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"Not Your 'Average' S.A.T.!"

10/13/2021 02:28:45 PM

Oct13

Rabbi Reuben Israel Abraham, CDR, CHC, USN (ret)

In this week's parashah, Parashat Lech Lecha, we find the following: “Hashem said to Avram: ‘Go forth from your native land and from the place of your birth and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.’” (Bereshit 12:1-2) Pirkei Avot 5:3 states that Avraham Avinu, Abraham our Father, passed all ten nisyonot (tests/challenges) that were posed to him by HaShem.  The command of "Lech Lecha" was one of those nisyonot.  We will find an even more important test in next week's parashah, Parashat VaYeira: it is the "Akeidat Yitzchak," the Binding of Isaac.  Rabbi Simcha Zissel Broide, z”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Knesses Yisroel Chevron, teaches us that there are two types nisyonot: one that defines who we are and one that we face on a day-to-day basis.  When you face a big nisayon that may involve serious self-sacrifice, you can often reach deep down and find the courage and determination to make the proper decision and do the right thing.  But what about those "little" nisyonot that you face each and every day that do not require such strength and fortitude.  Such, says Rav Broide, is the nisayon of "Lech Lecha."

          A "Lech Lecha" nisayon is having to decide whether or not to get up in time for morning minyan.  A “Lech Lecha” nisayon is coming home from work exhausted and having to decide whether to sit with your child or grandchild and help with homework or to sit in front of the T.V. or computer by yourself.  While no one classifies such nisyonot as those which define a moment in one's life, they are nevertheless as vitally important in life as a “Lech Lecha” nisayonHaShem told Avram that his reward for undertaking the nisayon of "Lech Lecha" would be wealth and offspring upon his arrival in Eretz Yisrael.  Did he get his "just desserts?"  No, he did not.  Instead, he encountered a severe famine, so severe that he was compelled to go down to Egypt in order to survive.  Nevertheless, it is because he accepted this nisayon without question, without comment, and without protest that Avraham Avinu becomes a hero for the People Israel.

A "Lech Lecha" nisayon deals with the issues of everyday life, issues such as health, childrearing, and financial problems.  There is no glamor, there is no excitement in dealing with these types of issues, but they are no less challenging and life-forming…perhaps even life-changing.  And while the "Akeidat Yitzchak” nisayon is more noteworthy because it stands out from the rest, the true indication of how heroic a person is how one deals with the many daily "Lech Lecha" nisyonot that should be and can be handled with complete faith and trust in HaShem and H-s love for us.  May we all become true heroes each and every day of our lives.

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784