King Solomon certainly did. He grappled with this very question in Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 7:15, saying, "All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a just man who perishes in his righteousness…"

But what did he mean by "vanity"?

The Idra Zuta, a profound section of the Zohar – that foundational text of Jewish mysticism – offers a fascinating answer. It connects Solomon's lament to the very structure of the Divine.

According to the Idra Zuta, this "vanity" isn't just about fleeting earthly pleasures. It speaks to seven higher vanities, aspects of what's called the king's face. These are actually the seven Sfirot – divine emanations or attributes –: Chesed (loving-kindness), Gvurah (strength or judgment), Tiferet (beauty or balance), Netzach (endurance), Hod (splendor), Yesod (foundation), and Malchut (kingship or sovereignty).

It's Malchut, the last of these seven, that's particularly relevant here. This is holy Malchut. When Malchut is stirred up, especially with her judgments, that verse from Kohelet – "there is a just man who perishes in his righteousness" – comes into play. Why? Because, according to the Idra Zuta, at these times, justice becomes separated from righteousness.

Think of it like this: righteousness, Tzedek, needs justice, Din, to be fully realized. When they're disconnected, Malchut – the divine attribute that manifests in the world – is left without the support of the "right side," so to speak. This imbalance can lead to suffering and injustice.

The text even offers an alternative reading of a verse to emphasize this point. Instead of reading about a lack of judgment, it suggests we read about ruin coming because of this lack.

So, what’s the takeaway? The Idra Zuta isn't just offering a theological explanation for suffering. It's suggesting that the challenges we see in the world are reflections of a deeper, cosmic reality. When balance is disrupted in the divine realm – when justice and righteousness are separated – it manifests in the world around us.

Does that mean we're powerless? Absolutely not! If anything, it gives us a powerful call to action. By striving for justice and righteousness in our own lives, by seeking balance and harmony in our own actions, we can, in some small way, help to restore balance to the world above, and the world below. It reminds us that even when things seem chaotic and unfair, we each have a role to play in bringing about a more just and compassionate world. A world where righteousness and justice walk hand in hand.