סספר אאיוב

1. סספראאיוב Amy Nathan Bella Wolf

2. Key Players • Iyov: righteous man, suffers and questions G-d, realizes G-d’s ways cannot be understood by man • Hashem: Allows the Satan to test Iyov to prove to the Satan that Iyov is righteous • Satan: Speaks with Hashem, receives permission to test Iyov • Elifaz, Bildad, tzofar, Elihu: Four of Iyov’s friends, speak of G-d’s righteousness and visit Iyov after he has been tested

3. Overview • Takes place in עוץ • 7 sons, 3 daughters, livestock, wealth • Discussion of Iyov’s righteousness between Hashem and Satan-Satan claims that Iyov is not really righteous like Hashem claims. He is only acting righteous, according to Satan, because he has been blessed with wealth and security. “אִישׁ הָיָה בְאֶרֶץ עוּץ, אִיּוֹב שְׁמוֹ; וְהָיָה הָאִישׁ הַהוּא, תָּם וְיָשָׁר וִירֵא אֱלֹקִים--וְסָר מֵרָע" פרק א" פסוק א"

4. Series of Tests #1 1. Band of thieves from Sheba 2. Huge fire descends and 3. Second band of thieves from attack and steal Iyov’s cattle consumes Iyov’s sheep Chaldea steal Iyov’s camels Iyov tears his clothes, shaves his head, and bows in acceptance of his fate. “ה" נתן וה" לקח יהי שם ה" מבורך" פרק א’ פסוק כא" 4. Big wind collapses house and kills Iyov’s 10 children who were trapped inside

5. Hashem and Satan resume conversation of Iyov’s righteousness-Satan contends that Iyov still isn’t truly righteous because he has never experienced bodily harm. If he did, he would surely turn away from Hashem. • Series of Tests #2: physical affliction • boils from soles of feet to top of scalp • Iyov does not immediately respond • Iyov, “We must accept the good and the bad.” "וַתֹּאמֶר לוֹ אִשְׁתּוֹ, עֹדְךָ מַחֲזִיק בְּתֻמָּתֶךָ; בָּרֵךְ אֱלֹקִים, וָמֻת." Then said his wife unto him: 'Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? blaspheme God, and die.' פרק ב" פסוק ט"

6. אליפז speaks of G-d’s righteousness, and the two other friends agree. They seem to rebuke Iyov’s behavior in the face of tragedy • 4 of Iyov’s friends come to comfort him • They sit with him 7 days and nights, saying nothing • Iyov curses the day he was born Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night wherein it was said: 'A man-child is brought forth. פרק ג" פסוק ג" יֹאבַד יוֹם, אִוָּלֶד בּוֹ; וְהַלַּיְלָה אָמַר, הֹרָה גָבֶר.

7. Iyov questions- Why do the righteous suffer? Concept of צדיק ורע לו פרק י’ פסוק ג’ הֲטוֹב לְךָ, כִּי תַעֲשֹׁק--כִּי-תִמְאַס, יְגִיעַ כַּפֶּיךָ; וְעַל-עֲצַת רְשָׁעִים הוֹפָעְתָּ. Is it good unto Thee that Thou shouldest oppress, that Thou shouldest despise the work of Thy hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? פרק ט’ פסוק כב’ “אַחַת, הִיא: עַל-כֵּן אָמַרְתִּי--תָּם וְרָשָׁע, הוּא מְכַלֶּה” It is all one--therefore I say: He destroyeth the innocent and the wicked.

8. Hashem’s Response • Doesn’t directly respond to problem of righteous sufferer • Instead Hashem asks Iyov a slew of questions that no man could possibly answer • No one knows why Hashem does what He does • So, Iyov should not question why the righteous suffer because G-d knows more than man פרק לט" פסו'ק א" הֲיָדַעְתָּ--עֵת, לֶדֶת יַעֲלֵי-סָלַע; חֹלֵל אַיָּלוֹת תִּשְׁמֹר. Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

9. Epilogue • Iyov realizes he can’t know Hashem’s reasoning or understand all His actions • Once he finally acknowledges this his life turns around • He receives gifts and rebuilds his life • 14 sons, 3 daughters-> 4 gen. grandchildren • Dies old and content • Proves Satan wrong – never curses Hashem!

10. Now let’s delve into some Pasukim… פרק ד" :א :ב וַיַּעַן, אֱלִיפַז הַתֵּימָנִי; וַיֹּאמַר. הֲנִסָּה דָבָר אֵלֶיךָ תִּלְאֶה; וַעְצֹר בְּמִלִּין, מִי יוּכָל. Translations of דעת מקרא .vsרש"י :פסוק ב'

11. פסוק ב' "הֲנִסָּה דָבָר אֵלֶיךָ תִּלְאֶה; וַעְצֹר בְּמִלִּין, מִי יוּכָל." רש"י דעת מקרא הינסהלדבר אליך אתה לא יכול? "ה" = אם If Someone would try to speak with you, would be unable (to handle it)? Elifaz’s statement is more gentle and understanding. As if he is asking permission to speak with Iyov “Is it too difficult for you if we were to speak now? Do you need more time?” הנסיוןאחד אליך אתה לא יכול? "ה" = בעבור )because of( Because of one test that has come to you, are you unable (to handle it)? Elifaz rebukes Iyov for his outburst and lack of faith “Why can’t such a great man handle one test from G-d?”

12. Who Is Elifaz? Rashi: harsh, insensitive DaatMikrah: understanding, compassionate Behold, you have supported many and strengthened weak hands. Your words would lift up (encourage) one who stumbles, and you would brace (support) buckling knees. And now when it befalls you, you are unable to cope? It touches you, and you are afraid? (rhetorical) :ג :ד :ה הִנֵּה, יִסַּרְתָּ רַבִּים; וְיָדַיִם רָפוֹת תְּחַזֵּק. כּוֹשֵׁל, יְקִימוּן מִלֶּיךָ; וּבִרְכַּיִם כֹּרְעוֹת תְּאַמֵּץ. כִּי עַתָּה, תָּבוֹא אֵלֶיךָ וַתֵּלֶא; תִּגַּע עָדֶיךָ, וַתִּבָּהֵל. http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2704.htm *Normal hebrew-english translation must be taken with caution: they sometimes may unintentionally side with one meforash when translating into english. Sometimes the true meaning of words are lost in translation.

13. Like Rashi’s or DaatMikrah’s Understanding of Elifaz? The nuance in these psukim come from the inflection and tone in which they are uttered רש"י דעת מקרא Conciliatory tone Elifaz encouraging Iyov to get past this hard time and persevere :“The words that you have used to comfort others are the same words that can now comfort you! Don’t give up!” • Rebuking tone • Elifaz calling Iyov hypocritical • : “You spoke to people who were having troubles and encouraged and strengthened them, but now that you are in the same situation that they were you cannot handle it?”

14. פרק ד" פסוק ו" "הֲלֹא יִרְאָתְךָ, כִּסְלָתֶךָ; תִּקְוָתְךָ, וְתֹם דְּרָכֶיךָ." כִּסְלָתֶךָ= stupidity, foolishness Elifaz calling Iyov fake with foolish fear and pretend ways. : “Isn’t your fear (of G-d) foolish (not genuine)? And so too your hopes and wholesomeness of your ways?” כִּסְלָתֶךָ = something to rely on Elifaz telling Iyov to rely and lean on his faith and fear-YiratHashem. : “Isn’t your fear (of G-d) something to rely on? Your hope and wholesome ways something to lean on?” רש"י אבן עזרא

15. The מחלוקת Remains • Perhaps intentional ambiguity of Elifaz’s words • Everyone needs a different type of friend when in times of despair • Rashi: tough-love, rebuke • DaatMikrah: compassionate, supportive

16. Final Comments • Iyov: universal story of the righteous sufferer • Elifaz: universal friend • We can’t question G-d’s ways or why good people suffer because we cannot understand G-d’s reasons and actions