Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, chapter 11.

We saw the response of Iyov’s first two friends, Eliphaz and Bildad, to human suffering. We now begin with his third friend, Tzofar.

I would like to reiterate that most of Iyov is dealt with in the Meforshim. When you learn the pessukim themselves, the deeper argument and what’s happening behind the scenes are not always apparent. I’m trying to explain the general ideas before delving into the pessukim themselves.

We’ll begin with an introduction before moving on to the body of the perek.

The Vilna Gaon tells us that Tzofar Hana’amasi was a descendant of Buz, the son of Avraham’s brother, Nachor. Again, we see that all of Iyov’s friends came from Avraham’s family, which explains why they had strong emunah.

The Malbim explains that at the begining of Iyov, Eliphaz’ and Bildad’s arguments showed that they believed that Divine providence exists and therefore the righteous can’t be destroyed. However, each of them came to a different conclusion based on their own rationalizations.

Tzofar now contradicts their assumptions, maintaining that Divine providence does exist, yet the righteous can be destroyed. The punishment of righteous, innocent people does not in any way contradict or pervert the idea of proper Divine justice and goodness.

The Malbim explains two points to Tzofar’s argument. Ultimately we don’t know who’s considered righteous and who’s not. As we only experience life through our 5 senses, we can only perceive the world in a subjective manner, not really knowing the inner essence of people or their righteousness.

Additionally, the Malbim explains based on the Ralbag, that the degree of good or evil within a person is relative to that person, as we each are judged on our own level, according to our potential. A person who acts well in an external sense might have a lot of friends, but it doesn’t mean that he’s righteous. On the other hand, people who may seem to be negative, with bad middos, who are really trying their best, can be considered righteous in God’s eyes. As we have no way of knowing who’s considered righteous, it’s not proper for us to judge anyone.

Secondly, the Malbim says that Iyov claimed God destroys the righteous. The inner essence of man, the soul, however, is never destroyed. We can’t measure reward and punishment in terms of their physical manifestations. True reward needs to be measured in terms of spiritual attainment.

Now for the perek itself.

Tzofar tells Iyov that just because he spoke strongly and articulately doesn’t mean he’s right.

Tzofar explains that God’s judgments have different standards. If God were to answer you, Iyov, he would shut you down.

Verse 6 says “V’yaged l’cha ta’alumos Chochma, ki kiflayim l’sushiyah, v’da ki yasheh l’cha Eloha mei’avonecha – He would tell you wisdom’s secrets; know that He has extended you credit regarding your sins.”

Metsudos explains that the punishment that each person deserves is considered Hashem’s secret hidden wisdom.

The Medrash Tanchuma brings the following metaphor: Iyov can be compared to a prisoner in chains who claims to know what’s happening in the King’s palace. The guards tell the prisoner that if he can free himself from his chains, they’ll believe him. Iyov was enveloped in 7 types of boils and dependent on God’s charity, yet claimed that he knew the workings of His mind.

Iyov was only being kept alive by the grace of God. There was no possible way for him to free himself from his afflictions unless God cured him, yet he claimed to know God’s ways which are incomprehensible to the human mind.

In verses 7 through 12, Tzofar insists that God’s calculations are way beyond human understanding.

“Can you achieve understanding of God? Can you fathom the extent of the Almighty?” God is way beyond us, and ultimately we don’t know why there is a Tzaddik who suffers and a Rasha for whom things seem to going well.

The perek ends with Tzofar goading Iyov to do teshuva. If only he would correct his ways, God would take him back!

Verse 18 says, “You will feel secure, because there is hope!”

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily, where we’ll learn Iyov’s response to Tzofar.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.