[Avodah] challenges

[Micha Berger]

On Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 05:42:18AM +0200, Joel Rich via Avodah wrote:
> "Nobody is ever given a challenge that they can't succeed" is an oft stated
> hashkafic point. Do you agree? Does it mean that one can always overcome
> the temptation to sin? Discuss.

People end up in the psych ward. Clearly they were given challenges they
couldn't handle.

I think it is generally ends up a platitude designed to redefine
"success". Point out a counterexample, and the advocate will say,
"But maybe their life needed... and so they really succeeded. Even if
it didn't feel that way to them or seem to make them happier."


As for challenges of temptation to sin in particular:

Oneis Rachmana patrei and tinoq shenishba says there are times when a
challenge is indeed too hard, and the person isn't held accountable. Or to
look at it another way: the very definition of sin and being challenged
with temptation to sin has the opportunity for success baked in. Without
such opportunity, is there a "sin" or the temptation qualify as a
"challenge"?

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger                 The greatest discovery of all time is that
http://www.aishdas.org/asp   a person can change their future
Author: Widen Your Tent      by merely changing their attitude.
- https://amzn.to/2JRxnDF                 - Oprah Winfrey