Q&A: A Trial One Cannot Withstand
A Trial One Cannot Withstand
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Very often people say that the Holy One, blessed be He, does not put us through a trial that we cannot withstand. But unfortunately, from my own past experience, I went through many trials and struggles that I could not withstand. I’m talking about periods when I was very religious and very strong in faith, and because of this I became much weaker, since I realized that there really is nothing behind that statement, and the implication of it is that the Holy One, blessed be He, is not really watching over us or responsible for our reality.
I would be glad to hear the Rabbi’s view on this matter.
Answer
It is a shame that people spread baseless and nonsensical myths, and it is no less a shame that other people take them seriously and uncritically.
Beyond the question of whether He puts us through trials, and which kinds of trials, there is the question of His involvement in the world בכלל. My view is that there probably is no involvement, or almost none. I have explained this at length in many places. See, for example, column 280, 298, 463, and others.
As for a decline in faith: if one does not believe in superstitions, then there is no reason to become weaker in faith. In other words, becoming weaker in superstitious beliefs is an advantage, not a deficiency. In short, according to your description, you actually grew stronger in faith, not weaker.