Eliphaz attacks Iyov with a long list of crimes. What is the basis of Eliphaz' accusations? Could Iyov be guilty of these things?

Iyov argues that - look around you - the wicked more often than not, lead wonderful peaceful lives.

Even in death he sees no advantage of the righteous over the wicked.

We speak about

1. The Afterlife. Why is it absent in so much of the Tanakh?

2. Midrash - Tosefta Sotah 3:2 - Is it that wicked people lead untroubled lives, or does an untroubled life lead a person to wickedness?

With no recourse neither to God nor his friends, Iyov wishes that his suffering and victimhood be recorded for eternity.

Bildad's second speech. He tears into Iyov!. And yet, the Rabbis take a line in this chapter and learn a fascinating lesson about concern for others.

Iyov continues his response.

On the one hand he seems to want to die, he repeatedly speaks of his descending to his grave; on the other hand he expresses exasperation with his interlocutors and a desire to increase his strength and stamina.

Iyov barely responds to his critics.

Instead he expresses that he feels God has handed him over into the hands of some evil force who is tormenting and torturing him.

Moreover, he calls his gaunt scarred body and heaven and earth to serve as witnesses on his behalf before God, as he pleads his innocence.

The second round of discussions get underway.

Eliphaz speaks first.

In essence he will accuse Iyov that his troubles and torments are his own fault. He is a sinner. He has gotten what he deserves.

Today we tell the story of Rabbi Akiva who found faith in the future from watching water smoothing out a rock. He quoted the verse from our chapter (14:19) 'water wears away stone' . As we will see, Job speaks this verse in a dispirited lament at human fatality and futility.

We might wonder what might have transpired were Iyov to have met Rabbi Akiva!

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hyrcanus taught: Job served the Holy One, Blessed be He, only out of love, as it is stated: “Though He will slay me, still I will trust in Him” (Job 13:15).

Why is Iyov the ultimate lover of God, and why does he accuse his interlocutors as being "creators of lies, healers of idols" in their defence of the Almighty?