THIS WEEK’S DIVREI SIMCHA IS WRITTEN FOR AS A ZECHUS FOR A REFUAH SHLAIMA FOR RUCHAMA ALIZA SARA CHANA BAS ESTER LIBA, CHAYA YACHET ELKA BAS CHANA ROCHEL, DOVID YEHONASAN BEN MIRIAM

The past two weeks, we have mentioned that it says in Pirkei Avos (the Ethics of our Fathers) that Avraham Avinu was tested with ten tests and that he passed all of them with flying colors. According to most opinions, the final test happened at the end of last week’s parsha with the Akeidah (Avraham being commanded to offer Yitzchak as an offering). The Rabenu Yona states a different test was the last one.

Avraham Avinu is feeling very happy about accomplishing the Akeidah successfully. He walks in his front door to find his wife lying on the floor dead. Now how would you react to this? I would start getting upset at G-d. All is going well for me and then the worst thing possible happens. At least let me celebrate a little first.

Then Avraham needs to find a place to bury her. He finds a place but unfortunately the person he needs to deal with is a cheating, lying low-life. If someone did not get upset at first, at this point, he would definitely lose it. But Avraham kept his cool and stayed under control.

The Rabenu Yona says that this was Avraham’s last test. It was definitely very difficult for Avraham to go to the Akeidah. Avraham went on a three day journey thinking every moment that he was going to be killing his own son. He had to do something that he preached other people not to do. But the Rabenu Yona feels that this is not the ultimate test. The ultimate test is when things don’t go your way and you still stay under control. It is when it seems like the worst thing happens at the worst time. Not only that, but you need to deal with the worst people in the world. But one that stays under control during this deserves great praise.

We might not be Avraham Avinu and be able to pass this type of test. But we can certainly remember this the next time things are not going our way and try to reach this great level.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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