There are those who say that before we do any mitzvah, we must first understand why it needs to be done. Why else were we given a mind? There are others who say we must just obey with simple faith. How else can we bond with One who is entirely beyond our understanding? Abraham did both. He began with absolute faith, even when it was impossible to make sense of what he had been told to do. Yet he would not leave until his questions were answered and he had been given a way to understand. “Don’t do a thing to the young man, for now I know that you are a G‑d fearing person.” (Genesis 22:12) Abraham said to G‑d, “Let me present my case....

There are those who say that before we do any mitzvah, we must first understand why it needs to be done. Why else were we given a mind? There are others who say we must just obey with simple faith. How else can we bond with One who is entirely beyond our understanding? Abraham did both. He began with absolute faith, even when it was impossible to make sense of what he had been told to do. Yet he would not leave until his questions were answered and he had been given a way to understand. “Don’t do a thing to the young man, for now I know that you are a G‑d fearing person.” (Genesis 22:12) Abraham said to G‑d, “Let me present my case....

There are those who say that before we do any mitzvah, we must first understand why it needs to be done. Why else were we given a mind? There are others who say we must just obey with simple faith. How else can we bond with One who is entirely beyond our understanding? Abraham did both. He began with absolute faith, even when it was impossible to make sense of what he had been told to do. Yet he would not leave until his questions were answered and he had been given a way to understand. “Don’t do a thing to the young man, for now I know that you are a G‑d fearing person.” (Genesis 22:12) Abraham said to G‑d, “Let me present my case....