Super Short Summary

When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, published in 1981, explores his journey through grief following his son's death and offers insights on enduring suffering. Kushner postulates that God does not prevent tragedies nor rewards or punishes human actions, emphasizing human free will and God’s support and love. The book draws on the story of Job to illustrate that suffering is a part of life and encourages finding strength in oneself and one's community to overcome adversity. The book addresses topics related to terminal illness and the death of a child.