Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
I have heard that the suffering of pious people serves to atone for others, a sacrifice (korban) of sorts. Is that concept really true? Why do pious people deserve to suffer because of those who sin, and how does their death calm Hashem’s (God’s) anger against the others?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
A Good Question Indeed
Indeed, this is another important pointer in understanding bad things that happen to good people. At times, Hashem allows His attribute of strict judgment (middat hadin) to be placated with a sacrifice. When pious people are murdered in a way such as that which occurred in Har Nof, their deaths have the power to calm God’s anger at us. You may wonder why that should be. Why should the death of pious people atone for other people’s sins?
We Are One!
The reason is that all the souls (neshamot) of the Jewish nation are interconnected. What happens to one person causes a ripple effect, bringing about colossal changes in the entire nation. When the soul of one Jew is uplifted or falls, whether physically or spiritually, it pulls all the others along. The greater the person, the more he is connected, and the greater effect his movement will have on the rest of the nation. Consequently, the soul of a righteous person is very powerful and has the capability to make a major impact on many others. This is especially true when he fulfills the great mitzvah (commandment) of sanctifying God’s Name (kiddush Hashem), sacrificing his life for Hashem’s honor. That act can elevate the entire nation to great heights.
Not as Easy as it Sounds
However, it is important to realize that just as a sacrifice is not an E-Z pass, but achieves atonement only when combined with repentance (teshuvah), the same is true with the death of the righteous. Their deaths will serve as an atonement, or at least help to delay or soften the punishment, only if we change for the better in some way. However, if we are not moved to examine ourselves and improve in response, then the sacrifice may be wasted, God forbid.
In short: The souls of great people are connected to others and can make a major impact and elevate the entire nation to great heights.
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