PARSHAS VAYERA 5775

“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Vayera
14 Cheshvan 5775/ November 7, 2014
      
Have you ever looked at
old pictures of yourself and thought about how different you are than the
person in the picture?
Life itself is an
experience that changes us, whether we like it or not.
Recently Chani and I
were leafing through a scrapbook chronicling the time we dated until we were
engaged. As we reminisced about that time period we realized that we are indeed
very different people than we were then. We have shared many incredible blessings,
as well as many challenging moments, and we have definitely grown and changed
in a variety of ways.
Avrohom Avinu lived a
life of challenges and tests. According to some commentators the first test was
lech lecha” when he was told to leave his family, friends, community
and everything familiar to travel to an unknown destination. The final test was
the ‘akeidah’ when Avrohom was instructed to offer his beloved son
Yitzchok as an offering on the altar.
The Medrash notes that
when Hashem commanded Avrohom to perform the akeidah He also utilized an
expression of ‘lech lecha’ (“Go to Mount Moriah…”).
The Medrash then states that we are not sure which ‘lech lecha’ was
greater – the original or the latter.
What is the question of
the Medrash? How could any test be more arduous and challenging than the
akeidah?
Tests are not measured
only based on circumstance, but also based on who the person is. Two people may
be faced with the exact same challenge and yet deal with it completely
differently. What’s more, the same person may react differently to the same
situation at various stages of life. 
Although the command to
offer Yitzchok upon the altar was an incredible challenge, by that point
Avrohom had reached an unimaginable connection with Hashem. He had proven again
and again his unwavering loyalty and commitment. At the time he was instructed
to leave his family and birthplace however, he had not yet achieved that level
of sublime greatness. Therefore, although the akeidah was undoubtedly a
more difficult task in and of itself, based on who Avrohom was at that point
versus who he was at the time he was instructed ‘lech lecha’ it is not
so clear cut which was a greater test.
We hear about other
people’s predicaments, and about things other people have done or have not
done, and we are quick to pass judgment, point fingers, and blame. At times we
may feel that we have a right to do so because we faced the same challenge and
dealt with it far more adequately. But we forget how little we really know
about each other, for our eyes can only see the surface. Beneath the
superficial surface lies the depth and essence of people – their proclivities,
inclinations, penchants and what makes them tick.
We can never really
judge others. We may see what they do, but we can hardly know who they really
are.
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos,
            R’ Dani and Chani
Staum      

720 Union Road • New Hempstead, NY 10977 • (845) 362-2425

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