| Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin) |
| From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
| Date: 9/30/2016, 7:27 AM |
| To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
| BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com |
The Mishna in Avos (4;14) says, "R'Yannai says: it is not in our hands (grasp) the success and tranquility of the wicked or the suffering of the righteous."
R'Yannai tells us that we cannot understand the troubling and difficult question of why do good things happen to bad people and bad things to good people?
This age old question our Sages say troubled even Moshe Rabbenui, the greatest of all prophets as well.
Although we don't have a full understanding of Hashem and His ways we do know that Hashem is perfectly just in His Ways.
This question is also raised in regards to Rosh Hashanah which is a time that Hashem Judges every person and inscribes the wicked in the "book of death" and the righteous in the "book of life". How can this be true though if we see each year that there are righteous that die and wicked that continue to live? The answer given is that the "book of life" and "book of death" referred to are the book of eternal life and death in the world to come. In this regards every righteous person will surly be inscribed in the book of life and every wicked person will be inscribed in the book of death.
The Ramchal explains that this why starting on Rosh Hashana and through Yom Kippur we insert the prayer may we be inscribed in the "book of life, for good, blessing, peace, prosperity" for being inscribed in the book of life doesn't mean we will have a good life in this world as there are many righteous who suffer, we therefore add that we should receive good and blessing in this world as well, allowing us to continue performing G-d's Will.
R' Issac Chaver says that in our times the greatest test to people and their belief in G-d is this question of why do the wicked prosper. We look around and see many people who are truly wicked but they are powerful, wealthy and successful. This is a great test for each and every person to remain committed to the Word of G-d even through suffering with unwavering faith and belief.
Shabbat Shalom,
Shana Tov Chasiva Vchasima Tova.
May we all merit along with the rest of the Jewish People to return with all of our hearts to Hashem and witness the Final Redemption. To be inscribed in the book of life, for good, blessing, peace, prosperity and long life.
Heath