Q&A: The Trinity as Idolatry
The Trinity as Idolatry
Question
Hello, I saw that you wrote that the Trinity is not idolatry because it can be interpreted (the gates of answers have not been locked) in a way that does not split it apart.
All this is true (or not, but let’s assume) if we assume that the Trinity is purely spiritual and nothing more (let’s say…).
But Jesus is something physical that is part of divinity, meaning a split.
And also, from their own reasoning, you understand, Rabbi, that they do not believe in one God.
What’s their reasoning? “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one” — “one and not single,” meaning there are 3 authorities: 2 that we have no grasp of, let’s say, and 1 that we do, because it is physical.
Thank you very much.
Answer
This is careless and unclear wording. In general, even in our Kabbalah there are statements that the Holy One, blessed be He, Israel, and the Torah are one. It is all a matter of interpretation. There is no connection at all to spirituality versus physicality. The problem people see in the Trinity is not that it is physical.
Discussion on Answer
Did you decide to troll me? What was dragged into what, and what did I compare to what? I said that just as in Kabbalah there are explanations for why this is not idolatry, so too one can say regarding the Trinity. There are a million ways to explain it: that it is a metaphor; that it is a spiritual bond and not full identity; that the man is בתוך God (panentheism); and so on and so on. I’m done.
I don’t understand why drag this into Kabbalah; one thing is not compared to another, and each case is judged on its own.
I’d be glad if the Rabbi would explain it to me in a way that God is one.