Small tidbits and Sparks of wisdom

Chapter 4 — Divine Assistance, Obstacles, and Judgment

Reason for what happens to an individual in this world, based on justice and recompense. The Highest Judge decreed that each individual’s deeds themselves result in God’s helping him, simplifying his task of achieving perfection and protecting him from possible stumbling blocks. This is the meaning of the verse (I Shmuel 2:9):

“[God] guards the feet of His pious ones.”

Even with regard to this, however, there are many degrees. True judgment may determine that God should help one individual just a little because of his previous deeds. The judgment of another individual may be that he should be helped more and that his attainment of perfection be made much easier. Still another may be worthy of the greatest possible help.

The same is true in the opposite case. Strict justice may require that one individual not be given any Divine help at all, but at the same time the attainment of perfection is not made any more difficult for him. In the case of another individual, the judgment may be that many barriers be placed in his path, making him need much effort and struggle to attain any perfection. Yet another person may be so wicked that all paths are closed off for him, so that he is totally cast aside in his wickedness.

Many other details can also come into play. Thus, when an individual is worthy, it may be decreed that he be successful in this world in order to help him serve God. All obstacles are then removed, making it much easier for him to attain the desired perfection.

As a result of his deeds, on the other hand, it may be decreed that losses and suffering confront him, making perfection all the more difficult to attain. In such a case overcoming these obstacles will require much struggle and effort, which he must then undertake to ultimately attain perfection.

This is also true of the wicked individual. It is possible that success be granted to him, opening the way of destruction through which he will ultimately be cast aside. It is also possible, however, that he be decreed to suffer, preventing him from fulfilling his evil intentions.

This often happens when the Highest Ruler decrees that for various reasons certain wicked acts not be accomplished. It is with regard to such a situation that David prayed (Tehillim 140:9):

“Grant not, O God, the desires of the wicked, allow them not their wicked plans.”

God does all this with unimaginable wisdom, accomplishing everything that is appropriate for the benefit of His handiwork. He knows the situation of each individual according to his true nature, and judges everyone accordingly.

Thus, for example, one who is in a state of prosperity and neglects his obligations is judged much more harshly than one who is in a distressed state and is prevented from living up to the standard by the pressures confronting him.

God judges each individual deed according to its circumstances, however, whether it is accidental or purposeful, whether it is forced or willful. For God knows the truth of all things, whether they be thoughts or deeds, and He judges them all according to their true nature.

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Chapter 5 — Suffering as a Call to Repentance

There is also another aspect involved in the general concept of suffering.

Suffering may come to an individual in order to make him examine his deeds and motivate him to repent.

This is particularly true in the case of a righteous person who may have committed a few sins, or in the case of an intermediate individual, whose sins are balanced by good deeds.

Such suffering, however, is not the same as that discussed earlier, which was an atonement for sin. What we are speaking of now are sufferings meant to motivate one and awaken his heart to repent.

Punishment was only created to exist in the absence of repentance.

What God truly desires is that man not sin in the first place, and if he does sin, that he should repent. If one does not repent, however, he can still be purified through these punishments and thus not be annihilated completely.

Suffering therefore initially comes to an individual to motivate him to repent. If this is not effective, then he must also undergo further suffering to cleanse him of his sins.

Regarding this, Elihu told Iyov (Iyov 36:10):

“[God] opens their ear to discipline, and bids them repent from sin.”