Q&A: Self-Sacrifice and the Myth of the Yaavetz
Self-Sacrifice and the Myth of the Yaavetz
Question
The Rabbi, in column 62, cites the Yaavetz’s statement that for sages it is harder to give up their lives, and nevertheless the Rabbi concludes that it is preferable to be a sage, because that is the truth.
Is it even possible to give up one’s life when one knows that the Torah is not certain?! [Not whether it is harder, but whether it is correct from a logical standpoint], and if not, then whom did the Torah command with “even if he takes your life” — ignoramuses?!
Answer
Certainly it is possible. When a person goes out to battle, is he absolutely certain that he is right and the enemy is wrong? And what if he is just a professional soldier?
Discussion on Answer
Percentages are already a subjective question. If you do not have enough confidence, then indeed it is unlikely that you will give up your life. So what?
So then for whom did the Torah say to give up one’s life?
If I assume that the Giver of the Torah knew what I know, it seems strange to me that He would command me to do such a thing.
I did not say that you are exempt from giving up your life, only that apparently you will not do it. The Torah said to give up your life because that is what should be done. But someone who is not convinced will not do it. Someone who is not convinced will not keep all of Jewish law in general, and not only in the matter of giving up one’s life. What is the problem here?
If there is no logical possibility of being convinced, it seems strange to me that the Creator would command me when He does not really think I will fulfill it.
Who said there is no possibility of being convinced? You were not convinced (so far). Why was there a prohibition of theft if there are kleptomaniacs? Why was there a prohibition of male homosexual relations if there are homosexuals?
Does the Rabbi think there is a possibility of being convinced?
Moreover, if I become convinced that certainty about the Torah cannot be high, and I see that the Giver of the Torah understood that they would accept it with [some] certainty, then the inference is: 1. He is not wise enough. 2. It was written for its own time. 3. He wanted us to believe it with certainty even though the basis for belief is of low probability. 4. Something else.
We can plainly see that it is possible. Do you not know people who are convinced?
As for the rest, I already answered. We have exhausted the issue.
At a level of 60% certainty?
There is fighting, and there is not bowing to idolatry and preferring to die.