No Achievements Without Trials and Challenges

Abraham, our patriarch, was granted a unique privilege no one before him had. He became the father of the chosen nation, beloved by Hashem, as it is written in the holy Torah (Genesis 18:17), "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?"

But why did this happen? Because he successfully withstood ten trials set by Hashem, including trials of poverty, exile ("Go from your land"), threats of murder (Nimrod), and childlessness. The ultimate trial was the binding of his beloved son!

Imagine the severe crisis of holding the knife to slaughter the son promised to him by Hashem (Genesis 21:12), "It is through Isaac that offspring will be traced for you," and Abraham passed them all successfully, never doubting the ways of Hashem and accepting His decrees with complete love.

We ask, what would have happened if the Creator had not tested Abraham with ten trials? Would he still have achieved the remarkable greatness he did?

And the answer is: No!

No achievements without trials and challenges.

So let's learn from our father Abraham; even if it is somewhat difficult, we should embrace the guidance of the King of Kings with love, for it is precisely these hardships that will set us on the right path.

King David faced a crisis he certainly would have preferred to avoid. His son Absalom set his sights on the throne and plotted with Ahithophel, whose advice always hit the mark, to kill his father David and take the throne. On his way to Jerusalem, he committed terrible acts with his father's wives, and when this dire news reached David, he decided, on the advice of his counselors, to flee Jerusalem to organize the forces loyal to him.

As he descended from Jerusalem in mourning with ashes on his head, a relative of Saul, Shimei son of Gera, approached and cursed him severely in front of David's servants. Abishai son of Zeruiah, who was a mighty warrior, immediately suggested to David to cut off Shimei's head for rebelling against the monarchy, a crime punishable by death.

David stopped him immediately and said, "What does this have to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Hashem told him to curse, so who may say, 'Why have you done so?'" Our sages teach that at that moment, when David accepted the decree of Hashem, he earned the merit to become the fourth leg of the divine chariot, something even Moses and Aaron did not achieve.

If we asked anyone if they wished for a crisis like this, the answer would undoubtedly be no. But if they knew that such a crisis would bring them incredible spiritual elevation, their answer might be different.

Who Truly Praises Hashem?

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had a strange hobby; he liked to make eating utensils from the bones of Jews he killed. When the prophet Ezekiel resurrected the dry bones, the cooking utensils began to fly from Nebuchadnezzar's kitchen to the Valley of Dura to reunite with their owners.

The king was very astonished at this strange sight and asked what it meant. His servants answered, "Ezekiel, the prophet of the Jews, is now resurrecting the dead in the Valley of Dura."

The king was greatly amazed by the power of the God of Israel and began singing to glorify and praise the Creator, until an angel from heaven came and struck him on his face, stopping his song. Our sages say (Sanhedrin 92b) that if the angel had not stopped him, his hymns would have surpassed the hymns of King David.

The commentators ask: Where is the free choice? If Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, wants to sing in honor of Hashem, why strike him on his face?

The answer to this question carries a profound moral lesson –

King David sang and praised and glorified the Creator amidst immense troubles. Even when he fled from his son, all sad and dejected, he still said, "A psalm of David," continuing to sing and praise Hashem. But Nebuchadnezzar sang until he got a slap; the moment he felt a bit of pain, he immediately stopped singing. Such praise is not genuine; if you praise only when things are good for you, it is not true praise. But if the praise remains even when things are hard, then it is praise that comes from a true heart.

To the Dear Jew Experiencing a Crisis

"If you have not found your soulmate and it's hard for you, know this! Hashem wants you to find your soulmate from the root of your soul more than you do. Only Hashem's wisdom has decreed to place you in this test, to see if your love remains even in such a time. Stand firm because Hashem has not forgotten you, and His love for you is without limits. Lift your eyes to Him and continue praying, maintain your trust in Him, and your salvation is very near."

"And to you, dear Jew, who faces the test of poverty, which our sages have taught is the hardest of all, remember that when Abraham descended to Egypt, he was poor, to the point where he had to eat on credit, yet he did not doubt the ways of Hashem, and his love for Him was not broken. When he returned from Egypt, he returned with great wealth. You too should know that it is within Hashem's power to send you all the money and gold in an instant. This is your test time; do not lose heart. Show Hashem that you walk in Abraham's steps, whose greatness was measured in times of distress, and Hashem will deliver you in an instant."

To the Dear Jewish Woman Facing a Crisis

"If you have not yet merited to conceive, know that our nation began with Sarah our matriarch, who was barren. And why did Hashem choose to start such a wonderful nation through a barren woman? To teach us that nothing is too wondrous for Hashem. Reflect on the wonderful things you have received from Hashem during your life and understand His love for you. Continue your sincere faith in the Creator of the world, and trust that He will grant your heart's desire. Even if doctors are not encouraging in their diagnoses, know that Hashem is not bound by any cause, and true salvation is in His hands."

"And you, dear Jew who is undergoing a health challenge and asks every day from where will your help come, know that just as Hashem commands the bacteria to enter a person at a specific time, He can command them to leave, as it is written (Deuteronomy 32:39) "I bring death and I give life." As your faith in Hashem's ability to heal you grows stronger, so will your salvation come more swiftly. Lift your eyes to your Father in heaven, with prayers from the depth of your heart, for from Him will come the salvation."

The book 'Yagel Libi B'Yeshuatecha' can be found at selected stores and at Hidabroot Shops.