Strengthening Our Roots | Rabbi Yaakov Meir Solomon

We all know that Avraham Avinu faced ten great Nisyonos. And he, as the Mishna says in Avos, he passed them all with flying colors. As the Mishna says, It was due to his tremendous love of Hashem. We all are confronted by Nisyonos on a regular basis. As the Mesilas Yesharim explains, We're all faced with Nisyonos, whether it's in Shmiras Haeinayim, with guarding our eyes, or any other area. The Ramban in Parshas Vayeira comments and says a very deep idea, that the word Nisayon, which is loosely translated as ‘tests’, is not what we call a test, because Hashem is not giving us tests to determine our level. Hashem knows our level. But rather Nisyonos are there to build us, as a springboard to loftier, higher and holier levels. Similarly to the bodybuilder, who keeps adding weights in order to challenge himself, to build his muscles that much stronger, Nisyonos are Neshama-builders, that challenge us to help us rise to the next higher and loftier levels. About 20 years ago, there was an area in Lakewood that was built with beautiful, immaculate homes, of course, lined with shrubs and trees. It was truly breathtaking. A couple of years later, Hurricane Sandy rolled through new Jersey, and this area was not spared. With the torrential downpours and the extreme winds, it definitely did a lot of damage. When the dust settled, however, the residents noticed a fascinating point. Some of the shrubs and trees were totally uprooted, decimated, while others, which had been standing originally side by side of the other ones, stood still proud and steadfast. And it was extremely puzzling how come the outcome was so different with the same trees and shrubs that were planted at the same time? Experts were brought in to analyze the situation, and they came up with an unbelievable, unmistakable pattern. Those homeowners that had installed irrigation and sprinkler systems had their shrubs and trees totally annihilated, and the others, who let their trees rely on the rainwater, they survived the storm. And to explain it, they gave a profound understanding. Yes, those trees and shrubs that were provided with irrigation were luckier at the beginning, it was easy for them to get the water, but they never had to send their roots deep to search for water. When the storm came, they were no match for the winds. But those trees that were not provided with the irrigation, it was a struggle to find the water. The roots had to go deeper and deeper into the ground, till they found the water well. It was hard. But when those winds came, the storm of the hurricane, they were no match for these trees. This is an analogy for the Ramban’s point of what the Nisyonos are doing for us, and this should help us, empower us, that when we're confronted with the next Nisayon, realize this is your ticket and your catalyst to raise you loftier and holier and strengthen your bond to Hashem, deeper and closer than ever before.