We continue to discuss why righteous people suffer.
Yesterday we discussed the first two reasons, which are related:
1-Hashem will cleanse them of their sins
2- If they accept properly, it’s for a better Olam Habah.
The third reason is:
להראות סבלו והסברתו הטובה בעבודת הבורא יתברך כדי שילמדו בני אדם ממנו
To demonstrate his good bearing and good acceptance of suffering in the service of
G-d, so that others will learn from him
Sometimes it’s so that people will see how he tolerated and accepted his suffering. He’s a role model. He’ll be getting paid very well for this. People will learn from him. He doesn’t complain and is always happy. He will be the lesson for all.
There was a great Rabbi who had a very difficult life. Another rabbi was approached by a congregant who had many problems. The congregant asked the rabbi how he could cope better and say “This too is for the best” He was sent to this suffering, poor, weak rabbi, to ask how the rabbi was able to accept his difficulties with love. The rabbi responded that he was sorry but he couldn’t be of help because he’d never had any difficulties.
This type of story inspires us. These people are working for G-d’s advertising company. That’s a very great thing. We can’t underestimate this. We have to understand that sometimes people are there as a model for us. They create a trend. They suffer and accept and are always happy and upbeat. They’re able to do that. These are the people we read about. We learn from them. We shouldn’t feel bad. An actor playing a role as a fugitive gets paid millions of dollars for playing that role. We don’t feel bad for him just because he’s playing the role. There are sadikim in the world that are working for Hashem as role models. The example the Hovot HaLevavot uses is Iyob.
The fourth reason is linked:
Sometimes the people of the generation are wicked. Therefore the Sadik who suffers and is still pious will carry the sins of the generation; he’s the one who will protect everyone. Again, you get paid well if you’re the one.
Rav Sadok fasted for 40 years in order to prevent the Bet HaMikdash from being destroyed. This man is a hero forever. His suffering protected a nation.
It is told that the Chafetz Chaim had a son- in-law that passed away, and his daughter came crying “Why my husband of all people?! He was such a Sadik, such a righteous man!” The Chafetz Chaim told her that half the Jews had been saved from being wiped out, because of his death. Her husband protected them all. Everyone thought he was exaggerating. They thought it was impossible to wipe out half the Jews. But then 10 years later came the Holocaust. The Chafetz Chaim was basically saying that his son in law’s suffering bought the Jews another ten years.
We don’t know how Hashem works, but we are supposed to think these positive thoughts when, lo Alenu, we see a Sadik suffering. He might be suffering for the moment, but he’s getting paid well.