If God Is Good, Why Is the World So Bad?

by Benjamin Blech

In these troubled times, people are asking very difficult questions about God and their faith: If I suffer, does that mean I deserve it? Why do innocent people, especially children, die tragically?... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0757301231
• ISBN13: 9780757301230
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Simcha Press
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

A nice perspective on the problem of suffering

I heard Rabbi Blech being interviewed on the Christian radio program, The White Horse Inn. His view on suffering intrigued me as I was going through some trying times with illness in our family. Rabbi Blech tries to help the reader come to terms with those times when one feels their prayers are just bouncing back off the ceiling. Most people, I think, have cried out for God and God seems to be on vacation. Rabbi Blech goes on to show the reader how God is always there and why our suffering may or may not be our own doing. Despite our own doubts the author shows that God is always there. This book should be on the shelf of all clergy. And for the lay person, it is a comfort.

Inspiring!

The questions stated on the back of the book alone, gave me enough answers to want to read the book. I have always asked "Why?", but I could never even think of the rest of the question. All the "Whys" were too confusing to sort out. Rabbi Blech did that for me, and in the meantime, answered them as well. When trying to explain what I had learned from the book to a friend, I couldn't even summon the words to start, lacking the amazing skills Rabbi Blech seems to posses of taking the most complicated idea and making it as simple as anything, while at the same time making you think. Thank you Rabbi Blech, for a work of art!

Answers For All of Us, Jews and Non-Jews Alike

Rabbi Benjamin Blech has already authored a series of books on Judaism best-known for distilling complex subject matter into reader-friendly basics. I found his latest, IF GOD IS SO GOOD WHY IS THE WORLD SO BAD, exhibits that same warm, readable style. And I cannot recall being affected so deeply by a book, often to the point of tears. Though I am not Jewish, the deep insights that Rabbi Blech draws from the Talmud and other traditional Jewish sources are often profound and comforting. These insights have given me a whole new understanding of certain Biblical concepts that have evaded me for so long. Thanks to Blech's book, I now understand why Free Will is so pivotal to the entire equation that we call life. In the past, I've searched in vain through pages of other books attempting to make sense of a God who would allow suffering and death. IF GOD IS SO GOOD makes it clear that such hardships are truly necessary evils. That said, I will not attempt to tackle these heavy themes in a mere review. However, I can recommend the book to everyone, Jew and non-Jew alike. Rabbi Blech's latest should be on everyone's bookshelf. This is a book that will instill a deeper trust in the Creator and offer much-needed solace in difficult times.

This is a great book for teenagers!

I have read this and other books by the same author, and find them all great for strengthening my beliefs. My wife and I thought this is also a great book for teenagers who are beginning to see the outside world for the first time and question their beliefs in a caring God.

An Absolutely Unquestionable Must!

In typical Blech fashion, he takes the difficult and complex issues of our daily lives, and explains them in simple fashion for the most basic of readers to understand. This book tackles the difficult issues and questions that face our world today and offers an understandable rationalization as to why these things happen. Today especially, being in the world that we live in, this book is an absolute must read for anyone who is searching for any answers on any level whatsoever. That is the talent of this great writer and teacher; absolutely anyone can relate to what he is saying. He is a unique explainer, like no other. This is just another of his already large collection of masterpieces.