We initially addressed different types of nisyonot, what are their purposes and if everyone is given tests. We then discussed six purposes of nisyonot, followed by the nature of tests for tzadikim in contrast to those for “everyone.” The final two essays address how tests are essential for our growth and what it actually means to pass a test.
TESTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR GROWTH, DEALING WITH AND PASSING TESTS, & THE MEANING OF PASSING OUR TESTS
Nisyonot and Yissurim are Good for Us, We Need Them to Grow
The Medrash Tanchuma (Nitzavim 1) asks:
“Why are we (the Jewish people) still existing, while many of the non-Jewish nations have been destroyed? Because, when yissurim come upon them, they rebel from them and don’t mention the name of G-d… But when yissurim come upon Yisrael, they are humbled and daven (pray)… Therefore, G-d says to them — Although these difficulties come upon you, they are what establishes you, as it says (Devarim 8:16) — ‘In order to afflict you, and in order to test you, to do good for you in the end.’”
Rav Yerucham Levovitz (Da’at Chachma uMussar — 1:101) discusses the concept of nisyonot (tests):
The secret and essence of avodat ha’adam (the work of a person) is specifically through the yetzer hara [to challenge us], which is an integral part of the creation. And if the yetzer hara would be nullified, then human beings would necessarily also be nullified, since people attain greatness and completion exclusively through the yetzer hara. While this matter is among the secrets of the Torah and the creation, our experience also demonstrates its truth to us…since the secret to success for all of the great people is specifically from the yetzer hara. Their greatness and elevation, higher and higher, is from the yetzer and nisayon (challenge). This principle, that the entire work and success of a person is through the yetzer, needs to be clear to a person from experience alone, even without any type of religious belief. Life itself testifies to this matter as a basic understanding…
There is a common mistake in thinking that the yetzer was created to hurt people. Rather…this is the principle with the yetzer: If one is not meritorious — it opposes him, but if one is meritorious — then all of his love, Olam Haba (world to come), and perfection come exclusively from the yetzer…
The essence and reality of this world is like a swamp, and in terms of this swamp, we are told (Pirkei Avot 4:21) — “This world is compared to a corridor leading to Olam Haba.” It is specifically through this swamp, exclusively from this filth, that a person is able to reach Olam Haba…
Every aspect of this world is a huge challenge for the soul of a person. The work of a man is to go specifically through the swamp. Not only should one not hold himself back from entering the swamp, but the entire secret of his avodah (service of G-d) is specifically to walk through the swamp… In other words, the whole secret of his success is specifically when he is surrounded by nisyonot on every side. According to this, not only should one not run away from a situation of difficulties and nisyonot, but on the contrary, all the aspirations of a person should be to sit and long for when a situation of nisayon and the yetzer hara will come upon him, since that will lead him to success… And the greater the challenge, nisayon, and yetzer will be, the greater will be the success…
This is the entire foundation of Torah and mitzvot — the beginning of a person is only in a place of nisyonot and the yetzer… As we have explained, all the avodah (service of G-d) of a person and his success is specifically in a situation of difficulties. This is where all of the avodah of a person is, and this is what the verse means when it says — “adam l’amal yulad — man was born to toil.”
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Rabbi Asher Resnick serves as a senior lecturer at Aish HaTorah’s Executive Learning Center, and is a senior training lecturer for Aish’s Rabbinical Ordination program. As a close student of Rav Noach Weinberg, zt”l, he developed a special expertise in addressing fundamental issues in Judaism, as well as in bringing classical texts to life. As a bereaved parent, Rabbi Resnick’s extensive writings on loss, suffering and trauma provide a sensitive Jewish perspective on coping with these fundamental life cycle issues. OlamiResources.com is happy to highlight several essays over the coming months featured on his website JewishClarity.com. This essay should be l’zechut ul’iluy nishmat Ruchama Rivka, a”h, bat Asher Zevulun.
