Q&A: Multiplicity Does Not Emerge from Unity
Multiplicity Does Not Eerge from Unity
Question
Hello,
The Maharal, in his book Netzach Yisrael, chapter 3, raises the question of how there can be a complex world, since multiplicity does not emerge from unity. He answers that something called “beginning” was created, and then on top of it other complex things were created that complete it. Does the Rabbi understand this answer?
Answer
No
Discussion on Answer
True, the question also isn’t all that clear. And in general, the Maharal has all kinds of assumptions where it’s not clear from what logical system they are drawn. For example, a “clear demonstration” that Torah from Heaven is necessary, because the effect must be ordered under the cause. (Tiferet Yisrael, chapter 16.) But who says the cause wants the effect to have rules about what to do? Maybe it wants it to do whatever comes into its head? And there are many more such calculations in the Maharal where it’s not clear how his form of logical inference works.
Speaking of Daniel Turgeman in one of the questions here,
I think he talks about this Maharal in one of his articles. But I don’t remember whether he goes into it much there.
By the way, I don’t understand the question either.