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Man is gifted with many talents and strengths. But all too often they are not actualised. When we face new challenges, however, we are able to rise above mediocrity and realise our enormous potential.
Challenges can extract the very best from us. As Nachmanides writes “The purpose of a test… is to take something from potential to reality.”
The Hebrew word for test and challenge is nisayon. But nisayon can also mean ‘experience’ or ‘training’.
Challenges are a divine communication that let us know that we are capable of more, prompting our very best efforts and the use of the full extent of our abilities. Challenges also teach us that this strength we never knew we had can be tapped into even in times that are not so distressing. In this sense, pain is a call to action; it’s not enough to “get by”, but one must strive to reach greater heights.
Our forefather Avrohom faced 10 particular tests. With each test, Avrohom tapped deeper into the reservoirs of his soul. This is indicated by the Torah’s very first command to Avrohom, ‘Lech Lecha,’ which is usually translated as “go for yourself.” But in Chassidic thought it is translated literally as “Go to yourself” i.e. your true innermost self. Avrohom’s tests were a journey deep into his soul to discover what he was truly capable of.