History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 167 - When Bad Things Happen to Good People - Suffering in Jewish Philosophy
Mar 16, 2014
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Why Theodicy Matters In Judaism
- Theodicy tries to justify how a wise, good, powerful God can allow suffering in the world.
- Jewish tradition faces this especially sharply because the chosen people endure exceptional historical suffering.
Job’s Riches-to-Rags-to-Riches Story
- The Book of Job narrates a righteous man who loses wealth, family, and health yet retains faith despite temptation.
- God ultimately restores Job after he endures trials and humbles himself before divine majesty.
Job Avoids A Simple Answer
- The Book of Job ends without a clear doctrinal answer, emphasizing God's majesty over human complaint.
- Medieval Jewish philosophers read deeper clues into the text to craft varied philosophical theodicies.