Jewish Teachings about Good, Evil & Suffering (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B) : Revision Note

Jewish teachings about the nature of good actions and how they are rewarded

Jewish teachings about good, evil and suffering

• In Judaism, the concepts of good, evil, and suffering are central to understanding the human experience

• Jewish teachings on these issues are in the:

  • Torah

  • Talmud

  • the writings of the prophets

• These offer insights into why good and evil exist and how suffering can be understood

Free will

• Judaism teaches that humans have free will to choose between good and evil

• Free will is seen as a gift from God, allowing individuals to make choices that reflect their moral beliefs

  • The good inclination (yetzer tov) is the internal drive to do good and follow God's will

  • The evil inclination (yetzer hara) is the drive toward selfishness and wrongdoing

• Jews believe every person has both inclinations, and it's their responsibility to choose good over evil

• Judaism teaches that people are accountable for their actions

  • Following God’s commandments (mitzvot) and living justly are ways to overcome evil and choose the good path

Suffering

• Suffering is sometimes seen as a test or trial from God

• Through suffering, individuals may grow spiritually and develop greater strength and faith

  • An example of this is The Book of Job, where Job’s suffering is portrayed as a test of his faith

  • Job questions why he suffers despite being righteous

    • God responds that human understanding is limited

  • This teaches that suffering may not always be understandable, but people must trust in God’s wisdom

• Sometimes, suffering is believed to be a result of personal wrongdoing or sin

  • In Jewish tradition, when people stray from the path of mitzvot, they may experience consequences as a form of punishment or to bring them back to righteousness

• The existence of evil and suffering in the world is a challenging question

  • Judaism does not offer a simple answer but suggests that human free will and the presence of evil in the world are part of the mystery of life

  • While God is all-powerful and all-good, human choices and natural suffering are part of the world

• Jews believe that God is good, just, and merciful

• Even though suffering exists, God is seen as working to bring ultimate good to the world

• The idea of God’s justice teaches that people will be held accountable for their actions, but God also offers mercy and forgiveness

• While suffering exists, Judaism teaches that God gives people the freedom to choose

  • This means that some of the evil in the world is a result of human actions

• God’s plan for the world includes eventual redemption and the restoration of peace and justice in the world (as seen in the Messianic Age)

Care for the vulnerable

• Judaism teaches the importance of comforting those who are suffering, as seen in the concept of Hesed 

• This includes:

  • visiting the sick

  • supporting the poor

  • helping people through times of grief

• Jewish law encourages the community to care for the vulnerable, such as orphans, widows, and strangers, recognising that suffering is not just individual but also societal

• Acts of kindness are seen as ways to combat the effects of evil and suffering in the world

Messianic age and suffering

• Judaism believes in the eventual arrival of the Messiah who will bring about an age of peace, justice, and healing

• In this Messianic Age, suffering and evil will be eradicated

• The world will be restored to a state of harmony in a future world called Olam Ha-Ba 

  • The ultimate goal is to work towards a just and peaceful world, where suffering is ended, and all people live in peace with God and each other

Consequences of good actions in Judaism

• In Judaism, good actions or those that align with God's will and follow the commandments (mitzvot) have several positive consequences

  • These actions not only benefit individuals but also contribute to the well-being of the wider community and the world

• Good actions help individuals:

  • grow spiritually

  • build a closer relationship with God

• By following the mitzvot (commandments), Jews believe they are fulfilling their purpose in life and aligning themselves with God's will

  • Prayer and Torah study are seen as ways to strengthen one’s connection with God

  • Engaging in good deeds (for example, tzedakah - charity, and hesed - kindness) brings a person closer to God’s holiness and righteousness

• Jews believe that good actions can bring blessings in this life including:

  • peace

  • health

  • prosperity

  • harmony

• Following God’s laws is believed to bring stability and success to individuals and their families

• Good actions contribute to a just and peaceful society

  • Acts like helping the poor, supporting the vulnerable, and seeking justice lead to a stronger, more united community

• Judaism teaches that good actions have consequences in the afterlife

  • Jews believe that those who live righteous lives will be rewarded in the World to Come (Olam Ha-Ba)

    • There is not a guaranteed place for everyone, but there is a place for those who follow God's commandments and live justly

  • Righteous individuals are thought to enter a state of spiritual peace and closeness to God after death, known as Gan Eden 

• Tikkun Olam means ‘repairing the world’

• Jewish teachings encourage individuals to take part in improving society through:

  • acts of kindness

  • social justice

  • helping others

• Good actions like charity, working for justice and helping those in need contribute to a better, more just world

• By practising good actions, Jews contribute to the spiritual and moral improvement of society

  • This helps to build a world that reflects God's will of peace, justice, and compassion

• In Jewish tradition, God promises to bless those who keep His commandments

  • This includes protection, guidance, and the assurance of God's favour

  • In the Torah, God says that those who obey His laws will receive His blessings 

  • By following God's will, individuals believe they are shielded from some of the challenges of life, including misfortune or suffering

• In Judaism, there is a strong emphasis on legacy and passing on values to children and grandchildren

  • The mitzvot not only affects the individual but also has a lasting impact on the family and the wider community

• The Torah mentions that if individuals live righteously, their descendants will be blessed as well

  • For example, in the Ten Commandments, God promises to show love to the righteous and their descendants

Jewish teachings about the nature of evil actions and how they are punished

Consequences of bad actions in Judaism

• In Judaism, bad actions, are those that:

  • go against God’s commandments

  • harm others

• These bad actions have negative consequences both in this life and in the afterlife

  • These consequences help reinforce the importance of following God’s will and living a righteous life

• Bad actions, such as sinning or breaking the commandments (mitzvot), create a sense of spiritual separation from God

  • Judaism teaches that sin distances individuals from God's holiness and creates a barrier to a close relationship with Him

  • Judaism encourages individuals to seek Teshuvah (repentance) to repair this relationship by:

    • acknowledging their wrongdoing

    • seeking forgiveness

    • striving to make amends

Suffering

• Judaism teaches that God may bring punishment or consequences for bad actions in this life

  • This could include facing challenges such as suffering, loss, or misfortune as a way to encourage the person to repent and return to a righteous path

  • Bad actions can also result in natural consequences in this life, such as:

    • damaged relationships

    • loss of trust

    • personal failure

  • For example, lying or stealing can lead to mistrust and harm one's reputation

• In some cases, suffering is seen as a result of sin or wrongdoing

  • For example, the Book of Job explores the idea that personal suffering may be a test or result of actions that have distanced the individual from God

Impact on the community

• Bad actions, especially those that harm others, have a negative impact on the broader community

  • Judaism emphasises the importance of peace (Shalom)

    • When individuals commit sins like theft, gossip, or violence, they disrupt the harmony of the community

  • Actions like lying, cheating, or stealing contribute to moral decay and injustice in society

    • This can create a cycle of harm, leading to a less just and compassionate world

Afterlife

• In Jewish belief, those who commit bad actions without repentance may face consequences in the World to Come (Olam Ha-Ba)

  • This is the afterlife, where people are believed to receive their final judgment for their deeds on earth

• The righteous are thought to be rewarded in Gan Eden (paradise), while those who have not repented for their sins may experience Gehinnom 

• However, Gehinnom is not eternal and is seen as a place of spiritual cleansing where sinners can eventually repent and be purified

God's protection

• If someone consistently commits bad actions, they risk losing God’s protection and blessing

  • The Torah and other Jewish writings emphasise that living in disobedience to God’s commandments can result in a withdrawal of His support and guidance

  • Without God's protection, individuals may face more vulnerability to harm, suffering, or difficult circumstances in their lives

• In Judaism, bad actions are not just seen as affecting the individual but can also have an impact on future generations

  • The Torah suggests that the consequences of sin can extend to descendants, especially if the sin involves breaking core commandments or failing to teach children the values of righteousness

Repentence

• One of the key ways to address bad actions in Judaism is through Teshuvah, which involves:

  • Acknowledging the wrongdoing

  • Feeling remorse and regret for the sin

  • Seeking forgiveness from God and, when applicable, from those harmed

  • Making restitution or correcting the wrong

• Jews believe that God is merciful

• If individuals sincerely repent, they can be forgiven for their bad actions

  • The Ten Days of Repentance leading up to Yom Kippur are especially important for reflecting on past mistakes and seeking forgiveness

• Committing bad actions can cause a person to lose their moral integrity

  • Sin and wrongdoing can corrupt a person's character, making it harder to live a life of goodness and righteousness

  • People who commit bad actions may also experience personal guilt and remorse

    • This internal conflict can affect their peace of mind and emotional well-being

Non-religious views about why people suffer

Humanist and Atheist views on suffering

• Humanism and Atheism both approach the issue of suffering from a non-religious perspective

  • They focus on human experience and reason rather than religious explanations 

Humanism

• Humanism is a worldview that focuses on human welfare, happiness, and the importance of reason and ethics without relying on religious beliefs

• Humanists believe that suffering can be caused by:

  • natural events, such as illness or natural disasters

  • human actions, such as conflict, injustice, or inequality

• They view suffering as part of the human condition and a consequence of the complexities of life

• Since humanism does not believe in a divine being, they do not attribute suffering to a higher power or a divine plan

  • Instead, suffering is seen as something that happens because of natural processes or human behaviour

• Humanists believe in human responsibility for addressing suffering

  • They focus on alleviating suffering through compassion, practical action, and social change

  • For example, helping those who are suffering through charity, healthcare, or social reforms is seen as a moral duty

• Humanists often focus on human potential to improve the world

  • They believe that through education, science, and cooperation, humanity can reduce suffering and improve life for everyone

Atheism

• Atheism is the lack of belief in any gods or deities

• Atheists may hold a variety of views on suffering, but they generally share some common themes

  • Atheists do not believe that suffering is caused or allowed by a God

  • Instead, suffering is seen as a natural part of life that can be caused by physical, psychological, or social factors

    • For example, natural disasters, disease, or personal loss may be seen as random or caused by natural processes, rather than as part of a divine plan

• Like humanists, atheists emphasise the importance of human action in addressing suffering

  • Atheists believe that it is up to people to create solutions to suffering, such as through science, medicine, and social systems

  • They also support social justice, human rights, and equality as ways to reduce suffering caused by inequality and injustice

• Without belief in an afterlife, many atheists focus on coping with suffering in the present life by offering emotional support, seeking medical treatment, and working towards improving society

  • Some may find comfort in the idea that, even though suffering is part of life, human beings have the ability to care for each other and make life better for future generations

Jewish responses to non-religious views on suffering

Atheists

• Atheists generally see suffering as a natural occurrence, not connected to any divine plan

• Judaism, however, teaches that suffering may have a deeper, spiritual purpose and that it can be part of God’s will

  • Jews might respectfully disagree with atheists by stating that suffering, while difficult, can ultimately be meaningful and is part of God's larger design for personal and collective growth

• Although atheists may believe that addressing suffering is solely a human responsibility

• Judaism also recognises the importance of human action in dealing with suffering

  • The Jewish tradition teaches the importance of alleviating suffering through acts of:

    • kindness (chesed)

    • charity (tzedakah)

    • justice

• Jewish responses would likely align with the atheist position that humans must act to reduce suffering but also include the belief that humans act as instruments of God’s will in doing so

• Atheists may focus on scientific explanations and human solutions to suffering, but Judaism offers comfort and hope through faith in God’s wisdom

  • For Jews, while the reason for suffering may not always be clear, there is the belief that suffering is not meaningless, and ultimately there is hope for redemption through Teshuvah, or repentance, and the eventual coming of the Messiah

Humanists

• Like humanists, Judaism places significant importance on human responsibility in addressing suffering

• Both views emphasise the need for compassion and action to reduce suffering

  • Jewish responses would agree with the humanist view that we must work to relieve suffering in society and promote social justice, but would add that these actions are also a way of fulfilling God’s commandments and purpose in the world

• Humanism focuses on improving the human condition through reason and compassion, while Judaism teaches that humans should work to improve the world by following God’s commandments and making the world more just, peaceful, and compassionate

  • The Jewish teaching of Tikkun Olam involves both repairing society and improving the individual’s spiritual relationship with God, suggesting that reducing suffering is not just a human responsibility but also part of fulfilling God’s will

Divergent Jewish teachings and responses on suffering

• Judaism offers a variety of perspectives on the nature and purpose of suffering, influenced by different teachings within the tradition

  • These perspectives can sometimes seem divergent, as they reflect different schools of thought, interpretations of scripture, and views on God’s involvement in human suffering

Suffering as a test or trial

• One common Jewish teaching is that suffering is a test or trial sent by God

• This view is especially prominent in the Book of Job, where Job suffers greatly, and his friends suggest that his suffering is a test of his righteousness

• The idea is that suffering may be a way to purify a person, build spiritual strength, or test faith

  • In this view, individuals are encouraged to endure suffering with faith in God’s ultimate plan

  • They may seek meaning in their suffering, trusting that it will lead to spiritual growth or eventual reward

• Teshuvah (repentance) and prayer are seen as ways to navigate and understand the suffering

• Another example of this is the story of Abraham’s test with the near-sacrifice of Isaac (the Akedah) where suffering is seen as a test of faith

  • Some Jewish thinkers argue that this was a test not only for Abraham but for humanity, to demonstrate trust in God even in the most difficult circumstances

Suffering as punishment for sin

• Another perspective is that suffering is a consequence of sin or disobedience to God

• This idea is rooted in the Hebrew Bible, where the Torah often links suffering with the breaking of divine commandments

  • For instance, the Israelites' suffering in Exodus and Babylonian exile are often interpreted as a form of divine punishment for their sins

• In this view, individuals or the community are encouraged to reflect on their actions, repent, and turn back to God to alleviate suffering

• Teshuvah is emphasised as a way to repair the relationship with God and remove the punishment

• The idea is that suffering serves as a wake-up call to return to a righteous path

  • An example of this is the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem which is viewed by some as a consequence of the Israelites' idolatry and disobedience to God’s commandments

Suffering as part of the human condition

• Some Jewish teachings suggest that suffering is simply part of the human condition and cannot always be explained in terms of sin or testing

• This view is shown in the Book of Ecclesiastes, which reflects on the unpredictability and inevitability of suffering in life

  • Life is seen as inherently difficult, and suffering is a part of the human experience that everyone must face

• In this view, Jews are encouraged to approach suffering with acceptance and to focus on how to respond with dignity and integrity

• This perspective also encourages solidarity with others who suffer, fostering compassion and community support

  • An example of this is the teachings of Rabbi Harold Kushner in his book ‘When Bad Things Happen to Good People’, which suggests that suffering is not always a punishment or test, but sometimes a random part of life

  • Kushner argues that God does not always intervene in suffering but is present to help people cope with it

Suffering as a path to redemption (Messianic view)

• Some Jewish traditions view suffering as a necessary part of the path to redemption

• This is especially seen in the concept of the Messianic Age

• This is a time when suffering will ultimately be eradicated

• The Messiah will arrive and bring about a world of peace and justice

• Isaiah and other prophets speak of a time when suffering will end, and all will be healed

  • This view encourages patience and hope, teaching that suffering has a purpose in God’s divine plan for the future

• Jews who hold this view often focus on the importance of hope, faith, and action to hasten the arrival of the Messiah and the end of suffering

Suffering as a result of free will

• Another perspective is that suffering results from human free will

• In this view, God gave humans the gift of free will, and with it, the ability to choose good or evil

• Evil and suffering in the world are often attributed to the misuse of free will by individuals and communities

  • This teaching reflects the idea that God does not directly cause suffering but allows it as part of the human experience of choice

• Jews holding this view would argue that while suffering is unfortunate, it is a result of human choices

• Therefore, humans must take responsibility for their actions, strive for justice, and work to prevent suffering in the world

• Tzedakah (charity), social justice, and helping others are seen as ways to counteract the effects of suffering

  • An example is that Abraham Joshua Heschel argued that humans are responsible for much of the suffering in the world, especially through injustice, violence, and inequality, and Jews must act to create a more just world to reduce suffering