Summary: <p>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.</p> <p>First question, what character in the Hebrew Bible is most associated with blessing? The word blessing, <em>berakhah</em>, is prominently and repeatedly associated with his story?</p> <p>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?</p> <p>The answer to the first question is…Abraham.</p> <p>The answer to the second question is…Abraham.</p> <p>The answer to both questions is Abraham. The blessed one is also the tested one. The tested one is also the blessed one.</p> <p>Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website <a href="https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/the-tested-one-is-also-the-blessed-one/">https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/the-tested-one-is-also-the-blessed-one/</a></p>