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Chabad.org » Parshah » Devarim - Deuteronomy » Nitzavim » Chassidic Masters » On the Essence of Choice

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On the Essence of Choice



"See, I have set before you life and goodness, and death and evil... Life and death I have set before you, blessing and curse... And you shall choose life..." (Deuteronomy 30:15-19). These three sentences represent three dimensions of choice -- compelled choice, random choice, and essential choice

6 Comments Posted
Reader Comments
Posted: Sep 8, 2004
Great Article
I just wanted to comment on this wonderful article.
It taught me so much and opened my eyes to things I had felt but wasn't able to discribe in words.
With G-d's help I hope to continue to read these articles and learn more beauty that lies in the Torah.
Posted By Anonymous, Ra'anana, Israel

Posted: Aug 21, 2005
The problems with this discussion:
1. (B) is not a choice at all. Random choice is an oxymorone.
2. If (C) is a choice made by one's essence (which is unchangeable) than it is not a free choice. If a Jew was able to make a choice based on his Yechida's urge, he would NEVER sin. A Jew has no choice but not to sin, unless tricked by ruach shtus.
3. If we consider that (C) is a choice made *based* on opportunity to reveal and pursue one's true essence and purpose (i.e., by chosing *this*, I will reveal my essence and purpose more), than there is no difference between (A) and (C). E.g.: one's essential desire is to keep living. In order to live one must eat. Therefore, I pick a bigger apple, b/c it is a better way to fulfil this ESSENTIAL desire, not because the bigger apple picks me. Therefore, no difference b/w (A) and (C).

So, (B) is not a choice, (C) is either not a free choice or identical to (A).

By the way, choice "tricked" by ruach shtus is still the "essence's" choice.
Posted By Anonymous, Boston, MA

Posted: Sep 11, 2005
Rebuttal to Anonymous
You have rejected all the possibilites of what free choice is, yet you have not given any alternative! The point is that free choice means a choice that is not compelled by an outside force. It is obvious that a choice that is brought about through an outside force is not your own "free choice" i.e. your choice free of outside influences/ outside forces. Thus free choice is the choice of the essense of a thing when it is unhindered by anything outside of it. Who said that free choice means a choice that is changing or subject to time and space? That's exactly the opposite of free choice.
Posted By Anonymous, Beverly Hills, Ca

Posted: Jan 23, 2006
To Anonymous from Ra'anana. An alternative: a person sees $1 and $100. No other factors in equation. His desire to chose $100 is bigger, obviously. But he choses $1. Again, no other factors in the equation -- nobody asks him to do, he doesn't want to do it just to prove a point, it's not a random decision, etc.

You will say, this decision makes no sense. But, this "sense" is what was making the decision not free.

The reason why I did not offer an alternative to free choice is that this idea makes no sense to me personally, and I don't see how it can take place in this world. But, that's OK, because I cannot also see how many things that Torah says are true can happen in this world, the way I know it.
Posted By Anonymous, Boston, MA

Posted: Sep 11, 2006
I think "Anonymous, Boston, MA" makes a very valid point, I'd like to see the author's response to it.
Posted By Rob van Dijk, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Posted: Apr 2, 2008
Why are we talking about free 'choice' when my question is about free 'will'?
Posted By debbie, sydney, australia

 


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