This shabbos we ran a learning group at Baron Hirsch in which we discussed the idea of free will in Judaism. The basic idea was if G-d is in full control, then do we have free will? And to what extent do we have the ability to choose between right and wrong?
The Sefer HaChinuch said, when speaking to the victim who is now seeking revenge, that all actions are caused by G-d. Sforno said that when a sequence of actions are necessary to fulfill a Divine purpose then the actions were influenced by G-d. Rabbi Mayer Twersky said that the sinner has the ability to choose between right and wrong, but the victim should not blame the sinner because he was going to be punished anyway by G-d, whether it came from that guy or a different one.
This whole argument about man's free will got me thinking about what our favorite Kohelet characters would say about this. I could see them all having strong opinions on an issue that has to do with G-d's control versus man's control in the world and over himself. So, here's what I'm thinking about what their responses would be.
Amal: Man has complete free choice. G-d has no affect on what man chooses to do. Man has complete control Tachat HaShemesh and man should choose to fight off injustice and build the world up. Since we're going to die anyway, though, it doesn't even matter what we choose because we can't take our toils with us once we die and we can never be perfect or have everything. Basically, everything is hevel. And by hevel, I mean everything is fleeting because you can never have everything and you can't take anything you do have with you once you die.
Nehene:
Originial philosophy: Nah, man, G-d is in control. Everything comes from G-d, even our decisions. G-d created the world and is in complete control. We should enjoy what he's given us, you know. We should eat, drink, and party but anything we do is really caused by what G-d wants because He is the one in control. That's why man is not accountable for his actions. G-d controls all of our actions because He is the one in control. Since everything we do is directed by G-d and we don't have free choice, we don't have accountability either which makes us no different than animals.
Final Philosophy: Of course we have free will. I have looked at the world and I have seen mercy and judgement. Good things happening to bad people and bad things happening to good people. If both can exist in the same world, then there is chaos and anarchy so there must not be a G-d after all. If theres not G-d, then there is no afterlife and no accountability. After death, we are gone. We are not remembered and there is nothing after death. Since there's no G-d or accountability than how could there not be free choice? Nothing we choose will actually matter for anything but we definitely have the ability to choose what we want to do. It seems like the only choice we can make is to spend our lives eating, drinking, and partying. There's nothing else to live for. Life is hevel, meaning its worthless. There's nothing to live for. No G-d. No meaning. Nothing after death.
Chachum:
Original Philosophy: Yes, there is free choice, but G-d is in control. Our actions do matter. Man is not meant to be perfect and all men sin. If we can sin, then we must have the ability to choose between right and wrong. There are things that are out of our control, like the ability to be perfect. We just need to look at the reality of the situation and realize that man does sin, but he has the choice of whether or no he will.
Final Philosophy: Does man have free will? I won't even answer that question. There is no logical evidence that G-d judges man for his actions so how should I even know if man's actions matter at all? Maybe G-d controls our actions so that is why no one is judged. But that can't be true because why would G-d make such a foolish person a leader? I guess this whole system is just dumb. I should be the leader. The world is messed up. Everything is hevel-incomprehensible. If I can't understand it all, then how can I answer a question about G-d influence on our actions?!
Yirei Elokim: Man does have free will, but everything is influenced by G-d. It is a partnership. G-d has the ability to see into all the most private aspects of our lives and can control everything, but man's actions can impact the world. Man has the ability to choose between right and wrong but G-d is involved in the process. This doesn't mean everything is all about man, if it were than the nothing would have meaning. Man has the ability to choose how he will find meaning in life--through pleasure, building, or even wisdom. All he has to do is recognize G-d and that man is limited. What man chooses affects his journey through life and where his destination may be. So, man does have free choice and what he chooses can help him find meaning in life as long as he understands that he cannot know everything, man is limited, and G-d is in control. But, ultimately, man's actions will be judged and he will be held responsible for the choices he makes.
Very interesting and thoughtful blog post, Alyssa. I think that the Yirei Elokim provides the best, or at least most applicable, explanation of free will. He embodies the approach that our actions do matter, but G-d oversees everything. That might be the first step to finding meaning. Accept that we are limited, but we can continue to impact the world. What was your favorite approach?
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