Question: In the well-known story of Job, human suffering is described, which to a greater or lesser degree touches each one of us.  Job was (Job 1:1): …whole-hearted and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil. And in spite of it all, troubles fell upon him one after another.

In the end, the bitterest news arrived that a powerful storm had destroyed his house and his ten children were all killed. When he heard about these events, Following this event, Job stated (Job 1:21):…naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. The first question that pops up for each one of us is, “Was this fate?”

Answer: There are no accidents. There are forces of nature that act on and influence all parts of creation and on all creatures in general, and on separate parts of substances and on substances in general. You can relate to them however you want, but first of all, you conclude that this is not just blind fate but a process that passes through the whole of creation and includes you.

Unlike the natures of the still, vegetative, and animate, we have the ability, with the help of unity and connection between us, of attaining such a common bond, thanks to which we stop being the harmful part of nature. Through this, we neutralize the bad developments. And the same development that must exist will pass over us in the right direction.

Question: It follows that the freedom that is given to us is expressed in a change in attitude to what is happening?

Answer: This is not just an internal attitude, but rather it is also an action. All of nature is united. And humanity within this nature has become a negative factor, since disagreements rip us apart, with each one building himself at the expense of others; we hate each other, distance ourselves from everyone, and we fight all the time.

It follows that in all of nature, only we are harmful, and so all kinds of disasters happen to us. If we were to continue to connect with unity, agreement, cooperation, and Arvut (mutual guarantee), then certainly we would accept the forces that develop us in a positive manner. Freedom is given to us for this.

Question: Why specifically Job, who was “whole-hearted and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil” is the one who received blows, becoming the symbol for human suffering for all generations?

Answer: If we ask the people who surround us, then everyone will tell you that they are wholehearted and upright, like Job. “I am evil? No way! I am a decent and loyal citizen!” That is how each one of us relates to himself. Nobody feels the general imbalance! “As for me, the whole world should burn, the main thing is that it will be good for me; I won’t feel this. I am ready to be on an isolated island in the heart of the ocean of the burning world, and nothing concerns me.”

That is what Job also thought: “Thank God, I have everything, so it is okay.” He was whole-hearted and upright when it was good for him, and when it became bad, he also thanked the Creator: “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!”  Ultimately he perceives what is happening as the action of the higher power which he cannot influence in any way. I would say that he is portrayed as a fool. He agrees with what was and with whatever there is, but he himself doesn’t do anything.

I think that the same thing is happening today with people. Ask anyone: “Is there a crisis?” Yes. “Is there climate change?” Yes. “Is it true that this is dangerous?” Yes. Everyone sees that there is no work, people are sick, couples divorce, and children live on the street. All this is true, but thank God! Why “Thank God?” And where are you? How are you “whole-hearted and upright”? “Thank God.”Is this your attitude?  That is how it must be? So the suffering continues so that people will change their attitude towards life.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 5/28/14

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A Person’s Inclination Is Evil From His Youth

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