D'var Torah: "And Avraham raised his eyes and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns" (Bereisheit 22:13). The "Binding of Yitzchak" holds many secrets and mysteries. After the angel told Avraham to spare Yitzchak, a ram starting running in Avraham's direction. HaShem had created this ram in the six days of creation, to serve as a substitute offering for Yitzchak. Satan grasped it and entangled amongst the brush. Avraham stepped forward to release the ram and sacrificed it in place of Yitzchak. HaShem allowed Satan to interfere at such a critical moment as a further challenge to Avraham. Nevertheless, HaShem did not make the retrieval of the ram beyond Avraham's power. It was a few steps away, not on the other side of the wilderness. We learn from here two important principles. Firstly, always be pepared for tests. Secondly, the tests that HaShem sends are always custom made with our ability to master over them.
Moral: Just as HaShem oversees the events of our lives, he also supervises the tests that come our way. No matter how demanding it seems, every test is something we can overcome.
Application: Envision Avraham looking up and seeing the ram caught in the thicket. Notice how Avraham keeps calm as he steps forward and grasps the ram. Keep your calm by Internalizing the lesson that every test is custom made for you to pass. Go forward with confidence and trust in HaShem that you will overcome every challenge.
