HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org Ideas & Beliefs
 
Chabad.org » Ideas & Beliefs » Questions & Answers »  G‑d and Us » Proof of G-d's Existence


Post a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
20 Comments Posted


Proof of G-d's Existence



Question:

I feel that I cannot observe a religion if I am not certain that it is true. Is there a proof that could give me a 100% certainty that G-d exists and gave the Torah to the Jewish people?

Answer:

Imagine you could do a blood test to determine who your soulmate is. You would go to a laboratory with a prospective partner and give blood samples, and half an hour later they would tell you yes or no. Sounds amazing? But think about it: Is that an ideal way to start a relationship? How romantic would it be to say, "Listen, the blood test came out positive, so we may as well get engaged"?

The truth is we wouldn't appreciate a laboratory-tested soulmate. What makes a relationship meaningful is that it is a choice coming from within. If we based a commitment on external evidence such as a blood test, we would indeed have certainty, but the sense of freedom would be lost. Freedom is an essential ingredient of true love--certainty is not.

That's why proving G-d is not helpful. G-d wants us to enter into a relationship with Him by choice, not by force. He created us as free beings who can deny Him if we want. There is no outside force or argument or proof that compels us to serve G-d. For that reason, when we do serve Him, it is by choice, it is coming from us, and that is the basis for a real relationship.

There are many logical proofs of G-d's existence and the truth of Torah. But most people are only ready to appreciate these proofs after they have already established a relationship with G-d, just as most people only recognize their soulmate as such after they have already committed to the relationship.

If you wait to know for sure that you have found your soulmate you may forever remain single. And if you wait for proof of G-d's truth you may forever live in a lonely universe. Embrace uncertainty and open yourself up to a real relationship. When you make that choice, you will find proof of G-d within your own soul.


Post a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
20 Comments Posted

By Aron Moss   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author

Rabbi Aron Moss teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia.


The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

20 Comments Posted  |  Post A Comment
Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 13, 2007
To Prove or Not To Prove
After praying with some guys I know, I told one of them that I was more of a "philosophical Jew" than a "religious Jew." He said, "You're more religious than you think you are." For some reason, I thought that was funny. The thing is that I don't know how NOT TO "believe" in G-d; whenever I try to imagine the universe without G-d, I can't make sense of it, and there seems to be a big, empty gap, like something is missing. Even with G-d, I still can't make sense of things, but at least I can praise / blame G-d for the way things are. On the other hand, I know people who don't know how TO "believe" in G-d, and I respect their point of view, too, 'cause were all just human. Believing Bible stories (e.g. Divine Revelation at Sinai) literally is tough for me, though, 'cause I'm a skeptic.
Posted By Rob W., Pittsburgh, PA / USA

Posted: Feb 23, 2007
100% Proof
Lost here are the thousands upon thousands of religions spanning thousands and thousands of years, worshiping thousands upon thousands of gods, evoking hundreds of wars in the names of their gods, staking claims to territory, and crusading in His name. On September 11th 2001 our generation witnessed first hand the power of G-d to compell zealots to murder in his name. A concept so intensely divisive, that fills people with so much passion and ferver so as to occasionally move them to murder, not only deserves questioning, it requires it. If the questioner demands proof of its existence, I believe he or she is entitled to search for it. If G-d were no more than a vessel for personal relationship, a question of proof would not be as meaningful. But since G-d is far more than that, it is imperative to question his meaning and existence.
Posted By Mark, Houston, TX
via chabadhouston.org

Posted: Jan 22, 2007
why is freedom an essential component of love? can you please give a few examples?
Posted By Anonymous



Post a Comment
Subject:
Comment:
  1000 Characters Remaining
Name*:
Email*:
City:   State/Country:
* indicates a required field
 


G‑d and Us
What Does it Mean to "Believe in G‑d"?
What Do I Do If I Don't Believe?
Maybe G‑d is just a comforting thought?
What do Agnostics Believe?
Is G‑d an Agnostic?
What Does G-d Need Us For?
Is G-d an It, an I, or Nothing?
Proof of G-d's Existence
Is G-d Really Running the World?
How Do I Know What Is My Mission in Life?
Getting Personal With G-d
Why Don't I Feel Inspired Anymore?
Hasn't Belief in G-d caused as much Evil as Good?
Did G-d Create Evil?
What's So Terrible about Idolatry?
Showing 3 to 17 of 46

Related
  More articles on
Freedom; Independence (47 articles)
Freedom of Choice (51 articles)
Relationships (783 articles)
G-d and Man (1580 articles)