Q&A: Divine Commandments
Divine Commandments
Question
Hello Rabbi.
When we speak about a divine command, do we mean an external entity that reveals itself to a person and commands him, or perhaps one could argue—and I tend more in that direction—that a divine command is a command that comes from a very deep place within the human soul, a spiritual place devoid of materiality and personal biases, a kind of pure truth. Therefore, even commandments instituted by the Sages are a divine command, since they came from a spiritual place. But then I get stuck and ask: if so, what is the difference between commandments created by the Sages, such as ritual hand-washing, and commandments written in the Torah, such as the prohibition of mixing wool and linen or mixed species? Perhaps those too were created by spiritual people who lived at that time and were simply put into writing, and that is why they are called Torah-level laws? Or perhaps in the biblical period the spiritual people were on a higher level {closer to God}, and therefore the source of the commandments is more divine.
With blessings and appreciation
Answer
Who says there is such an inner place? And even if there is, why would a command that I invented myself obligate me? And why punish others on the basis of my own inner command? And if you say that this inner place is sensitive to an external source of authority (that is, my inner place senses that God is commanding me), then we are back to commandments as fulfillment of the command of a commander (just perhaps without revelation). See the fourth notebook, part 3, on command without a commander (there is no such thing).
Discussion on Answer
If you want to talk to yourself about your delusions—I have no problem with that. Just don’t present these things as a question, because that misleads others and wastes their time.
Now I’ve thought that my answer may sound offensive. I didn’t mean to hurt you, only to respond substantively, though in somewhat sarcastic language.
You are talking about what I called “your personal delusions” (= inner voices telling you to redeem a firstborn donkey and not to eat pork). If you have such voices, and in your opinion there is no doubt about it (as you just replied to me), then listen to them. Why are you asking me?
And in particular I don’t understand what you have against the Sages, who by force of those same inner voices felt that they were God (according to your interpretation, while ignoring the Torah’s command of “Do not turn aside”) and that they had authority to command and legislate. How are they different from you (who also feels yourself to be God, with authority to legislate and command)?
I explained what I meant by inner voice {by the way, I didn’t mean my own inner voices, so I didn’t understand your remark, “your personal delusions”}. This doesn’t mean delusions of the Sages; I don’t think they were delusional. I am arguing that in order to reach high “conscientious intelligence,” one needs high intellect and refined character traits, which in my opinion the Sages had. I’d be happy if you would explain what you mean by external revelation, and in what way it arrives. I hope for a substantive discussion.
From my point of view, the entire discussion is substantive, as I explained.
So what is this inner voice you are talking about? A voice that comes out of heaven and only you hear it? Do we all hear it? (If so, in what sense is it inner?) I already said that if these voices mean listening to a command that comes from outside, then I have no argument with you.
You said that the Sages created for themselves the status of God (implying: without any real basis). In response I asked you why they are forbidden to listen to inner voices if you are allowed to?
In short, I have no idea what this discussion is about. Please restate your question clearly.
My question is simple: what do you mean—quoting your words—by “a command that comes from outside” {in my opinion that is much more absurd than an “inner voice,” which you mock}? Outside of what? Outside the universe? Outside the person? And in what way does this command arrive? I assume it’s not a vocal voice..
The inner voice is not absurd. What is absurd is seeing it as something valid and binding. I referred you to the fourth notebook, part 3.
I don’t know whether it is vocal or something else. The point is: outside the person and outside human beings.
I don’t really understand the arguments.
Who says there is such an inner place? About anything one can ask, who says? Who says there is an external commanding entity? Who says there are emotions, and who says there is a soul? Maybe everything is matter and chemical processes that produce sensations and emotions.
Why punish others? I really don’t understand. The laws of the state, created by legislators, also create punishments in order to deter. Religious laws create God in order to punish.
You too agree that rabbinic commandments were created by the Sages and not by an external revelation, and nevertheless we recite the blessing, “Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us”—meaning, the Sages created for themselves a status of God in order to create authority among the masses, unless you would say that this too was an external revelation? A great wonder…