Why, G-D, Why? by Rabbi Gershon Schusterman.
Review by Ch, Maj Dovid Grossman, USAF Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol.
At the core of resiliency is the faith that no matter how tough the challenge, one can still move forward and make the world better. Each of us is on a Divine mission and our efforts are mission critical.
My dear friend and longtime mentor, Rabbi Gershon Schusterman, is an excellent orator who always has thought-provoking answers for life’s problems. In 1986, his 36-year-old wife died suddenly, leaving him with eleven children. His twins weren’t even two years old yet. Speechless doesn’t cover it.
In his new book, Why, G-d, Why?, Rabbi Schusterman comes from a place of deep conviction based on ancient Torah wisdom and then uses his penetrating critical thinking to seek personal emotional understanding to the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people. Why does evil exist?
What results is a stirringly emotional yet profound scholarly insight into how we can practically address the deepest of personal crises and still lead productive lives.
In coming to grips with two manifestations of G-d, the Transcendent and the Immanent, we come to understand where G-d is fully present in our lives while realizing at the same time where He is entirely beyond our grasp. In fact, the term “grasp” is already ridiculous when referring to G-d’s essence as He is by and for Himself. In that realm, there are no means for G-d to justify Himself to us and no reason to.
If we could come to understand the reasoning for suffering and evil, we could come to accept it. And we must never accept human suffering. Our task in life is to do everything in our power, and beyond, to comfort, console, and help each other. Our mission is to do purposeful acts of goodness and kindness and bring healing and justice wherever we can.
Why, G-d, Why? is on my top ten required reading list for all chaplains and counselors as well as those they serve.
Originally published in the Chanukah/Purim 5784 issue of the Jewish American Warrior.
