When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Written by Rabbi Harold Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a contemplation on the death of his son due to a degenerative disease, progeria. As a devout man, Kushner’s first response was to ask, 'Why? Why did God permit such suffering?' The book documents Kushner’s grappling with this question, the doubts and fears it triggered, and offers others afflicted by grief comfort and solace. It proposes that while God desires to ease suffering, He cannot always prevent it, suggesting that God may not be omnipotent in the traditional sense. The book was a New York Times bestseller.

This study guide uses the 1981 Schocken Books edition.

Summary

Rabbi Kushner posits that God does not intervene to prevent tragedy, nor does He punish or reward people based on their actions, valuing human free will over interference. Thus, as the book’s title suggests, bad things can indeed happen to good people.

Kushner recounts the story of Job from The Bible. Job, a pious man, suffers a series of calamities that leave him bereft. When Job finally questions God, he receives no answer regarding the reasons for his suffering; instead, God emphasizes the vastness of His creation. Kushner interprets this to mean that even the faithful must endure hardship and that while God loves humanity, He does not control every event.

According to Kushner, pain and suffering teach us to avoid harm and to cherish life more deeply. Referring to events like the Holocaust, he argues that God chooses not to interfere with human free will, as doing so could diminish human responsibility and goodness. Although God may not intervene in every misfortune, He offers love and strength to those who seek His aid, enabling many to find the resilience to overcome hardship.

Kushner describes how his son Aaron, suffering from progeria’s effects—hair loss, failure to thrive, and premature aging—was often mocked by other children. Despite this, Aaron possessed a quiet strength that allowed him to live a meaningful, though shortened, life. His courage inspired those around him, including students and teachers at school.

In coping with loss, some people may blame themselves, while others may seek someone else to blame, including God. Kushner suggests that these reactions can hinder the grieving process. Instead, he proposes that prayer and participation in a religious community provide the best path to healing. In partnership with God and a supportive community, people find the strength to rise above tragedy and rebuild lives based on love and renewed connection.