Judaism Problem of evil

according jon levenson, writers of hebrew bible aware of evil theological problem, not claim awareness of problem of evil. in contrast, according yair hoffman, ancient books of hebrew bible not show awareness of theological problem of evil, , later biblical scholars did not touch question of problem of evil. earliest awareness of problem of evil in judaism tradition evidenced in extra- , post-biblical sources such apocrypha (secret texts unknown authors, not considered mainstream @ time written). first systematic reflections on problem of evil jewish philosophers traceable in medieval period.

the problem of evil gained renewed interest among jewish scholars after moral evil of holocaust. all-powerful, all-compassionate, all-knowing monotheistic god presumably had power prevent holocaust, didn t. jewish thinkers have argued either god did not care torture , suffering in world created—which means not omnibenevolent, or did not know happening—which means not omniscient. persecution of jewish people not new phenomenon, , medieval jewish thinkers had in abstract attempted reconcile logical version of problem of evil. holocaust experience , other episodes of mass extermination such gulag , killing fields millions of people experienced torture , died, however, brought focus visceral nature of evidential version of problem of evil.

the 10th-century rabbi called saadia gaon presented theodicy along lines of soul-making, greater , afterlife . suffering suggested saadia, in manner similar babylonian talmud berakhot 5, should considered gift god because leads eternity of heaven in afterlife. in contrast, 12th-century moses maimonides offered different theodicy, asserting all-loving god neither produces evil nor gifts suffering, because god absolutely good, presenting privation theory explanation. both these answers, states daniel rynhold, merely rationalize , suppress problem of evil, rather solve it. easier rationalize suffering caused theft or accidental injuries, physical, mental , existential horrors of persistent events of repeated violence on long periods of time such holocaust, or innocent child suffering pain of cancer, cannot rationalized 1 sided self blame , belittling personhood. attempts theologians reconcile problem of evil, claims holocaust evil necessary, intentional , purposeful act of god have been declared obscene jewish thinkers such richard rubenstein.