Question: It is said that God made a promise/covenant of the halves in a dream. Why is an agreement signed wherein one party is asleep and the other is awake?

Answer: That is a very interesting question. I’d like to suggest Abraham was not asleep in the usual sense that we think of. Notice that the Torah never mentions that Abraham awoke. In addition, the very next phrase mentions that a great fear descended on Abraham. If he was truly asleep, how are we to understand this fear descending on him? Rather, I believe the Torah is describing a trance-like state, such that he could have a “conversation” with Hashem. In one’s normal state, a “conversation” with Hashem is not possible, thus the need for the trance like state.

Be Well,
Rabbi Yoel Spotts