The illustration does not depict the sacrifice that established the covenant but, rather, God’s promises to Abraham in that covenant. Abram is shown coming out of an open door … his house, his ...

And God himself delivers that promise. Abraham is sitting at the entrance of his tent under the oaks of Mamre. He sees three “visitors” approaching him in the scorching sun.

Here was the promise of the covenant, the one who would yield descendants more numerous than sand and stars, the promise Abraham himself would live on. And God asked him to give that all up.

We stand today, like Abraham, atop the mountain, facing the delicate challenge of reconciling morality and prophecy.

The Mishna tells us (Ethics of the Father 5:3) that God tested Abraham ten times. But, the Mishna does not list what the tests were. It seems like a foundational part of our faith is underspecified.