Page 3 - The Jewish Voice - October '20

The Jewish Voice, Page 3

From the rabbis

Does God Change His Mind? He knows they would sin and be destroyed, He did not Regarding the supposed change of heart about the flood,
withhold from creating them, [especially] for the righteous Rashi writes that his explanation is directed to a heretic, an
By Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui ones that would be born from amongst them.’” obstinate non-believer. As far as someone who is looking to
Just before God brings For someone devoted to the ways of God, to whatever make of the world whatever sense he is able, he understands
the flood, the beginning of degree that is possible, Rashi explains the beginning of there is no contradiction between the knowledge of God
Genesis says, “God saw that Genesis: “Why does the Bible (which is intended to direct and a person’s capacity for free choice. He knows a human
man’s wickedness on earth and instruct the world how to conduct oneself in a Godly being simply cannot understand everything.
was increasing, and every manner) begin with the creation of the world and not with It is only for the non-believer who is intractably stuck
thought that came from his the commandments? Because there is an important message that Rashi tells the story of Rabbi Joshua, hoping this would
heart throughout the day God wants to communicate. If any nation of the world help them better relate to the concept.
was purely evil. God was decides to accuse the Israelites of stealing the Land of A person will celebrate the birth of a child even though
consoled [by the fact] that Israel, they could answer that God owns and is ruler of the everyone knows the child must die one day. He understands
He had made man upon the entire universe that He created. He gives the land to whom that God bestows good for virtuous people even if in the
earth [and not in heaven, He desires. First, he allowed others to dwell over there, and future there may be a change of course.
where he would have caused the angels to rebel]. God then he preferred to give it to us.” Rabbi Joshua is mentioned intentionally by Rashi since
decided in His heart [to cause man] pain.” The same principle can be applied to our discussion. he was renowned for his ability to deal with such persistently
Rashi, the foremost commentator on the Bible, writes Did God have a change of heart when he decided to bring stubborn people. He had the strength and the knowledge.
the following “as an answer for heretics”: “A non-believer the flood and do differently than when he first created the Regular people, on the other hand, must be on guard and
once asked Rabbi Joshua, the son of Korcha, ‘Do not you world? The answer is no. There is no remorse, no change avoid debates with negative people.
believe God knows the future? Why, then, does it say God of mind or heart. Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui is spiritual leader of Chabad
had a change of heart?’ Said Rabbi Joshua, ‘Have you In the same way that God first placed other nations in House Lubavitch of Palm Beach. Contact him at
ever had a male child? And what did you do when he was Israel and then decided to give it to the Israelites — not Rabbi@chabadpalmbeach.org, 624-7004, or www.
born? Did not you know one day he would die?’ And the because of any lack of vision on God’s part or a change chabadpalmbeach.org.
non-believer answered, ‘In happy times happiness, and in of heart — the flood was not any mistake, but it is all part
mournful times I mourn.’ of the plan God already had in mind when he created the From the Rabbis on page 4
Rabbi Joshua said, ‘The same is with God. Even though universe.

fabrikant

since 1895

SELL YOUR DIAMONDS,

LUXURY WATCHES,

AND SIGNED JEWELRY.

5 GENERATIONS OF EXCELLENCE

www.Fabrikant.com

CONTACT US TODAY

for a FREE ESTIMATE

Fabrikant, New York Fabrikant, Florida Fabrikant, Connecticut
New York, NY 10036 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Westport, CT 06880
Phone: 917-470-9098, 917-470-9198 Phone: 561-232-2082 Phone: 917-470-9098, 917-470-9198