Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
Why does God send me a headache if I can easily remedy the situation, by simply taking two tablets of Tylenol? If He created the medication, what’s the point of the sickness?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
Challenging Us to Grow
Yes, Hashem (God) created the cure, but we still have to go through the sickness. Even if the remedy is certain — which is not necessarily the case — there are so many ways for one to grow. Every ailment — and in truth, every situation in which we find ourselves in this world — is meant to teach us something or help us grow in some manner. God puts us in this world and presents us with various situations, and our task is to use the Torah’s guidelines in our effort to meet the challenges that come our way.
A Test in the Desert
This was the case with the manna that fell for the Jewish people when they wandered in the Wilderness. Although they were seemingly having their food dropped into their laps, the Torah tells us that they were also being tested. Would they collect the manna in the way that Hashem prescribed, and would they be sure not to leave over any for the following day? That was an opportunity for them to strengthen their faith that Hashem would provide for them anew each day. In addition, the Talmud (Yoma 76a) tells us that they received only enough manna for that day. That would cause them to constantly turn to Hashem for their fare, and internalize the truth that Hashem was their only Source of sustenance.
Why Work
The same principle applies to having to work for a livelihood. Hashem provides for all creations, and could easily provide for us as well, with no need for us to put in any effort. But one of the reasons we need to work for a living is for us to grow, to have the opportunity to use our free will in acting properly, being honest in our dealings, treating our employees and competitors properly, and so forth. In addition, we are tested to see if we will take credit for our successes and achievements, or if we will turn to Hashem to ask for our livelihood and remember that it is all a gift from Above.
It’s Not the Medicine!
The same is true for one’s health. When someone has a headache he is also being tested. Will the person attribute his salvation to the medicine or will he attribute it to Hashem, the true Source of his cure? As is stated in Mishnah Berurah (230:6), halachah (Jewish law) dictates that a prayer should be recited before a person takes medicine, asking Hashem to enable it to provide a remedy. This helps us stay focused on the true Source of our salvation.
Indeed, the very fact that we are permitted to go to the doctor or take medicine is only because the Torah allows us to seek cures for illnesses. If not for this allowance, we would be required to deal directly with Hashem, without any other intervention. Since He is the One Who gave us the ailment, we should ask Him to cure us. Even after the Torah permitted going to doctors and taking medicine, we must not lose sight of the true Source of our cure. That being the case, one must ask himself the following questions: What is the proper balance between pursuing medical care and davening (praying) to Hashem? How far should a person go to find a cure? How many doctors should he see? As far as sicknesses in general are concerned, there are many Torah laws to which one must adhere. For example: Is he allowed to take his medication on Shabbos? Does his condition permit him to fast on a fast day?
Eat On Yom Kippur?!
Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky was once asked if a certain man who was quite ill should eat on Yom Kippur, as his doctor had ordered. His response was that the man is not only allowed to eat, but obligated to eat. It is of paramount importance to watch over our health, so that we can continue to live and serve Hashem. Unfortunately, the man did not listen, his health deteriorated and he died. This person, said Rav Yaakov, was not considered a hero for fasting, and he refused to eulogize him. Since the Torah says that someone in his situation must eat, his fasting was considered a grave sin.
In addition, illness poses some other trials and tribulations. For example, will the person continue to learn and do mitzvos even with a headache? Rambam tells us that even someone sick or in pain is still obligated to learn Torah. If his situation is not severe enough that he would take a day off from work, then he should not take a day off from learning either, because that would be an indication Torah is less of a priority.
The bottom line is that sickness is a challenge, even when it can be cured. If we meet the challenge the way the Torah tells us to, then we grow from it, and that is the ultimate purpose.
In short: Every ailment is meant to help one grow, such as by turning to Hashem, the true Source of the cure.
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