Hashgacha Pratis – Divine Providence

Divine Providence Thank you, it is very interesting to me to learn about Jewish understanding of Divine Providence. Thank you also for helpful explanation of the difference between G-d's Being and the being of the created order, which must be sustained in existence by G-d at every moment. I would like to know if Jewish teaching includes a difference between G-d's "permissive will" and G-d's "perfect will," i.e., what G-d allows/permits (due to free will being so important)and what G-d actively wills (either when our will is in accord with His, or when He has some purpose He accomplishes regardless of what we choose with our free will.)Thank you and G-d bless you. Reply

Hashgacha Pratis I do believe in Divine Providence. I am reminded of an exceprt from a speech that Benjamin Franklin made to the Constitutional Convention after the Revolutionary War. The convention had hit an impasse, and this speech of Franklin's broke through the wall. He said, "The longer I live (he was in his 80's then), the more I am convinced taht G-d governs in the affairs of men." He then quoted Psalms 1271. Is not the Kabbalah way not to question the sovereignty of HaShem but to ask Him, "What am I to learn in this?" Believing that we are there by Divine Providence, even though the situation be unpleasant or even intolerable, we are to ask what lesson He wants us to learn. That is Kabbalah. He is ever perfecting our soul(s).

Shalom, Reply

Free CHoice and breaking through the wall.... Influence is "everything" the challenge of free choice and the kings nature, made him both predictable and influencable. The king doubtfully would have made the choices he made without the Gemorra mans challenge. Gods influence definately affects our choice restricting our ability to act against his will, and in a way free will is therefor an illusion, if we are holy and spiritual we will always choose the high road no matter what darknesses are thrust upon us (Viktor Frankl). IF Hashem influences the events in our lives, there is no vacation from him, especially when we exile ourselves. It is not in his nature to let us go, Noah, Moses on Mt. Sinai, you, me...because this is Gods nature we have influence with him as well, and in our influence on HIM lay our only potential for free will. (Moses on Mt. Sinai, pleading for us after the Golden Calf). Reply