ויאמר ה’ אל אברם לך לך מארצך וממולדתך… (לך יב:א)

Hashem said to Avram, Go for yourself from your land, from your relatives, and from your father’s house…

This was the first of עשרה נסיונות – the ten challenges Avraham Avinu was tested with.

The Mishna in Avos tells us, “הוי מתלמידיו של אברהם אבינו – Be from the disciples of Avraham Avinu.”  The Shelah HaKadosh taught that it is easier to pass the test when one knows he is being tested.  This is why the Torah tells us about Avraham Avinu’s nisyonos – tests, so people will be aware that there are times when their faith is being tested. It will be easier to remain strong when they know they’re being tested.

A group of Arabs once kidnapped a high-ranking army Intelligence officer.  They tortured him, hardly gave him food and drink, and tried forcing him to reveal agency secrets.  But the officer was loyal to his people and refused to speak.

One day, his cell door was slightly open, and he heard his captors conversing.  He peeked through the doorway and saw them holding screwdrivers and hammers.  He understood they were about to kill him and realized he had no choice but to reveal the secrets.

He tried listening to their conversation more carefully and realized they were speaking in Hebrew! He then understood that they were his people and not Arabs. They were members of the Intelligence Department who were testing his loyalty. When they entered his cell and warned him that they would kill him, he didn’t budge.  He wasn’t afraid.  He knew that it was only a test.

Because when one knows he is being tested, he feels empowered.  He has the strength to face complex challenges and remain firm in his Emunah – faith.

Filed under Parshas Lech Lecha |