Q&A: Further on Judaism, Jewish Law, and the Nations of the World
Further on Judaism, Jewish Law, and the Nations of the World.
Question
As a continuation of the questions, I’ll try to be precise—
Each question should be seen as one single question. Every question in the text is meant to deepen my basic question.
1—If, according to the Rabbi, Judaism is Jewish law, I don’t understand how the Rabbi relates to the whole area in the Torah called “faith, the wisdom of Israel.” What about the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)? After all, it is clear to every objective reader that it is not a book of Jewish law! If it is the book of books, how does your outlook fit in here? What is the significance of writing the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), then, in your opinion? Does the Rabbi attribute significance to history?
2—I didn’t understand. What does it mean to ask the Holy One, blessed be He, and not you? Assuming the Torah is an expression of the will of God, and the rabbis are one of the channels that sustains and expresses the divine will, is it possible that you have nothing to say about billions of human beings?
3—There is a huge amount of injustice and evil in the world. Does Judaism have a solution to problems like these? If so—I’d be happy for references. If not / why, then why should I observe it at all? (Why should I care?) Even if some of Judaism’s claims are true—morally and existentially that doesn’t answer or redeem anything. Why should I care that it is somewhat true? That doesn’t contribute much against rape, murder, and so many other things happening in the world!
To sum up—
1—The Rabbi’s position regarding the wisdom of Israel called faith.
2—What is the role of rabbis, and the distinction between a rabbi and God.
3—Evil and Judaism. Does Judaism contain redemptive, messianic content?
Answer
You asked all kinds of questions here that have no real connection to one another. Beyond that, as I read I realize this is a continuation of a previous question, so next time write it there as a follow-up. I don’t even remember what was being discussed. In any case, all of these things were explained in detail in the trilogy and also in various places here on the site. I’ll answer briefly.
- It is certainly true that in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and even in the Torah, there are non-halakhic parts. And still, as a matter of fact, people do not learn anything from there. At most, they use it to confirm what they already believe. I’m not talking about history and facts (about which it is also unclear to what extent these are really facts), but about other insights and values. No lesson you learn from the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) is particularly Jewish. Therefore, the Hebrew Bible can have significance even if it is not Judaism. That significance is for the world at large. But as I said, in my opinion people do not really learn anything from it.
- I didn’t understand what you’re talking about here. Is this a continuation of a previous question? Then why didn’t you write it there? I recall being asked about Judaism’s message to the world, and I answered that in my opinion there is no such message. So what is the question here?
- The question of evil in the world is a difficult one, and I have addressed it quite a bit here on the site. But this is a general philosophical-theological question, and anyone can try to think about how to answer it. “Judaism” has no special answer to this. The question of why to observe commandments is not connected to the question of evil in any way that I can see. The Torah does not redeem the world or improve it, in my opinion. The reason to observe it is religious commitment to the divine command. Maybe it improves some spiritual dimensions. I have no idea. Even if you want it to improve things so that this will give meaning to your obligation, you still have to show that this actually happens in reality. In my opinion, absolutely not.