At the parsha’s outset, Hashem tests Avraham by commanding him to leave his homeland. The usual method of testing is a progressive process from easy to more difficult. What we see here is different. Seemingly, Avraham is now being tested more mildly than before. The mesiras nefesh, the self-sacrifice of facing certain death when he was thrown into a fiery furnace in Ur Kasdim, was a test on a grand scale. Nevertheless, Avraham Avinu withstood that trial, and with his success, publicly brought honor to Hashem’s name. Now, Hashem commands Avraham Avinu to leave his homeland. How do we understand the underlying reason for this test? If the test were essentially easier than the previous test of Ur Kasdim, there would be no apparent purpose for it.
R’ Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg zt”l explains that Hashem tested Avraham Avinu first with death and then with life. The test of life is much greater in its potential for success, but also in its chance of failure. Avraham was saved alive, untouched by the blazing fires of Ur Kasdim. Then came the test of change. “Lech lecha” means to remove oneself from the past and the familiar. He was now challenged to change and grow completely on his own, this time without the help of miracles.
Hakadosh Baruch Hu demanded that Avraham leave the familiar surroundings of his home. Hashem’s plan was for Avraham to wander among strangers in foreign lands. New situations would unfold because of Avraham’s decision to obey Hashem’s command. These tests would bring out even deeper levels of service. Due to the difficulty of this test, our forefather grew in stature and became a great tzaddik.
The same holds true for all of us. We all must seek out the situations that will actualize our latent potential. And when the inevitable ordeals of life are thrust upon us, we must rise to the occasion each time. This is the meaning of success.
