איוב, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ט״ו

Hardship and poverty are often viewed simply as punishments, but they actually serve as powerful divine tools designed for salvation and spiritual awakening. Rather than a sign of rejection, distress is the very mechanism God uses to rescue a person.

The identity of the impoverished person who merits this rescue can be understood in several ways. Some view this individual as one who humbles himself, turning to God with pleas rather than complaining about a bitter fate [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. Others see this as a righteous person who actively avoids chasing physical desires [תקות אנוש]. Beyond objective poverty, there is also a psychological dimension. A wealthy person who suffers a financial loss might still be considered rich compared to the truly destitute, yet his subjective feeling of poverty is enough to qualify him for this divine salvation [חומת אנך].

The primary approach among commentators is that the pain of poverty is ultimately for the person's benefit. These struggles serve as a substitute for harsher penalties, effectively saving the individual from death or the severe judgments of hell. A slightly different perspective suggests that the humility born from poverty is precisely what moves God to step in and rescue the person from the suffering itself [מלבי״ם]. Poverty is also seen as preferable to physical illness because it offers a dual benefit. First, it brings personal atonement. Second, it deeply impacts the wider community. When wicked individuals witness a righteous person enduring poverty, they reflect on their own actions and repent out of fear. Furthermore, the humbling nature of poverty allows a person to guide and correct others effectively, whereas wealth often breeds pride [אלשיך].

The ultimate purpose of this pressure is to send a message. Through pain and difficulty, God opens the ears of those who suffer. This distress acts as a divine wake-up call, urging the individual to accept moral correction and return to the right path. Beyond simply prompting repentance, this awakening is meant to reveal profound truths about how God runs the world. It shows the individual that even in the midst of deep trouble, every action God takes is rooted entirely in kindness and ultimate good [מלבי״ם].