And G-d Tested Avraham...

Pirkei Avot tells us that Avraham was tested ten times and he passed them all. Those tests (usually called "tests of faith") span the two sedras of Lech L'cha and Vayeira. According to some reckonings, the first actually precedes Lech L'cha (the fiery furnace of Nimrod is counted by some) and/or follows Vayeira with theordeal of Sara's death and burial (counted by some, even though the Akeida is considered the ultimate test).

Whichever tests the Mishna is referring to, the point is that Avraham passed them all.

Did he really? He left Eretz Yisrael because of a famine. Was that the right thing to do? G-d had sent him (t)here and promised him great success and blessings... in the Land. Maybe he should have stayed and "toughed it out". Rambam says that we learn from Avraham's actions that one may leave Eretz Yisrael temporarily,in the face of severe famine. He implies, however, that leaving E. Yisrael is not the preferred choice of options. He points to Machlon and Kilyon in this context. Ramban is stong is his view that Avraham sinned greatly (albeit inadvertantly) by leaving the Land. Commentaries claim that because Avraham went down to Egyptin the face of the famine, his descendants ended up in Egypt, enslaved and oppressed.

It seems, then, that Avraham did not do so well in "handling" the "famine test". What does Avot mean that he passed them all?

Should Avraham have thrown Hagar and Yishmael out, or should he have come up with a better solution to the problem? Was Avraham's deal with Avimelech the proper course of conduct?

Maybe, maybe not. Irrelevant to the issue of "test of faith". Nothing that happened to Avraham caused him to question his belief and faith in G-d. Each trial could has caused Avraham to doubt. Caused him to turn his back on G-d. But none of the trials resulted in a weakening of Avraham's faith. He did not react to the faminewith, "Why have You forsaken me?". He chose to temporarily leave the Land. Maybe it was the right thing to do under the circumstances - maybe not. But his faith was unshaken. That earns him a passing grade.

We, the children of Avraham, are continually faced with "tests of faith", as individuals and as a community. Sometimes we handle our situations correctly, sometimes we don't. But we should never lose faith in G-d. We should have a solid commitment to the idea that "G-d knows what He is doing". When challenged in life, we should carefully consider our options and alternatives, pray for G-d's guidance and help, and then "go for it". If we succeed or fail, if we acted properly or not, those would be the issues of concern. But our faith in G-d must remain intact, and evengrow from our experiences. Then we will be the true progeny of Avraham Avinu.