Foundations of Life:
In order to identify anything correctly, one needs definite answers to four basic questions:
These are: What? From What? From Whom? Why?
Once we have been supplied with these answers...once can advance step by step to more sophisticated ...understanding and purpose, and eventually divine their ultimate cause, that is, the Creator of the universe.
Since however, we frequently fail to identify some phenomena correctly, and since the answers to all the four questions listed may not have been available, many people have resigned themselves to consider the universe as being the result of some cosmic accident, a mere coincidence...
The fact that almost everything we observe serves a well understood purpose is surely evidence that it is the result of the most careful planning. It is not accidental, but the work of a Creator, the result of a will. The predicatability and order of most natural phenomena both on the ground and in space, prove that they are not products of accidents but of a monumental intellect. any unexplained phenomenon merely points to the fact that the intellect of its Creator is far superior to that of His creature.
There is no compelling reason that the creature must understand everything its Creator has done.
Man, starting out alone, without knowledge of the outside, acquired knowledge gradually through contacts, perceptions etc. Because he is forever incomplete, by definition, forever at best progressing towards completion...The purpose of God's Torah is to enable man to achieve success, his success depends on intelligent use of his freedom of choice. Such success, however, is impossible without some understanding of the way Nature works. The story of creation therefore has to supply that understanding, just as it has to supply the knowledge that there is a creator who presides over His entire handiwork.
Questions:
1. What assumptions does Arama make in this text?
2. What is the wrong way to view the universe?
3. Why do people view the universe in the wrong way?
4. How can we prove that there is a God and a purpose in the universe?
5. Comment on the word "compelling" in the text.
To Do:
6. How would Arama make sense of the Holocaust? The reestablishment of the State of Israel? A natural disaster?
Film: Lord of the Rings:
In this scene, in the caves of Moria, Gandalf and Frodo discuss the fate of Gollum, why he was allowed to live, and
how people make decisions.
7. What is Frodo's question?
8. Why does he ask it?
9. How does Gandalf's answer echo Arama's philosophy?
Teacher Notes:
The most basic assumption found in the middle of the text is: The fact that almost everything we observe serves a well understood purpose. Other assumptions include:
We can identify things.
By asking the right questions we can identify things correctly.
There is a logical sequence to the questions and answers.
By utilizing the correct answers in proper order we can arrive at proper conclusions
Unexplained phenomena are the result of our limitations
It is not necessary for us to understand the mind of God
The purpose of the Torah is to teach us to overcome these obstacles
It is wrong to consider the universe as the result of an accident or coincidence. People either do ask the right questions in the right order or they do not get the correct answers. The only way for the process to work is if it is followed correctly. When we observe the predictable and ordered ways of the world in nature and in ourselves, we should take this as proof that there is an entity that creates the system for th is order and predictability to take place.
The use of the word "compelling" is to remind us that we cannot know everything due to our inherent limitations. We cannot know all the "whys" of life. Arama asserts that not only can we not know them, but there was no reason for God to create a system where we can know them. By asserting that this ignorance is part of the Divine plan, Arama takes the major questions in religious life such as, "Why do bad things happen to good people," and shows that these are questions we not be able to answer. Thus faith in God is exactly that - faith in God.
1. What assumptions does Arama make in this text?
2. What is the wrong way to view the universe?
3. Why do people view the universe in the wrong way?
4. How can we prove that there is a God and a purpose in the universe?
5. Comment on the word "compelling" in the text.
To Do:
6. How would Arama make sense of the Holocaust? The reestablishment of the State of Israel? A natural disaster?
Film: Lord of the Rings:
In this scene, in the caves of Moria, Gandalf and Frodo discuss the fate of Gollum, why he was allowed to live, and
how people make decisions.
7. What is Frodo's question?
8. Why does he ask it?
9. How does Gandalf's answer echo Arama's philosophy?
Teacher Notes:
The most basic assumption found in the middle of the text is: The fact that almost everything we observe serves a well understood purpose. Other assumptions include:
We can identify things.
By asking the right questions we can identify things correctly.
There is a logical sequence to the questions and answers.
By utilizing the correct answers in proper order we can arrive at proper conclusions
Unexplained phenomena are the result of our limitations
It is not necessary for us to understand the mind of God
The purpose of the Torah is to teach us to overcome these obstacles
It is wrong to consider the universe as the result of an accident or coincidence. People either do ask the right questions in the right order or they do not get the correct answers. The only way for the process to work is if it is followed correctly. When we observe the predictable and ordered ways of the world in nature and in ourselves, we should take this as proof that there is an entity that creates the system for th is order and predictability to take place.
The use of the word "compelling" is to remind us that we cannot know everything due to our inherent limitations. We cannot know all the "whys" of life. Arama asserts that not only can we not know them, but there was no reason for God to create a system where we can know them. By asserting that this ignorance is part of the Divine plan, Arama takes the major questions in religious life such as, "Why do bad things happen to good people," and shows that these are questions we not be able to answer. Thus faith in God is exactly that - faith in God.
