Rabbis' Blog

An integral part of the early morning prayer liturgy is a request from G-d that we not be challenged with a nisayon. The literal translation of the word nisayon is “test” – and in the context of this prayer it means the temptation to sin. The prayer continues that if we are tested from Above, we should not be shamed by failure to overcome it.

Seemingly, much would be accomplished if we were not distracted by constant tests. Besides, a nisayon is risky business: Failure is a real possibility.

Avraham Avinu was tested ten times by G-d to examine the strength of his conviction. In this week’s parsha we learn of the final and most difficult test set in his path – the Akeida. He was commanded to offer his beloved son Yitzchak, miraculously born to him at the ripe old age of 100 - now aged 37, as a sacrifice on Mt. Moriah. The two righteous men passed this test with flying colors and this was hailed as the defining moment of the unbreakable bond between G-d and the progeny of Avraham forever. What was so unique about this challenge that outshined all the rest?

The revolution of monotheism that Avraham introduced to the world was viewed by the global leaders as a passing fad. Given his childlessness, they reasoned that the younger generation would not follow his lead. Even after the birth of Yitzchak it was commonly understood that he would be too young to properly fill the shoes of his courageous father when the time would come. Idolatry would remain the mainstream.

This is why the Akeida was so consequential. The previous nine tests were experienced by Avraham alone. This time, his son Yitzchak was equally challenged. As an adult he had the ability to opt out of this seemingly strange rendezvous with the divine. He was keenly aware that human sacrifice was unacceptable to G-d and he had not received the communication from G-d that he be offered on the altar. Yet, his trust in his father Avraham as the prophet of G-d was unshakable and he proudly (and joyfully!) ascended the altar to obey the will of G-d.

It was the test of the next generation. It determined that monotheism will have a champion after Avraham leaves this world and beyond.

Divine tests serve to strengthen our commitment to Torah and mitzvoth. And the greatest test of all is the challenge of educating our family. To provide our children with the proper knowledge and training in Judaism so that they can be the proud, happy and observant Jews of the future.

Avraham and Yitzchak provide each and every one of us with the power and motivation to rise to the challenge and to ensure a strong and healthy Jewish future – one child at a time.

On Wednesday evening, Chabad hosted a Jewish Women’s Circle event at I Panted That! social art studio. Here are some of the thoughts I shared with my fellow painters about the image we painted together.

This week the Jewish world is learning about the story of Abraham our forefather. He was the revolutionary trailblazer that discovered G-d on his own at the young age of three. Instead of keeping the news to himself, he risked his life to enlighten anyone he can reach and ultimately became the forefather of Jewish nation.

In the course of the biblical narrative of his life and accomplishments we find that his wife Sarah was of equal righteousness, prominence and courage. In fact, the Chassidic masters teach that the impact Avraham had on the world was only due to the unique qualities of Sarah. She was his partner in all of his endeavors to bring the knowledge of G-d to the world.

The Talmud relates, that Sarah would light candles to usher in the Shabbat. Miraculously, these flames would continue to glow until the next Friday afternoon. Upon her passing this miracle ceased – even though Avraham continued the custom each week. When Yitzchak married the righteous Rivkah, this weekly miracle resumed with her Shabbat candles.

The mitzvah of kindling the Shabbat candles is symbolic of the role of the Jewish woman to illuminate her home with love and warmth. As Shabbat approaches, bringing pause to the hectic and mundane realities of life – the Shabbat candles shed light on the accomplishments of the past week and beacon forth a bright week to come. Shabbat reminds us that everything we do should be motivated by a sense of mission to serve G-d, and ultimately result in fostering more goodness and kindness in our families, communities and the entire world.

You will notice that there are three candles in the sketch. It is customary for married women to kindle two Shabbat candles. The third, shorter candle is for the daughter. The Rebbe encouraged young girls, from the age of three, to join their mothers in ushering in Shabbat by lighting a candle of their own – obviously with mom’s assistance. The educational implications are enormous. This is not only a way to train the child into the mitzvah. Her current action as a young girl, before Bat Mitzvah, already has immediate results. She has made her home a brighter place and as a result the entire world is better off than before.

The third candle represents the unbroken chain of every Jewish woman linked through our long and glorious history – directly to Sarah and Rivkah – the mothers of the Jewish people.

Learn more about the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles here. 

One man alone defied all the odds. Despite being opposed by the entire political establishment, the mainstream media apparatus and with the scientific data stacked against him, somehow, Donald Trump managed to win the elections to become the 45^th president of the United States of America. Like so many millions around the world, I was in utter disbelief when I saw the returns on Tuesday evening. Regardless of your preference this time around, the outcome of this election was one of a kind.

In this week’s parsha we learn of a single man that introduced a foreign idea to humanity at his time. Upon discovering G-d, Abraham set out on the daunting and often dangerous mission to bring the message of One Creator to the world. He was utterly alone in his position. Ridiculed and persecuted by the greatest monarch of the time, even the threat of death would not weaken his stance of what he knew to be true.

Abraham ultimately prevailed, and monotheism has been the dominating religious perspective of most of humanity for millennia. He followed G-d’s instruction to move away from his home to the Land of Canaan, becoming the patriarch of the Jewish Nation – the chosen people charged to be ambassadors of G-d to the world.

The overarching lesson of the fascinating story of Abraham is clear: Even one single person can make a profound difference despite an avalanche of naysayers.

This week’s events proved this idea in all it’s fascinating glory: There is no excuse for you to lift your hands in despair because everyone is against you. When there is a will, there is a way.

As a people, our religious convictions and observances are challenged by the argument that we are a tiny minority. We must know that there is no reason to be intimidated. Be secure in the knowledge that we are the offspring of Abraham, who bequeathed to each one of us the ability to fight for justice, goodness and faith in one G-d. There are challenges, but they don’t matter. We have a divine mission to accomplish – and accomplish we will!

Judaism teaches us to pray for the well-being of our government. We deliver heartfelt prayers that our current president should succeed in continuing to lead or country for the final two months of his term and that the president-elect should succeed in leading this great nation as it continues to be a beacon of light to the entire world of liberty and justice for all.