Fact vs. Fiction
“Fake news.” When challenged by so many modern opinions and ideologies, how do we affirm the truth of Torah and remove all doubts? The Avner Institute presents a letter where the Rebbe addresses opposing views on free will, evolution, and medical science – while insisting on a Divinely run world with all the correct answers.
Dedicated in memory of loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h
“To strengthen one’s own convictions”
By the Grace of G-d
11 Tishrei 5712
Brooklyn, NY
In reply to your letter and questions contained therein:
Knowledge & Foreknowledge
The apparent contradiction between the omniscience of G-d and man’s free will (or choice of action).
There is a whole literature dealing with the subject, and it is impossible to give an outline of it in the course of a letter. I would refer you, at least, to the Ramban (Hilchot Teshuvah, ch. 5). However, I cannot leave without some answer, so I will state very briefly:
G-d’s foreknowledge is no contradiction to man’s free choice. What could be a contradiction to free choice is compulsion, not knowledge. Hence, a foreknowledge that is not compelling or forcing is in no way a limitation one’s free choice of action.
I will cite two illustrations. First, assuming that there are men with prophetic knowledge, their foremost concerning certain people does not compel them to act in a certain way and does not rub them of their free choice of action.
Secondly, as you know, G-d is not subject to time, and the past, present and future is all the same to Him (He was, is, and will be, all in One). It follows that to G-d, the future is like the past, and as knowledge of a past action is no contradiction to free choice, so is His knowledge of a future action. In other words, G-d knows the thoughts of man and his decision, and man’s knowledge does not rob man of thinking and deciding how to act.
Creation & Mutation
Your question as to my opinion of the theory of Evolution.
You do not mention what evolution you are referring to. Presumably the evolution of vegetable and animal life.
My opinion is, as stated in the Torah, that during the Six Days of Creation, G-d created the Four Kingdoms (minerals, vegetation, animal and man) independently of each other. Our Sages have enlarged upon this question in detail. However, this Creation does not deny the possibility of evolution after that of particular species through various mutations.
Therapy & Cure
Re your question concerning the role of Aggadah in the Talmud, particularly those dealing with medicine.
I want to point out that you are touching upon two distinct questions: Aggadah in the Talmud, and medicine in the Talmud.
As to Aggadah, not all Aggadoth can be treated equally. In various introductions to various editions of Ein Yaakov you will find how our Sages classify the Aggadoth of the Talmud.
As to the question of medicine in the Talmud, they are not at all fantastic as they may appear. As a matter of fact, many medical suggestions in the Talmud have been confirmed in recent years as to their therapeutic value, although medical science has long derided them.
Generally speaking, however, inasmuch as the nature of the human organism has undergone many changes since those days, the medical advice contained in the Talmud cannot be applied nowadays. But it is quite certain that in their days, the remedies were quite effective.
For references consult: Tosafoth Moed-Katan 11a, Bava Kava 95, Kesef-Mishnah ch. 4 of Eilechtoth Deoth, ch. 18, and the sources mentioned in Sdei-Chemed on Kelelim, under “R” klal 54, where it stated that due to physical and climactic changes, medical treatment and remedies of old no longer hold good generally.
In the history of medical sciences many illustrations are cited as to changes in both man’s susceptibility to disease and treatment, the development of virus attack, new diseases, etc. There is quite a literature on the subject, and there is no need for me to enlarge upon this subject.
I am surprised that you do not mention in your letter anything about your activities in influencing others to bring them nearer to Torah and Yiddishkeit, which serves also to strengthen one’s own convictions.
With blessing,
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