We generally consider pain and suffering a very negative phenomenon and will do whatever possible to rid ourselves of them. One who looks through the eyes of the Torah, however, has a totally different viewpoint.

A story is told of a devout Jew who had more than the average portion of suffering. Poverty and sickness were his lot, together with all of the attributes which accompany them. After many years of torment and affliction, he decided to visit a Tzaddik (holy man) and ask him how he could rid himself of his yisurim (suffering).

When the man came to the Tzaddik's home, he was let in by the Rebbetzin (the Rabbi's wife). He explained to her that he needed her husband's help to get rid of the yisurim which were tormenting him beyond his ability to persevere. She politely asked him to wait on the couch until the holy man would be able to accept him. Time passed by and the forlorn fellow fell asleep on the couch. Suddenly he began to dream that he had passed away and his soul ascended to the Heavens. He watched in fear as he saw his soul approach the Heavenly Tribunal who began to review every detail of his life in "the other world."

The man breathed a sigh of relief as he heard the Defending Angel of Mercy announce proudly that he had fulfilled many mitzvahs in his lifetime and that a great portion in Paradise awaited him. However, he gasped with horror as he heard the Prosecuting Angel declare that he had also sinned abundantly in his lifetime and had not repented before he died. The Angel explained that from every sin had been created a black, evil angel who would first come and torture him in Gehinom for having caused his creation. Only after he had been purified of his sins could he receive his rightful reward.

Even as the Prosecuting Angel spoke, busses upon busses, filled with black, sadistic angels began to arrive. As far as the man could see, there were more and more busses, bringing hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of demons who would cause him anguish as he had never known before. The poor, unfortunate soul shuddered to think what awaited him.

Just when he thought he was doomed to his fate, the man heard the compassionate Defending Angel of Mercy speak up again. He announced that the soul in question had suffered very much in his lifetime and that, according to the Heavenly Rules, a little suffering in "the other world" cancels out a lot of suffering in the World of Truth. As the good Angel spoke, busses upon busses, filled with yisurim, began to arrive. As every bus unloaded its "passengers" more and more black angels disappeared before the man's eyes. He began to feel very encouraged until, to his utmost horror, the busses of yisurim stopped coming and there were still tens of thousands of black angels left.

Terrified, the man began to cry out, "Aren't there any more yisurim to help me? Please, oh please, bring on some more yisurim to save me from the fires of Hell."

Suddenly, the man heard the Rebbetzin calling him and waking him from his traumatic dream. As he began to come to himself, his heart palpitating at a dangerous rate, he heard her say to him, "My husband can see you now. I'm sure that, with Hashem's help, he'll be able to free you of your yisurim."

The man regained his composure and realized that the Tzaddik had already helped him by revealing to him the hidden blessing of his suffering. "I won't waste his time unnecessarily," he told the Rebbetzin. "Please thank him very much for all of his help."

And with that the man left, happy to receive all that Hashem knew was best for him in this world and in the World-to-Come.