If God Is Good, Why Is the World So Bad?

In these troubled times, people are asking very difficult questions about God and their faith:

• If I suffer, does that mean I deserve it?
• Why do innocent people, especially children, die tragically?
• How can God be so cruel?
• Does God ever intervene during times of trouble?
• Who really runs the world-God or man?
• Do my prayers do any good?
• Why does God allow sickness, torture and evil to exist?

Benjamin Blech admits, the answers are not simple. There is no one-size-fits-all explanation. Indeed, not only are there many answers, but in different situations several explanations may apply. Blech wrote this book as an intellectual analysis of Jewish wisdom on the subject of suffering. His theories are the fruit of thousands of years of debate, examination and struggle. Jewish wisdom teaches that there are rich and inspiring answers to the ultimate question: If God is good, why is the world so bad?

Take part in the most important spiritual journey of all-the quest for serenity in the face of adversity-and discover that in the accumulated wisdom of the ages lies a time-tested solution for turning despair into hope and sorrow into faith.

Benjamin Blech is an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. He is the author of seven highly acclaimed best-sellers, including three in the popular Idiot's Guide series. One of his books, Understanding Judaism: The Basics of Deed and Creed, was chosen by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations as the single best book on Judaism today. In a national survey by Jewsweek, Benjamin Blech ranked sixteen in a listing of the fifty most influential Jews in America. A recipient of the American Educator of the Year Award, he is an associate professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University since 1966. A tenth-generation rabbi, he has formed thousands of student-teacher relationships through his warm and caring style. He lectures around the world in places as far away as Australia, South Africa, Singapore and Israel. He has appeared on national television, including Oprah, and has written for Newsweek, The New York Times and Newsday.