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Inquiry and naive faith in the work of the '

ResponseCategory: FaithInquiry and naive faith in the work of the '
Asks asked 8 years ago

Hello Rabbi,
I wanted to ask what, in your opinion, is the place of innocent faith and what is the place of investigation in the service of God. Should we proceed only through intellectual investigation or is there also room for unfounded faith? Is it even possible to proceed only through intellectual investigation? After all, we have seen that, no matter how much we want it to be - the analytical is empty. In other words, even if we are rational people, we need axioms to apply the principles of logic to - and it seems to say that this is where innocent and unfounded faith comes in, right? (As far as I understand, the definition of axioms is that they are unfounded..)
In addition to your opinion, I would be happy if the rabbi could elaborate on what the sages of the ages seemed to think. I understood that this was a Rishonim dispute, but I was unable to get into its details. Are there Rishonim who are at different extremes? That is, who really think that it is possible only through intellectual investigation or only through innocent faith without investigation? Or are they all talking about a certain spectrum? Of course, there is no need for a full review of the opinions of the Rishonim now, but I will explore two or three key positions on the issue if that is not too much.
Thank you very much!

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1 Answer
Michi Staff answered 8 years ago

I think the question is not well defined, precisely because of what you wrote. Belief from investigation is also based on assumptions (axioms). And whoever's belief is his axiom, is also based on an argument of order 0: X -> X.
Although if there are questions that he does not know how to answer and if he were to hear them he would renounce his faith (but in his naivety he prevents himself from hearing them), here there is room to argue that he does not truly believe. And this should be peppered with good humor.
I do not enter into the early scholars' disputes on this for two reasons: Even if there is a dispute, it is apparent for the above reason. Therefore, I am not interested in the early scholars' positions on the matter and I am not familiar with them.
 

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