11. Yisro 5779 -When Religion Doesn't Make Sense

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLighthouseProjectMiami/videos/1989677657994216/ Notes: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o6phcznb2we2z1b/11.%20Yisro%205779.%20When%20Religion%20Doesn%27t%20Make%20Sense.pdf?dl=0 Handout: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zuidk68qzgthhj8/11.%20Handout%20for%20Yisro%205779.pdf?dl=0 --- Judaism has, what seems to be, an impossible approach to faith in G-d. Maimonides defines the first of the 613 mitzvoit to be: “The first of the positive commandments is the mitzvah to know that there is a G-d, as it states (-Exodus 20:2): ‘I am G-d, your Lord.’” Some codifiers explain that there can be no commandment to believe in G-d, for to believe in G-d is a prerequisite to commandments. How can there be a commandment if there is no Commander?! Thus, the first and founding commandment of the Ten Commandments, and of the 613 mitzvoit is to know, rather than, to believe, that there is a G-d. However, this presents fundamental issues, for (a) faith is not knowledge and knowledge is not faith, (b) how can the finite mind know the infinite G-d, and (c) a G-d that we can know cannot be our G-d, for G-d must transcend our capacity in order to be our G-d. And nevertheless, G-d demands that we have a knowing relationship with Him, so that our minds be one with G-d, and not just our power of obedience and our body of actions. Were we only ably to be obedient and only to ‘do’ G-d’s commandments, this relationship would not permeate and embody our minds, nor our human power of emotions either. G-d wants our higher faculties in our relationship with Him, as well. Thus, faith must embody itself within our minds of knowing, as well. This lecture is based on a maamor the Rebbe delivered in 1965, on this Shabbat, in which the Rebbe explores the deeper meanings behind Moses entering into the (-Exodus 20:18) “And Moses drew near to the opaque darkness, where G-d was.” If you have any questions or comments on this lecture please email Rabbi Avrohom Lipszyc at [email protected].