Why Evil Exists in the World

October 14-15, 2016 / 13 Tishrei 5777

Shabbat Ha’azinu

Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52       Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1 - 22:51

“Why Evil Exists in the World”

Dear Friends,

This week, we read Ha’azinu, the final weekly portion in the Torah.  Moses gives his farewell address to the Children of Israel in beautiful poetry.  Then, he ascends to the top of Mount Nevo where he will see the Promised Land across the Jordan River before he dies.

In his address, Moses describes his understanding of God as:

“The Rock of Israel – God’s deeds are perfect,

Yes, all God’s ways are just;

A faithful God, never false,

True and upright is God. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

If this is so, then how can there be injustice and evil in the world?  What should we say when wars break out, when young people die, and when disease brings suffering?

The rabbinic sages taught that when God formed the world, both the good and the bad were created.  Both are part of this world. One midrash teaches that people possess both the yetzer ha’ra – bad inclination and the yetzer ha’tov – good inclination.

Harold Kushner, in his book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” suggests that God is the power that moves us to confront evil and promote goodness in the world.  Thus, when bad things happen, God cries along with us and then motivates us to confront the evil, bring healing and restore wholeness, kindness, compassion and peace.

Our tradition teaches that when we sit in our Sukkah booths in celebration of the upcoming festival of Sukkot, we are to ponder the mystery of life, existence, and good & evil in our world.  We are called forth to challenge immorality and wickedness in the world and resolve to be a force for good.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Same’ach – a healthy, joyous, and meaningful Sukkot celebration.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow