Q&A: Leibowitz’s Faith
Leibowitz’s Faith
Question
Hello Rabbi,
If someone already asked here about Leibowitz, and the Rabbi already answered, then my apologies in advance.
If I understand correctly, from his perspective the Torah is binding not because of the facts it contains or the stories in it, which are not important, but because the Torah strives toward faith in God and observance of the commandments. So, just for illustration, if we were to suppose that aliens had filmed the earth for 4,000 years and sent us a copy, and then we discovered that the revelation at Mount Sinai did not physically take place, would that make no difference, since faith in God stands on its own, and observance of the commandments is a consequence of that faith, regardless of historical accuracy?
I’ll reveal what’s on my heart: sometimes I feel this way myself, so it’s possible I’m projecting my own thoughts onto Leibowitz.
Answer
Is there a question here?
Discussion on Answer
Such an outlook is completely atheistic—that is, deistic. There is no value to such commandments (see Maimonides at the end of chapter 8 of the Laws of Kings). Perhaps Leibowitz held this view. I’m not sure.
Am I understanding Leibowitz correctly?
And since I’m already bothering you again, does a view like this seem to you like simple faith?