Infinity, the perfect being, God, mathematics
Hello Rabbi, I wanted to ask you about a few concepts, unfortunately I have a concern that due to language limitations and the nuances of the topic it will be difficult to discuss it, but I will try. (In general, the more I learn, the less room I have to maneuver in speaking on the subject without falling into nonsense).
1. Regarding “the perfect being” (as presented in Plato), “kabbalistic infinity” (Zohar, Ari, etc., which is accepted of course), “quantitative infinity” (mathematical), “metaphysical infinity” (Descartes?) and their relationship to “God” (biblical or deistic), I would like to know if the rabbi can say something exhaustive on the subject or if there is an article I can read on the subject, because I feel like all of these concepts are mixed up with each other all the time.
2. Regarding infinity, there is apparently a quantitative infinity and a substantial-spiritual infinity. So, while quantitative infinity does apply to ideas (since mathematics is conceptual and non-physical things can also be counted), it seems to be more related to our physical world (belonging to the spaces of time and space), compared to the substantial infinity, which is fundamentally abstract. Do I understand correctly? Does spiritual infinity even have a meaning?
3. Is there a connection between the quantitative infinity belonging to the world of mathematics and the “essential-metaphysical/spiritual” infinity? Is mathematical knowledge necessary to understand and discuss the essential-spiritual infinity?
4. I saw in your book “The First Presence” that you do not attribute infinity (metaphysical, spiritual) to God, both in Kabbalah and in philosophy, meaning that infinity is something that is located below Him in the hierarchy. Is God outside the scale of “infinity”? Can’t He be defined as infinite? Is He under the Platonic concept of “perfect being”? Or is that also a concept that you will place in the hierarchy.
5. In the chapter on the cosmological view, you cited a Greek midrash (to solve the principle of conservation of entity) regarding infinity as the Jovian substance – to which of the infinites is it related? For it is divisible and contains opposites.
6. Does the rabbi know of an article/book that puts things in order?
(There is a book published by Resling called “The Infinity Mind,” but I’m not sure it will provide an answer.)
Thank you very much and sorry for the length.
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I will just add that the expectation that a book by Resling will sort out your concepts sounds to me to be disconnected from reality (although I am not familiar with this book).
Thank you Rabbi,
I hope that the Rabbi will write an article on the subject one day.
If possible, then only an answer to question 3.
I will ask about the others when I have the opportunity.
Thank you
Or
I think that infinity in its mental appearances usually means perfection, although not always. Mathematical knowledge can refine but is really not a condition for understanding. That is, as long as you do not want to draw specific conclusions but rather to understand general understandings. In these cases, the expression infinity is not of great importance. Of course, if you want to draw conclusions (such as if it has no end it also has no beginning, in the gate of uniqueness. Or if it is infinite then reduction does not belong to it, and so on), for this it is worth having mathematical knowledge and careful thinking. But the absolute majority of the sages who dealt with this did not have the relevant knowledge either, and therefore if you want to understand their words you do not need such knowledge and it may interfere with you. In my opinion, they were wrong more than once because of this. In general, this issue is marginal in my opinion.
Thank you very much.
I couldn't understand how there is a connection between the concrete mathematical infinity and the metaphysical spiritual infinity (which is usually attributed to God)?. Ostensibly, the first speaks only of quantitative abundance, while the second speaks of something that, as mentioned, is simply not limited in its value/reality/quality.
I suggest not staying in the realm of general statements. Such a discussion should be conducted on examples. The statements that God is infinite are entirely quantitative. He occupies all space, He has infinite power, etc.
How can the name be quantitative when it is abstract without space and time?
I understood that infinite refers to its quality, such as its influence, value, truth and existence (that which stands by itself without need for another and without limit).
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