YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah:The question of free will is always the most severe one in regard to the basic principles of the Torah and the perception of the intellect and human experience. We know that the world must operate in a way that evil exists within it. In fact, there are several things of great value in the world that would not have been actualized if they were not accompanied by the possibility and the preparedness of people to choose evil. The fact that evil is needed for the world to be complete causes many people to think that there cannot really be free choice.
The truth is that there is a great difference between the rules of free will that govern the collective and those that govern the individual. Certainly regarding the collective, there cannot be full free choice, as evil must exist just as good exists. On the other hand, in regard to the collective, nothing is absolutely bad, as something which is bad from the perspective of an individual can bring good communally. This is what the Rabbis meant when they said: "Just as praise of Hashem emanates from the righteous so does it emanate from the wicked" (Shemot Rabba 7:4). This is supported by the pasuk: "All that Hashem did is for Him, even an evil person for the day of evil" (Mishlei 16:4).
The confusion that emerges when people do not distinguish between the parameters of free choice that exist for the masses and for the individual causes unanswerable questions, as things appear to be both free and compelled to exist. The phrase that David used, "If Hashem incited you against me," seems to indicate that a specific individual lacked free choice. This is not true, as individuals have full free will.
The matter of atonement while counting hits at the heart of the issue we have been discussing. Without counting individuals, the whole nation can be seen as one mass. We know that a nation must include bad and deficient people, as this is the nature of a collective. The nation does not lose its right to exist because of these people; as a matter of fact, they are needed to provide certain positive opportunities for the community. When it comes to the accounting of an individual, though, every shortcoming must be reckoned with based on the rules of responsibility for free choice, and there is often a need for atonement. These concepts are confusing and cause many to make mistakes. Even David erred when he said that Shaul’s personal free will was curtailed, as this violates an article of basic faith. It is true that David did not do so purposely but was under the pressure of anguishing experiences. Nevertheless, the result was the lack of atonement for the counting of the individual, which indicates a lack of understanding of the difference between the individual and the collective in regard to free will. In truth, regarding an individual, including Shaul, there is both free will and a directive of "you shall choose life" (Devarim 30:19).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
