The Wonders of the Human Body and the Wisdom of Creation: Understanding Pain, Purpose, and Divine Design

Adults have about 206 bones in their body. I once wondered — what actually holds them together? Is there some sort of special glue connecting them? What connects the knee joint, where the thigh bone meets the shin bone?

In our knee, two bones stand one atop the other. Yet they don’t “run away” sideways. They don’t shift. Why doesn’t the shin slide forward relative to the thigh? And when we jump, how is it that these bones don’t twist or shift sideways?

Meet the cruciate ligament — a ligament that connects the bones inside the knee joint (the femur and the tibia). This ligament keeps the knee stable and maintains the balance of the entire body. Its name comes from the way the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) crosses with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), forming an “X” shape.

Four major ligaments stabilize the knee:
• Two cruciate ligaments inside the joint (ACL and PCL)
• Two collateral ligaments on the sides

The ACL prevents the shin bone from moving forward. The PCL prevents it from moving backward. The side ligaments prevent sideways movement — either inward or outward.

When the ACL is torn, a person may feel the knee “giving out,” often with pain, swelling, and instability. Without the ACL, the knee is unstable during weight-bearing, turning, descending stairs, and more.

The cruciate ligaments are among the most important stabilizers of the knee joint. But who created these ligaments with such perfect flexibility? Who wrapped and attached them between the bones with such precision that smooth, coordinated movement occurs even during sharp directional changes — like sudden stops or landing from a jump?

Not to mention the wonders within other joints — such as the shoulder joint, the ankle joint, and many others…

What Benefit Is There in Feeling Ashamed?

Some people wonder why God created humans with the ability to feel shame. Why should the crown of creation feel embarrassed? It is, after all, an unpleasant emotion. Is it possible that God wants us to feel shame? Let’s consider what would happen if human beings felt no shame at all.

Without shame before others, we would not keep our promises, fulfill obligations, return loans, or avoid moral wrongdoing. People would not show kindness or fulfill requests. Many wouldn’t even respect their own parents — let alone anyone else. Almost all immoral behavior begins only after a person removes the “mask of shame.”

Shame, therefore, brings enormous benefit to the world. But why did God give us shame before other people — but not naturally instill in us the same shame toward Him, Who sees everything we do? Wouldn’t it make serving God much easier?

God, in His infinite wisdom, did not want humans to serve Him merely out of pressure or embarrassment. If shame before God were instinctive, then serving Him wouldn’t be considered a voluntary act deserving reward. Real spiritual growthcomes when a person chooses to develop awe of God through reflection — recognizing His greatness and understanding that He sees all our deeds.

This deep, inner humility — awareness of our smallness before His greatness, is called Yirat HaRomemut (Awe of God’s Exaltedness). It is one of the highest forms of spiritual growth, forming the essence of true repentance: avoiding sin not out of fear of punishment, but out of love and reverence.

The Body’s Natural “Degreaser”

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver. Its main job is to store bile — a greenish-yellow fluid produced by the liver, and release it into the small intestine when fatty food arrives, to aid digestion.

After we eat, the body releases a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK). This hormone signals the gallbladder to contract, pushing bile into the intestines to help break down and absorb fats.

The most common reason for gallbladder removal is gallstones. These stones form when substances in the bile — especially cholesterol, harden into crystals. Their size can range from tiny grains to large stones.

Amazingly, removing the gallbladder generally does not harm digestion. The human body is wonderfully adaptive: as long as the liver functions well, it continues releasing bile directly into the intestines.

This raises deeper questions: Who is the “chemist” who designed this precise greenish fluid called bile — perfectly formulated to break down fats? Who created the hormone that “announces” the arrival of food and triggers the gallbladder to contract? Who programmed the system so that each component works in perfect harmony?

(Photo: shutterstock)

Why Do the Righteous Suffer?

Sometimes it appears — at least from human perspective, that there is no justice in the world. Why do people who perform mitzvot and live righteously often suffer hardships? Where is the fairness?

Rabbeinu Bachya, in Chovot HaLevavot (The Duties of the Heart, Gate of Trust), offers several explanations that help illuminate this deep question:

1. The righteous suffer for past sins

Even the most righteous person has small failings (“there is no righteous person without sin”). Suffering in this world may cleanse him of those mistakes.

2. To increase their reward in the World to Come

God may give them temporary hardships for eternal benefit.

3. To teach others

Seeing a righteous person trust in God even during suffering sets an example for others — faith that does not depend on comfort.

4. To demonstrate the contrast between righteous and wicked

God may test the righteous so that, in the end, the wicked will recognize why the righteous are rewarded and they are not.

5. Because the righteous did not protest wrongdoing

A righteous person who fails to rebuke others (when the rebuke could be effective) may be punished for remaining silent.

The greatness of a person is knowing that we cannot fully understand God’s ways. We receive reward precisely because — even when things seem unfair, we trust that God runs the world with perfect wisdom and for our ultimate good.

Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

Why do people who violate the Torah often live in comfort and success, while others who keep mitzvot struggle? Rabbeinu Bachya answers this too:

1. To repay them for good deeds they performed

Even a wicked person may have mitzvot in his past — God pays him in this world.

2. For the sake of a future righteous child

Sometimes wealth is given to a wicked person only because his descendant will be righteous and deserving.

3. Because the riches may ultimately destroy him

Sometimes prosperity leads to ruin — spiritually or even physically.

4. Because he will eventually repent

God gives him time and blessings to help him return to goodness.

5. In the merit of righteous ancestors

A wicked person may receive blessings because of the good deeds of his parents or grandparents.

6. To test others

Do people continue serving God even when they see the wicked prosper? This reveals who genuinely serves God.

Human greatness lies in recognizing that we do not understand God’s full plan. We trust Him even when our eyes cannot see the justice yet.