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Why do righteous people sometimes suffer while wicked people prosper? The Ramchal in Derech Hashem (ה׳) explains that Divine Providence operates through multiple principles - sometimes making life easier for the righteous to help them serve God, sometimes creating obstacles for growth, and sometimes preventing the wicked from accomplishing evil. Since we cannot know which principle applies to our situation, we should pray for success as a tool for serving God better while recognizing that prosperity brings greater responsibility.
This shiur continues an in-depth study of Ramchal's Derech Hashem (ה׳), specifically addressing why individuals experience various forms of suffering and success in this world. The rabbi explains that beyond the simple understanding that events serve as challenges for spiritual growth, there are multiple reasons for what happens to people. The Ramchal teaches that God may make life easier for certain individuals based on their previous deeds, helping them achieve perfection and protecting them from stumbling blocks, as referenced in Shmuel: 'God guards the feet of the righteous ones.' Conversely, God may place barriers in someone's path, requiring much effort and struggle to attain perfection. The shiur emphasizes that both righteous and wicked people can experience success or suffering for various reasons - sometimes to help the righteous serve God better, and sometimes to prevent the wicked from accomplishing their evil intentions, as Dovid HaMelech prayed: 'grant not the desires of the wicked.' An important principle discussed is that God judges each person according to their circumstances and true nature - someone in prosperity who neglects obligations is judged more harshly than someone in distress who struggles to meet standards. The rabbi explains different types of suffering: some comes as atonement for sins, some as challenges for growth, and some as wake-up calls to motivate repentance, quoting Elihu's words to Iyov about God opening ears to discipline. The text warns that there is a limit to how much evil God will tolerate - when 'the measure is filled,' destruction becomes imminent, as seen with Sodom. The practical application emphasizes that since we cannot know why we experience what we do, we should not define ourselves as either righteous or wicked, but should always strive to accomplish more. The rabbi encourages praying for success as a means for God to make it easier to achieve perfection and serve Him better, while maintaining awareness that success brings greater responsibility.
Derech Hashem 2:3:4-5 (Ramchal)
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