Q&A: Providence
Providence
Question
Hello,
Gersonides held that a miracle can be seen as an event that is statistically rare, but aligned with a prior prediction. In Scripture, a miracle is always accompanied by a prophet who announces it in advance, and that is how it is evident that it is intentional and not accidental (except for the Giving of the Torah, which is a different kind of event, not related to physics or statistics).
Does the Rabbi agree with him?
Answer
The question is what exactly he meant to say. If his intention was to define the term "miracle," then that is just semantics. Let him define it however he likes. If he meant to make a substantive claim, then I agree where there is clear significance. I have written more than once about the meaning of prior prediction in defining miracles.