Wrestling with God: What Does it Mean to Have Blind Faith?
One aspect of the internet that I truly love, it that it allows me to reach out and to speak with people, who, if I were walking down the street, would not so much as greet me, look me in the eye, nor have a discussion with me about anything. Here, with the veil of this hidden computer screen, one is able to transcend boundaries that do not open so freely in the real world.
Yesterday, I read an article on how Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner, Elie Weisel, wrestles with God. As many know, Weisel was a survivor of Auschwitz, and stood around, watching millions of his own people suffer, loose their spirit, and ultimately die. Here is the story to which I refer:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/192/story_19236_1.html
In spite of these horrors, Weisel continued to believe in God, even putting on Tefillim while in the camps, and continues to do so today, each and every day. He questioned God, and admits to being angry at Him, but nevertheless has not lost his faith. When I told someone who is very religious about this, his conclusion was that Weisel was a heretic, and that it was finally in black and white. Frankly, I was shocked by this response, as for me, someone who has witnessed so much suffering, yet continues to praise the Almighty is indeed a Nobel and gentle soul.
The issue of whether God causes suffering, and whether it happens for some reason because of or other than His will, is a complex question. Could it be that God does not decide who gives birth to children with birth defects, or which individuals die before their time?
In the Torah, it says, tamin tehyeh eim HaShem. What does this phrase really mean? Should one have blind faith in God? Is God the cause of our tragedies, or is it the case that He is there to help us cope with them?
During my lifetime, I have had misfortunes happen, especially during these past few years, where I have questioned God's will, for example, when my daughter became so ill, and recently when my cousin, who was so vibrant and loved life so much, died at a young age. And of course, there is the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews, and countless others were exterminated for no reason, other than being who they were.
Here is the question of the day: Is your faith in God blind? Are there times when you question God's will, and has there been something specific happen to you in your life when this has occurred?
Thank you for your minds.
Yesterday, I read an article on how Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner, Elie Weisel, wrestles with God. As many know, Weisel was a survivor of Auschwitz, and stood around, watching millions of his own people suffer, loose their spirit, and ultimately die. Here is the story to which I refer:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/192/story_19236_1.html
In spite of these horrors, Weisel continued to believe in God, even putting on Tefillim while in the camps, and continues to do so today, each and every day. He questioned God, and admits to being angry at Him, but nevertheless has not lost his faith. When I told someone who is very religious about this, his conclusion was that Weisel was a heretic, and that it was finally in black and white. Frankly, I was shocked by this response, as for me, someone who has witnessed so much suffering, yet continues to praise the Almighty is indeed a Nobel and gentle soul.
The issue of whether God causes suffering, and whether it happens for some reason because of or other than His will, is a complex question. Could it be that God does not decide who gives birth to children with birth defects, or which individuals die before their time?
In the Torah, it says, tamin tehyeh eim HaShem. What does this phrase really mean? Should one have blind faith in God? Is God the cause of our tragedies, or is it the case that He is there to help us cope with them?
During my lifetime, I have had misfortunes happen, especially during these past few years, where I have questioned God's will, for example, when my daughter became so ill, and recently when my cousin, who was so vibrant and loved life so much, died at a young age. And of course, there is the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews, and countless others were exterminated for no reason, other than being who they were.
Here is the question of the day: Is your faith in God blind? Are there times when you question God's will, and has there been something specific happen to you in your life when this has occurred?
Thank you for your minds.
41 Comments:
tefilin* with an N not M
(no need to post this comment)
it is my opinion that you delete this latest post i would fear punishment for posting such an article
our sages said that we arent allowed to enter discussions with "apikorsim" because even to admit in question form other then the truth is strictly prohibited for example there was a time when people believed that there are 2 gods one for the bad things and one for the good this belief is obviosly false and the sages didnt permit ordanry people of discussing this matter with them its only for the very righteous and i dont believe that eli weisel huimself thinks of himself as very righteous
Blind faith....
(second time in)
Sometimes I look back on m'life and see that I ain't even in control...I have no idea how some things got done or undone or whatever. Then, to second guess GOD or the intent of the meanings of the words, no. Can't be done by humans.
In revelations there is a line about how too hot is OK and too cold is OK but the GREAT I AM will spit out the lukewarm of folks. I kind'a figure that t'mean to go do what ya gotta do, do it as best you can and do it as often as possible.
Blind faith? Sure. I argue with GOD as a matter of fact, but, I don't dwell on it at all. Move on, don't get wrapped up with details and all that.
I dunno for sure, but, I go by what I feel, which is, in my mind, a portion of how GOD feels, too.
Brown-nosing, boot licking yes-men (and women) are not what is expected of anybody. What would that even be, a whole planet of yes-people?
Sad. Really sad.
Actually, that the 'puter broke the connection before was good, because I just wrote in a few words what I had taken far too many to say before....
have you ever taken the Belief quiz on beliefnet?
I'm a unitarian universalist
I think blind faith means believing in anythign you have't researched or studied. If you can't answer questions abotu your faith, it's blind.
Well, I had a great comment all prepared, but leave it to blogger to screw everything up (as it has all morning).
In a nutshell, Christian intellectuals point to the scriptures which say to love God with your heart, soul and mind (Matt 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27). Anything else is sheeplike behavior. After all, God gave us minds to think with. Why would he want us to suppress mental activity when it came to worshipping him? Surely he doesn't only want bimbos as his followers?
Well, I had a great comment all prepared, but leave it to blogger to screw everything up (as it has all morning).
In a nutshell, Christian intellectuals point to the scriptures which say to love God with your heart, soul and mind (Matt 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27). Anything else is sheeplike behavior. After all, God gave us minds to think with. Why would he want us to suppress mental activity when it came to worshipping him? Surely he doesn't only want bimbos as his followers?
BTW, YY:
It is God with a capital G, and HaShem, with a capital H and S, FYI.
is this a spelling b?
Well, YY, for you, it does seem to be a spelling bee, since you brought up the issue with tefilim, and have on many occassions been more consumed with form over substance.
To not capitalize the name of the Almighty is on the large side, is it not?
Your comments about the hidden veil of the computer screen and the internet are quite insightful. I have found many intelligent, well educated, and open-minded people this way. Well, there are others too!
I come from a Christian background (Lutheran), and I most definitely question the faith I was raised with. Aside from immaculate conception, virgin birth, and resurrection of Jesus, what gets me going is the Christian attitude that we have to accept whatever happens and ALWAYS be happy.
This is what I was taught as a child. My favorite parody of this attitude is the last scene from Monty Python's "Life of Brian." Dozens of people have been crucified by the Romans, and while hanging on the crosses waiting to die, they all begin singing "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life."
Ridiculous. Pain exists. And if we cannot recognize when we have been wronged, how will we recognize when others have been wronged and need our assistance.
The so called negative emotions, anger, hate, etc. have a roll in forcing us into action.
I don't mean to offend any Christians, but I do not understand how we can sit back and wait for an afterlife. It is our actions now that count, not our beliefs that will matter. And yes, that makes me a heretic in the Lutheran church which preaches justification by faith alone.
Excellent question!! I will stop now, because I could go on and on!
WW
Barbara,
I hope it's okay - this might be lengthy - but for this topic - certainly not lengthy enough...
you ask if I have blind faith in G-d...
A perfect post after your post on sensuality. See the delight all your readers have expressed in what touches them.. Many described nature, some spirituality, others intimacy in diffrent ways (a smile, touch thought, words..).
I didn't create the wonders of the world that lift the spirits of people to incredible heights - that bring peace and joy.
I didn't create great psychological and inventive minds that elevate human beings to lofty levels - physically, intellectually in every way -
to understand biology, astronomy, mathematics, physics,
To invent airplanes, rocket ships, medical breakthroughs, ...
If I question G-d's ways - it is because I am human, I am vulnerable, imperfect and perhaps untrustworthy -
But, G-d is perfect - and even that is a limited description because He is limitless.
I cannot understand his ways, Barbara - some ways are blindingly painful.
I cannot understand His ways because I am imperfect.....my lack of trust makes me imperfect - not G-d...
I have had trubulent times in my life, but on the whole have been incredibly lucky. Ashamedly, I still complain.
I hope never to be tested in a traumatic way -
And how can one judge the feelings of someone who has?.....
The person to whom you asked your question, would not be one I would turn to again with matters like these - what a terribly awful thing to say.
How dare someone make a terrible comment like that - of someone who experienced hell fire on this earth?
Only today, in a class that combines psychology and Torah hashkafa (outlook), we discussed the feelings of people who express outrage at G-d for their suffering.
We learnt that most instances of anger are reactive - a reaction to a specific event (Hey! that guy in the black car passed me!! Beeeeep!!! Anger ! Target - black car)
But anger that is felt in trauma - is a helpless, frustrating anger - that cannot attatch itself to a specific target and therefore becomes a free-floating-anger - available to attatch itself to something....anything....
some let it out on fam members, some on strangers.. some on G-d..
It stems from the crude realization that we are not in control (painful to most, admittedly)
A more powerful Being runs the world. Though it is nice to sometimes feel that we do (and G-d allows this feeling - it is natural - helps us to get on with life).
But when one can understand the source of this anger - one has an opportunity to channel correctly..
Just over shavuos, I was lucky to listen to a lecture given by a young woman. She quoted a beautiful passuk
'Chavivin Yisrael shenikrau banim lamakom' - it expresses the special, powerful and intense love that Hashem has for us - like a father to his children..
If we would internalize this concept - tribulations would be easier to bear...
Barbara - I know so little - almost nothing - your question is so complex and one can spend hours discussing it in depth - but it should be done with the appropriate person..
It's sure hard to do on a blog - lol - although if the right person comes along, perhaps they could answer satisfactorally
In answer to your question
I have Faith
May it stand me in good stead..
One more thing -
our incredible class lecturer - a well known, noted rabbi and therapist - explained that in instances of anger as such..
G-d's shoulder's are broad, and can accept the load of our emotions as we struggle towards our individual abilities of acceptance..
the only way I know,
You express yourself so beautifully, and I can relate to your elegant and educated words.
I am so happy you found my blog....
Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts here..They are indeed very special.
Barbara, I enjoyed reading some of your posts. I think it has been estimated that 11 million people died in the Holocaust. To answer your question, I do not place any faith in god. That's not to say I don't believe in a grand design, I just prefer to place my faith in mankind, despite all the insanity that goes on out here, over there, and every where.
What does apikorism mean?
You see what I am confronted with, when I raise such an issue?
Besides, YY, if you believe all is according to the will of HaShem, punishment will come about regardless of my post!
Barbara- wrestling with G-d is the Jewish tradition- that is what the meaning of the name Yisrael is. And it is part of of a long Jewish tradition that continues in the book of Job. So for everyone that tells you that you shouldn't question or doubt and throws Maimonides in your face- ignore it. Believing with perfect faith is very difficult for us as modern people in a scientific world that demands proof for everything. As long as you believe deep down that G-d is, you can question as much as you like in a respectful way -which is what you are doing.
Amishav,
Thank you for your intelligent comment.
I do not question G-d's existence. I do believe in G-d and in the goodness of the world.
It is the state of affairs in the world, in our personal lives, and those that effect our people that give me pause to wonder and think about G-d and His ways.
All of us are and can be hurt by life in some form or another, albeit, death, illness, injury, rejection, disappointment. It is how we, as individuals reconcile these events with our beliefs that gives one pause to think, and perhaps wonder how, and to what extent G-d and his ways factors into, or ignores human pain and suffering.
Barbara -
It feels pleasant and warm to have my words appreciated...
Another thought -
In class - we discussed 'nisyonos' - challenges - usually in the form of hardship and difficulty - that one experiences in life.
There is nothing random involved -( which was an important part of your question..)It is beyond a shadow of a doubt - extremely specific -
we don't always understand the reasons - although we question and we respond emotionally..
but as every dew-drop on every indivudual blade of grass is exactly where it is for a specific purpose - how much more so - is the specific purpose in everything that ocurrs in the incredible, holy, sublime life of a human being.
Almost all
'meforshim'(commentators) write that the 10 trials of Abraham, were not sent as punishments (although there is definitely judgement in the world). He was placed in specific circumstances to facilitate ...'bring out'.. dormant strengths he would not have recognized or mastered without these tests. This is something that carries on in the same way - ever since - each of his descendents with the power to overcome challenges and transform themselves.
Yet we don't ask for these tests..
(the question that stands out is probably - 'well I'm fine, I don't need to feel my dormant strengths, I'm quite happy with the way I am, thank you very much - lol.
Which brings us close to the subject of why we were created - and I have learnt that our relationship to G-d factors greatly in the equation of this answer. And to do this(have this connection) with all our might and fully.. well.. we need to recongnize our qualities fully...
that is sort of a surface answer - this subject can be discussed with depth and at great length..
It is not that walking down the street I would not care to chat with you, its that I have no common ground to begin from. On the internet we find the common ground first, the proximity is not important *S*
What Amishav said! Exactly!
I think Satan came to visit Blogger yesterday instead of today:)
well, barbra you know how I feel on the subject. As a secular Humanist, I heartily(?) stand behind any human spirit that can endure that kind of hardship, no matter where she/he get their strengths from.
I'm also inspired by people who went through the horros of the war and yet have kept their face intatc if not stronger.
Hi, Barbara i'm a little late on the subject but life was busy yesterday..... I consider myself more spiritual than religious. I personally have a problem with religion because it causes people to feel as you do. The main problem i have is man's interpretation of what God has said... To me that is where the problem comes in. If we as human beings were able to read the orignal texts that any of our holy books were copied from there would be less confusion. Besides the King James version of the Bible is just that. The King and his council's version. Then you have the mormom verssion and etc, etc.... Humans have taken a guide that was meant for something else and turned it into their own personal tool for control. That i why we have so many versions. If someone disagrees or question ones version, they have several others to revert to, to brainwash the mind into the way they want you to think. An all Loving God, does not Lie or Kill. Humans tend to ignore signs that are right in their face. In the Bible God says The Devil shall come in my name and Deceive many, If you logically thought about it. The only way the Devil could do that is through religion. The good ole divide an conquer method..... God says to Love thy neighbor if he or she was thyself. God also says though shall not judge. But most of the current forms of discraminate against each other based on some line in their holy texts. Is that not judging. Barb i can go on and on and on... But i will not... Just know that God has no need to rule with fear, seperation, judgement or pain. Who are people really worshiping. If you look hard the answer is right under their noses. Being a scientist and engineer. I have studied and been expose to a few things. I spent most of my child hood studying the Bible and other Texts as well. It is amazing what clarity you get when you read a book without fear.
Good day Barb
barbara
you are denying "hashgacha peratis" which is very heretic
(what it means ask your rabbi)
I've enjoyed reading all the comments.
I've got to agree with Jackel. Faith in of itself is blind. So, putting one's faith in anything would tend to be blind by extension.
I know that's a simplistic argument, but that's how I see it from my point of view.
I need to hurry up. Blogger is being a pain.
I agree with Jackel. By my definition, having faith in something or someone is a blind trust. So, I think religion, by extension, just about falls into that category.
The comments have been very insightful to me.
As usual, a thought provoking question. I will try to be succinct.
I took me a very, very long time to accept that there is a God, let alone have any faith in Him. Perhaps due to a lack of being exposed to anything resembling spirituality in my life – and perhaps combined with an upbringing by “logical” or “scientific” parents, I did not have a need or desire for a God in my life. I had no belief or faith, blind or otherwise.
My belief, therefore, is necessarily based on “proof.” Not scientific proof, but proof derived from experience – repeated experience – that finally found me so desperate and defeated in the game of life that I was willing to seek a solution outside of my past thinking. I came away with a paradigm that is constantly evolving in all except one respect: there is a God.
Because my belief is based on evidence (again, not scientific evidence, but sufficient for me), so too is my faith. For me, the two are inseparable. If I believe, I have faith, if I don’t, there can be no faith. In my world, it is only logical that the two are aspects of the same thing. My understanding changes, my vision of my higher power changes and my reliance does too, but my faith is ever-present – there is nothing blind about it. If I look for it, I can easily see His work.
~Mike
prag - I agree with you, that one should admire anyone who has gone through the horrors of the Holocaust and still has faith.
fred - yes, it may seem that there is some argument that faith is necessarily blind in and of itself.
TOWIN - very beautiful and elegant thoughts as ususal.
YY- it seems as if even your own people, the Orthodox, are disagreeing with you, which makes me think that perhaps you belong to a group of Jews who think in a radical way, which is not represented by the mainstream. This is your complete right. But to come here and tell people to delete their posts, or what to do takes huzshap!
ok barbara i dug up some very powerful talmud you should read ASAP
its bava basra 10A, 10B, 11A.
there you will find the deep ways of GOD how he manages this world to the very smallest detail plus you will see that actualy the 6 - 7 million jews that were murdered by hitler & company were very lucky to be murdered and it was for them a HUGE reward and they were blessed to be the chosen ones of recieving the opportunity email me after you have read these 3 pages of talmud i promise your whole perspective will change
YY,
I will read the Talmud when I have the time.
To say that it is a reward for our people to be murdered by Hitler sounds completely disturbing, and probably most Jews, from the most religious to the least secular, would not agree with your conclusions.
This sounds like it is coming from a person whose interpretation of the Talmud is so far-fetched that it is surreal.
barb
you are jumping to conclusions even before you read the pages of talmud i told you
are you really a lawyer?
ok i will paste that piece myself
"I also heard the angels saying in heaven that those jews who were killed by a government, none of the creatures in heaven even the most righteous tzadikim could approach them because of their high standing next to GOD even if they had sins."
Yes, I am a lawyer.
Your conclusions:
"there you will find the deep ways of GOD how he manages this world to the very smallest detail plus you will see that actualy the 6 - 7 million jews that were murdered by hitler & company were very lucky to be murdered and it was for them a HUGE reward and they were blessed to be the chosen ones of recieving the opportunity email me after you have read these 3 pages of talmud i promise your whole perspective will change "
are offensive! I doubt that the families of those who lost sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and/or siblings would find anything rewarding about their family being murdered, not to mention so many others straving to death, suffering the worst of all possible deaths.
These conclusions you make, I stand by my original comment, are surreal!!
Actually, in a wierd sorta way, I find agreement with part of what the yy sez.
but, only to the one point....
if a person is murdered, be they Jew, Native American, children or whatever, if taken like that, I fully believe that the first face they see on the other side is the FACE of GOD and it more than likely comes with much consolation.
On the other hand, I think someone who uses the word "luck" to describe it is being naive to the point of .....
no. That's it.
just that'n'no more.
oh yeah. Dan's job was as a probation officer...and I want to think it was Sonoma County.
Ya know how I sent that video link to ya? It was fer ya to enjoy, maybe catch a smile, whatever.
Here's something a friend of ours sent us (oddly enough, he's in California) and it's just fer enjoying.
(This is a joke.....NOT advice.!)
1. If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic.Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat, and presto! The blockage will be almost instantly removed.
2. Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away
3. Avoid arguments with the Mr. about putting the toilet seat back down by simply using the sink.
4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a ;few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.
5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.
(I altered #3 to reflect feminie type humor, and, for the record, m'favorite was #5)
G-d is as close as the breath of the mouth. Blind by what measure? If G-d is fire, light, and love, what need to see? Anyone who has ever come to the "burning bush" which is there for anyone who will come aside, knows in the pit of their being that a transcendent G-d reveals himself in immanence, more real than physical existence.
It is good to see that a very lively and thoughtful conversation has been stimulated here.
On a personal note, I do believe in God's will. That being said, I also, at times, find myself questioning how and why things happen as they do and ask why. To me, these two conclusions, are not mutually exclusive.
Yes, I agree absolutely. The object of faith is an entirely separate issue from the how and why of phenomena. There must be a core of "knowing", from which reasonings proceed. To quote from a well known chrtistian author(dangerous territory, perhaps)"For who among men knows the things of a man, except
the spirit of the man, which is in him? "
It seems like I am late to the debate.
I will say, I don't know that I have blind faith, but I do believe in Karma and what comes around goes around it just might take awhile for it to, 'come around.'
I also think there is a reason behind everything, it simply takes awhile for us to realize what that reason might be.
I don't see the reason in questioning, 'why' something happens. We will probably never reach an adequate answer to appease us as to, 'why.'
Since my mother died I have questioned God. Not 'cuz she died, but because afterwards my dad's life and mine have suffered hardship after hardship. I couldnt not even feel anything inside of me to tell me that my mom is somewhere.
Should I question God like that? Who am I. But you would think that a little bit of peace could be send my way just to have faith and continue on my own.
T
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