We see suffering, we experience loss, and we can’t help but wonder: where is G-d in all this? Does He even care? The ancient sages grappled with this too, and surprisingly, they found hints of an answer in the Torah itself.
Specifically, in Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, we find a fascinating, and frankly, comforting idea. The verse in question is Deuteronomy 32:36: "For the L-rd will judge His people, and over His servants yithnecham."
Now, the word yithnecham is key here. It comes from the root nechamah, which often gets translated as "to be comforted" or "to have compassion." But the Sages saw something deeper. They understood nechamah as connoting "bethinking," a kind of regret, a second thought.
So, according to the Sifrei Devarim, what does this verse actually mean? It means that when G-d judges – and here, we’re talking about punishing – the wicked nations, there's a sense of… well, not exactly joy, but righteous justice being served. Proverbs 11:10 says, "and in the destruction of the wicked is rejoicing." But the Sages are quick to point out, it's not quite that simple.
However, when G-d judges the righteous, when hardship falls upon those who strive to live a good life, that's when this "bethinking" comes into play. That's when the verse tells us, "and over His servants, undefined."
Think about it. The text draws parallels to other instances of nichamti, the first-person form of nechamah, in the Torah. Remember Genesis 6:7, after humanity's wickedness had reached a fever pitch? G-d says, "I have bethought Myself (nichamti) for having made them." A similar sentiment is expressed in I Samuel 15:11, when G-d regrets making Saul king: "I have bethought myself (nichamti) for having made Saul king."
These aren't just idle words. They suggest a profound level of divine empathy.
The Sages aren’t suggesting G-d makes mistakes, exactly. But they are suggesting that even in the grand cosmic scheme, even within the framework of divine justice, there's room for… regret. For a sense of, "Could this have been avoided? Was this truly the only way?" A divine sigh, perhaps.
This isn't about G-d changing His mind, but rather about the divine heart acknowledging the pain inherent in even the most necessary of judgments. It speaks to a G-d who isn't detached and indifferent, but deeply invested in the well-being of His creation, even when that creation stumbles and falls.
So, the next time you find yourself questioning G-d's presence in the face of suffering, remember the word yithnecham. Remember that, according to our tradition, even in the midst of judgment, there's a space for divine "bethinking," a hint of empathy that whispers, "I am with you, even here."