Transforming Pain into Purpose: The Jewish Secret to Overcoming Suffering

When we are dealing with challenges in life, it can be exceedingly difficult to believe that there is anything positive about our experience.

We are taught that when we accept G-d's will with love, and believe that everything is for the best by saying “gam zu l’tovah” (“this too is for the best”), it is a powerful spiritual tool to turn judgement into compassion. This statement corresponds to the 13 Attributes of (G-d's) Mercy, as "zu" (זו) has the numerical value of 13. It is especially meaningful to say “gam zu l’tovah” during times of difficulty.

The Talmud tells a story about Nachum Ish Gamzu, a sage who was so accustomed to saying “gam zu l’tovah” that it became part of his identity.

He was known as Nachum Ish Gamzu because no matter what happened to him, he would always say, “this too is for the best.”

Once, the Jewish people wanted to send a gift to the Roman Emperor, and they chose Nachum Ish Gamzu to represent them because he was known for experiencing miracles. They sent him with a chest full of precious gems and pearls. Along the way, he stayed at an inn, but that night, the innkeepers opened the chest, stole all the treasures, and filled it with plain dirt.

When Nachum arrived and the chest was opened before the emperor, they saw only dirt. The emperor, insulted, said, “Are the Jews mocking me?” and ordered that Nachum be executed.

Nachum’s response? “Gam zu l’tovah.”

At that moment, Elijah the Prophet appeared, disguised as one of the emperor’s men. He suggested: “Maybe this dirt is like the legendary dirt of Abraham their forefather, who, according to tradition, could throw sand and it would turn into swords; straw would become arrows, as it says: ‘He made his sword like dust, and his bow like wind-blown straw’ (Isaiah 41:2).”

There happened to be a region the emperor had never succeeded in conquering. They decided to test the dirt by throwing it at the enemy, and incredibly, it turned into weapons. The emperor conquered the territory and was overjoyed.

He filled Nachum’s chest with jewels and honored him greatly for the “miraculous sand”. On his way back, Nachum again stayed at the same inn.

The innkeepers, seeing the wealth he now carried, asked, “What did you bring them that earned you so much honor?”

Nachum answered, “What I took from here is what I brought there.”

Assuming that their dirt must be magical, the innkeepers destroyed their house, dug up barrels of soil, and brought it to the emperor, claiming, “This is the same dirt you received from Nachum—it came from our land!”

The emperor tested it in battle, but it was just regular dirt. Furious, he ordered their execution.

Accepting Suffering with Love

The Talmud in Berachot 5a teaches a profound and challenging idea: If a person goes through suffering but doesn’t accept it with love, it won’t earn its full spiritual reward.

The Talmud says: Rava said in the name of Rav Sechora in the name of Rav Huna: “Anyone whom the Holy One, Blessed be He, desires, He afflicts with suffering,” as it says: “But the Lord was pleased to crush him with illness” (Isaiah 53:10).

If G-d desires a person, He tests them through illness and pain—but the reward depends on how the person responds.

Can one still receive reward even without accepting the suffering with love? The Talmud answers: No, because the verse continues: “If he places his soul as a guilt offering…” Just as a guilt offering can only be brought willingly by its owner—not by force—so too suffering must be accepted willingly to bring spiritual merit.

Suffering without acceptance brings no gain. Only if one receives it with love and trust, does it transform. If we’ve already gone through the hardship, isn’t it worth accepting it with love so that we can earn the reward?

The Talmud describes the incredible reward for those who accept suffering with love: “And if he accepts it with love, what is his reward? ‘He will see offspring and live long.’” Not only that, but “his Torah will endure in his hands,” as it says: “And the desire of the Lord will succeed in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10)

The person will not only gain longevity and blessings, but their Torah learning will be blessed and successful, because they turned pain into purpose.