In Theory:

How then are we to understand this terrible occurrence? Whenever we see innocent human beings enduring such agony, men and women of conscience ask why good people are made to suffer. When we witness 100,000 Haitians perishing so tragically, our very core senses that something terribly wrong has happened. We naturally wonder how a benevolent, moral creator could permit so much anguish.

The Bible dedicates an entire book to this difficult topic — the book of Job. After enduring one horrible challenge after another, Job turns to God and poses the eternal question, “Why?” Interestingly enough, God never answers this question. Instead, in a revelation, he tells Job that there is no way the human mind can logically understand these events.

When it comes to human suffering, there are no intelligible answers. In regards to Haiti, it is wrong for any man to play God and offer explanations for the inexplicable; we should not try to rationalize that which is beyond our comprehension.

After delivering a public address concerning Jewish suffering during the Holocaust, survivor Elie Wiesel was once asked, “How did God allow it to happen?” Wiesel responded: “My son, if I were to tell you the answer, will you sleep better tonight?”

Judaism teaches us that when faced with tragedy we must respond with empathy and offer a helping hand to those who are affected. Instead of wasting time trying to figure out why something happened, we must roll up our sleeves and provide immediate assistance. Thankfully, that was the response from most of the civilized world. Within hours of the earthquake, there were airplanes with food, medicine, search crews, field hospitals and more heading toward Haiti from the U.S., Russia, Japan, Israel, France, England and other nations. People from around the globe joined together to try to help the Haitians in every way possible.

That was an appropriate international demonstration of compassion for a shattered country.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad of Glendale and the Foothills

How unfortunate that some people consider the Haitian earthquake tragedy to be a punishment from God.