David Wesley Hammerman
Georgetown Universitiy
Washington

WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN

TO GOOD PEOPLE

-An Examination of How Perspectives On Human Suffering Have Evolved Throughout Classical Judaism –

Summary

The question "why do bad things happen to good people" is one of the oldest theological conundrums. The answer to why evil exists in the presence of an all-powerful God has been one of the most wide varied and explored throughout theological literature. This paper examines how suffering has been viewed throughout classical Jewish literature. It begins with an overview of the concept of the doctrine of retribution, established in the story of Adam and Eve and continued throughout the Pentateuch. The paper then explores how this doctrine evolves in the Bible itself through the inclusion of the book of Job. After viewing the changes to the biblical doctrine, the paper then includes perspectives from the classic sages of the Talmud. Finally, the paper concludes with an examination of the medieval Jewish scholars.

Key words: Suffering, Book of Job; Bible, Clasical Jewish literature