I could of course start off by listing the many Jewish philosophers, both historical and contemporary, who philosophize about G‑d’s existence1. But, considering the topic has been intensely debated throughout the ages without any sign of abatement, you may be in for a very long journey. After all, it seems like every couple of months publishers bless us with a yet another new book purporting to either prove or disprove G‑d’s existence (apparently, G‑d has always been a money maker).

Truthfully, if one is looking for proof of G‑d’s existence, the best way to go about it is the proof Abraham had. Is he not considered by many to be responsible for the spread of monotheism?

The following account of Abraham’s search is as our sages recorded it in the Midrash:

And G‑d said to Abraham: “Go from your land, your birthplace, and your father’s house...2”

To what may this be compared? To a man who was traveling from place to place when he saw a palace in flames.

He wondered: “Is it possible that the palace has no owner?”

The owner of the palace looked out and said, “I am the owner of the palace.”

So Abraham our father said, “Is it possible that the world lacks a ruler?”

G‑d looked out and said to him, “I am the ruler, the Sovereign of the universe.”3

You would think that a description of Abraham’s long and difficult search for the true Creator and Master of the universe would be just slightly more philosophical. Instead, we get this seemingly simplistic, almost childish parable?

But the Midrash is trying to teach us a profound lesson: It is really not that hard to find proof of G‑d’s existence; you just have to know how and where to look for it.

At times, philosophizing is important. But at the same time, one must be careful not to get lost in the world of thought, forgetting the actual physical world we live in. It can be easy to fall into the trap of seeking answers, without ever taking time out to truly contemplate the wondrous and complex world around us; never stopping to wonder at all the displays of Divine Providence which occur in our personal lives, and the lives of those around us, dismissing them as “just a coincidence.”

Instead, we should walk in the footsteps of Abraham, pausing to contemplate the world around us with all of its contradictions, complexities and strange “coincidences.” In doing so, we may very well find ourselves turning the question around and asking, as our forefather Abraham did, "Is it really possible that the world lacks a ruler?

See Proof of G‑d’s Existence and What Is G‑d?