Philosophy:Theodicy – צדיק ורע לו/2
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Theodicy – צדיק ורע לו
Exegetical Approaches
Mistaken Status of Person
This approach understands that just because a man might seem to be righteous or wicked he might not always be so, and Hashem is paying him his true doe.
צדיק ורע לו, רשע וטוב לו – This approach claims that almost all humans are neither perfect nor terrible, rather everyone is somewhere in the middle. Therefore the punishments the righteous person receives are actually punishing him for the few sins he committed, even if the majority of his actions were right. Similarly, a wicked man might be rewarded for his few good deeds that he performed, or because of the possibility he will repent and become worthy of the reward.
Afflictions of love
Iyyov – The story of Iyyov seems to contradict this approach, since we don't hear from the book that Iyyov committed any sins.
"פֹּקֵד עֲוֺן אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים"
Misperception of Retribution
צדיק ורע לו, רשע וטוב לו – The bad events which occur to the righteous man are not intended as a punishment, rather as a test in order to give them an abundance of good in the future or in the world to come. So too, the wicked man is not being rewarded, rather Hashem is strengthening the power of the punishment by giving him good first.
Not Aimed at the Doer
The righteous or wicked man is really not worthy of the retribution they received.
Sources:Bavli Berakhot,
צדיק ורע לו, רשע וטוב לו – The righteous man is being punished over the sins of his generation, or of his ancestors, though not his own sins. And the wicked man being part of a nation who is worthy of good, receives good as well, even though he does not deserve it.
Hashem's providence
Purposes of the Egyptian bondage
