Rabbeinu Chaim continued—how is it that in every generation we find Jews who suffer so terribly, from famine and all types of pain, and do not turn their backs on Hashem?

My father z”l always told the famous story of the Satmar Rav who was leaving a certain neighborhood. One of his chasidim asked him, “If you leave, who will we go to for brachos (to be blessed)?” The Satmar Rav answered, “Walk into any shul. If you find someone with a number tattooed on his arm and he still prays in shul—he is someone who can give brachos.”

When I was a child, I had “godparents,” Mr. and Mrs. Heimowitz z”l. They were an older European couple with no children. I became “theirs.” Whenever I had a birthday party, Mr. and Mrs. Heimowitz were there. A few years after they died, I asked my father if they ever had children. My father then told me their story.

They were married and had three little children before World War II. The Germans sent the entire family to a concentration camp. At the camp, the Nazis lined up the three small children in front of their mother (Mrs. Heimowitz) and told her, “Choose which child you want to live. The other two will be killed immediately.” Mrs. Heimowitz fainted. Upon awakening, she found her three children lying on the floor, dead. Mr. and Mrs. Heimowitz both survived the war and never had any other children. They lived in Baltimore and I became “their child.” Mrs. Heimowitz used to say, “Today my son would have been thirty . . .” My father continued, the Heimowitzes had many reasons to complain about Hashem. They could have been angry at Him and forsaken Yiddishkeit. Yet they kept Shabbos, they kept kosher, and Mr. Heimowitz put tefillin on every day and went to shul. They were such simple people. Yet they reached such a high level in Avodas Hashem (serving Hashem). Who among us can reach such heights? From them one should ask for brachos.

When a person goes through a major nisayon, a major test from Hashem—a test of emuna, he has a choice. He can be angry with Hashem, or he can strengthen himself in emuna and actually raise his level of Avodas Hashem. He can pass the test with flying colors. He can become someone who is worthy of giving brachos.

Such people, according to Rabbeinu Chaim, are following their natural instincts. Avraham Avinu was tested time after time. He overcame famine and he was even asked to sacrifice his own beloved son. Yet, throughout, he never once rebelled against Hashem. This is the strength that we inherited from our fathers.

What about those Jews who do not withstand the pressure? Those who are unable to continue living a life of faith in Hashem despite adversity, who are unable to sacrifice themselves for their beliefs? They are certainly Jews, says Rav Dessler. But they have broken the natural link with the Avos within themselves.

Now we can better understand the concept of Z’chus Avos. Rav Dessler continues with a parable. Two thieves come before a judge. One thief grew up in a very respectable home. His family and friends are outstanding members of the community. However, he became friendly with the wrong person who influenced him to steal. The judge’s verdict: “Go home where you will be under the influence of your parents. You will certainly learn your lesson and follow the proper path in life.”

The second thief grew up in a broken home. His father spent more time in jail than at home. His brothers were drug addicts. Sending him home will only encourage him to continue in his evil ways. The judge has no choice but to put him in jail.

Hashem does not desire to punish the sinner. Rather, He wants him to repent. We are all children of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. The great character traits that they acquired are implanted within us. When we ask Hashem to remember our fathers, to enact Z’chus Avos and have mercy on us, we are really saying that we have what it takes within us to repent without His punishments. We are telling Hashem, “We are the children of Avraham Avinu! What they have accomplished is part of our nature. There is no need to punish us. We will use the strength we inherited from the Avos and turn ourselves around.”

Avraham Avinu stood up to the world and announced, “I am different.” While the whole world was busy worshipping idols, Avraham was preaching monotheism. To Avraham, it didn’t matter what others thought of him. He knew the truth, and he lived it. Period.

This, too, was Nancy’s secret. Nancy was a daughter of Avraham Avinu. Thousands of years later, living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Nancy reached within herself and found her connection to her father, Avraham Avinu. Many Jews broke that link. Not Nancy. Her friends’ thoughts were important to her—but not at the expense of her beliefs. Nancy knew the truth and lived it. Peer pressure simply did not exist when it came to Shabbos and Kashrus.

“No means no!” Spoken like a true daughter of Avraham Avinu.