Why Is There Hunger in the World if God Provides for All?

Amit asks: “In Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals), we say that God ‘feeds and sustains all’, but we know there are people in the world today who die of hunger, especially in Africa. How can this be explained? Thank you very much.”

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Shalom Amit, and thank you for your important question.

It is true that God sustains the entire world and provides for all people and thankfully, the vast majority of humanity does not die from hunger. Even in Africa, most people are not starving. Relative to the global population, the number of people who actually die of hunger is small. As the Sages say: “More people die from overeating than from hunger.”

That said, it is true that some tribes and nations do suffer from poverty and hunger, and indeed, there are still those who die of starvation. However, this is not a flaw in creation, but the fault of human beings — both on the material and spiritual levels.

The Material Dimension

The Talmudic Sages taught that in the days before the Messiah, corruption would abound. There would be plenty of food in the world, yet prices would rise due to greed and dishonest governments. As it says in the Talmud (end of Tractate Sotah): “In the footsteps of the Messiah, insolence will increase, prices will soar, the vine will yield fruit but the wine will be expensive, and the kingdom will turn to heresy.”

God created a world with abundant resources, enough for everyone to live in dignity. Hunger exists not because of lack of food, but because humans choose selfishness, elect corrupt leaders, and fail to share with those in need.

For example, South Africa is economically prosperous, yet does not sufficiently support its poorest citizens. Globally, hunger is the result of human greed, mismanagement, and indifference, not divine neglect. Humanity must take responsibility and correct this injustice.

At the same time, we must be thankful that in our generation, most poor people still have access to food, and mass starvation is rare. In Talmudic times, a man was considered “wealthy” if he simply had a private bathroom (Shabbat 25b), whereas today, we have running water at the turn of a faucet, bathtubs in every home, and fresh bread and cakes available at very low cost.

God has given us extraordinary gifts of senses, emotions, creativity, relationships, families, humor, and beauty. We enjoy stereo hearing, colorful 3D vision, delicate hands, taste, smell, and touch — all of which enrich life. Both rich and poor share these gifts daily. Because of habit however, we fail to marvel at them.

While a small minority suffers hunger (because society fails them), most people live in abundance, often far beyond their true needs.

The Spiritual Dimension

On the spiritual level, God provides sustenance ideally when the world is in its best state. History shows that when humanity sins, decrees can come upon the world. The Flood and the Tower of Babel are prime examples.

Suffering and scarcity can also result from the sins of past generations, with souls reincarnated to complete their correction. Today’s world is not in its ideal state. We live in a difficult time before redemption, which the Sages described prices rising, rulers turning to heresy, and the approach of the war of Gog and Magog.

Yet the Sages also promised that this suffering will bring humanity back to God: “The Holy One will place upon them a harsh ruler like Haman, and immediately they will repent — and then they will be redeemed.” (Sanhedrin 97b)

The prophets foretell that in the days of redemption, there will be global peace:

• “They shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.” (Jeremiah 31:33)

• “Nation shall not lift sword against nation, nor shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

• There will be no more hunger, and all will live in harmony.

We therefore pray daily for the coming of the Messiah and the final redemption — when God’s sustenance will be fully revealed and all suffering will cease.