Another matter, “the Lord tests the righteous” – this refers to Abraham.4As opposed to righteous people in general. “It was after these matters, God tested Abraham.” Rabbi Avun began: “Since governance is by the king’s word, and who can say to him: What are you doing?” (Ecclesiastes 8:4). Rabbi Avin said: This is analogous to a master who commands his disciple and says to him: “You shall not distort judgment” (Deuteronomy 16:19), but he himself distorts judgment; “you shall not show preference” (Deuteronomy 16:19), but he himself shows preference; “you shall not take a bribe” (Deuteronomy 16:19), but he himself takes a bribe; do not lend with usury, but he himself lends with usury.
His disciple said to him: ‘My master, you say to me: Do not lend with usury, yet you lend with usury.5And similarly regarding the other apparent improprieties committed by the master. Is it permitted for you and prohibited for me?’ He said to him: ‘I am telling you: Do not lend with usury to an Israelite, but you may lend with usury to an idolater, as it is written: “To a stranger you may lend with interest but to your brother do not lend with interest”’ (Deuteronomy 23:21).6And similarly regarding the other actions of the master.
In each case there was a logical explanation for his deeds. So, Israel said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, You wrote in Your Torah: “You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge” (Leviticus 19:18), yet You take revenge and You bear a grudge, as it is stated: “The Lord is vengeful and full of wrath; the Lord is vengeful to His foes, and bears a grudge against His enemies”’ (Nahum 1:2).
The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘I wrote in the Torah: “You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the members of your people” (Leviticus 19:18), but I take revenge and I bear a grudge against idolaters: “Take the vengeance of the children of Israel [upon the Midyanites]” (Numbers 31:2). [Similarly, it is stated:] “You shall not test the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:16) – yet “God tested Abraham.”