Can We Psychoanalyze Tanach’s Heroes?

Modern methods can help — but ancient father-son relationships weren’t built on modern assumptions.

Q. What were the psychological consequences of the Akeida upon Yitzchak?

In general, we are supposed to learn from our parents and biblical forefathers, and it’s not our place to analyze them. That being said, the Tanach is (!) meant to be studied in depth for all generations, where in addition to the oral traditions, we can occasionally use current methods, sciences and analyses (constantly keeping in mind that we’re not talking about “average” people. Just like the Chafetz Chaim, Rambam or Einstein would be hard to understand using conventional methods geared for “average” people). Another problem is that it’s usually much too speculative; for example, we know nothing about Yitzchak’s, or most other Tanachic characters’, relationship with their parents. One also should be careful not to suggest anachronistic explanations or conjectures, because the father-child relationship was totally different in ancient societies, especially when, again, we’re talking about out-of-the ordinary figures. Avraham’s extraordinary kindness which is held as the example for generations (Micha 7, 20, and as demonstrated regarding his saving Lot, trying to save Sodom, the guests, etc.), in addition to the acceptance of child sacrifices in the ancient Middle East, surely brought Yitzchak to see the Akeida in a totally different light than the “average” and modern child-father relationship would see it!