Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, dives deep into this very conundrum in its commentary on Psalm 92. It begins with a powerful question, a direct address to the Divine: "What are Your deeds, O God?" What are you up to? What's the plan here? It's almost a frustrated plea.
The Midrash acknowledges the sheer unknowability of God's ways. "The depth of Your thoughts," it says, "is a great abyss." We can't possibly grasp the entirety of the divine plan. It's beyond our limited human comprehension. So what are we to do? Are we just left adrift in a sea of uncertainty?
Well, not exactly. The Midrash suggests that we seek wisdom from those who are learned in our own tradition. "A simple person from Israel should learn from the wise sages of Israel." It even quotes Psalms 94:8, a bit pointedly: "Understand this, you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise?" Ouch!
But here's a fascinating twist: The Midrash then warns against becoming overly enamored with the wisdom of other cultures. It claims that "a person who is knowledgeable in the ways of the nations is like a fool who does not understand the words of the Torah." Strong words! The idea isn’t to remain ignorant, but to remember that our primary lens for understanding the world should be the Torah.
Why this seemingly harsh stance? Perhaps it's a reminder that true understanding, at least from a Jewish perspective, comes from engaging with our own sacred texts and traditions. It is not to blindly accept everything we encounter from other sources.
Then comes the real kicker. The Midrash addresses the age-old problem of the wicked prospering. "During the flourishing of the wicked, when you see them increasing like grass and blossoming like the workers of iniquity, do not say 'Hallelujah' until they are destined to be destroyed." It's a warning against prematurely celebrating the success of those who act unjustly. Don't be fooled by outward appearances!
In essence, don’t declare victory too soon. Don't assume that because someone is currently successful, they are therefore righteous. Their ultimate fate is not yet determined. The Midrash reinforces this point by quoting Psalm 92:8: "Let them be destroyed forever," as well as other verses like "Let sinners be consumed from the earth" (Psalms 104:35) and "The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away" (Psalms 1:4).
The message is clear: ultimate justice will prevail. The wicked may flourish for a time, but their success is fleeting, ultimately as insubstantial as chaff blown away by the wind.
The Midrash concludes with a reaffirmation of God's eternal nature: "But You, O Lord, are exalted forever." Despite the apparent chaos and injustice of the world, God remains supreme, a constant and unchanging presence.
So what does this all mean for us today? Perhaps it's a call to patience, to trust in a higher power even when things seem unfair. It's a reminder to seek wisdom within our own tradition, and to be wary of judging success solely by outward appearances. It's a call to remember that even in the face of injustice, God remains exalted, forever.