Which world is better?

[Hockeycowboy]

Satan in Job is still under G-d's control; he's not evil or fallen or any such.

But you’re not saying that G-d killed Job’s children, are you? Because that is evil, to kill the innocent. Allowing it to happen, is not the same as causing it! The challenge was whether Job would maintain his integrity to G-d. (The issue was a valid one: many do stop serving G-d when the “going gets rough.” So G-d let the challenge play out, as He does with us.)
How Satan went about it, was indeed wicked!

There seem to be broadly 2 Jewish views on the Exodus story; either it was magic tricks or there are, indeed, forces that humans can mess with but shouldn't, hence the prohibitions. Nowhere does it say it's from Satan.

All 39 Hebrew Scriptures are one united book. In explaining / understanding one book, you have to use the others. Wouldn’t you agree?

By “magic tricks” do you mean sleight of hand? G-d wouldn’t need tricks, would He? Neither would Pharaoh’s priests....they went on to duplicate the first few plagues!

Your statement, “...or there are, indeed, forces that humans can mess with but shouldn't, hence the prohibitions.” Now that view, has substance! And you’re using Scripture from another book, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, to deductively support that conclusion. Great!

Which raises a question.... why would God greatly condemn such, if there wasn’t some dangerous force behind it? Might that force be in opposition to G-d? That in itself would be evil!

Why doesn’t G-d straight out tell us every time the Devil is behind something?

Ever heard of the phrase, “they got their 15 minutes of fame”? Some criminals get a thrill seeing their name in print. Ego-maniacs they’re called. (I’m one, jus’kiddin’!)

The Bible is about G-d and His activity. He didn’t want to give the Devil any more notoriety, than was / is absolutely necessary. We have enough info.

Take care!

P.S.: what is your understanding of the condition of the dead? And what do you think about séances and things like that?

 

[Rival]

But you’re not saying that G-d killed Job’s children, are you? Because that is evil, to kill the innocent. Allowing it to happen, is not the same as causing it! The challenge was whether Job would maintain his integrity to G-d. (The issue was a valid one: many do stop serving G-d when the “going gets rough.” So G-d let the challenge play out, as He does with us.)
How Satan went about it, was indeed wicked!

The whole book of Job is about just this. Why do bad things happen to good people? G-d is behind it all; that is the Jewish view. Isaiah 45:7, Jewish translation:

Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil; I am the Lord, Who makes all these.

There is no other force opposite G-d. G-d is All.

By “magic tricks” do you mean sleight of hand? G-d wouldn’t need tricks, would He? Neither would Pharaoh’s priests....they went on to duplicate the first few plagues!

No, G-d doesn't; but the Egyptians likely had magic tricks.

Which raises a question.... why would God greatly condemn such, if there wasn’t some dangerous force behind it? Might that force be in opposition to G-d? That in itself would be evil!

It's not that the force is in opposition to G-d; it's that humans simply shouldn't be harnessing it and instead should be reliant on G-d alone.

Why doesn’t G-d straight out tell us every time the Devil is behind something?

Because it's always G-d Who is behind it.

P.S.: what is your understanding of the condition of the dead? And what do you think about séances and things like that?

They either go to Sheol or Hell and have their souls purified; or they are reincarnated. Seances are against Torah. Necromancy is forbidden.