Leaving everything behind was one of Abraham's 10 tests. The biggest test is turn away from our family and friends when they are not beneficial for our growth. Abraham had to look at his environment one last time and literally left it all behind. Rabbi Osher Jungreis explains "In Hebrew, "test"is called nisayon, which, literally translated, means to be lifted up, for in truth, every difficulty, every stumbling block that G-d places in our paths is, in reality, a challenge through which we can become elevated".
He continues, "Rabbi Meshulam HaLevi Jungreis, Z`tl, would often say that the difference between bitter and better is just one letter. So too, in life, everything depends on attitude. One little letter can change everything. The way we react to onerous, trying challenges will either make us better or bitter. This message is especially significant to us today as we are beset by so many unknowns, so many fears. Let us convert our anxieties into challenges for growth. Let us become better and not bitter. This teaching should guide us in every aspect of our lives. Should the challenge be major or minor, big or small, the image of our father Abraham should remind us to seize the opportunity to make that which is bitter, better".
Hashem gives Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. This magnificent miracle is quickly shattered by G-d commandment to sacrifice Yitzhak. What was the test? could it really be that Abraham, the most loyal servant of G-d, would not listen? He would do anything! The test was really for Yitzhak...would he live up to his father? The midrash explains that when Yitzhak realized what was going on, he asked his father to tighten the ropes so that the korban would be kosher. When Hashem heard this he said "ahh he is like Abraham".
Leaving our old selves and our old environments behind (like Abraham) is not easy. The challenge is not looking back but rather looking forward at what we will leave behind.
He continues, "Rabbi Meshulam HaLevi Jungreis, Z`tl, would often say that the difference between bitter and better is just one letter. So too, in life, everything depends on attitude. One little letter can change everything. The way we react to onerous, trying challenges will either make us better or bitter. This message is especially significant to us today as we are beset by so many unknowns, so many fears. Let us convert our anxieties into challenges for growth. Let us become better and not bitter. This teaching should guide us in every aspect of our lives. Should the challenge be major or minor, big or small, the image of our father Abraham should remind us to seize the opportunity to make that which is bitter, better".
Hashem gives Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. This magnificent miracle is quickly shattered by G-d commandment to sacrifice Yitzhak. What was the test? could it really be that Abraham, the most loyal servant of G-d, would not listen? He would do anything! The test was really for Yitzhak...would he live up to his father? The midrash explains that when Yitzhak realized what was going on, he asked his father to tighten the ropes so that the korban would be kosher. When Hashem heard this he said "ahh he is like Abraham".
Leaving our old selves and our old environments behind (like Abraham) is not easy. The challenge is not looking back but rather looking forward at what we will leave behind.
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