On closer inspection, it seems more akin to ecology than to ethical monotheism... yet this one elegant idea developed by a child some 3,800 years ago, has transformed the world forever
13 Comments Posted
perhaps do random acts of kindness, as well as a well thought out (premeditated one). random is always, always good.
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"Knowing that everything that happens, happens for a reason, Abraham set out to discover that reason."
Why is that a priori true that everything that happens, happens for a reason? Obviously, if you believe in G-d that's true. But Abraham (it seems, according to the article) used the statement in quotes to prove existence of G-d, so the statement in quotes must be true by itself. Why?
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One thing you fail to appreciate in this article is that Abraham was only three or four generations away from contemporaries of Adam. If you take the genealogies of pre and post flood line as found in Genesis you will see that although living for hundreds of years Adam was a contemporary with Noah's grandfather, and if you follow the genealogies after the flood Abraham was only a couple of generations removed from Noah. So maybe Abraham knew more about G-D than we give him credit for. Maybe he didn't have to work it out, but knew of G-D the creator, and saw through the futility of the pagan worshippers.
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"With time he realized that neither [sun or moon] is the ultimate answer, and so he came to the conclusion that there must be one Creator with unlimited power and knowledge"
This citation makes a cause-effect link between discovering that the sun and moon are not rulers of the universe and the consequent existence of a single all mighty G-d.
this way of thinking only inspects the world from a theological perspective and never takes into account the other point of view i.e. that there is no all powerful being ruling the universe.
This logic is analogous with noticing a wallet filled with cash on the floor as 2 individuals are walking away from it. Believing it belongs to one of them, the witness asks both persons if it is their wallet. On getting a negative response from both of them, the witness finally concludes that the wallet stuff with bills must belong to the town's richest man.
This conclusion is as absurd as the one sated above.
Can the author please answer me back.
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"discovery of G-d" correctly surmises that the Talmudic legend does not give all the details of Abraham's logic.
Unfortunately, however, his post gives no indication of having read past paragraph 3 of a 19 paragraph essay.
His very question is raised in par. 6 and almost all of the rest of the article is busy explaining it in a logically coherent and plain English.
The "Abraham Principle" described herein is a normative, rational analytic tool for analyzing correlation and inferring causation from it.
What many readers react against (for whatever subjective reasons) is that the very same logic, ie, that correlation implies causation, underlies both of those great socio-cultural enterprises: Ethical monotheism and modern science.
Indeed they are synergistic approaches to one and the same world.
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Shalom,
if I were the author, perhaps I would not address your comment. So I will, seems that you are wondering if G-d is real, I assume this because why else would you have read this article [ Chabad ] if you totally believe as an atheist? Say you have never been to Brothers Or., [ pop 16 ] obviously, you would not know it. The only way to truly know it, is to experience it. The same is true with G-d to an infinite degree.
To discover the reality of G-d, your curiosity must become sincere desire, then, with all the might of your will, reach out to Him, perhaps you will have to try very hard, many times. When you connect, G-d will become your reality, as He is mine. There are no travel expenses, and nothing to loose. Find out for FREE! Also, the sincere study of the Torah & Kabbalah will illuminate you. Blessings, may you know.
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Answer to Michael. The two persons walking away from the wallet are the sun and the moon, is that what you are suggesting? Let me try this. There may be subconscious clues in the wallet that you absorbed and trigger knowledge of the owner, you may have seen the owner in passing and the wallet he crafted. May be you saw him aiding someone, giving to charity, the homeless or assisting someone short of the right money, getting out his wallet on each occasion, being close enough to the rich man for him to make a subconscious impression on you as a G-dly person: The heart and soul of the man who found the wallet, has a hidden knowledge of the G-dly owner, but does not know fully where it comes from and so visits him and asks the questions needed to discover ownership of these worldly riches (or the world). Upon hearing your SINCERE questions, He responds, and if you actually listen and not disregard the answers you will hear the owner confirm and invite you in and celebrate your discovery.
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What ever route Abraham took to discover G-d the truth remains that it was not a one sided relationship, as G-d spoke to him on more than one occasion. Maybe that's what convinced Abraham of there being an awesome, infinite, bigger than creation being, who is outside both creation and time that we call G-d.
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Yes John, but be aware that his discovery far preceded the revelations. The first divine communication was "Go forth" at the age of 75 whereas he already had thousands of followers in Monotheism by that time.
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Aryeh check again and I think you will find that G-d had spoken to Abraham before that. It was only after his father died that he moved from Haran at the age of 75. He had been called by G-d years earlier when in Ur. Remember Seth, Noah's son was still alive at this time. Maybe Abraham was one of the few that listened to old Seth and took him seriously as he spoke of the time of G-d's judgement which he had experienced. Maybe due to this he he chose not to engage in the pagan worship that he developed and because of this was chosen by G-d to be the father of a nation who destiny is to reveal G-d to the world.
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John, Noah did not have a son Seth. You are mixing up Noah and Adam. And regarding Adam's son Shem, he met him after the incident with Nimrod. In any case, there are sources that say Abraham was three and others say in his 40's or 50's. The resolution is that discovery of the Infinite is a process and all sources agree that his was unguided by man or G-d in any explicit way. Only after his discovery did the first revelations occur.
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My apologies Aryeh, you are right Seth was Adam's son and Shem was Noah's. that was a slip on my part. I agree with you that the discovery of the infinite is a process. However, when G-d was revealed to Abraham the amazing thing is he came to know the maker of the universe personally as G-d was able to speak to him. Was he any different from us? What I read about him he was certainly a flawed human being. This gives me hope that I can know G-d in this same way. Question:- Does G-d make himself know to men in the same way today?
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John, the patriarchs really were not on our level. Sure they were human, but are we? We are not human like they are. Kabbalah refers to them as the merkavah, the Divine chariot - like a vehicle that does the will of the Driver only. Is that what you are? No personal agendas? If so, then maybe you can achieve their level.
There will come a time that we will all experience commune-ication with the Almighty. Just do and teach ethical monotheism ie, the 7 Noahide Laws because G-d said so to Moses at Sinai and your reward in heaven is very great indeed - like that of a Jewish High Priest.
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