Wednesday, October 03, 2007


The Gemora (Kesuvos 33a - b)asks: How do we know that the death penalty is more severe; perhaps receiving lashes is more severe, for Rav had said: Of they would have whipped Chananya, Mishael and Azaryah, they would have succumbed and served the idol!?

Reb Bunim from Parshischa said: The reason that they weren’t tested by means of whipping is because the Holy One, Blessed is He does not test anyone beyond his ability. Every test is given according to that particular person’s individual strength. This should serve as a tremendous chizuk for a person. If he is being tested; it is clear that he has the innate strength to overcome it.

Reb Baruch Sorotzkin, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva once told this over to a woman who was being severely tested. Reb Mottel Gifter, also a Rosh Yeshiva in Telz was on the phone at the same time, and he said emphatically, “Baruch, it’s easy for you to say!”

Yes, it’s easy to say, but if it would be easy to hear as well, it wouldn’t be a test. Hashem should give us all the strength to overcome whatever our test might be.

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