Shevet M’Yehuda: Toledot: Questioning Suffering

The 1st of Kislev is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Avraham Eiger of Posen (1846-1914), son of Rav Yehuda Leib Eiger, the first Lubliner Rebbe, grandson of Rav Shlomo Eiger and great-grandson of Rav Akiva Eiger. He succeeded his father as leader of his chasidim from 1882 to 1914.  He was the author of a work on Chassidus, Shevet mi-Yehuda.  He was also a member of the Vaad Haruchani of the Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin.

When Rebecca went around to other women to discuss their pregnancies, it was not to complain about her suffering. She understood that her suffering was a hint of the suffering that Israel would experience until their full birth at the time of the Messiah.

She went to seek God in order to understand why her descendents would have to suffer so much to realize their full potential. (Shevet M’Yehudah, Toledot, Page 90)

Application:
Only when one understands and has accepted that there is a long-term purpose to her suffering, may they God to search for an explanation of why how they may benefit from their pain.