If Everything Is Foreseen - Why Did Hashem Test Abraham?

Question We Received:

"Hello, esteemed Rabbi!

My daughter asked me several questions:

If Hashem knows what I will do, how does this fit with the idea that I have free will?

And another question on a related topic: If Hashem knew that Abraham our forefather would withstand the trial of the binding, why did He test him? And regarding this matter: Abraham said to the young men: sit here with the donkey while I and the lad will go to bow and we will return to you. Abraham knew he was going to sacrifice his son, so why did he say "we will return" and not "I will return"?

Thank you in advance, and I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for this wonderful site."

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Hello and blessings, and thank you for your response.

You can explain to your daughter that Hashem is not like a person who exists in a specific place or time. Hashem is also not like a "fortune teller" who predicts the future and then waits to see it unfold. Hashem is present everywhere and at all times—past, present, and future. This means that Hashem knows what will happen in the future because He is truly present in the future and sees all our actions occurring there. If we change our actions or suddenly make different choices, Hashem sees our changing choices simultaneously. Hence, Hashem does not determine our choices with His knowledge; instead, He always allows us to choose and simply observes us at all times. Whatever we do or change, Hashem sees us and thus knows. And as the sages said, "Everything is foreseen, yet freedom of choice is given." That is, Hashem sees what we will choose, and yet this choice is ours. There is an extended explanation of this complex question in a booklet called "Fateful Conversation" (search on Google). It is recommended to read until the surprising end.

Regarding your second question,

Hashem tested Abraham to bring his faith from potential to action. For instance, there is a great artist, and he must paint his masterpiece so that his art receives the respect it deserves worldwide. Similarly, Abraham our forefather needed to express the power of his faith outwardly, to reveal it to the entire world, and to teach through his actions the power of belief to future generations. Thus, his deeds educated us and also increased his reward in this world and the next. For the righteous one earns reward for what he achieves, not only for what he could have achieved.

Regarding the question, why did Abraham say "we will bow and come back to you" - Rashi writes: "He prophesied that both would return." Abraham our forefather was a prophet, and thus every word that came from his mouth was true prophecy. Through these prophetic words, Abraham revealed what would happen, even without knowing it.