Q&A: Why does God punish?
Why does God punish?
Question
People tell me that God doesn’t need our commandments; rather, we need them for our own good so that we can elevate ourselves. But if God doesn’t need the commandments, then why does He punish us for some of them? (Especially for prohibitions.) I’d appreciate an answer from anyone.
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. He punishes us for our sake, to make sure that we keep them.
Beyond that, it’s not true that the Holy One, blessed be He, does not need our commandments. See columns 170 and 360.
Discussion on Answer
Honorable Rabbi, marvelous one and wisest of the wise. Is it possible to attach links to your references? For example, above you wrote, “See columns 170 and 360.” I’m fairly new to the site (although I’ve read many of your articles, they were just without references), and I’m not managing to understand how to reach the references. Sorry for my technical question, U.A.
Here above, in the upper part of the page, there are tabs. Go into Writings, Posts, and choose whatever you want.
Thank you for your reply. But I still don’t understand how I find columns 170 and 360.
I explained. Which point wasn’t clear?
Maybe you’re on a cellphone and not a computer? In that case, instead of the tabs above, click the three-line icon at the top right and then continue as I explained.
Thank you very much! I liked the example with the Book of Jonah!