Why do Jews believe bad things happen?

Answer 1

Christian answer: They probably believe bad things happen for the same reason most other religion does. And this reason is because of what is usually called sin. There is a sort of master of all evil and his name is Satan or the Devil. He is responsible, in all three of the largest religious beliefs on earth (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam), for bringing sin into the world because he caused the first humans to disobey God and commit the first sin. And because of this act, sin is inherit in every human being and is often called man's sin nature.

Answer 2

Jewish answer:

Consider the two following quotes, which seem to clash. One is Isaiah 45:7, which clearly states that God "creates evil." The second is Eichah (Lamentations) 3:38, which says "from the mouth of the Most High, evil...did not result." The answer to the contradiction may be seen in a third verse, Proverbs 19:3, which says "the foolishness of a man corrupts his way, yet his anger is directed against God." Meaning, that while some evil is undoubtedly created by God (such as the death of an infant), a lot of evil is the result of humans' choices. The Torah reminds us that we have free-will (Dueteronomy 30:15-20); and without the possibility of bad results, free-will would be vitiated.
Further discussion of theodicy is beyond the scope of this answer, and entire books (such as Job) have long ago been written about it. Suffice it to say that Judaism sees the existence of evil as a test, and/or the result of our own (humans') bad choices, and/or a warning (such as pain, which shows you what part of your body needs repair) or a message (Genesis 42:22), and/or mere misinterpretation (such as the bee's sting, which to a child is unmitigated evil but which adults recognize as a protection for that insect which pollinates all fruit-bearing trees).
Also, when viewed in the context of the afterlife, when worthy people who suffered may be recompensed and the prosperous wicked will have the opposite, the apparent injustices of this world become easier to understand.

Answer 3

Consider the two following quotes, which seem to clash. One is Isaiah 45:7, which clearly states that God "creates evil." The second is Lamentations 3:38, which says "from the mouth of the Most High, evil...did not result."

The answer to the contradiction may be seen in a third verse, Proverbs 19:3, which says "the foolishness of a man corrupts his way, yet his anger is directed against God." Meaning, that while some suffering is undoubtedly created by God (such as the death of an infant), a lot of it is the result of humans' choices. God has given us the gift of free-will (Deuteronomy 30:15-20); and without the possibility of bad results, free-will would be vitiated.

Entire books (such as Job) have long ago been written about the existence of evil and suffering. Suffice it to say that Judaism sees the existence of suffering as a test, and/or the result of our own (humans') bad choices, and/or a warning (such as pain, which shows you what part of your body needs repair) or a message (Genesis 42:22), and/or mere misinterpretation (such as the bee's sting, which to a child is unmitigated evil but which adults recognize as a protection for that insect which pollinates all fruit-bearing trees).

In any case, this life was never meant to be a walk in the park. People are meant to invest hard effort in this world (see Job 5:7), and suffering is a factor which should assist us in gaining understanding.

Suffering teaches us:

• our mistakes (Genesis 42:22)
  
• to repent
  
• that we are not all-powerful or in control
  
• that this life is not meant to be uninterrupted pleasure
  
• to have sympathy for sufferers (Exodus 23:9)
  
• humility; maturity; acceptance; fortitude.

Also, when viewed in the context of the afterlife, when worthy people who suffered may be recompensed and the prosperous wicked will have the opposite, the apparent injustices of this world become easier to understand.

Answer 4

Jews believe that evil exists in the world to create free choice and that God is ultimately responsible for the presence of evil as one of the safeguards to free will. To a certain degree, evil is viewed as a question of punishment for bad choices, the bad choices of other people, tests, and questions of perception (e.g. something is evil because of your point of view).

Unlike Christianity and Islam, Judaism does not ascribe evil to a devil or the Satan and the Satan is viewed a loyal follower of God, who happens to be the loyal opposition.