Arguing with G-D? A Dangerous Distortion

by Ram ben Ze'ev

Arguing with G-D? A Dangerous Distortion

In recent times, one sometimes hears a popular but deeply misguided phrase: "Challenge your rabbi, argue with Rashi, and if necessary, litigate with G-D." It sounds clever. It sounds bold. But it is a dangerous distortion of Judaism.

Authentic Judaism commands us to honour our parents, honour our teachers, and above all, honour and revere the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Questioning in Torah study is encouraged — not to undermine authority, but to deepen understanding, to uncover truth, and to purify the heart. We argue with each other in the halls of learning; we challenge ideas to strengthen our grasp of the eternal Torah. But we do so with profound humility, and always within the framework of emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust in G-D).

The very idea of "litigating" with G-D is not merely incorrect — it is spiritual poison. It imagines a relationship of equality with the Divine, as though man could summon G-D to court, as though the clay could demand answers from the potter. Yeshayahu (Isaiah) warns precisely against this folly: "Woe to him who contends with his Maker, a potsherd among potsherds of the earth!" (Yeshayahu 45:9).

Judaism teaches the opposite. When we experience suffering, confusion, or hardship, we are called to bless G-D. We say, "ברוך דיין האמת" ("Blessed is the True Judge") — affirming that G-D’s judgment is perfect, even when our human eyes cannot comprehend it. As it says in the Holy Zohar, all that G-D does is for good, even if it is hidden from us.

When Avraham pleaded for Sedom, when Moshe prayed for Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf, they approached G-D not as adversaries but as humble servants, broken-hearted, reverent, and trembling. They petitioned, not prosecuted. They knew that G-D’s Will is supreme and that His knowledge infinitely surpasses our own.

Judaism does not teach blind faith. It teaches trusting faith. It is holy to ask, "Why?" when we do not understand. It is righteous to pour out our hearts to G-D in prayer. But we must never cross the line into judgment, rebellion, or accusation against the One who gave us life and sustains the world at every moment.

Today, in an age where arrogance is often celebrated and irreverence mistaken for wisdom, it is more important than ever to return to the authentic path:

• To study Torah with rigorous questions — but with reverence

• To honour the sages — even when we respectfully seek deeper understanding

• To trust in G-D’s Will — especially when it challenges our limited view of good and evil

Judaism is not a religion of rebellion against Heaven. It is a covenant of love, awe, and eternal loyalty between the Jewish people and our Creator.

May we merit to walk humbly with our G-D, to deepen our faith with every step, and to bless His Name — for the revealed good and for the concealed good — all the days of our lives.

###

Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited, SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue.