Many a theological mystery has vexed scholars over the ages, but the average person loses no sleep on account of these enigmas. On the other hand, there is
hardly a person who hasn't been bothered by the fact that G-d allowed the atrocities of the Holocaust to be perpetrated against so many innocent men, women and children. The question would be valid no matter the identity of the victims of such unspeakable cruelty; but it is amplified considering that the victims were G-d's beloved chosen nation, His treasured people who had remained fiercely faithful to Him despite millenniums of degradation and persecution.
While the Holocaust is one of the most glaring examples of unfathomable suffering inflicted against guiltless victims, we are faced with similar
questions on a daily basis: Why do the righteous suffer? Why does G-d allow innocent children to be abused? Can there be a rationale behind 9/11? Where has
G-d been while His children have been scorned, exiled, persecuted and massacred for the past 2000 years?
King Solomon writes (Ecclesiastes 2:13): "I have seen that wisdom has an
advantage when coming from folly, as the advantage of light which emanates from
darkness." Based on this adage, the mystics have explained that the greater the
darkness, all the more intense is the light which follows. This can be compared
to the greater appreciation for sight experienced by a hitherto blind person
whose eyesight has been restored, or to a rubber band which the further back it
is stretched, the greater the distance it will fly. Thus, the intense darkness
our nation has endured will be followed by a brilliant era which we will savor
all the more. In a similar vein, philosophers attempt to explain personal
suffering. They are meant to toughen and sensitize the person who undergoes the
challenges. "For a small moment have I forsaken you, and with great mercy will I
gather you" (Isaiah 54:7).
But is this answer satisfactory? Can this "convenient" explanation justify
all the suffering? G-d created everything, including all the rules of nature and
logic. Could He not have created a world wherein peace, harmony and light can be
fully appreciated even when not preceded by the opposite? Could He not have
devised ways for people to attain personal refinement without the suffering and
pain? Why does our all-benevolent Father subject His children to unimaginable
pain and suffering simply to comply with "rules" which He Himself conceived --
and certainly has the ability to change and/or manipulate?
Following this reasoning, absolutely no explanation for the Holocaust will
hold water. Even to say that there is some profound reason which only the
infinite mind of the omnipotent Creator can fathom, isn't sufficient. Precisely
because of His omnipotence, infinity, and lack of limitations, He could have
orchestrated that any positive consequences these tragedies were intended to
beget should be begotten through other, non-painful, means.
In other words, it's not that we are too small-minded and limited to
understand the reason for suffering; there seemingly cannot be any
adequate explanation!
Yet, despite this all we believe with perfect faith that G-d is kind and good
and all that He does is kindness. Although it makes no sense to us whatsoever,
we stubbornly cling to the belief that "G-d is faithful and without injustice;
He is righteous and upright."
We are told (Isaiah 12:1): "And you shall say on that day [of the Messianic
redemption], 'I thank You, O L-rd, for You were wrathful with me!'" The day will
soon come when we will be able to appreciate how all which has transpired was
pure kindness.
But until that day, G-d doesn't want us to understand His mysterious ways.
Pain is manageable when one understands that there is good reason for the
suffering. Pain is unmanageable when it seems to be random and unjustified. If
we were to understand why we suffer, or even if we could logically surmise that
there is a reason which is beyond our comprehension, then it wouldn't hurt so
much. And G-d wants us to cry to Him from the very depths of our hearts: "For
Your salvation, A-lmighty we yearn!" He doesn’t want us to rationalize
suffering; He wants us to demand the Redemption.
Brothers and sisters, enough is enough. Let us turn to G-d and insist that He
bring an end to all suffering. That's what we want, and that's what G-d wants.
Based on a public address by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe's voice
trembled with emotion as these words emanated from the depths of his holy heart.
