Parashas Lech Lecha

This week, on the 8 of Cheshvan, my twin sister and I turn 26! That means, it's going to be my Double Bar Mitzvah!

Thirteen years ago was the time my obligation of observing Hashems Mitzvos (commandments) began! I can't believe that. Time flies really quickly!

My bar mitzvah Parasha is a very interesting one, with A LOT going on, and a lot of lessons to be learned.
The parasha starts off with Hashem telling Avraham to leave his home-land, a place which he is familiar with and comfortable, and go somewhere else. Where? Avraham wasn't even sure!

This was considered one of his 10 tests. Why was this a test? People do it all the time! I have friends who joined this program where you learn in Israel for two years and then they ship you off to a place where there aren't so many observant Jews. The goal is to be mikarev (bring close) those who aren't familiar with Jewish laws and customs, and help them work through it, step by step. --Yes, it's a little nerve-racking, but it's been done plenty of times! What was so special about this test?!

So I was thinking, the beauty of this test was to see what would be Avraham's emotional reaction to Hashem's request. Would Avraham be nervous to go [especially when he didn't know where he was going, or what kind of people would be there], scared, excited, stubborn, or easygoing?

Avraham did as Hashem asked from him, with out inquiring even once: "How long will it take? Who will be there? Is it safe?" He passed this test successfully. The reason was because he had all the emuna and bitachon (faith) in Hashem, so he didn't have to ask any questions. He knew that if Hashem sent him there, then it must good for him.

I lent someone a jar of coffee, and when they returned it, my daughter asks "What's this? I want." I told her, "You don't like it. Trust daddy." She says "I like it, I want". So I told her, "Trust daddy, Frida doesn't like this, it's yukee. I know what Frida likes." After I told her that, she said, "Ok, daddy," and walked away.

I was so proud of her, and I thought to my self, "Wow, she trusts me, it's so nice!". She knows that I wouldn't give her anything that wasn't good for her. She didn't need to taste the bitterness of the coffee to find out it wasn't good. She had faith in my words.

The lesson we should take from Parashas Lech Lecha, is for whenever something seems to be going wrong, and your day isn't as you planned. You might not know why it turned out that way, or how it is going to end up. Everything is done for a reason. Avraham didn't know where he was going; however, Hashem did. He sees the whole picture.

That should be our attitude towards Hashem. We shouldn't have to ask questions on Him. We should just accept that Hashem knows what's best for us. Hashem knows that even though we planned for something, it might not be good for us in the long run. Therefore, He steers our plans [and future] to another direction. Avraham understood that. He knew that no matter what came his way, he would be taken care of.

I pray for us all that we should do Hashem's will without asking any questions, and do His avodah (work) with Simcha (happiness)!

Have a wonderful shabbos!

Thank you for visiting,
Nisso