#5 Leap Across the Cliff

It’s interesting; since I’ve started this group, I see that Hashem is guiding me with which topics to discuss. I was trying to find a specific class on TorahAnytime by Rabbi Jonathan Rietti. Instead, I came across a totally different one by Rabbi Akiva Tatz on the topic of nisyonos. Now, there are many speeches on this subject, but this one had a completely different approach. It was fresh, different, & beautiful, and so I decided to share it with all of you.

Rabbi Tatz began with a few questions. 1. Why does Hashem test people?

2. Why does He test people if He knows beforehand exactly what they’re capable of doing?

3. Why is the word nisayon based on the word nes? Nes means a miracle, among other things. What’s miraculous about a test?

If a test is given at your level, but you can succeed (although it may be very difficult), it’s not miraculous! If it’s pitched above your level, then success would be miraculous! But how would you succeed if it is above your level?

1. The Rambam says that Hashem tests people in order so they can be a teacher for others. Avraham Aveinu went through 10 public nisyonos; none were private so that he could be a teacher for others.

2. The Ramban says that Hashem is not testing you so that He can see what you’re capable of. He’s testing you so that YOU can find out what YOU’RE capable of! For you to bring out your potential, not that Hashem needs to know it, you do!

But that doesn’t answer the question of why it is called a nisayon- a miracle. What’s miraculous about a nisayon?

Rabbi Moshe Shapiro ZT"L used to say that a test is not merely an invitation for you to reach your maximum level; it is an invitation to reach something more than that. Under normal circumstances, you can reach a certain level. Under emotional pressure, you will achieve unprecedented things, but not impossible things.

A nisayon is an invitation to achieve that and more. Hashem invites you to achieve what you can and guarantees to carry you across the extra. That’s the miracle! You walk up to the cliff's edge, and Hashem says, “Please leap!” And you say, “Hashem, it’s ten steps across! I’m only capable of nine!” And Hashem says, “Right. You do nine, and I’ll carry you across the tenth!” And the result is that before you’re tested, you’re a 9-step person. But, when you leap across the tenth, and He carries you, you become a 10-step person! And then Hashem says, “Well done. Now let’s try eleven!”

Therefore, the purpose of nisyonos is to raise you to a previously impossible level, not just to bring out what you’re capable of!

And that’s why nisyonos seem so difficult. They essentially are impossible, but not for Him! Therefore, when you raise yourself to the max and leap that impossible leap, with the courage of full assertion of self and total negation of ego, “I can’t do this without you, Hashem,” you get carried across the extra.

The result is you achieve not merely an unrealized potential; you gain more potential! And so, although sometimes nisyonos can appear to be impossible, really, they’re an invitation to leap into the impossible, full courage, full knowledge, knowing that you can do what you can do; there is an amount which you cannot do, but you will be carried through. The result is miraculous. You end up needing Hashem to carry you across, and Hashem needs you to demonstrate Him to the world. That’s the partnership that is forged!