Punishment

The two young rabbinical students were deep into their friendly debate, controversial, but they were alone. Topics that have come up many times, and always there's a stalemate at best.

The first student went on with her argument, once again in a low voice, just in case, "It's very plain in the Torah: God punishes bad behavior, for ignoring the rules, living against pious values. It's justified, destroying people who don't obey. That's who the God of our people really is, and it's described right here." She points to the old book for emphasis.

The second student also stared at the Torah, considering how to respond to the strong points made. Despite his studies, he long had questioned the prophets' ideas about God's identity. He couldn't believe disease, violence, or hardship was sent by a Creator he wanted so desperately to worship.

"How could it be true, this other face of the Torah's God, so cruel and heartless to cause such suffering. Yet, I've read the same scripture, the Bible's prophesy they say divinely inspired, but truly, guidence by who, I wonder. Could they just be wrong?", he argued. 

He continued his challenge. "Forgive my question, but what if they're misguided, the great prophets? What if they're no closer to God's face than we are! Then, they don't know why there is suffering and death. Maybe the punishment reason isn't true, but our compassionate God really suffers all pain, and doesn't cause it. Maybe Devil does the terrible, not God."

The first student shakes her head slowly, pondering her friend's words. "No. That cannot be who God is. That would be too weak. Is the Torah's hero not omnipresent, all-aware, in control?"

The second student agreed, "True. God is all-powerful. We're just lowly students trying to understand something, or anything! Forgive my doubt, but I cannot understand the Torah's raging Yahway, like a monster parent who kills children for their misbehaving. No. It makes no sense, I still don't know who God is- only that I argue with everything in the Bible. How do I avoid it? Even the ancient name "Israel" itself means "argue with God!"

On this final fact, both students agreed.