How to Love Hashem in a world of suffering? Malbim

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    • Michal 1 year ago

      The Malbim Explains this concept of Hashem Echad for the purpose of loving Hashem in this way. (Devarim, 6:4 on Shema)

      He says that there are people that serve many different gods thinking that each one provides different forms of good.  They can’t fathom that there is a God that should be served who also is the source of what they perceive as bad.  The Malbim says that we have to know that there is no other God and He is the root of all existence, including both the things we perceive and call good and as bad.  

      He then says a powerful point, that it is incumbent upon us to have Emunah in the fact that there is actually no evil in reality. Since from Hashem, only good comes out.  When it appears to us as bad it is actually ONLY Good and Chesed.  (ואשר ידמה לנו שהוא רע הוא באמת אך טוב וחסד בין הרע הנמצא בהויה כל העדר הוא לצורך הויה וכל השחתה הוא לצורך תקון ובנין)

      The bad that is found in this world, the deficiencies in the world are necessary for the existence of the world. All destructive forces are needed for the process of Tikun, the fixing, the establishing and building.. They all have the purpose of good.  And this is what it means when Hashem says in the first chapter of Bereishis:   וירא אלהים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאד, Hashem saw all He did and behold it was very good.. 

      He then proceeds to say How the name of Hashem is Rachamim, the good and Hashem Elokeinu, representing Din, and yesurim, and when we say Shema we are acknowledging as all being One. 

      How do we love Hashem?  The way I understand the Malbim is to follow this two step process

      Step One: Understand and get clear on the truth of His Unity, of all really being good from Him,  leads to loving Hashem..  Unifying His Name this way.

      Step Two: Once we understand that all has the purpose of good, we then need to act on it, and find ways to express that purpose, we can respond in kind.  Find ways to Mitaken that which is needed in the world, and become a builder of the Beis Hamikdash.   When we do so we are emulating:  Hashem saw all He did and behold it was very good..  If we see something that appears to be bad, and painful,  we have an opportunity to be an active participant in being Mitaken the world, and become a builder of a world of a Beish Hamikdash restored.  Doing so is a response of Ahavas Hashem, emulating His Vision in us and the world, and His Goodness.  

      May we all be zoche to be ones that express this love of Hashem, Unifying His name when we seek the tov needed and work on being Mitaken and building a world where His Shechina is at Home. 

       

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