July 30, 2019 · 00:04:07
We continue with Iyov’s response to Tzofar, who held that you can't really rely on your perceptions in order to understand whether or not you’re a Tzaddik or a Rasha. These things are only considered the “knowledge” of God. It’s up to Hashem to judge who is which. Iyov opens the perek by continuing to assert that you can rely on your own perceptions, life experience and knowledge to understand whether you’re a Tzaddik or a Rasha, guilty or innocent. In verse 2, Iyov responds sharply to his friends. “Kidatchem yadati gam ani lo nofeil anochi mikem - I also know what you know. I am no less than you.” I also know through my life experience about God. Are you God, the Almighty? You’re liars! It would be better for you all to stay silent than to speak up! The Malbim explains Iyov as saying that the sum total of all your arguments is that human intelligence can't comprehend why God causes innocent people to suffer. Therefore, it would be fitting for you to just be quiet. In pessukim 7 through 17, Iyov goes on to question his friends’ motives. God hates flattery. Iyov very directly and sharply asks his friends why they are speaking this way. Are they trying to defend God to get “in” with Him? Don't they fear Him? In verse 12 Iyov tells his friends, “Your recollections are like dust.” The Pesikta Rabba brings that he asked, “Why are you misleading people? You think that you’re like Avraham, who considered himself like” dust and ashes.” In truth, you are more like the Dor Hamabul, the