Sunday, August 2, 2026

Limit to G-d's Testing

 I finally found  attempts to prove that there is a limit to G-d's test

The Ramban (Bereishis 22:01) notes that tests like the Akeida are done for the benefit of the testee

AND G-D TRIED ABRAHAM. The matter of “trial,” in my opinion, is as follows: Since a man’s deeds are at his absolute free command, to perform them or not to perform them at his will, on the part of one who is tried it is called “a trial.” But on the part of the One, blessed be He, who tries the person, it is a command that the one being tested should bring forth the matter from the potential into actuality so that he may be rewarded for a good deed, not for a good thought alone.

Know further that G-d trieth the righteous, for knowing that the righteous will do His will, He desires to make him even more upright, and so He commands him to undertake a test, but He does not try the wicked, who would not obey. Thus all trials in the Torah are for the good of the one who is being tried. 

Similarly it is argued from the fact that chastisements are done as a father chastises his child that obviously the test is bearable. 

Devarim (08:05) Bear in mind that the ETERNAL your God disciplines you just as a man disciplines his son.

Neither proves that a person will not be overwhelmed by the test

The gemora Berachos (32a) Moshe says to G-d that of course Jews sinned because G-d gave them too much gold.

What is the meaning of and Di Zahav? The Sages of the school of Rabbi Yannai said that Moses said the following before the Holy One, Blessed be He, to atone for Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf: Master of the Universe, because of the gold and silver that you lavished upon Israel during the exodus from Egypt until they said enough [dai]; it was this wealth that caused Israel to make the Golden Calf. 

Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: This is comparable to a person who had a son; he bathed him and anointed him with oil, fed him and gave him drink, and hung a purse of money around his neck. Then, he brought his son to the entrance of a brothel. What could the son do to avoid sinning?

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