When asked for a favor, do you hear a voice in your head asking, “What’s in it for me?”
If so, you’re not alone. For most of us, this reaction is entirely normal. That little voice, the voice of our natural or ‘animal soul’, often speaks first and loudest, prioritizing self-interest. Yes, we also possess a G-dly soul capable of true selflessness, but it takes conscious effort to tune into it.
This internal struggle may be human nature, yet our forefather Abraham demonstrated a level of selflessness that transcended human nature. When G-d asked Abraham to bring his son Isaac as a sacrifice, he didn’t hesitate. Despite the unimaginable difficulty of the request, he advanced without question to fulfill G-d’s wish. Of course, G-d ultimately stopped him, declaring that through this test, Abraham’s previous acts of devotion were now fully proven to be pure and selfless.
What made this moment so uniquely powerful? Unlike other tests of faith, the Binding of Isaac demanded 100% altruism. There was absolutely no personal gain, nothing ‘in it’ for Abraham. In fact, it seemed to contradict everything he stood for, jeopardizing his entire life’s mission to spread G-dliness and kindness in the world. And yet, Abraham’s unwavering commitment to G-d exemplified pure, unadulterated selflessness.
Through this act, Abraham endowed each of us, his descendants, with the ability to transcend self-interest and be there for others, expecting nothing in return. His legacy empowers us to align with our G-dly soul, to genuinely understand and feel another person’s pain, and to act with complete altruism, no strings attached.
When we live our daily lives more in touch with our soul, we unlock this capacity for selflessness, making the world a kinder and more compassionate place.