Parshas Vayikra: Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin - The Akeida On The North Side
The Medrash tells us that when we say the Pasuk (Vayikra 1:11), "V'Shachat Oisoi Al Yerech HaMizbei'ach Tzafona," by davening, Hashem remembers the Akeida. What is it about the Tzafon or the North that specifically makes Hashem remember the Akeida?
Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin (Pninim MiShulchan Gavoa) answers that although in the Mishkan the Korban was not shechted on the Mizbei'ach itself, in previous generations the Shechita was done on top of the Mizbei'ach.
By the Akeida, when the Malach told Avrohom not to shecht Yitzchok and take the ram instead, Avrohom left him tied on the Mizbei'ach still hoping that he will be able to perform the Tzivui Hashem with Mesiras Nefesh. Therefore, he needed to shecht the ram on the north side of the mizbei'ach. since Yitzchok was already in the center.
When we shecht korbanos north of the Mizbei'ach, Hashem remembers not only the Akeida, but the great ratzon of Avrohom to do Hashem's will, so much so that even after he was commanded not to do it, he left Yitzchok on the Mizbei'ach.
US, 2012-03-20 03:56:01 Why did Avraham need to shecht the ram on the north side davka ? He could have done it also on the other 3 sides ? Could it be that Avraham did it there, so when we shecht korbanot we also do it on the north, but there is no special reason why Avraham did it on the north side ?