I like to think of it as "opportunities for growth". The word "Nisayon" comes from the same Shoresh as the word "Nes" which literally means a flag. Just like the purpose of a miracle (Nes) is to demonstrate to the world Hashem's power, so too a Nisayon is meant to show us what we can aspire to. 

Potato Potahto

LifneiHashem wrote on 31 Mar 2017 10:16:


I always like the guys who are maaaarich on the inyon of ad'dilo yoda

stillgoing wrote on 02 Apr 2017 12:55:

This one calls it a learning experience. That one calls it a test. The other calls it an opportunity for growth. Aren't they all different words for the same or similar concepts? I read all the above interpretations and pretty much agree with them all & didn't see any contradiction. Why is it offensive to refer to it as a test? 
Now I fully agree that to proclaim that one has "passed the test" seems presumptuous and ego driven. After all, last I checked God hasn't spoken directly to anyone recently and told him his plans or what the "test" was. Sure maybe someone held back from p&m, but it's entirely possible the actual test/growth opportunity was to act with humility, and in that aspect the person could have failed/ missed the opportunity. 

LifneiHashem wrote on 02 Apr 2017 13:51:


Thanks for the explanation. I thought you were using the Opportunity to Test your spell check.

Either that, or looking for some variety in your pesach menus.

Life is all about opportunities for growth.

WhenI one looks at every trivial thin' that happens in his life as a "test" - "nisayon," that is ego-driven. "Oh, look at what God is throwin' at me now. He obviously likes My progress and He is sendin' Me specifically a curve ball to see how iI will react on My new level."

"My wife looked at Me funny."

"My friend hurt My feelin's."

"The neighbor poured sand on My tulips."

Yes, of course it's an opportunity, but let's not allow it (the "test") to get to our heads.

I get what you are saying about viewing everything  as a "test" and a means to "getting to the next level."
Would you agree that it's a good thing, ego aside, to train oneself to view life in terms of seeing Hashem's providence as much as possible? That instead of viewing things as coincidence or "the way it is", it's admirable to try to find hashgocha pratis in day to day life?

LifneiHashem wrote on 03 Apr 2017 13:28:

I'm a lust addict, not a mashgiach.

Ask someone qualified.

I am grateful that I see my Higher Power's hand in my life all the time. I don't think that one needs to see things as a test to achieve that.

Shlomo24 wrote on 03 Apr 2017 14:51:

Yes, this is the distinction I was trying to make. Its possible to misunderstand some posts on this thread to be rejecting this concept. 

cordnoy wrote on 03 Apr 2017 14:11:

Ouch, your biting comments are fun until it's me in the crosshairs.
i was doing poor job of making the point which Shlomo just stated so eloquently. 

LifneiHashem wrote on 03 Apr 2017 15:17:

II long for the day where I can say truthfully that I see God's Hands in my life.

For me it's the realization that without my perfectly planned life I would not be in there place that I am. Only he could have done that.

hi, i am a young teenager sucked into the terrible tumaah of this world. B"H i have been working hard to overcome the taayva. as a teenager myself i could testify that this taayva in this day and age is swarming in a yid if he wasnt careful with himself when he was younger as i know alotof people who,maybe wont say out right they have a problem but its known that they do. its been a year ive been working on myself and i stopped looking at things on the internet for about 8 months now however i find it hard to stop because the memorys are still in my head and i have a taveh to continue even without the websites. i cant go more than 7 days till ibreak again. Please if somenomne knows of a solution for me please let me know. This is the first time i opened up t people about it even though ive made tremendous progress by myself from what i used to be im afraid i need help

thanks