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112 SPIRIT AND THE MIND
explored—points seriously made and as diligently debated and refuted—to assure that every possible effort was made to plumb the most profound depths of this epic and unexplainable mystery.
“Are we guilty for some wrongdoing in this lifetime? Could this be a punishment for earlier transgressions, when Jews defied their covenant with the Lord? Are we suffering now for the sins of our forefathers? Are we Jews somehow being cleansed and purified—or perhaps even taking on the pain of others? And by our death will we be granted special grace to live with the Lord for ever and ever in heaven?”
And the other side: “No, no, no! Nothing can justify this cruelty, this unprecedented manifestation of evil.”
“But who can understand God’s ways? His ways are mysterious and immeasurable, His omniscience never to be questioned, His holiness so great we’re not worthy even of saying His name aloud. Our role is only to bow before Him and accept all as His loving grace; that all creation and evolution are realized through His exquisite omniscience, in perfect order; and that His actions and ways are always pure, always ineffably right, always infinitely perfect.”
But on the other side: “No, no, no! What God can take the prayers of the helpless, the tears of the pious and innocent and use them as a hangman’s noose, a whip—to beat, strangle and snuff out life without mercy? No argument can justify an evil so dark, unforgiving, pervasive, repugnant, perverse and grotesque as this!”
“But our God and the God of our fathers has been merciful to us in the past. He has led our people through the valley of death before and in time of suffering has come to protect and bring peace. Somehow we must accept this newest experience with gratitude and love. We must never lose faith, for He has always been with us in time of need, even when we felt abandoned—and He must be with us now. He has brought us out of Egypt, He has strengthened and purified us through the ages, and even now He must be toughening us for another great mission in the future. Yes, His ways are beyond question, beyond our judgment—His mystery is impenetrable. Everything given us must be accepted as a holy gift from Him.
“The only response we rightfully have is: ‘Yes, yes, yes! I accept all as your grace, no matter the depth of the mystery or the degree of the suffering and pain.’ Test me, oh Lord—as deep and profound a


































































































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