Berachot 7: On the Meaning of Suffering

Although I do not blog on Shabbat, it is impossible for me to skip this one idea: Why do righteous people suffer?

The first answer offered is that the righteous might suffer because their parents or other ancestors were wicked.  But there are competing commentaries about that concept.  Aren't we protected from being punished for the sins of our parents?

Another idea is that righteous people suffer based on their actions in this world and what will happen in the World-to-Come.  If one is righteous and does not suffer, s/he will live well in this world and in the World-to-Come.  If one is righteous and suffers, it is because they have transgressed in minor ways.  These people will live with difficulty in this world but will live well in the World-to-Come.  If one is not righteous in this world and not prosperous, s/he might find comfort in the World-to-Come because s/he has paid for those transgressions in suffering done by the time s/he reaches the World-to-Come.  Finally, if one is wicked in this world and prospers regardless, this person will feel the negative consequences of their actions when restricted from entering the World-to-Come. 

The idea of paying for the sins of our parents feels antiquated and just wrong to many readers today.  How can we be held responsible for what has been done by others?  The idea of suffering as a way to pay for our transgressions now so that we can enter a better world later is much more appealing.  

The notion of 'heaven' feels like a Christian concept to many liberal Jews, for we are not taught about the importance of "the World to Come"; we are to focus on this life and our positive actions now.  But to imagine, even for a moment, that there is meaning to our suffering (that is will help us to live in a place of perfect beauty) is incredibly comforting.