T O R A H F A X ®
Torah on the spot for people on the go
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Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 5, 5769 / November 3, 2008
This week's Parsha, Lech Lecha, begins, "The L-rd said
to Abraham go [to you] from your country, from your birthplace and
from your father's house unto the land that I will show you. And I
will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your
name great and you will be a blessing."
G-d's commandment to Abraham to leave his native land at the
age of seventy five and go to "the land which I will show you" -
an unknown land, was one of the ten tests that G-d put Abraham through
to test his faith in G-d. The other tests that Abraham endured which
are found in this Parsha are:
* When Abraham and Sarah arrive, 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 to King Pharaoh against her will.
* Returning to the land of Canaan, Abraham's nephew, Lot, is captured
and Abraham has to wage war against four mighty kings to save him.
* G-d promised that a great nation would come from Abraham. Yet, he
and Sarah are childless.
* At the age of 99, Abraham is commanded to circumcise.
Our sages explain the words Lech Lecha, "go to you," to mean "to
your benefit." G-d said to Abraham that, although these tests seem
a hardship, yet, in the end it will be to your benefit.
"Test" in Hebrew is "Nisayon." It comes from the
same word as "Nes" "miracle" and "uplifting." When
one experiences a miracle one realizes it as an obvious sign that G-d
cares and looks out for the person and it is indeed an "uplifting" experience.
Our sages say that the same also applies with the tests which we experience
throughout our lives. For through these tests a person is uplifted, attaining
higher spiritual levels and greater strength.
The fact that G-d chooses to test someone shows that they have special
strength and ability to pass the test.
The Midrash gives the following parable to illustrate this point. When
a potter offers his pots for sale at the market- place, he will bang
on them to prove to the potential customer the strength and quality of
his pottery. Which pots will he chose to test in order to prove that
his product is good? Naturally the one's he knows that will be able to
withstand the test. He will not bang on an inferior product which may
break.
So too, when G-d chooses to test, He will select to give the test only
to a person who can withstand the test. Everyone has their share of tests,
especially these days. The good news is that the very fact that G-d chooses
to test us is a sign that G-d gave us the power to withstand and succeed.
HAVE
A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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