A person’s physical appearance reflects their psychological and spiritual constitution. Avraham personified the attribute of kindness and generosity, while Yitzchak personified the attribute of judgment and restraint. Naturally, therefore, their appearances should have reflected their diverging personalities. Yet, G-d miraculously fashioned Yitzchak’s features to resemble his father’s.
This outer resemblance also implies that an inner transformation took place as well. Yitzchak’s natural restraint was revealed to be compatible with Avraham’s generosity. Instead of restricting Avraham’s openness, the force and strength needed for judgment and severity was used for the task of giving. Avraham’s generosity was amplified with Yitzchak’s intensity. Only a being that transcends the natural constraints, G-d Himself, could finesse these opposite inclinations into one human being.
