Q&A: Determinism?
Determinism?
Question
I wanted to ask about the Talmudic passage of Rabbi Ilai and Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman’s explanation that says he was a determinist. If that same potential offender has no free choice according to Rabbi Ilai, why does Rabbi Ilai suggest that he should “minimize the damage”?
After all, if everything is in the hands of Heaven, including fear of Heaven according to Rabbi Ilai, then a person is not really “guilty” of the transgression—so why advise him to do something less severe anyway? A very severe prohibition is the same as a somewhat lighter prohibition if you have no choice either way (in terms of blame).
Answer
That’s what troubles you about his interpretation? Then why were we commanded in the commandments at all? And why are there punishments? One could say that the command and the punishment are part of the influence on us to act. Meaning, it’s not that they expect us to respond; rather, the command and the punishment act upon us and cause us to perform the commandments (though not always, and it requires further examination why they didn’t make sure we would always do them). And according to this, Rabbi Ilai’s recommendations work in the same way.
And besides, according to Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman, you are compelled to ask what you asked—but I’m not compelled to answer.