B"H
Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 4, 5785 / November 5, 2024
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Lech L'cha, G-d commands Abraham and Sarah to leave their birthplace and their father’s home and go, “To the land that I will show you.” G-d promises Abraham, “And I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who will bless you and those that curse you, I will curse;and in you shall all the families of the earth bless themselves."
Throughout the Parsha we read about the many trials and tribulations which Abraham and Sarah endured. Yet, they withstood all the tests and didn't waiver in their faith in G-d. As a result, they were blessed, as the Torah says, "And the L-rd blessed Abraham with everything" (24:1).
Our sages say, "Our forefather Abraham was tested with ten trials and he withstood them all, to show the degree of his love for G-d." The ten tests according to Maimonides are:
- At the age of 75, G-d commands Abraham to move to an unknown land.
- There is a famine in the new land and Abraham and Sarah have to move again, this time to Egypt.
- In Egypt, Sarah is taken against her will to King Pharaoh. G-d sends a plague on Pharaoh and his household, and he returns Sarah to Abraham.
- Returning to the land of Canaan Abraham's nephew, Lot, is captured and Abraham wages war against four mighty kings to save him.
- Although G-d promised that a great nation would come from Abraham and Sarah, he still doesn't have children and marries Hagar. At the age of 86 Hagar gives birth to Ishmael.
- At the age of 99, Abraham is commanded to circumcise.
- Sarah is forcefully taken to King Avimelech's palace.
- Abraham has to expel Hagar.
- Abraham is forced to expel his son, Ishmael.
10. G-d commands Abraham to bring his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice.
The Midrash presents the following analogy on how to view G-d's tests to mankind. A potter will bang or squeeze on his wares as a way of showing his customers that his product is strong. But he will only do this with a pot that he knows can withstand the beating and pressure. He would not test a pot which is not capable of surviving. The same was with the tests which G-d gave Abraham and Sarah and the tests we all face from time to time. The very fact that G-d tests us, proves our strength and ability to withstand these tests. They also make us stronger when we pass them.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW