Rebbe Moshe of Kobrin: Bitter and Bad in Suffering

When suffering, one should not say, ‘It is bad.’ Because nothing that G-d does is bad. Rather, one should say, ‘It is bitter.’ Because bitter pills are among the best cures.

Attribution printed on the image: Rebbe Moshe of Kobrin

A reflection on the teaching

The saying distinguishes the bitterness of an experience from a final judgment about Hashem's goodness. A person may hold that faith while honestly admitting pain. It should not be used to tell someone else how to feel or to explain why a particular hardship occurred. Nor does the pill metaphor replace practical help. We can acknowledge that something is bitter, ask for support and continue to daven for relief. The useful question is what would help us carry this moment faithfully without denying how difficult it is.

Source note: The attribution above is transcribed from the image. The exact source and English wording have not been independently verified.