Parshah Musings
The Believer's Complaint

A Jew's relationship to his maker is not based on a few hours of distant veneration followed by benign disregard for the rest of the week. We confide in G-d, constantly talk with (and at) Him, bargain with Him and, after all that, kvetch when things seem to be wrong.

To believe in G-d is to accept that everything has reason and purpose. Although often we may be flummoxed by what appears to be the arbitrary capriciousness of fate, at heart we acknowledge that G-d knows what He's doing and is doing what He knows to be best.

Genuine faith, however, does not preclude demanding justice from G-d for decisions that seem unjust, at least to our mortal eyes.

And it was in just such a situation, when G-d, the source of all goodness and kindness, proposed destroying the city of Sodom and its surroundings, that Abraham was moved to object: "Shouldn't the judge of the whole world act with justice?"

This grievance has been directed at G-d in the wake of every disaster that He has visited on us throughout our long and bloodstained history.

The fact that we complain is not so remarkable; consider, however, that Abraham's complaint was not a renunciation of G-d, but rather an expression of faith.

The evil we observe and the wickedness and pain we are forced to endure come also from G-d. Our complaint is not against Him for what He chooses to do nor why. We are confident, appearances notwithstanding, that G-d, who is good and does good, is acting in our best interests. However, the how, the method He chose, the pain and suffering accompanying His actions, those we find impossible to accept.

When Abraham demanded "justice from the true judge" his accusation was, "G-d, I can accept that your actions, cruel and painful as they are, are for the ultimate benefit, if not physical then at least spiritual benefit, of your victims. But is that the best you could do? You are all-powerful, it lies within your capabilities to accomplish the same benefit for the same individuals in less painful form."

That was Abraham's demand for justice, that is our grievance, and that accusation has never been (and maybe can never be) satisfactorily answered.