Noam Elimelech: Abraham knew all along that Isaac will not be killed

The Noam Elimelech is a commentary on the Torah written by one of the early Hasidic masters, Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk (1717–March 11, 1787)

In another post, I noted the Noam Elimelech’s reading of the Akedah as being that both Avraham and Itzhak knew all along that G-d did not intend for Itzhak to be slaughtered, and that they went up Mount Moriah only pretending (albeit in a very earnest way) that Itzhak will be killed once they reach the top.

A number of the Hasidic masters (as well as rabbis from other streams) have provided a “take” on the Akedah that reveals discomfort with the notion that Avraham was intending to, and fully enthusiastic towards, killing his son. The Noam Elimelech is especially instructive due to the extent to which he takes this approach. But don’t take my word for it. The text can be found in Sefaria.org.il here, with my rough translation provided below.

באמת אברהם ויצחק ידעו שלא היה דעת הקב”ה לשוחטו, ואברהם שהיה מדתו מדת חסד, הלך בבטחונו שישובו שניהם, כמ”ש “ונשתחוה ונשובה אליכם”, רק שאעפ”כ היו הולכים במסירת נפשם כאילו לשחוט אותו באמת, וזהו “וירא את המקום מרחוק”, פירוש ‘המקום’ רמז הגם שהיה רואה שיצא ממנו יעקב שנאמר בו ‘ויפגע במקום’, אעפ”כ היה מרחיק מלבו המחשבה זאת, מחמת שהיה הולך בשלימותו כנ”ל.

“In reality, Avraham and Yitzhak knew that G-d’s intention was not to have Yitzhak slaughtered. Avraham was operating under his attribute, the attribute of mercy, and he went assured of Yitzhak’s safety, that they will return together, as it states (in Ber:22: Avraham speaking to his two attendants) “We will prostrate and will then return to you”. However, nevertheless, they went with with a sense of martyrdom, as if Yitzhak will actually be slaughtered. Therefore it states “And he saw the place from afar”. “The place” alludes to Avraham seeing Yaakov come from him, as it is stated (later in Bereshit when Yaakov escapes from Esav) that “he (Yaakov) happened upon the place“. However, Avraham distanced this thought so that he will be able to go (to sacrifice his son) in completeness.”