“Ultimately, then, all of life is a test. However, there are times that G-d puts an individual through an especially difficult test (nisayon). In such a case, a person is placed in a situation where his devotion and faith are tested. G-d does not put a person to a difficult test unless He knows that the person will pass it. It is thus written, ‘G_d tests the righteous, but His spirit hates the wicked’ (Psalms 11:5). It is taught, ‘The potter does not tap vessels that are easily broken, but only vessels that are strong. G_d similarly does not test the wicked but the righteous’ (Bereshit Rabbah 32:3). Since G-d is omniscient, He has no need to test people to see what they will do. When He tests a person, it is to bring out his latent potential and allow him to express it in action (Kuzari 5:20). G-d therefore sometimes tests a person in order to reward him. This is because there is no reward for potential alone, as it is written, ‘Your work shall be rewarded’ (2 Chronicles 15:7). A...