Q&A: Faith / Belief
Faith / Belief
Question
Hello, I’ve seen more than once that you say there is no certainty about the existence of the Holy One, blessed be He. Why? Aren’t we supposed to believe / know this with certainty? What is the definition of certainty?
Thank you.
Answer
It is impossible for a person to be certain of anything, and therefore it is also clear that this cannot be demanded of him. Moreover, you cannot demand that a person know something, and certainly not know it with certainty. If he is sure, then he is sure, and if not—no demand will change that.
And certainty means that there is not even the slightest chance that I am mistaken.
Discussion on Answer
I’ve said more than once that even regarding the claim that there is no certainty about anything, I don’t have complete certainty. But that’s the closest it gets.
So the fact that you’re answering his question—you’re not certain of that either?..
You wrote, “It is impossible for a person to be certain of anything.”
By the same token, there is cognitive and intellectual certainty.