LESSONS FROM THE PATRIARCHS FOR DARK MORNINGS

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LESSONS FROM THE PATRIARCHS FOR DARK MORNINGS

Harav Y. Reuven Rubin Shlita

Well, the clocks are firmly in their winter place, the days are shorter and, as for me, I have already had my first “winter sniffles,” a sure sign that the cold season has arrived.

I actually enjoy the dark mornings, where quiet seems to reign supreme and all one hears is one’s own sounds.

There is a certain seder to winter; in its bareness we can find so much life. It is during these days that one can find time to contemplate, to think of things that the brighter days do not facilitate.  There is nothing like waking in the dark, stumbling down the stairs to prepare that first coffee, and looking out over the dark, still streets.

With all this for a preamble, we start to read the wondrous parshios that introduce us to our forefathers, Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov. The Rebbe, Rav Pinchos Koritzer Ztl was known to say that until we reach the parsha of Lech Lecha the world is still in chaos.  With the reading of Avrohom Avinu and his chesed the world becomes a place where fresh salvations come about.

As we have learnt from Gutta Yidden, a Jew has to live with each week’s parsha, since the events of each reading bring with it the influences depicted therein. Lech Lecha and Vayera bring us the wonder of Avrohom with his chessed, and it is all there for the taking.

Our generation needs large doses of chessed. Despite the influx of so much artificial light, our souls grope in the darkness. We stumble around not certain what it is we should be feeling; many of us are aching for meaning. The Rizhiner Rebbe used to say that in the times before the Moshiach, having faith in Hashem will be like walking up straight walls made of ice!

So where can we begin? The Holy Rebbe, Shlomo of Karlin Ztl tells us that the greatest yetzer horah we can allow ourselves is to forget we are children of the King of Kings, Hashem no less! These parshios reawaken the feeling of who we are and from whence we came.

Avrohom’s tests were given so that he could realise within himself what strengths of emunah he had. The Maharal tells us that none of these tests were given so Avrohom could

prove how much faith he had. After all, Hashem knows our hearts without our proving anything. No, these tests were administered to stir up in Avrohom his strengths and

abilities, things he may never have been aware of otherwise. The Ramban says that a nisoyon-test- brings the potential into actuality. It is the same Hebrew word as used to

denote a flag pole, to publicly demonstrate the hidden potential of the individual. The Avnei Nezer says that people use only seven percent of their potential. The word nisoyon is related to the word nes, miracle. In every test life throws our way, we are given the chance to overcome challenges with powers hitherto unacknowledged. Therewith growing miraculously because hidden within our souls is a spark of Avrohom Avinu. Each new test that was poised before our holy forefather, brought further growth to different areas of his emunah. In Lech Lecha Avrohom is bidden to go outside and count the stars. Chazal explain that this is exactly

what he did. Obviously, such a feat is impossible, no matter, Avrohom was given a task, so what if it is impossible?  Count we must! Time and again he found himself faced with what could be thought of as insurmountable difficulties. Yet, just as we have seen in the physical realm, when one is called upon to do something that may seem impossible, if needs must, one will muster hidden strengths that allow him to go beyond anything he would have felt possible. This is true spiritually as well; we have hidden strengths and our trials are sent to us so we can learn about our inner resilience and use it for good.

We absorb these life-affirming lessons from the story of Avrohom Avinu, and with this knowledge we can plot our own way through life. Nothing is mentioned in the Torah

without purpose, and in the world that was previously prone to chaos, it was Avrohom with his chessed and steadfastness that brought clarity to mankind.

So, as you peer into the dark streets whilst the rest of the house slumbers, think of your personal nisyonos, whether they be children, parnossah, or inner peace within yourself,

and conjure up the strength to go forward. It is at these quiet moments, when you can allow yourself a heartfelt sigh and yes, perhaps even a tear or two, allowing Hashem to fill your inner space.  Ask Him, your Father, to give you the ability to realise that this is all for your own good and that with the miracle that lies within you, you will illuminate your inner self and those around you.