Podcasts religion From the Bimah: Jewish Lessons for Life Shabbat Sermon: The Tested One is Also the Blessed One with Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz

Shabbat Sermon: The Tested One is Also the Blessed One with Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz

Published: Nov. 16, 2019, 3 p.m.

I want to play a new game with you this morning, Jewish trivial pursuit.  I am going to ask you two simple questions about the Hebrew Bible, and the winner gets a free bagel at kiddush this morning.

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First question, what character in the Hebrew Bible is most associated with blessing?  The word blessing, berakhah, is prominently and repeatedly associated with his story?

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Second question, what character in the Hebrew Bible, more than any other, is tested?  This character is tested so frequently, and so painfully, that there is a midrash speaking to the ten tests, or ten trials, or ten ordeals, of this character?

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The answer to the first question is\u2026Abraham.

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The answer to the second question is\u2026Abraham.

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The answer to both questions is Abraham.  The blessed one is also the tested one.  The tested one is also the blessed one.

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Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/the-tested-one-is-also-the-blessed-one/