Q&A: The Punishments of the Torah
The Punishments of the Torah
Question
Hello Rabbi,
There is a major question as to why the punishments of the World to Come are not written in the Torah. I had a thought about this. Writing punishments in the Torah causes people to serve not for its own sake, but the punishments that are written in the Torah—I saw brought in Maimonides that this is in order to move people away from that kind of service. That is, in that period the method of idolatry was to threaten punishments and promise reward in this world, meaning that this is something post facto, which ideally should not have been written, and was intended for a period that was destined to pass away, and perhaps only for lesser people. What does the Rabbi think of the idea?
And perhaps the Rabbi can improve the idea a bit, because I feel I didn’t explain it clearly enough.
There are certain problems here with the site interface—which number should I contact?
Answer
I didn’t understand what problems there are on the site. I suggest you contact Oren the editor, who can help.
I’m not enthusiastic about interpretations that present verses in the Torah as addressing a certain public at a certain time, although of course it is possible. Since I have no other explanation (aside from the obvious explanation, that there is no World to Come, or that it has no importance), I cannot rule anything out.
Discussion on Answer
First of all, who says that this is the main purpose of the commandments? Maimonides in chapter 10 of the Laws of Repentance says that this is for women and children. And even if that were the Holy One’s purpose, from our perspective it may not be important.
How can it be that, according to our outlook today, the main purpose of the commandments is for our benefit in another world, when that world is not mentioned at all in the Torah, and instead it repeatedly emphasizes other reasons and benefits [which are not fulfilled..]? On this question I have never heard any satisfactory answer.