Genesis, Abraham challenges G-d on the grounds of justice. “Will the Judge of the entire earth not do justice” for the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah? Job says to G-d that he, Job, is one of the righteous, so why does he suffer? Abraham is not punished for his brazen challenge to G-d. Job’s suffering, however, continues unabated alongside his brazen challenge to G-d. What is the difference between Abraham and Job? Rabbi Aryeh Finkel offers this explanation: Abraham, in challenging G-d, was actually standing up for G-d. Abraham was saying to G-d: You are the Author of absolute justice. If You kill the righteous in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, however few they may be, You call into question Your claims about Yourself. […]
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