Q&A: Contraction
Contraction
Question
We would not ask God to create a stone that He cannot lift, because that is a logical contradiction.
We would not want God to create a triangle that is round, because that is a logical contradiction.
So how do we exist? After all, God is by definition the all-encompassing and absolute existence, so it is a logical contradiction that we exist independently.
People answer that this is the secret of contraction…
Is there any way to expand on that answer? Because seemingly, if it is agreed that God cannot do something that falls into the category of impossibilities, how can this be? What does it help to say that it is a secret?
Answer
Questions like these you should direct to whoever says that, so that he can explain what he means. Indeed, the Holy One, blessed be He, cannot bring about something that contains logical contradictions. Our existence does not logically contradict anything. I do not know what “the all-encompassing and absolute existence” means. If it means that everything that exists is identical with Him, then of course nothing exists besides Him. But whoever makes such a claim, you should ask him about it (if he exists at all). I do not make that claim. No secret and no nonsense. There was contraction, and that is that.
Discussion on Answer
There are not even two words here that connect into something I can manage to understand.
The Holy One, blessed be He, created the world and gave the Torah. That is not a definition of Him, and I do not think a definition is required, nor do I think anyone knows such a definition.
If He created reality, then He is reality? Is the table the carpenter? Do you yourself understand what you wrote here? I doubt it.
And why is there no place devoid of Him? There certainly is. The place where I am, for example. The rabbinic expression “there is no place devoid of Him” does not mean an ontic description of space or existence, but rather that He has influence over everything.
So then how can one define God? If He is the first cause of reality… then He is basically reality… and there is no place devoid of Him… I would be glad to understand where the mistake is in that definition.