Torah Portion

SCAVOUNI

When Bad Things Happen
To The Nation of Israel

ditional Judaism, I find that I cannot,
for several reasons.
The first problem with this reasoned
logic is that it doesn't really explain the
purpose of the suffering. It functions
only to defend God. And it is presump-
tuous of us to even think that we can or
ur Torah portion for this week
should defend the divine — as if God
recounts Jacob's move into
needs justification. And then the only
Egypt to escape the famine
defense we can find is to convince our-
and join his son Joseph, all at
selves that pain is somehow a privilege.
the direction of God (Genesis 46: 2-4).
Such a reading of Torah and such an
It raises, however, a disturbing ques-
understanding of life may work for
tion. Why does God allow the family to
some, but I find it of little comfort.
go into Egypt, knowing what will hap-
Of even greater concern to me is the
pen to them there? Couldn't
question this answer still
God have arranged for famine
leaves with us: Just what is
relief and a family reunion in
this suffering supposed to
another way? And the larger
prove (or improve)? However
Jewish question is: How are we
stronger we might be (person-
to understand God's role in,
ally or nationally) for having
and responsibility for, our peo-
suffered, I find no great merit
ple's troubles? When bad
in being a victim. Such justifi-
things happen to Am Yisrael
cation, as a theology of practi-
(the collective Jewish nation),
cal benefit, offers nothing.
is it part of a divine plan? Is it
How helpful or supportive is
something we bring upon our-
RABBI JOSEPH it to be told that 'somehow ),
selves, or is it just bad luck?
P. KL EIN
we'll be better for it.
Here, God knowingly sends
Speci a 1 to the
There is also, of course, the
Israel into Egypt and subse-
Jewis. News
expected corollary to this the-
quent oppression. Why? Even
ology that says that God only
grandfather Abraham knew
brings pain and suffering to
what would happen there, for way back
those who are able to bear it.
in Genesis 15:13 he was told his "off-
Unfortunately, we're all aware of
spring would be strangers in a land not
instances where God must have miscal-
their own, enslaved and oppressed for
culated.
400 years." If Israel's misery is a forgone
Perhaps our conclusion ought to be
conclusion, why does God do it?
that Jacob just thought that going down
Some commentators say that while
to Egypt was what God wanted — or •
God knows that in Egypt the people
that Jacob wanted that to be what God
will be isolated, segregated and finally
thought. We all make decisions based on
enslaved, in the long run it is better than
what appears to be right or best or most
what would await them had they stayed
productive at the time. Sometimes it
in Canaan where the dangers were far
works out; sometimes not. The promise
worse: intermingling, leading to assimi-
from Judaism (I believe) is not that God
lation and, finally, total absorption.
has it all planned; but that whatever we
Their fate in Egypt would be difficult,
do choose, God will be "with us"
but "constructive."
(emanu-el). Thus, the important verse
According to this theology and its
from this sedra, the one we ought to be
variations, when our people suffers, it's
left with, is God's promise to Israel in
for a reason, with some benefit resulting.
Genesis 46:4: "I Myself will be with you
God, in other words, does painful
when you go down ... I Myself will be
things to us in order to help us! I sup-
with you when you come up." II
pose that I understand that theological
response: Here in Genesis, God directs
Jacob to take his family into eventual
Egyptian slavery and oppression in order
Is it possible for God to be all-
to prepare them for people-hood. It
knowing, all-powerful and all-good,
could be argued that suffering makes us
knowing that bad things do happen
better people — on a national level as
to good people? What is the role of
well as on a personal one. And though
God in history? Do our stories in
others affirm this philosophy, as
Torah present an image that we
described here in Genesis and within tra-
`$.
affirm for ourselves? In how many
possible ways might we understand
Joseph P. Klein is senior rabbi of
the notion that "God is with us"?
Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park.

Shabbat Vayiggash:
Genesis 44:18-47:27;
Ezekiel 37:15-28.

O

Co

-VeatMai..1.:aB

The Exquisite Taste Of
Italy Prepared Especially
For Your Kitchen.

STYLE • ELEGANCE • SERVICE • SOPHISTICATION

Everyone uses the same words, we'll show you what they mean.

Premium

SCAVOLINI

ernestomeda

Kitchen & Bath

Hearth

Kitchens

6151 Haggerty Road • West Bloomfield, MI • Tel. 248/ 669-2211 • Fax: 248/ 669-0311

TENDER

271 WEST MAPLE
DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM
248.258.0212

Love Those
UNIQUE GIFTS...

BARRY'S

LET'S RENT IT

And For -
PARTY PAPER GOODS
Go to BARRY'S for
The Best.

For All Of Your Party Rentals

Tm.0 CANDLES, SOAPS & DESIGNER NAPKINS...

The One Stop Party Shop"
24E54355-048O

Crosswinds Plaza • Orchard Lake Road at Lone Pine • West Bloomfield

Motivational/Inspirational

Take a journey through the eyes of an educator, law enforcement person,
husband, and father. Explore how a positive attitude and confident outlook can
change the scope of the bleakest situations.
Feel the excitement and spark when Dr. Isaiah McKinnon shares his
dynamic stories about positive attitudes, determination and his experience as a
"big city" police chief. Dr. McKinnon uses humor and real-life experiences to
motivate and impart a sense of self-importance for each attendee. Dr.
McKinnon is an Associate Professor Education/Human Services at U of D Mercy

• To have Dr. Isaiah (Ike) McKinnon featured
at your next event call (313) 259-9577

1 2/1

199