For the week ending 8 November 2008 / 10 Heshvan 5769
Prep for the Test
Difficult challenges face Jews in Israel. Threats from enemies outside the country and from terrorists within its borders present the Jewish homeland with tests of its faith in the Creator Who gave this Land to His chosen people.
This week's Torah portion that describes many of the tests to which the Patriarch Avraham was subjected serves as a sort of an explanation how Jews in all generations were prepared for their own tests. Our commentaries point out that every one of Avraham's ten tests was a microcosm of what his descendants would face. This success in passing every one of them with perfect faith in Heaven endowed all of his progeny with the strength to pass their own tests with a faith in Heaven that will secure Israel forever.