“A three-fold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). This verse refers to the three patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed, the Torah relates: “On the third day; and Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar” (Genesis 22:4). The Zohar (Parashat Va’eira 495) teaches that the “third day” refers to Jacob, the third of the patriarchs, and “from afar” alludes to a state of prophecy: Abraham foresaw that Jacob would also visit this place. Abraham’s prophetic vision further strengthened the paradoxical nature of his last test. The command to sacrifice Isaac inherently contradicted God’s promise that the covenantal promise would be fulfilled through Isaac (Genesis 17:19). But, envisioning Jacob, Isaac’s son, visiting this spot was completely surreal. Abraham could only overcome this state of paradox and confusion through an enormous leap of faith.
According to tradition, Rebecca was born at the very moment Isaac was bound. From the union of Isaac and Rebecca would come Jacob, who would guarantee that the three-fold cord of Israel would never be broken. Just as Abraham’s first test ultimately provided the merit necessary for Isaac’s birth, the last test provided the merit necessary for Jacob’s birth, thus ensuring the eternal existence of the people of Israel.
