My twin grandsons turned 4 recently. When they were born, they were tiny little babies weighing just four and five lbs respectively. Now, they weigh close to 30 pounds each. They went from being totally dependent to being little men who walk, talk and are learning to read.
Human beings experience most of their physical development during their first 20 years. However, once human beings stop growing physically, it’s not the end of their growth. Although their outward growth may stop, their inner growth continues for the rest of their lives.
Growth and development are a key lesson from the life of Avraham Avinu. The Mishna says that Avraham was tested with 10 different tests. The midrash comments on Hashem testing Avraham with test after test, in each case leading to further inner growth. Many of these tests occur in parshas Vayeira, including the banishment of Hagar and Yishmael from Avraham’s home, Sarah being taken away by Avimelech and of course, Akeidas Yitzchak—the binding of Yitzchak (on an altar on Mt. Moriah).
The Torah describes the test of Akeidas Yitzchak as “V’Elokim nisah es Avraham”—Hashem tested (challenged) Avraham.
What was the point of all these tests? It can be understood by delving into the word nisah (test). The root of the word ‘nisah’ has multiple meanings. Besides ‘test,’ it also has the meaning of nes—miracle.
What’s the connection of these multiple meanings of the same root word? Rav Hirsch explains that ‘nisah’ means to move upward. A nisayon—test—helps determine capability. Items sold on the market go through testing to help ensure that they can deliver their stated function. For example, brakes for a vehicle undergo rigorous testing under many different conditions to ensure that when a motorist steps on the brakes, the car will stop! Training exercises do even more; they help a person develop and sharpen his capabilities and skills to become more effective.
Rav Yerucham Levovitz explains that Avraham’s tests were designed to bring out his inner greatness and help him reach higher goals while, in the process, stretching his limits. Rav Gedalia Schorr explains that all tests from Hashem are challenges to help us improve ourselves.
Tests are not limited to major life-altering challenges. In our daily activities, we are routinely faced with many tests and challenges. Each scenario is there to help us develop and grow a little more. Parents of young children often find their patience being challenged. Hashem is thereby helping parents develop their ‘patience muscles.’ People who are asked to help in a charitable cause are given the opportunity to develop their sense of caring and compassion.
In the bracha of modim in Shemoneh Esrei, we thank Hashem for five of His gifts to us: our life, our soul, ‘nisecha’ (miracles He does for us daily), wonders, and goodness. Many commentaries explain that ‘nisecha’ refers to hidden daily miracles. But I would like to suggest that it also refers to our daily challenges. Each day has its own tests and challenges, many of them simple. They occur because Hashem is placing us in specific situations to help us grow and become greater people.
We are always growing- it’s part of being human. Avraham is the patriarch of the Jewish nation and set the example for us. Avraham was 99 when he was tested with performing a bris milah on himself. Avraham was 137 when Hashem asked him to sacrifice his only child born from Sarah. He was able to pass this test and rise up to the challenge because he was always striving for spiritual greatness through his absolute belief in Hashem.
Sometimes we let petty things bother us. Spilled coffee, traffic on the road, a sharp comment by someone. When these happen, we have a choice- to allow the person or situation to upset us…or to say to ourselves, “I am greater than that. I don’t have to let this bother me.”
We should not ask for challenges, but when they come, we should embrace them with the attitude that Hashem is helping us grow and develop to become better human beings.
Rabbi Baruch Bodenheim is the associate rosh yeshiva of Passaic Torah Institute (PTI)/Yeshiva Ner Boruch. Rabbi Bodenheim can be reached at [email protected]. For more info about PTI and its Torah classes, visit www.pti.shulcloud.com
