(click here for print version)
Why is life so difficult?
Making Peace with Our Battle
In this week’s portion, Jacob asks for peace and relaxation but G-d had another plan.
“Jacob settled (down) in the land of his father’s dwellings, in the Land of Caanan”
~~Genesis (37:1)
The commentary Rashi explains:
“Jacob wanted to settle down in tranquility but then the ordeal of his son Joseph (sale into slavery) fell upon him. The righteous seek to dwell in tranquility but G-d says ‘Is it not enough for the righteous what has been prepared for them (reward) in the World to Come that they need to seek tranquillity also in this world!'”
Why is life so difficult?
Some people turn to G-d and religion, hoping to find refuge from all the turbulence of life, from doubt, from inner conflicts and mental turmoil. They want instant inner peace, spiritual contentment, and tranquillity for their troubled souls.
According to Kabbalah, that is not the purpose of life on earth. In fact, it is just the opposite. We have been dropped right in the middle of the stormy seas of daily living. We are confronted with the problems from within and without. And we are commanded to fix them and ourselves. The theme of life is precisely about embracing the difficulties of life and rising to the challenges.
Why did G-d create such an imperfect world filled with imperfect people?
The very first verse of the Book of Genesis tells us: