* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Why do we encounter difficulties in life?
Avraham was the paradigm of a true believer whose faith grew stronger with every test.
The Torah describes Avraham’s many challenges: infertility, hunger, the binding of Yitzhak, war, and constant struggle.
In our parasha we read: “And God tested Avraham.”
Ramban (Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman) comments that God does not mean to bring Avraham low through constant trials, but to raise him up. “The purpose of a test,” Ramban instructs, “is to actualize your potential.”
Challenges bring out special qualities of ours that were previously hidden.
When we are tested, we learn what we are capable of doing and grow accordingly.
Our inheritance from Avraham is the capacity to withstand trials and grow from them.
Everyone is invited to ponder trials in their personal life and in the life of our nation, identifying the growth and positive developments that followed.
