JLI Beyond Belief – Introduction

JLI Beyond Belief – Introduction

There are aspects of reality that can be understood and others that we can’t understand. For example we can observe the laws of gravity yet we don’t understand its essence.

Belief works the same way. There are certain logical observations that lead to the conclusion that there are things beyond our understanding.

The unconscious mind was introduced to western science by Freud, Judaism has been saying for thousands of years that there is a subconscious mind. How do we know the subconscious? Do we know its essence? Or are there certain indicators such as dreams that tell us that there is more then what our conscious mind perceives.

What is life? It can be observed and it can be tested, yet it can’t be defined. So what is it?

If you conclude that you have a soul, a spiritual force that can’t be defined, are you rational or irrational?

To ignore anything that can’t be understood may be the biggest missed opportunity of our lifetime.

Logic can conclude that there are matters beyond its realm.

How do we know what to believe? How do we ensure that we are not being lied to?

We must carefully apply our belief and make sure that it is directed by (directed by not based upon) understanding.

The 10th principal.

Why is it a principal?

What would Judaism look like without this principal? G-d’s knowledge is the basis of morality. It creates the relationship. This leads back to the translation of EMUNAH as faithful the interaction.

G-d’s knowledge

Aristotle understood that there is a cause to the world he called it the prime mover. The prime mover knows itself for it is intelligent, it does not know the world.

If it knew the world then the world would change it and that would be a shortcoming.

The Rambam says that Hashems knowledge is by knowing himself. Since he knows himself he knows the world.

When you know your body it is acquire knowledge, rather you know it by knowing yourself.

Knowledge and Free choice.

The simple explanation: you know there is gravity; you are not the cause of gravity.

That is regarding predictable phenomenon, Hashem who is beyond time knows out actions although we are the ones who make the choice.