IS GOD CRUEL

OR IS HE SIMPLY SUBORDINATE TO TRUTH, JUSTICE, LAW & RIGHTEOUSNESS ?

One reader, a young, intelligent rabbi, was taken aback by my assertion that the nation of Israel suffers because of the laws, which contradict divine Torah laws, which were instituted by the various groups of ancient Babylonian and other rabbis. If God is so cruel that He punishes us for their errors so long ago, why do we need such a God ?

My father, may God return him at the time of the resurrection of the dead, felt the same anytime I spoke of the Holocaust. He would start getting angry that God allowed us and especially the children to suffer so horribly.

My father would get too upset to listen and so I was unable to explain what a more patient person allowed me to say. It is virtually impossible to contemplate that a living God would allow the Holocaust, but God warns us against arousing His wrath. A world suffering due to mythological entreaties to gods for sustenance cannot be deprived of the truth about how to secure its inhabitants lives, without punishments directed against God's chosen, messengers who are dedicated and consecrated to teach this truth to the world's people.

God is not cruel. He must suffer the anguish and pains of each and every one of His creatures because he is fully conscious of everything and everyone throughout HIStory. He allows us to suffer punishments because there is simply something even greater than Him. God has subordinated Himself to truth, justice, law and righteousness. And since the world can only become one where men can labor and rest to enjoy the fruits of their labors in peace and security if everyone observes truth, and justice, there must be a consistency between actions and destiny.

The nation of Israel was created to bear witness that righteousness based on truth and justice is the way to secure God’s blessings. If God changed the rules in midstream because His children erred and were being swept away in a storm or Holocaust, no one would understand how to obtain blessing, no one would fear God,  and the world would descend into depravity and barbarism. Proof of Torah’s relevance would be lost. If Israel behaves according to truth and justice and goes about its personal, social and civic matters in compliance with God’s laws and Spirit then the world will be able to see this and learn Torah and how to apply its laws and principles and the earth will become the heaven on earth which is God’s intention.

But if Israel does not comply with God’s Torah and in addition, bears false witness to the Creator by acting as if she is truly observing the will of the Creator, the prescribed curses fall into play. The astute observe that Israel has been unfaithful and is therefore being punished according to law. Israel, however has deluded herself and does not realize that she is falsely representing her Maker. God is helpless because He is bound by Law to permit the nation to suffer the consequences of her breach of faith. If He permits the unfolding of events as the Torah warns, then astute observers can see that the Torah is valid and must be observed and the fear of the Lord keeps men from sin. Then those who understand can teach others the inescapable necessity of faithful observance of God’s Torah. This is the irony of our God of Truth who has subordinated all, including His omnipotent Self, to the rule of law !