Questions in “Thought”/”Faith”
Hello Rabbi Michi, a few questions on the subject that you “love” – ”thought”, but I would like to answer seriously and in as much detail as you can within the framework of Mughalism…
A. Many Jews who observe the Torah and the mitzvot feel that they love their God. Is it possible to rationally explain why one should love God? Another thing, is it possible to explain what love is at all?
on. God created creation and commanded doing good and avoiding evil. Is this His arbitrary decision to decide what will be good and what will be evil, or are the concepts of good and evil actually concepts that were and are valid somewhere out there in eternity?
third. The Sages used their scientific worldview to understand reality and according to this they said things that were written in the Talmud. In addition to this, they also said opinions that they did not receive from Sinai, but discussed and analyzed the things according to their own minds. The first and the last to understand and explain them, and the last after them, etc., etc. And I ask myself: After all, with some scientific perception, I can say – that a certain Amora said something according to an ancient perception and his words are a mistake. Why do we rack our brains so much in delving into explaining the opinions of the Tannaim and the Amoraim, even though we can simply say: Hey, this is a delusional and incorrect opinion – it is a mistake. Why have we created an extensive Talmudic-Halachic literature around this?
D. After all, why did God create the world?
Thank you very much and Happy Shabbat,
P.S.
Your books are wonderful! In general, you have helped me a lot with my faith, I have absorbed from you an indescribable amount. I do not necessarily agree with you on all concepts, but I love hearing your opinion and you have certainly sorted out a lot of things in my head. Continue to do your best and bless us with your wonderful wisdom and your honest and insightful words (:
For some reason I missed this question. Sorry for the delay. You don’t expect me to answer in detail a collection of questions that each require an article and would require pens and oceans of ink. I will answer briefly.
A. Because there is a commandment to love him. I don’t know how to explain what love is, I think everyone understands it well. On the subject of love towards him – see column 22 and the article here:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%90%D7%A4%D7%9C%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%94
B. This is Euthyphro’s dilemma and many have extended it. In my opinion, from the moment the world was created and its nature dictates the good and evil that prevail in it. But it was possible to create another world and then the good and evil would be different.
third. Because they have authority in the field of halakhic law. What legal scholars are scratching their heads over is the analysis of the law book created by a collection of illiterate people in the Knesset. The assumption regarding the sages is that they had sound intuitions, and even if they didn’t understand things and everything was settled for them, it is still possible to do so with proper analysis. If you find an error in their words, that is another matter. But as long as it can be reasonably settled, it is appropriate to do so.
D. Next time I meet him I’ll try to check it out for you.
Chen Chen
Peace and blessings,
First of all, thank you very much for the answers. You made me laugh out loud when I read the answer.
Regarding the things you wrote:
A. The question is whether it is possible to explain why to love God? Or alternatively to feel a desire to cling to Him or any similar emotion.
B. In the Torah and the words of the Sages, the Blessed One is praised for doing good and evil, a God of justice, righteousness and mercy, and so on. If He is the one who decided what is good and what is bad arbitrarily, what exactly are we praising Him for, that He acts according to the rules He invented? It seems more appropriate to say that there are absolute good and evil and He acts according to them, and therefore we praise Him for that. By the way, who is talking about this dilemma? I would be happy to receive references.
C. The sages do have authority, but why accept their explanations? After all, this is not an essential authority. I can equally accept that the sages did not understand anything and on the other hand do what they say because they are a binding authority. But again, binding authority does not necessarily indicate the wisdom of this authority. Therefore, I ask again: Why should I try to explain their explanations if they seem to me to be incomprehensible and even mistaken (assuming that I think so on certain issues)?
Thank you very much!
A. No. See my above article.
B. There is no need to contradict my words. He is praised for acting well in our world. As mentioned, in our world, only this is good. Avi Sagi elaborated on this in his book on religion and morality, as well as in his article published in the collection he edited with Statman. I assume that a search on the Internet will bring up more sources for you.
C. You cannot do what they teach if you do not understand it. Without explaining their position, you cannot uphold it. The interpretation is what clarifies the law they have established.
Please explain to the rabbi why the decisive statement in answer A does not lead to the conclusion of answer C of “You will not be able to do what they teach if you do not understand it.” The division is between this language from the Torah and this from the Rabbis??!!
Please explain his question. And please don't make me go back and read the thread again. It's hard for me at such intervals.
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