinah’s glory was revealed to him.
Then the three patriarchs formed a chariot-throne
for Him who rides the ancient highest heavens [Ps. 68:34].
They fulfilled the Teaching and commandment,
serving their Creator by knowing Him;
their worship lacking nothing.
“For Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge:
My commandments, My laws and My teachings” [Gen. 26:5].