“How can G‑d allow tragedies to happen?” an Israeli army general once complained to his rabbi. In anguish, he added, “I have lost a young child and best friend.”

“Picture this scene,” the rabbi began. “Thousands of armed soldiers stand together. Someone approaches one of the soldiers and asks, ‘What are these implements you are wearing?’ The soldier responds that these are weapons used to kill people. Some of the ammunition can even kill thousands of people at once.

“The man screams in fear, ‘Save me from these murderers!’ The soldier calms him, explaining, ‘The only way you can live peacefully in the city is through the protection of armed soldiers.’ The man relaxes and thanks the soldiers profusely.

“What has transpired here?” asked the rabbi. “One moment the man is screaming in fear, and the next moment he is filled with gratitude. What caused this drastic change?

“Only the man’s knowledge has changed,” The rabbi explains. “Until then, he had not known who the soldiers were and what they represented. After learning of their noble purpose, his attitude changed completely.

“The same applies to us,” the rabbi concluded. “Our problem is that we do not see G‑d’s perspective. If we would, we would realize that everything He does is for the good.”