In this week's parsha Lech Lecha, we read about the first (explicit) test that Avraham was faced with. G-d commanded him to leave his birth place and his dwelling, to go to a land that he "will be shown". In addition to the command, G-d also promises Avraham great blessing and success in his journey. In next week's parsha we will read about the famous test in which G-d commanded Avraham to take up his son to Mount Moriah and (seemingly) sacrifice him. Obviously both tests were difficult but it seems clear that the last test, the "binding of Yitzchak" was one of the most difficult if not the most difficult of all the tests. The test we read this week seems to pale in comparison. After all G-d promised him great success and no harm in his journey.

Nevertheless the Midrash compares these two tests and states that it isn't clear which one was a greater test. How are these two even comparable?

R Elimelech Biderman explained that even though the binding of Yitzchak was a big test, this was after many other tests. The test of "Lech lecha" though was the first test. It is the first test, the start of the process which is many times the most difficult. People who have tried dieting or breaking bad habits, will most probably agree that starting is much harder than staying on course. Whatever changes and improvements we need to make in our lives it is the first test, the start which is the most difficult.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath