Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Part 1: Understanding the Purpose of This World

In the first installment of our series, we’re tackling the enduring question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” We’ll start unraveling this age-old mystery, offering insights that we shall continue to explore in the upcoming articles. Get ready for a thoughtful exploration into an intricate topic. Join us as we dig into the complexities and seek understanding!

Let’s begin with a note of acknowledgment that no explanation can completely ease the hurt and pain that people may be going through. We want to make it clear that we are not attempting to downplay those emotions. Hashem designed us with the capacity to feel and placed us in a world that contains elements that can be challenging. It’s important to recognize that we’re not expected to suppress our feelings like robots, and it’s equally valid not to dismiss the reality that unfortunate events do occur.

Here, we will look at the first part of Rav Dessler’s answer to “Why do the righteous suffer?” which he lays out in Michtav MeEliyahu (Volume 1, Part 1).

Seeing Reality Through New Eyes

When addressing the inquiry of how it is fair that Hashem made people have to endure lives filled with difficulty and hardship, Rav Dessler deconstructs the question, exposing its inherent flaws. He explains (pp.81-82), “All this trouble arises only because we have incorrect notions about the function and significance of this world. If only we could reach the spiritual level which would enable us to see things as our Sages have taught us, our questions would disappear by themselves.” Therefore, prior to posing the question “Is this fair?” we must initially pause and examine the fundamental purpose of life and our objectives in this world. By doing so, we can begin to unravel the deep-seated assumptions that underlie our inquiries. Rav Dessler’s perspective challenges us to transcend our limited understanding and align our perceptions with a broader, spiritual comprehension of the world. In essence, he encourages a reevaluation of our perspective before questioning the fairness of life’s challenges.

This World is Like a Hallway

Rav Dessler then quotes the Mishna from Pirkei Avot (4:16), which says:

Our Rabbis have said, “This world is like a hallway, and the world to come is like a banquet hall; prepare yourself in the vestibule so that you may enter the banquet hall.” 

He explains that the ultimate purpose of the entire world, including our current existence (“this world”), is Olam HaBa, which is the ultimate goal set by Hashem as the purpose of all existence. 

With this perspective in mind, the challenges and difficulties we face in our current existence are akin to purposeful obstacles strategically placed on our path. Rather than mere hurdles, they are opportunities for personal growth, guiding us toward our ultimate goal, stepping stones in our journey of self-development that will lead us to a higher spiritual state and connection with Hashem. We can aspire to face challenges with resilience and a positive mindset while acknowledging that this is often easier said than done, and we can’t demand too much of ourselves.

Filling One’s Sack with Treasures

Rav Dessler then offers a wonderful mashal (analogy) to illustrate this point (pp.82-83):

The story is told of a savage who knew nothing of the value of gold, silver, or precious stones. As a reward for saving the king’s life, he is taken into the royal treasury, provided with a number of sacks, and told to fill them with whatever he sees on the shelves and take them to his home. The savage misunderstands the situation and is under the impression he is being punished by forced labor for some unknown wrongdoing. He starts working but soon notices that no one is watching. He promptly goes to sleep, and even when he wakes up, he works as slowly as possible. At the end of the day, his sacks are almost empty. When he is sent away with the sacks over his shoulder, he is pleased with himself. “If I had obeyed their orders,” he thinks, “I would have had to work hard all day and then had a lot of heavy sacks to carry.” But when he meets some of his more knowledgeable companions and tells them his story, he soon learns what a fool he has been. He realizes – too late- that he should have worked with a will during that one precious day when the treasure was his for the taking.

The mashal that Rav Dessler gives illustrates how our perspective and beliefs profoundly shape the way we perceive situations and the conclusions we draw. Similar to examining an isolated puzzle piece without knowing its contribution to the entire picture, we cannot fully understand the events of our lives without considering the broader context.

In the case of the savage, his lack of understanding about the royal reward leads him to interpret the opportunity as a punishment. This initial misunderstanding forms the foundation of his beliefs and colors his entire approach to the task. The savage’s perspective, in turn, influences his attitude, behavior, and the effort he puts into the task. Believing that he is being punished, he approaches the work with reluctance and laziness, as he sees it as an undesirable burden. This perspective ultimately leads to missed opportunities and a less-than-optimal outcome.

Even when things in this world might seem like hard toil, if we live our lives in accordance with Torah and strengthen our bitachon in Hashem along the way, in Olam HaBa, we will comprehend the genuine worth and ultimate outcome of our efforts. We will then be able to look back and see that what initially seemed like strenuous and unjust labor was actually a necessary exercise to reap the treasures that we can later enjoy.

The story highlights a broader truth about human cognition: our beliefs, expectations, and preconceptions shape our perceptions and interpretations of events. It suggests that our beliefs not only influence our interpretation of events but also play a crucial role in determining our responses and the ultimate results we achieve. 

Understanding Trials through the Lens of Faith

When we find ourselves in the midst of a challenging experience, it may not be the best moment to try to make sense of it. However, when we have a window of calm from such challenges, we can take a step back and reflect. At times, what may seem challenging or difficult is based on a misunderstanding, and a shift in perspective could reveal a more positive or rewarding aspect of the situation. 

Even when things in this world might seem like hard toil, if we live our lives in accordance with Torah and strengthen our bitachon in Hashem along the way, in Olam HaBa, we will comprehend the genuine worth and ultimate outcome of our efforts. We will then be able to look back and see that what initially seemed like strenuous and unjust labor was actually a necessary exercise to reap the treasures that we can later enjoy.

Therefore, in answer to the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” often, our perception of what constitutes “bad” is based on distorted and uninformed reasoning about the situation we’re in and why. We need to strike the balance between having compassion on ourselves while still trying to grow from the situations that we find ourselves in.

To be continued in the next part of this series!