Elie Wiesel was once giving a class. Someone asked, “Mr. Wiesel, why did G-d allow the Holocaust?” He responded, “Are you a Nazi?” The man responded, “No, I am the son of a Holocaust survivor, I’m just asking and a question”.
Mr. Wiesel responded (not verbatim) that by answering that question, it will allow you to tie up the Holocaust with a bow, put it on a shelf, and file it away saying now I know why G-d did it. I don’t want the answer. I don’t want to know the answer. Because giving the answer allows you to be complacent and comfortable with the questions that should never be answered.
Earlier this week I had a meeting with a family who lost their child. One of the things they wanted to know was why? Why did it happen?! A few weeks ago, on his Hebrew yahrtzeit, I went to visit the grave of Andy Klein. I too asked why. This wasn’t supposed to happen! Additionally, I ask about the Coronavirus, “Why did this happen?!” Thirty-five years ago, yesterday, my mother passed away. As I reflected on the 35th anniversary of her passing, her yahrtzeit, I thought to myself, “Why did she have to pass away at such a young age?”
Reflecting on all these questions brings to mind the answer Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks responded to the question: Why does G-d let bad things happen to good people?
"G-d does not want us to understand," Sacks said. "Because if we ever understood, we would be forced to accept that bad things happen to good people, and G-d does not want us to accept those bad things. He wants us not to understand, so that we will fight against the bad and the injustices of this world, and that is why there is no answer to that question. G-d has arranged that we shall never have an answer to it."
Keeping this in the forefront of my consciousness will help me to get comfortable with not knowing. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.
No simple feat. It takes conscious effort and time.
What do you think? Is it worth getting the answer to Why?
Have a good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
ב"ה