Vaishlaj - Is it okay to get angry with God?
- Jack Levy
- Dec 4, 2023
- 7 min read
Vaishlaj- An invitation to dialogue.
Is it okay to get angry with God?
Have you ever felt like the universe is against you? Like everything seems to be working against you, nothing goes right, and it just doesn't seem fair. Uff, I understand you! Many times, things appear unjust, and we wonder why we have to go through certain situations. Perhaps you even feel tempted to look for someone to blame, someone to hold responsible for your problems.
But what if I tell you that this search is in vain? That the person you want to blame doesn't exist, and the only one responsible for all of this is God. Yes, I know it may sound harsh, but it's the truth.
So here's my advice, even if you didn't ask for it: don't get trapped in anger and frustration, don't linger there pointing fingers at potential culprits. It's time to have a talk with The Big Boss, the ultimate boss, the creator of all this – talk to God.
I know it may sound like a cliché, but why not give it a try? Why not speak up, open your heart, and tell Him everything you feel? Don't worry, He's a tough one, He can handle it. But who knows, perhaps by doing so, you'll find the peace you so desperately need. Maybe you'll discover that He has a plan behind all of this, and you simply need to trust Him.
So don't stay alone with your anger and frustration, don't keep wondering why. Talk to God, draw near to Him; it's His way of inviting you to the conversation, of saying, "Hey, come here, let's talk about this." And who knows, you might find more than you expected.
II: Three Intriguing Examples
Returning to the topic, it's quite curious that God gave Abraham a heads-up about His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. I mean, why did He give him the heads up? So that Abraham could prepare a picnic on a hilltop to watch the destruction from afar? Or so that he could make one last phone call to the folks in the cities to bid them farewell? But it seems that Abraham understood that this was a call to conversation. He didn't agree with God's decision and decided to confront Him directly. And he did it very astutely, asking Him, "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"[1] That's taking things to the next level, Abraham! And although in the end, God decided to proceed with His plan, the significance of the story lies in the dialogue they had. It's quite interesting to think about how a human being can have such a frank and open conversation with God.
"Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke [or reason with] your neighbor frankly, so that you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."[2] Nahmanides, in his commentary on this verse, argues that it refers to a situation in which a person's feelings were hurt or they were the victim of an injustice (or witnessed an wrongful act), and the person prefers to remain silent and avoid confrontation, not realizing that this silence will eventually turn into resentment, distance, and ultimately hatred. The same can happen in our relationship with our Creator if we don't talk to Him when we feel hurt or perceive injustice.
In the parasha of Vayishlach, we find a fascinating passage (where our people received their name: Israel) where Jacob is about to confront his brother Esau after 22 years of tension. And prior to this moment, Jacob is overcome with tremendous distress.
"Jacob remained alone." And a man wrestled with him until dawn. [4]
"Jacob remained alone." And a man wrestled with him until dawn.[4] The immediate question is: If he was alone, who did he wrestle with? One possible answer is: himself, facing the fear and distress provoked by the "Angel of Esau."
"Let me go, for it is dawn," said the angel. "I will not let you go until you bless me," Jacob replied. "What is your name?" the angel asked. "Jacob," he answered. "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have wrestled with God and man and have prevailed."[5]
These were decisive spiritual moments in Jacob's life and in the life of our nation. Right at his most vulnerable moment, Jacob was tested by Hashem and found the courage to confront the difficulties and not let them go without first receiving a blessing. This characteristic that our father Jacob bequeathed to us has been the source of our countless strength and resilience in facing adversity over the centuries – persecutions, pogroms, expulsions, holocausts – and emerging strengthened from them all. It serves as a testimony to humanity that great blessings can arise from suffering if you wrestle with it long enough and have unwavering faith.[6].
III: The Importance of Precision When Speaking to God
This could very well be the purpose of every difficulty: to connect with the solution. But to achieve this, we need to speak with clarity and precision. There's no room for beating around the bush like a monkey in the jungle! Jordan Peterson, in his book "12 Rules for Life," reminds us that expressing ourselves with precision is key to effectively addressing problems.
When faced with a problem, the easiest thing to do is sweep it under the rug and hope it magically resolves itself. However, the reality is that the problem grows and grows like a snowball until it explodes like an out-of-control piñata right in your face. That's why it's important to be specific and concrete, to precisely identify the problem so that you can tackle it with determination. If you speak with clarity, chaos becomes manageable, much like a grocery shopping list.
Precision isn't only valuable for problem-solving; it's also key to simplifying our lives. Without the precision of engineers designing cars, we'd probably still be traveling in horse-drawn carriages (and stuck in the Middle Ages). But when something goes wrong with a car, that's when we need to delve into complexity to pinpoint the issue.
Speaking of complexity, relationships are a whole different story! When everything is going well, a relationship is like a romantic movie, but if something goes awry... it turns into a horror thriller! That's where the precision of language helps us protect ourselves, analyze the situation carefully to avoid getting hurt.
To further illustrate the importance of precision, imagine a desperate person calling a doctor in another country because they feel unwell. The doctor has no way of physically examining them, so the only way to determine a diagnosis is by questioning them about their symptoms. If the person is not precise in describing their symptoms, the doctor might provide an incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Remember, even a medical expert needs precise information to be able to assist you.
IV: How Talking to God Helps Us Find Peace in Times of Difficulty
Don't hide your problems under the kippah; instead, identify them with precision so you can confront them with determination. And if you need help, don't "wander around like your grandma before Shabbat"; instead, ask for assistance with clarity and precision.
Remember, precision is like the butter in Baklava: it's the key to success. So don't fret if you have a problem; speak with clarity and precision, and you'll find that the solution is within your reach, just like your grandma's TV remote control.
In Summary: Often, when things don't go as we want, we get angry with Him and think that what's happening isn't fair. However, what if this is actually an invitation to talk to Him and get closer to Him? The biblical story of Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah shows that confronting God can bring us closer to Him. It's also important to speak to God when something hurts us or seems unfair because keeping silent can turn into resentment and hatred. Verbalization is key to understanding and finding solutions to our problems, and tefilah (prayer) is a elevated way to do so.
Practical Advice: Ultimately, facing our difficulties with courage and unwavering faith is what will give us the strength to emerge strengthened from them and be a testimony to humanity. Being precise in our speech is not just a matter of good manners; it's crucial for navigating life's turbulent waters! Identify your problems with precision, speak with clarity, and simplify your life. This way, God can naturally act in your life and help you achieve your goals. May precision be with you!
Practical Exercise:
a. Take a few minutes to reflect on a situation in your life that is causing you anger, frustration, or pain. Do you feel treated unfairly? Do you feel that something is not right? b. Acknowledge that you may be harboring anger towards God for allowing that situation to happen. Allow yourself to feel that anger and acknowledge it. c. Recall the biblical story of Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah. How did Abraham confront God in that situation? What can you learn from his example? d. Use the precision of language to identify the problem clearly. What is the exact situation that is causing you discomfort? What are the feelings you have about it? e. Speak to God in prayer about the situation. Hold nothing back. Express yourself clearly and openly. Ask for His help in understanding the situation and finding a solution. f. At the end of the prayer, take a moment to breathe deeply and release any tension you may feel. Remember that God is with you and will help you find a solution. g. Throughout the day, try to be precise in your speech. Identify problems clearly and speak clearly about what you need. This will help you simplify your life and face problems with determination.Texto recopilado del libro La Voz Del Alma- Jack Levy 2023
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