Welcome to NachDaily with Iyov, Perek 40.

We continue God’s response to Iyov. So far He has spoken to him from a ruach sa’ara, storm. As we explained, the very fact that Hashem had given him prophecy inadvertently answers Iyov’s questions regarding Divine providence, free will, the World to Come, and why the righteous suffer, Tzaddik v’ra lo.

In this chapter we will see Hashem again speaking to him from a storm, albeit a lesser one, to address the questions remaining in Iyov’s heart. The main question was Rasha v’tov lo, why do the wicked prosper? Surely it would make sense for God not to allow evil people to make destructive inroads on civilization, causing harm to millions. Wouldn’t it make more sense for God to swiftly punish these people, to not allow the proliferation of evil on such a large scale? Yet we see that this is not always the case. We often see Reshaim live good lives, with health, wealth, and children.

The perek opens with God asking Iyov why he hasn’t responded to Him. The Malbim explains that Hashem was saying, when you were suffering you stood up to fight with Me, but now that your physical suffering has healed, It is now My role as “El Hamochiach – God who admonishes,” to speak up.

In verse 5 Iyov replies, “Achas dibarti v’lo e’eneh, ushtayim v’lo osiph – I have spoken once, and will not respond: Twice will add no more.” The Malbim explains that Iyov was still bothered by why the wicked prosper. Why does God allow those who are cruel, powerful, and evil, to inflict terror on people?

Certainly, this something we all struggle with to some extent. Why does Hashem allow terrorist organizations to flourish and be successful? Why does Hashem allow the families of terrorists to receive money for murdering innocent people? And why does He allow drunk drivers to kill people in car accidents and get away with it? Questions like these are under the category of Rasha v’tov lo. Why do dishonest people seem to get “ahead” in life?

In verse 6 Hashem addresses these questions. The Malbim explains that we’re going to see Hashem expand these questions, which can be applied to all of creation. Why does Hashem allow some of His great creatures to prey on other animals? As His providence extends to all living things, why not doesn’t He eliminate these animals?

In summary, the Malbim explains that this is a foolish question. If God only created weak creatures the world would be a weak and meek place. God wanted to display His honor by creating magnificent and mighty creations. Despite these creatures’ might, Hashem still rules over them and uses them as to how He sees fit!

The same is true for mankind. Hashem created awesomely strong and powerful people. These people can use their abilities to oppress other people or they can use their talents to build societies. Simultaneously, Hashem gave men the ability to protect themselves from oppressors, to set up a just and fair court system and create a civil society.

From verse 15 until the perek ends in verse 32, Hashem highlights two major animals that are strong and wondrous creations, yet He controls them and can subdue them at His will.

These two animals are the great behemoth and the levyoson. Interestingly, the world behemoth seems to come from the Hebrew word “beheimos, animals”

The Gemarah in Bava Basra 74b explains: Hashem created everything in the world male and female, including the levyason. Were the levyason to mate, it would destroy the entire world. He therefore castrated the male so that it couldn’t mate, then killed the female and salted her for the Tzaddikim to eat in Olam Habah.

Similarly, the great behemoth was created male and female. They were also capable of destroying the entire world. so Hashem castrated the male, and froze the female for the Tzaddikim to eat in Olam Habah.

So too, throughout creation Hashem endowed strength and power to mankind. In a sense there’s a balance of powers. There are strong and weak, yet both have the ability to protect themselves and act as they choose. When the so-called “weak” set up proper good societies, this moves the world to a better place and increases goodness.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily. Hashem is going to continue to describe the levyoson and answer the ultimate question of rasha v’tov lo.

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.