Q&A: Free Choice
Free Choice
Question
According to the Rabbi’s thesis that a person has free choice and that the Creator does not know what he will choose in the future (except perhaps only what he is likely to choose based on his nature), how does this fit with the prophecy in Jeremiah that Nebuchadnezzar specifically would come and destroy the Temple? Does he have a choice in this? And if so, then what is the point of the prophecy? Is the prophecy only about what Nebuchadnezzar is likely to do?
Thank you, Rabbi.
Answer
You answered it in the body of the question. First, the prophecy is there so that we will repent, and then apparently Nebuchadnezzar will not come. That is, from the substance of the matter it is clear that this is not a prophecy that must necessarily be fulfilled (the Sages say in the Talmud that a prophecy of doom can be revoked). True, that depends on our own choice and not on Nebuchadnezzar’s. Beyond that, it is possible that the prophecy refers only to what he is expected to do, not what he actually will do. And finally, there are situations in which the Holy One, blessed be He, takes the reins into His own hands and takes away our choice and his. In such a case, He controls the matter, and then there is no reason He would not know everything.