Suffering Part 3

The Book of Job is one of the most important, yet most perplexing, in the Bible. It negates the "vending machine" theory of religion; put in the coin, and the candy bar comes out. A person's happiness in this world is not always commensurate with his deeds. Job doesn't teach us WHY this is so, but does indicate that we have a very limited perspective. Before I begin, I wish to point out that the classical English translations of Job tone down the language of the narrative, as the translators felt that it was often disrespectful to G-d. Hence, we get the expression "the patience of Job". Job was anything but patient. His belief in G-d was solid, yet he felt that G-d was treating him unjustly, and he wanted to tell him so!
The Book opens with a picture of a man blessed with wealth, sons and daughters, the respect of his community. We are not told in the book if he was an Israelite or not, or when he lived. There are various views in the Talmud, including that the entire story is an allegory. But it is in any case a lesson for all. Job is scrupulous in his service of G-d. We are told that "on a day" (Jewish tradition says that whenever that expression is used, it means Rosh Hashanah), the angels appeared before G-d. The "adversary", the accusing angel, appears among them.G-d asks him where he's been. "Wandering the Earth" is the reply. "Ah, did you see my servant, Job?" "Job? Why shouldn't he serve you? He has everything.Take away all that he has, and he will curse you!" G-d accepts the challenge. In one day, his possessions and servants are stolen or killed. His sons and daughters, enjoying a feast together, are killed when an unexpected wind hits the house and knocks it down. Job's reaction? "The L-rd gives, the L-rd takes, blessed is the name of the L-rd." Again (presumably the following year) there is another assembly. "Do you see? I hurt him for nothing!" says G-d. The adversary says "That's because you didn't hurt him personally. Strike him, and he will curse you!" Job develops sores all over his body. He must bury himself in earth up to his neck, as the air is too painful for him to bear. He curses not G-d, but his own birth. His wife advises "Curse G-d and die!" He says no, I believe in G-d". His friends come to comfort him. With friends like that, one doesn't need enemies. For many chapters, they tell him that they know he must be wicked, or G-d would not do this. He protests his innocence, much to his friends' chagrin, and says he believes in G-d, but G-d is acting unjustly. If only He'd show Himself, he would rebuke Him! Finally G-d speaks to them with amazingly beautiful poetry.  "Where were you when I made the world, when I carved out the sea? Did you ever see the mountain goats give birth? Did you tend them and help them?" G-d goes on to describe the awesome mysteries of life and creation, telling them that they know NOTHING. G-d tells Job to pray for his friends, as they deserve to die for having tormented him, despite the fact that they were pleading G-d's righteousness and judgment.. He also rebukes Job for having considered himself more full of  justice than G-d Himself. The message is clear: Humans. you simply don't know the score! Job's wealth is not only returned, but multiplied. He has more children, including the most beautiful daughters in the world. He lives a long and happy life after this.
The first part is the most perplexing. Was it a petty bet? This is inconceivable. Was G-d attempting to divert the "adversary" from other, bigger goings on? This is definitely suggested.  This is an angle accepted by many. Or was this  the inner workings of G-d's attribute of stern Judgment? We can only speculate. We cannot know G-d;s "inner life". We don't even fully know our own! What  the clear message is, is  that we don't see the full picture, and must accept that our lives, and even our sufferings, have meaning beyond that which we see. Again, this is not an explanation, but a paradigm of life based on faith. We also see the great danger of judging people harshly when misfortune strikes.. All too often, one hears "He/She must have done something terrible to have this befall them". These people do not have the faintest grasp of Judaism, and are inviting Heavenly punishment upon themselves. The Book of Job teaches us tolerance, and awe at the great mysteries. Suffering is often part of the human condition.