Wednesday, February 15, 2012

An Axiom of Note

Definition:  an axiom is proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it.

Thus I am going to state the following as axiomatic - i.e. assumed to be given truths for the sake of clarity and open dialogue. (This is based largely on Sefer HaMitzvos by the Rambam (Maimonides) (12 Century CE), the opening of the Mishneh Torah (Yesodei Torah, Perek 1), and the Derech Hashem, by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (18th Century CE).

  1. There is a first 'existence' that existed before time and space.  Such an 'existence' existed and has always existed. He is the Creator of all things.  Everything that exists is as a result of His creating that existence.  This Creator is called G-d.
  2. G-d cannot really be defined, for such definitions would be positive attributions that His essence being non-definite cannot therefore be defined.
  3. We have no ability to understand G-d in any manner of means.
  4. We relate to how G-d wishes to relate to us, and has given us various expressions and details about how He wishes to relate to us.  These are descriptions of how He relates to us, and have nothing to do with His absolute essence - we cannot fathom it.
  5. The following is a list of affirmations of G-d as we understand it.  They have been written here in the positive which is incorrect.  It should be rendered in the negative i.e. G-d is not dualistic, unknowing, non-finite, and G-d is not within time and space, G-d is not disassociated from the world.  But for the sake of clarity:
    • G-d is said to be One (absolutely) (Deut. 6:4, 4:35, 4:39, 6:4)
    • G-d is said to be all-knowing, all-perceiving and all-powerful.
    • G-d is said to be infinite.
    • G-d is beyond time and space.
    • G-d is involved in the actions, thoughts and purpose of the world.
  6. G-d is interested in giving the greatest possible good to the world, and hence wants His vision of the world to reach its completion and perfection.
  7. To further this aim, G-d envisioned that the whole world should receive it.  Either through the world as a whole, or through a particular nation.
  8. The world has within it righteous, selfless individuals that have helped to reach that perfection, to which G-d rewards those who reach this state and punishes those who cause the world to suffer and inhibit the ability to reach perfection.
  9. The Jewish people is the nation in which G-d gave the Torah (the First Five Books of Moses), as a blueprint for how to live in this world.
  10. He gave the Torah to the Jewish people to follow, obey and know it. (Deut 30:10-16).  It is easy to follow and accomplish (Deut 30:11-14), and G-d only expects what man is capable of (Psalms 103:13-14).
  11. The status quo that has been in existence since this monumental event in world history - the giving of the Torah at Sinai.
  12. This means that the entire nation (100%) men, women children, an approximate evaluation reads that there were 600 000 adult men from the ages of 20 to 60, which translates into about 3 million people total.
  13. It thus behooves anyone wishing to change these points, to provide some reason as to why the status quo has some how changed - i.e. an equivalent revelation - at the equivalent maybe 80%-90% of the Jewish population to witness the same revelation.

No comments:

Post a Comment