If you were put to a test and you kept yourself from sinning, do not boast of it saying, “I withstood the test.”¹, ed. Horeb, Genesis, Chapter LII, p. 110. Perhaps your forefathers came to the same test and did not sin and they asked of the Holy One, blessed be He, that when their sons come to the same test they be given the power to keep from sinning,² ed. Horeb, Leviticus, Chapter XXXII, p. 88. for it is said, “God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering my son etc.… and Abraham called the name of that place Adonaijireh”³ (Gen. 22:8-15). His children will be slaughtered in Sanctification of the Name and burnt like Isaac.⁴ You should bless the Holy One because he strengthened you over your inclination, and gave you a heart to be victorious over your evil inclination,⁵ for it is said, “God left him to try him” (II Chron. 32:31). “Left him,” from this it is apparent that all is in His hand. For this reason David entreated Him, for it is said, “Make one my heart to fear Thy name” (Ps. 86:11), and it is written, “And renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:12).

footnotes: ¹ Midrash Rabbah ² Midrash Rabbah, ³ See Perush. ⁴ And do not sin. ⁵ Kiddushin 30b.