The primary aspect of this test was not the self-sacrifice it entailed but the challenge it posed to Abraham’s implicit faith in G‑d: G‑d had promised Abraham that Isaac would be the one to perpetuate his legacy; now G‑d was commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, in seeming contradiction to His very own word. Yet Abraham unquestioningly carried out G‑d’s command.
G‑d tests us in order to bring our hidden soul-powers to the fore. In fact, life in general is such a test. Before it descended into this world, the soul related to G‑d within the limits of reason; the soul never experienced a love for Him that transcends reason. But once the soul is encased in a physical body, which is by nature antagonistic to spirituality, it must summon its innermost strength to remain faithful to G‑d despite life’s daily trials and tribulations. With this newfound strength, the soul comes to understand and appreciate G‑d in a much more profound and intimate way than it ever could have before descending into this world.1
Good day Rabbi
How do we know that Isaac was 37 years old?
Thank you
Because his mother Sarah died immediately after the event at the age of 127, and she was 90 years old when he was born, we know his age at the time (127-90=37).