Does G-d Ever Make Mistakes?

We know that G‑d is the most perfect Being, and that everything exists solely because of Him. Furthermore, He knows everything through His knowledge of Himself, so of course He does not make mistakes.

At the same time, our rabbis shake it up and tell us that there are things which G‑d “regrets” having created, such as the evil inclination.

One way to reconcile these viewpoints is to understand that of course G‑d knew what He was doing when He created these negative things, but He knew that they were necessary in order for humanity to attain the greater good He had in mind. So, while He created these things, He does not “like” them, and we are supposed to view them as temporary.

See Can G‑d Create a Rock That's Too Heavy for Him to Lift? from our selection on G‑d.

By Shmary Brownstein

Rabbi Shmary Brownstein is a member of the Chabad.org Ask the Rabbi team and is co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Davis with his wife Sorele.

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27 Comments

Kate October 23, 2019

If God doesn’t make mistakes then why does he take the good ones to early, so young and leave me here. ? Reply

Feigele Boca Raton FL August 5, 2016

No rights no wrongs for G-d What we take for mistakes means something else to G-d, whose choices he makes are not mistakes. G-d created the world as is and everything inside according to his choices, not by privilege but by simply doing what he wanted to do. To him, maybe, there are no rights nor wrongs, just what must be done. He’s not to be judged for any of his actions. He is the creator of all living on earth and it is for us to adjust and manage the best we can. Reply

Steve Virginia June 23, 2016

G-d's "Mistakes" Being a gentile I see this a little differently. G-d didn't make a mistake when he created evil, anymore than he made a mistake when he created gravity. Both are forces that would try to bring us down, and by struggling against them we rise to a higher power. Being good in the face of evil, is weightlifting for your soul. Reply

Feigele Boca Raton, FL July 30, 2012

You are right Dear London! We should always use humour when appropriate! I know I try but sometimes it is misinterpreted, especially when writing a comment, which could be misconstrued when you don’t know where it comes from, which remind me of a story of my childhood when using some humour got me in big trouble since the other child didn’t get it. So I learned since then to be very cautious. And, yes, life is very serious for most of us. Maybe there is “light” at the end of the tunnel but it sure takes a long time to get there and with G-d’s help. Reply

Anonymous London July 28, 2012

He or She... I mean that everyone so far here, has mentioned G-d's gender, so you Dear Boca Raton, FL, misunderstood my jokey comment. Whew why do people take life Sooo seriously - it might be good to "lighten up". Actually, it is a great security to feel there is a G-d, even if he/she doesn't intervene. Who are we to judge? Well, me. Reply

itchymendel Efrat December 20, 2017

in response to Anonymous:

About G-D's gender, by Rambam's 13 principles, G-d's existance is far removed from anything animal or human like. But, if we must give G-d likes and dislikes ( liking good deeds and disliking the evil inclination) and a gender, I feel it is feminine, by the order of creation. Darkness, light, the heavens, earth, seas, plants & fruit trees, moon, stars,sun (interestingly after light), birds, fish, animals, man and lastly, woman. Since, woman came last, she is most G-dly, though I believe all exists because G-d gives everything existance , at every instant of time. Woman coming last makes her the main reason for creation. Reply

Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell Riverside, CA, USA July 27, 2012

Feigele, astounding philosophy. Quite appropriate! Reply

Feigele BR, FL July 27, 2012

G-d's job? If G-d created the universe, I’m sure he can as well take care of all of it at the same time – having several children doesn’t mean giving up on some of them. It is not for us to assess what G-d does in this plane or another. Reply

Feigele Boca Raton, FL July 25, 2012

Dear London! It is not for humans to define G-d’s gender – It is our G-d, your G-d and my G-d – it doesn’t matter nor gives us the privilege to know which gender or form. Humans developed “free will” by following G-d’s commandments. Thus, it is still under G-d’s intervention at a point in time. It also gave countries their laws based on the same basic. It is why/how humans know the good from bad and thus can make their own choice again based on G-d’s laws. Reply

Anonymous London July 25, 2012

Does G-d ever make mistakes Ah Well - at least no-one has said G-d's a She - for a change -- haha. Seriously though, learning what's best for mankind, if it doesn't cause harm, is fine, but relying on the concept that humans have free Will to choose the bad or the good road, without G-d's intervention, is an illogical idea, judging by the protection given eons ago. Then again.... perhaps "He" does give protection. Reply

Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell Riverside, CA, USA July 17, 2012

Ok, Feigele, this reminds me of a science Philosophical question. Is G-d busy creating other worlds, other people, and just creates and lets us be while He's busy doing His other jobs. Reminds me of "The Twilight Zone". Reply

Feigele Boca Raton, FL July 16, 2012

Children Mistakes are not Parents Mistakes! All the cruelty in this world is not done by G-d but by humans – G-d gave humans all the tools to live and survive on this earth. It is the humans who make all the mistakes in the world due to their numerous faults. Yes, we would expect G-d to protect us all against disasters. But maybe his job was done with the creation of the world, and then leave it to the humans to deal with it. Like parents raising their children and letting them go hoping for the best. Reply

Jeff Springfield, MO July 14, 2012

G-d can make mistakes The universe. Given the sheer size and dimensions of it, but imposing a maximum velocity of c (300,000km/s) ensures we can never actually explore it. Even communicating is impossible since even though radio waves travel at c, having two-way conversations with other species (for the sake or argument) would involve lifetimes just to exchange a simple "hello." G-d made the universe too big, or the mistake of limiting velocity within it. :) Reply

Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell Riverside, CA, USA July 13, 2012

This is particularly why I made up my own Concept of G-d, which has nothing to do with ordering bad things to happen and then saying, "Whoops, I shouldn't have and to prove I won't do it again, I'll send a rainbow". My concept of G-d is Perfect Love. Whatever is Perfect Love is G-d; love causes no harm or hurt. Not even with tough love. No harm or hurt. Only strength to go through bad times which happen by chance. "Rain falls on the just and the unjust". I have PERFECT faith in the PERFECT G-d who is in my heart who never makes mistakes, but also never makes the decision whether or not we will have tragedies and calamities. He does, however, HELP us perfectly through them, whether it is that we live or die. He helps both ways. Reply

Anonymous July 13, 2012

Does G-d ever make mistakes Your article is sweet, and well written. In response though a touch too naive. These kinds of answers imply that there is no answer.. There is an article I heard about - that G-d indeed has a shadow, a Jungian psychological concept - otherwise the Holocaust would have never occurred, nor any other cruel atrocity. No one is perfect and G-d cannot repeat himself, even with twins. So what is imperfection.... Reply

Rod Melbourne, Australia July 10, 2012

Human perspective gone awry I think the question of whether or not G-d makes mistakes only highlights our limited understanding of who He really is. Surely, this question presupposes He has human limitations, doesn't it? Is it really so difficult to accept and believe that our Supreme Creator is perfect? Isn't it possible - likely? - that He also has perfect foresight? And doesn't it follow that being eternal He is not trapped by time - as we are - and therefore has no need to wait in order to see the outcome of His actions? That, after all, is what eternal means, right? Timeless. Ever in the past, the present and the future. Ps 90:2 - "From everlasting to everlasting, you are G-d". I just can't imagine that the omniscient One would ever say to Himself, "Oh no, I should have practiced more wisdom before doing that." Personally, I find the consistent perfection of G-d to be one of the things that comforts me, partly because it demonstrates order in a world that is increasingly disorderly.
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Feigele Boca Raton, FL July 10, 2012

Only Humans Make Mistakes! G-d created what he intended to create for a purpose and it should not be questioned. Who is to say or judge G-d for his creation or even quote scriptures written by men? We are here to fix what’s broken and to either make it right or wrong, or leave it as is. Reply

Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell Riverside, CA, USA July 9, 2012

According to the scriptures, yes. Read why He created the rainbows. There are a couple of stories in which it says G-d was sorry, or He vowed not to... again. Reply

Feigele Boca Raton, Florida July 6, 2012

One Big Mistake! NO. G-d doesn’t make mistakes. He leaves it to us to make mistakes. We the human beings have to know better than making the wrong choices. We are given all kind of opportunities and most of them are right, so why choose the wrong ones. Devil inclination is in human nature too as well as good, but we leave it to our lack of good judgment and bad temper to make wrong decisions and also under peer pressure wanting to belong, not just for children or teenagers, adults too are weak.
Maybe the biggest error was that some nations are dwelling on oil/petrol lands instead of civilized ones. Is it to restore a certain balance or is it a challenge for us to find a way to get along? Reply

Anonymous champaign, Il/Champaign July 5, 2012

Mistake Well let's think about this. God says he is the Alpha Omega. I mean if I new the beginning and end of all, wouldn't you think that the very 1st two people you made you would mess it up? I mean come on. I can create the planets but my 1st attempt at boy vs. girl I allow a snake to mess the cosmos of life up? really? We have a sun that God keeps under control and not blow up, but He allowed sin to enter right from the start. So is God truly Alpha/Omega? Reply

Karen Joyce Chaya Fradle Kleinman Bell Riverside, CA, USA July 5, 2012

I believe in a G-d who is different Than the one described in Scriptures, so therefore, my answer will be different. I don't believe Go-d created evil because I see G=d as being totally good. I see the evil and negative aspects of humanity as being more of a genetic malfunction, such as what happens when there is a physical difference in birth, such as a baby born with 6 fingers instead of five, only this is emotional/psychological/spiritual instead of physical. If you read the Adam and Eve story metaphorically, you see what I mean. Adam and Eve were perfect. In fact, they could have been just like G-d, in that they could have been totally good and loving with no problems. Then came the proverbial serpent ("defect"), which changed things. See, the story didn't say G-d changed things, although it does embellish the consequences, and blame G-d for the following sorrows and pains. (That's why I don't take the stories literally). So, in my mind, G=d is love and love never causes harm; nor is love ever a mistake. Reply

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