Reply To: Short & Sweet

Vayeira: This is a Test

This week we read about the quintessential nisayon: When Hashem asked Avraham to sacrifice Yitzchok. Normally, we “test” somebody or something to find out what they’re capable of. But Hashem already know what we can or can’t do – why does He test us?

The Ramban answers that it’s true that Hashem knows what we can accomplish. But we may not. Until we face a situation that tests us, we may not be fully living up to our potential. The challenges in life give us opportunity to become all that we can be.

The Rambam has a seemingly different answer. He says that the word נסיון comes from the root of נס, a banner. Hashem already knows what we can do. But when we actually do it, we can inspire others to follow in our footsteps. Hashem gives us challenges He knows we can overcome so that others can be inspired to live up to their own challenges.

R’ Aaron Lopiansky points out that the Rambam is not that different from the Ramban. The Ramban sees tests as a means of living up to our own potential. The Rambam sees challenges as a means of helping others live up their full potential.

לע״נ דוד חיים בן ישראל דוב הכהן
לע״נ ר׳ חיים דוב הן ר׳ בןציון שלום