Jewish Law
Seven Remedies for the Soul: How Faith Transforms Suffering into Strength and Blessing
Timeless Jewish wisdom on enduring pain, trusting God, and finding hidden light in life’s hardest trials
(Photo: shutterstock)A person should of course never wish for suffering, but if faced with hardship, our sages teach that one must accept them with love, trusting that everything God sends is ultimately for our good.
The Sages said: “Fortunate is the person upon whom suffering comes, and who subdues his mercy and anger, and does not complain against Divine judgment.” (Pesikta, ch. 47)
The Parable of the Tenant and the Wicked Officer
A Jewish man once rented a house from a nobleman for three hundred rubles per year. Every year, he paid his rent faithfully. One day, the nobleman left the country and appointed one of his officers — a notorious antisemite, to manage his estate.
Seeing an opportunity to torment the Jew, the officer suddenly raised the rent to five hundred rubles and demanded full payment on the spot. The tenant had only four hundred and eighty rubles. He pleaded for a few days’ grace, but the officer cruelly refused and, when evening came, ordered the man to be beaten — one lash for every missing ruble. The Jew returned home bruised and broken.
When the nobleman came back, the tenant went to tell him what had happened. Outraged, the nobleman declared: “For every lash that officer struck you, he will pay you one hundred rubles — a total of two thousand! He recently purchased an estate worth four thousand rubles; I hereby sign over half of it to you.”
The man returned home holding the legal document, but his face was downcast. His wife, seeing the paper, said: “You should be happy! Look what a treasure you’ve received!”
But the husband sighed: “The pain of the lashes is gone now — I no longer feel it. But if only he had struck me forty times instead of twenty, I would now own the entire estate! That’s why my heart aches.”
The Chofetz Chaim told this story in the name of the Maggid Meisharim, explaining: So it is with human suffering. While in this world, a person feels the pain deeply and prays for relief. But in the World to Come, when he receives eternal reward for every moment of distress he endured with faith, he will rejoice over each sorrow — and even wish he had borne a little more.
“Remember the Days of Old”
Moshe said to Israel: “Whenever the Almighty brings suffering upon you, remember the great goodness and comfort He will grant you in the World to Come.” (Sifrei, Ha’azinu)
The Seven Healing Remedies
The Shevet Mussar (in Ma’aseh Eliyahu 1) tells of a wise royal physician who angered the king. In fury, the king ordered him imprisoned in a narrow cell, bound with chains, and clothed in rough wool. He was given only barley bread, a handful of salt, and a jug of water each day.
After many days, the king’s attendants noticed that the doctor remained strong and calm, his face peaceful despite the terrible conditions. Astonished, they asked: “How is it that you do not waste away from hunger, suffering, and sorrow? What gives you strength?”
The doctor replied: “I have prepared seven healing remedies. I take a small dose of them every day, and they keep my spirit alive.”
They begged him to reveal the formula. He said:
Trust in God — for He alone can rescue from all distress. “The heart of kings is in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wills.”
Hope — never to despair, for hope itself sustains the soul during trial.
Recognition of one’s own faults — to understand that one’s sins may have brought this suffering, and therefore not to complain. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.”
Acceptance — to realize there is no use rebelling. If God has decreed this upon me, my task is to endure with dignity.
Faith in Divine purpose — to believe that suffering cleanses sins in this world, earning eternal life in the next. “Happy is the man whom God disciplines.”
Gratitude — to thank God that things are not worse. “If my food is coarse bread — at least I have food. If I wear rough clothing — at least I am not naked.”
Patience and faith in redemption — to know that salvation can come in the blink of an eye, for God is compassionate and His mercy never fails.
When the guards reported these words to the king, he was so impressed that he immediately freed the doctor and elevated him above all his ministers.
The Shevet Mussar concludes: Whoever accepts suffering with love, remains constantly in a state of faith and mitzvah. His trust in God itself becomes a shield, drawing merit and blessing upon him.
Therefore, let every God-fearing person accept the discipline of Heaven with a pleasant face — for it redeems the soul and brings eternal life. “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.” (Tehillim 31:25)
