In the previous post Want to cyber-eavesdrop? you got a glimpse of a commentary that went progressively nasty; we now feature a different kind of commentary where bloggers were much more respectful of one another, even if they did not agree with the article nor with each other’s opinion. As we have repeatedly stressed, often the comments left by readers are just as interesting as the posts.
But first, here are excerpts from the article featured in chabad.org., please read the complete post at [http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/35871/jewish/What-is-G-ds-Answer.htm]. You may read the commentary there or return here and when you do, please remember to start reading from the bottom upward. Excerpts:
- “Truth” is that which is consistent and unchanging, the core reality of a thing that remains unaffected by all external circumstances.
- Often, a person who calmly accepts the painful realities of life is described as “taking it philosophically,” while one who agonizes over his own or others’ troubles is seen as “being emotional.” Behind these categorizations is the notion that, in purely rational terms, the cause, or even need, for human suffering can be explained. On the other hand — goes this line of thinking — a person with a sensitive heart will not accept any rationalization of evil, however undeniable its logic.
- It is true that logical explanations for evil and suffering have been presented by a succession of philosophers and theologians. For example, it is proposed that suffering refines the human being, teaching him compassion and sensitivity. It has also been explained that there is no greater satisfaction than the overcoming of adversity and no greater pleasure than the conquest of pain. The philosophical mind can also appreciate that a persons finest and most potent abilities are unleashed only under conditions of challenge and trial. Finally, there can be no denying the axiom that without a truly free choice between good and evil, nothing we do could possibly be of any significance.
- These explanations are all valid, in their way; . . . But when they are approached from a purely rational standpoint, the mind of the believer will not be satisfied by any of them. Because after all is said and done, after each of these explanations is examined and the questions that can be asked on them are posed and resolved, there remains one final question: Why must it be this way?
- This perfectly logical question has no logical answer. Thus, the mind of the believer will never accept the “necessity” for evil and pain.
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson; adapted by Yanki Tauber.
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RESPONSES TO THE ARTICLE: [Please read from the bottom and go upward, taking note of the dates, starting from 2006].
January 14, 2013
RE Reading this very deep subject in the early morning hours
It is a misty day here, and as the fog lifts, so does everything have a different clarity, and so it is, in life and in this piece of writing. I am doing a profound walk across languages so I see in the very words written here, the subject matter, as I deconstruct language, and it deconstructs in ways that are gifted to me. This is not a game, and what I have written over the years on Chabad is what I am supposed to be doing, as you are doing your part in a cosmic dance, that will culminate in a Promise.I never thought this would be part of my life, and yet, now, going down the years, I see how the threads, that bind me, to the circumstances and story, my story, connect to a greater whole, as if, the entire story, was pre scripted. I am saying you too. A prescription is for well ness, and I am saying the profound metaphoric connects within life, are telling a story, that is deep, that could be, beautiful, and a new but old truth. As why is to Y is to man, hands outstretched.
ruth housman
marshfield hills, ma
marshfield hills, ma
January 12, 2013
What is the answer, Richard WA
Blessings. I don’t agree with you. Only good comes from G-d so we credit Him when things are good, meaning we are not sinning and so everything is well including nature. when we sin, we affect our surroundings. When there is judgement in Heaven on us, so it is on earth. Look at the world around us, and see the worse than sodom and gomorrah behaviour. The animals seem to behave more morally than us, and when the fault is all ours, what is there to blame G-d. Let’s look within ourselves and we will surely know our own deficiencies.
Anonymous
SE Asia
SE Asia
January 7, 2013
Mind over the heart
On the path of conversion from christianity, having the mind rule the heart is quite a switch.It’s like trying to drive on the left side of the road when you’re used to driving on the right. Everything has to change; your orientation, the hand you change the gear stick, most difficult is how you negotiate bends.Slowly getting used to the switch. No accidents so far. Not to worry. Car and driver are insured. Blessed be He!
Fatu
Samoa
Samoa
January 17, 2011
for Mark
You are probably “on the mark” here but I am unsure what you mean by being righteous, and then unrighteous. Sometimes one gets a sense of something but it’s good to define such terms. Doing right can be a relative term as there is a morality of ethics that lies in the gray areas, and no one really can say for another in these cases, which is right, and which wrong but the angst is in that decision point.The joy from doing good deeds could be independent of faith. If faith is predicated on good deeds then of course you are right.
But is it?
But is it?
ruth Housman
marshfield hills, MA
marshfield hills, MA
January 17, 2011
G-d existed before us and after us, too.
to Ruth above; ponder on these pearls to find Truth. When you are righteous your faith is elevated and when you are unrighteous your faith oscillates. Can we concur then, for our faith to grow we must at all times be doing right and not wrong! Finally! Opposites balance and affirm their differences, but dichotomies must first be tested.
mark alcock
Dbn, za
Dbn, za
January 16, 2011
evil
so far the most satisfying explanation of a difficult to accept subject
henoch
elmont, ny
elmont, ny
January 4, 2011
Classical Jewish life ,philosophy and thought !
Is at its best when interpreted simply , even for a child to understand ,so the seeds of wisdom might grow to fulfill his Jewish heritage and reach his final pre-ordained destiny .
mark alcock
Durban, ZA
Durban, ZA
January 2, 2011
justice
I want to respond to Anonymous, directly above, because you ask the deepest, most profound question of all. I think this question has caused so many to question the existence of G_d. Yes, I see this dichotomy in thinking, and that the miracles are attributed to the Divine but not the sad parts, the terrible, the agony. For me, it’s not possible to separate out these two threads.Since I deeply do believe, and in fact for me, I feel my faith is based on deep knowledge there is a G_d, then I have to challenge myself to comprehend this split, because I am human like you, and it’s very painful to think about God in terms of the sorrow and the worst calamities being also part of God’s justice.I do deeply believe there is a story that surrounds the individual and collective stories, and that this story, once revealed, will illuminate all of this. Perhaps this is an apocalyptic feeling, about redemption and a messianic future.I do know all opposites do deeply fold together.
ruth housman
marshfield hills, ma
marshfield hills, ma
January 1, 2011
What is the answer?
When I think about God’s justice, I think about all the innocent and pious Jews who suffered and died at the hands of the nazis, as well as innocent gentiles. Also, lost to history it seems, is the atrocities against Jews committed by the communists of the Soviet Union. It seems to me that we give God credit when it all goes well, and absolve him from blame when evil is manifest.
Anonymous
Richland, WA
Richland, WA
December 28, 2010
how belief takes root/takes its routes
Many children learn as they grow, about G_d through their parents, and this may reinforce an inborn knowledge of the existence of Deity. But many children are also taught to doubt by their parents as a child’s first gods are their parents and they do believe, often, without thinking what they are told.There are different ways to achieve a belief in God, and of course some never do. We have agnostics and atheists in this world.In my opinion, the deepest of journeys involves a person who questions the absolute belief in Divinity which they have been taught or not taught, and the journey of arrival is one that takes them very far, into the depths of a personal spirituality that then informs their entire life, going down all the years.There are different ways of knowing, different routes to knowing, but perhaps, the most enlightened of all, are those who take the journey from doubt or unbelief towards the Absolute. They are Unshakeable and affirm the journey!
ruth housman
marshfield hills, MA
marshfield hills, MA
May 3, 2008
Which Sicha?
חלק ג’ פרשת וארא, חלק ל”א פרשת וארא א
This is from a reader, and not the writer.
I’m still looking for the source of the answer to why Rashi says וארא אל האבות.
This is from a reader, and not the writer.
I’m still looking for the source of the answer to why Rashi says וארא אל האבות.
Chavi
January 4, 2008
Commentary on Parshah of Vaeira
The article “What is G-d’s Answer?” helped me to understand the relationship between the Torah portion and my own spiritual quest. Thank you so much for making this beautiful material available!I like the Hassidic teachings so much; it is a pity you still maintain the antiquated patriarchal attitudes and taboos about women. But for that, I would participate so much more.
Anonymous
December 29, 2007
thanks
which sicha is this based on?
Dovid Usiskin
Brooklyn, United States
Brooklyn, United States
January 23, 2006
Thank you for the beautiful discussion on this weeks parsha. It waas timeley and appropriate for my life and will be used as part of a Dvar Torah this week.
Ed Mazr
chabadcenter.com
chabadcenter.com
January 22, 2006
Your site is just amazing. If someone wants to say chitas easily, with no difficulty–they definitaly know were to turn. If someone wants to learn about the Parsha, learn some Sichos, or just get inspired, they just turn to Chabad.org. If kids want to play some Jewish games, They know exaclty what site to go on, and if someone wants to learn about Yiddishkeit, there is only one good website available.I would just like to take this oppertunity, to thank you wholeheartedly for eveything youve done for the whole Jewish community worldwide as a whole and for eme especially.Thank you, again and may your wonderful site just go from strength to strength.
Anonymous
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