Why Does Hashem Hide from Us?

Uri asked: "Hello. In this world, we see both righteous people and wicked people struggling in life, for example with financial difficulties, illnesses, or infertility. On the other hand, both righteous and wicked people can thrive, enjoying wealth, children, health, and more. I firmly believe that everything happens justly, that there are reincarnations and hidden heavenly calculations for each person who comes into this world. But what I don’t understand is why the concept of hiddenness exists at all. Wouldn't it be better if we could see with our own eyes the reward and punishment in this world?"

Greetings, Uri, and thank you for your question.

The Purpose of Creation

To understand this issue, we must examine the purpose of creation. Why are eternal spiritual souls placed into aging, mortal bodies, burdened with the needs of material life such as eating, drinking, procreation, earning a livelihood, and maintaining health? This question applies even to the life of a wealthy and healthy person—what is the purpose of their descent into this world?

Our descent into this world is meant for us to choose between good and evil, as the sacred Torah states: "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil... and you shall choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:15-19).

Souls enter this world to confront the challenges of the evil inclination and fulfill the mitzvot of the Creator, demonstrating their strength. Through this strength, they elevate and enhance their spirituality, approaching Hashem, and ultimately receive eternal illumination and closeness in Gan Eden, the greatest reward and pleasure of all possibilities.

All of life's experiences are tests. Whether living through poverty or wealth, sickness or health, the challenge is to withstand life’s trials and successfully uphold the Torah and mitzvot.

Wealth, Trials, and Free Will

The spiritual challenge can be more difficult for a wealthy and powerful person than for someone poor and weak, as the nature of luxury can dull one's senses to the point of scorn: "Jeshurun grew fat and kicked" (Deuteronomy 32:15). Therefore, it is appropriate for a person to seek a good livelihood, without the trials of wealth.

Our Sages said: "As a person departs this world, neither silver, gold, nor precious stones accompany them, but rather Torah and good deeds alone" (Pirkei Avot 6:9).

Life’s challenges, difficulties, trials, and desires are a necessary and inseparable part of our purpose, much like exams with varying levels of difficulty leading to a doctorate.

Free will is a fundamental component of this test, allowing for the choice of evil as well as good. To choose, there must be an opportunity to sin and to distance oneself from Hashem. Choosing evil is what makes the choice of good meaningful.

Hiddenness and the Opportunity to Sin

Every sin stems from some temptation the evil inclination offers: money, pride, revenge, or other desires. Yet this temptation is only possible when Hashem is concealed from the person.

The Sages tell us that before Cain killed Abel, he said: "There is no judgment, no Judge, no World to Come, no reward for the righteous, and no punishment for the wicked" (Targum Yerushalmi on Genesis 4:7). At that time, Hashem had hidden His supervision, allowing Cain the opportunity to deceive himself that his actions were not observed.

This is the essence of free will: sin requires a form of self-deception, ignoring the reality of the Creator who sustains every atom of our body and breathes life into our soul. If Hashem’s supervision were fully revealed, no one could choose to rebel.

Hester Panim: Divine Concealment

Hester Panim, or hiddenness, is a state where Divine supervision is not visible. Hashem hides His guidance, yet this does not mean He is absent. Just as a father playing hide and seek still watches his child closely, Hashem operates every detail of reality, despite appearances.

Even the most righteous may suffer and the wicked may prosper, yet this concealment serves a higher purpose, allowing free choice and the opportunity to earn reward or punishment through our actions.

Our Sages emphasized the intricacy of Hashem’s management of the world, arranging circumstances and pairings for the rectification of reincarnated souls: "Merit is brought about by the meritorious, and an obligation through the obligated" (Bava Batra 119b).

The Secret of Faith

Our descent into this world is to face tests and trials that determine our eternal place. If reward and punishment were always visible, there would be no real test of humanity. Free choice between good and evil requires hiddenness.

In a reality without hiddenness, almost everyone would choose to live righteously. Free choice would vanish, and the spiritual value of our actions would be nullified. This hiddenness allows souls to genuinely demonstrate strength and earn their reward in Gan Eden.

Even those outside the Jewish faith intuitively sense this hidden supervision, whether in the concept of karma or the innate sense of justice in the human heart. Hashem has instilled in all humans a recognition of Divine justice, even when it is not visible.

The Purpose of Redemption

With the coming of the Messiah and complete redemption, reward and punishment will be evident. Free choice will be limited, as the world will reflect the ultimate rectification.

During this era, souls will no longer face the trials of concealment, yet the spiritual achievements of this world, the acts of courage, faith, and choice, will remain eternal.

Choosing Goodness in Concealment

A father who loves his children wants them to grow independent and righteous. Similarly, Hashem allows souls to face challenges and tests, earning true spiritual heroism.

The trials of this world, including hiddenness, are designed to allow souls to strengthen themselves and grow spiritually. By trusting in Hashem, performing mitzvot, and choosing good amidst concealment, we earn eternal closeness to Him and the greatest spiritual reward imaginable.