What will you say to him?
And what will you in turn answer? But let's leave this to the end.
"Why did you keep yourself hidden?"
How would you behave differently if you knew for certainty G-d exists?
And would your words and actions reflect the true you or be only what you believe G-d wants you to say and do?
"You look very beautiful today, Mrs. Cleaver." Certainty is poison to the soul.
We're here to become better beings ethically, and this requires dedication from within--and a degree of healthy doubt.
"Why did you make me suffer so?"
What did you do to lessen the suffering of others?
Life itself is a Gift.
And an obligation.
Should a child blame a parent for giving him life?
Should a parent spare its child every possible hurt?
We (individually and a species) grow from experience, including negative experience.
"Why did you let my child die?" (He did let my child die)
How sad. My sincere condolences.
There is no life without death. Some heart-breakingly short. I lost my own mother at a young age. My reaction was different, however. I was grateful for the time I did have with her. They were a blessing.
"Why didn't you answer the many prayers I made?"
Thank you for the prayers you did answer.
Including the many I was too self-absorbed to acknowledge or appreciate.
Anyway, I believe that prayer "for things" is the least of prayer--except for the prayers for peace, understanding, and strength. Prayers in appreciation for His Gifts (Life, the Universe and Everything--for you Douglas Adams fans) are more rewarding.
"Why did you make such a fucking horrible world?"
Thank you for all your Gifts, and the opportunity to become.
As I've shared elsewhere [
http://www.councilofexmuslims.com/index.php?topic=5459.msg139246#msg139246 post #6]:
Upon his death, a man comes before G-d's Throne of Judgement.
"My G-d," he cries. "It is horrible down there. The wars, disease, the hatreds, the bigotry, the suffering.....Why didn't you do anything!!"
The Heavenly court is shocked silent by the outburst.
Then G-d gives a soft compassionate sigh and looks gently upon the man.
"I did," G-d says, "I sent you."Now in regard to:
What will you say to him?
And what will you in turn answer?
There is a famous passage in the Talmud, in Masechet Shabbat 31, that in the name of Rava asks and answers the question, what will be asked of you by heavenly judgment and God after your death. We are told there are six questions we will be asked. [see, for example:
http://www.tbegreatneck.org/SERMONS/2008/HowWillYouAnswer-2008.doc ]. The first one is
"did you conduct your business transactions faithfully?" One's daily dealings will be the very first behavioral question scrutinized before the heavenly court. Religious behavior is not confined to the home or the synagogue. We are to bring a sense of sanctity into all areas of life.
Have you?
Respectfully,
History