Rabbi Asher Resnick

Addressing the Tragedy of Those Who Pass Away Young A poignant Medrash (Medrash Raba — Shir HaShirim) addresses the tragedy of those who pass away young: Hashem comes down to take the shoshanim (literally roses, but understood here as tzadikim) from His orchard (Beit Knesset and Beit Medrash — Shul and Study Hall). Every single... Read more »

As painful as any death is, there is a much greater sense of tragedy when a young child passes away. This article presents classical Torah sources addressing how we should view and deal with this difficult and painful challenge. The Torah speaks about three different offerings — the animal offering (most expensive), the bird offering... Read more »

The classical Jewish understanding of G-d is that He is a Creator, Sustainer, and Supervisor. He created the entire world from absolutely nothing, He continually sustains its existence from that first instant and onward, and He supervises whatever occurs in the world. In sharp contrast to this traditional perspective is a well-known book on the... Read more »

Perhaps the first point to understand in terms of Judaism’s emotional perspective on yissurim is a halacha in Shulchan Aruch which states that it is considered to be cruelty if one doesn’t mourn properly when a close relative passes away (YD 294:6). One might have imagined, with all we have said until now in trying... Read more »

Three Essential Prerequisites First — Definition of Yissurim The Hebrew word yissurim deals with the classical theological and philosophical issue — “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and “Why do good things happen to bad people?”While yissurim is often translated as “suffering,” if we examine a verse in the Torah containing the word... Read more »

Rabbi Asher Resnick initially addressed how we are meant to relate to communal challenges in an earlier essay, “Understanding Communal Difficulties & Challenges – Part I” that is found here. We now continue with Part II… Rambam on the Mitzvat Asei (Positive Commandment) of Tza’akah (Crying out to G-d) While the Rambam and the Ramban argue about the mitzvah of tefillah (prayer),... Read more »

Respond to the “coronavirus plague” and work on Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven) by making sure to say at least 100 brachot every single day by clicking on this chart. The Significance of 100 Brachot (Blessings) Every Single Day In the days of David HaMelech, there was a terrible plague afflicting the Jewish nation,

When we speak about yissurim (difficulties and challenges), we usually think about their impact and their justice in terms of individuals, as in the famous question — Lamah yeish tzadik v’ra lo? — Why do the righteous suffer? But, of course, just like there are yissurim for individuals, there are also yissurim

Why call it “Anti-Semitism”? Let’s begin by focusing on the term “anti-Semitism” itself. Why do we need a specific term for hatred against the Jews?

The Yom Tovim we just experienced are filled with so much simcha (joy). Where does that, however, leave those who have gone through, or are currently going through serious and painful life challenges? This article addresses this issue from classical Torah sources.

Pages By: Rabbi Asher Resnick

The Meaning of a Life Tragically Cut Short – Part 2

The Meaning of a Life Tragically Cut Short – Part 1

Pain is a Reality, Suffering is a Choice Part 3 – G-d Runs the World

Emotionally Dealing with Painful Yissurim – Parts Four and Five

Pain Is a Reality, Suffering Is a Choice – Why Painful Things Happen to Good People

Understanding Communal Difficulties & Challenges – Part II

Responding to Difficulties with a 100 Blessing Chart

Understanding Communal Difficulties & Challenges – Part I

What Makes Anti-Semitism So Distinctive?

Maintaining Simcha within Painful Difficulties

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