THE GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED
BY MOSES MAIMONIDES
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARABIC TEXT
BY M. FRIEDLANDER, PH.D
SECOND EDITION
REVISED THROUGHOUT
1904.
Note: This book was scanned and ocr'ed by Andrew Meit and David Reed. We would like to encourage the posting and release of Jewish religious books. They must be in the public domain which mean they were printing prior to 1923.
CONTENTS
Life of Maimonides Morch Nebuchim Literature. Analysis of the Guide for the Perplexed
PART I.
Introduction--
Dedicatory Letter
The Object of the Guide
On Similes
Directions for the Study of this Work
Introductory Remarks:
I The homonymity of Zelem
II On Genesis iii.5
III On tabnit and temunah
IV On raah, hibbit and hamb
V On Exod. xxiv.10
VI On ish and ishihah, ah and ahot
VII On yalad
VIII On makom
IX On kisse
X On 'alah, yarad
XI On yashah
XII On kam
XIII On'amad
XIV On adam
XV On nazah, yazah
XVI On Zur
XVII On Mishnah Hagigah ii.1
XVIII On karab, naga', niggash,
XIX On male
XX On ram, nissa
XXI On 'abar
XXII On ba
XXIII On Yaza, sbub
XXIV On halak
XXV On shaken
XXVI On "The Torah speaketh the language of man"
XXVII On Targurn of Gen. xivi. 4
XXVIII On regel
XXIX On 'azeb
XXX On akal
XXXI, XXXII On the Limit of Man's Intellect
XXXIII to XXXVI On the Study and the Teaching of Metaphysics
XXXVII On panim
XXXVIII On ahor
XXXIX On leb
XL On ruah
XLI On nefesh
XLII On hayyim-mavet
XLIII On kanaf
XLIV On 'ayin
XLY On shama'
XLVI, XLVII On the Attribution of Senses and Sensation, to God
XLVIII The Targum of shama' and raah
XLIX Figurative Expressions applied to Angels
L On Faith
LI-LX On Attributes
LI On the Necessity of Proving the Inadmissibility of Attributes in
reference to God
LII Classification of Attributes
LIII The Arguments of the Attrilltists
LIV On Exod. xxxiii. 13; xxxiv. 7.
LV On Attributes implying Corporeality, Emotion, Non-existence
and Comparison
LVI On Attributes denoting Existence, Life, Power, Wisdom and
Will
LVII On the Identity of the Essence of God and His Attributes
LVIII On the Negative Sense of the True Attributes of God
LIX On the Character of the Knowledge of God Consisting of
Negations
LX On the Difference between Positive and Negative Attributes
LXI On the Names of God
LXII On the Divine Namea composed of Four, Twelve and
Forty-two Letters
LXIII On Ehyeh, Yab, and Shaddai
LXIV On "The Name of the Lord," and" The Glory of God"
LXV On the phrase "God spake"
LXVI On Exod. xxxii. 16
LXVII On shabat and nab
LXVIII On the Terms : The Intellectus, the Intelligens and the
Intelligibile
LXIX On the Primal Cause
LXX On the attribute rokeb ba'arabor
LXXI The Origin of the Kalam
LXXII A Parallel between the Universe and Man.
LXXIII Twelve Propositions of the Kaldm
LXXIV Proofs of the Kalkm for the creatio ex nihilo
LXXV Proofs of the Kaldm for the Unity of God
LXXVI Proofs of the Kaldm for the Incorporeality of God
PART II.
The Author's Introduction.
The Twenty-Six Propositions employed by the Philosophers to
prove the Existence of God
I Philosophical proofs for the Existence, Incorporeality, and Unity
of the First Cause
II On the Existence of Intelligences or purely Spiritual Beings
III The Author adopts the Theory of Aristotle as least open to
Objections
IV The Spheres and the Causes of their Motion
V Agreement of the Aristotelian Theory with the Teaching of
Scripture
VI What is meant by the Scriptural Term "Angels"
VII The Homonymity of the term "Angel"
VIII On the Music of the Spheres
IX On the Number of the Heavenly Spheres
X The Influence of the Spheres upon the Earth manifesto itself in
four different ways
XI The Theory of Eccentricity Preferable to that of Epicycles.
XII On the Nature of the Divine Influence and that of the Spheres
XIII Three Different Theories about the Beginning of the Universe
XIV Seven Methods by which the Philosophers sought to prove the
Eternity of the Universe
XV Aristotle does not scientifically demonstrate his Theory
XVI The Author refutes all Objections to Creatio ex nihilo
XVII The Laws of Nature apply to Things Created, but do not
regulate the Creative Act which produces them
XVIII Examinations of the Proofs of Philosophers for the Eternity
of the Universe
XIX Design in Nature
XX The Opinion of Aristotle as regards Design in Nature
XXI Explanation of the Aristotelian Theory that the Universe is
the necessary Result of the First Cause
XXII Objections to the Theory of the Eternity of the Universe
XXIII The Theory of Creatio ex nihilo is preferable to that of the
Eternity of the Universe
XXIV Difficulty of Comprehending the Nature and the Motion of
the Spheres according to the Theory of Aristotle
XXV The Theory of Creation is adopted because of its own
Superiority, the Proofs based on Scripture being Inconclusive
XXVI Examination of a passage from Pirke di-Rabbi Eliezer in
reference to Creation
XXVII The Theory of a Future Destruction of the Universe is not
part of the Religious Belief taught in the Bible
XXVIII Scriptural Teaching is in favour of the Indestructibility of
the Universe
XXIX Explanation of Scriptural Phrases implying the Destruction
of Heaven and Earth
XXX Philosophical Interpretation of Genesis i.-iv.
XXXI The Institution of the Sabbath serves (1) to Teach the
Theory of Creation, and (2) to promote Man's Welfare
XXXII Three Theories concerning Prophecy
XXXIII The Difference between Moses and the other Israelites as
regards the Revelation on Mount Sinai
XXXIV Explanation of Exodus xxiii. 20
XXXV The Difference between Moses and the other Prophets as
regards the Miracles wrought by them
XXXVI On the Mental, Physical and Moral Faculties of the
Prophets
XXXVII On the Divine Influence upon Man's Imaginative and
Mental Faculties through the Active Intellect
XXXVIII Courage and Intuition reach the highest degree of
Perfection in Prophets
XXXIX Moses was the fittest Prophet to Receive and Promulgate
the Immutable Law, which succeeding Prophets merely Taught
and Expounded
XL The Test of True Prophecy
XLI What is Meant by "Vision"
XLII Prophets Received Direct Communication only in Dreams or
Visions
XLIII On the Allegories of the Prophets
XLIV On the Different Modes in which Prophets Receive Divine
Messages.
XLV The Various Classes of Prophets
XLVI The Allegorical Acts of Prophets formed Parts of Prophetic
Visions.
XLVII On the Figurative Style of the Prophetic Writings
XLVIII Scripture ascribes Phenomena directly produced by
Natural Causes to God as the First Cause of all things
PART III.
The Author's Introduction and Apology for Publishing, contrary to
the Teaching of the Mishnah, an Interpretation of Ezek. i.
I The "Four Faces" are Human Faces with four different
peculiarities
II The Hayyot and the Ofannim
III Further Explanation of the Hayyot and the Ofannim derived
from Ezek. x.
IV The rendering of Ofan by Gilgal in the Targum of jonathan .
V The Vision of Ezekiel is divided into three stages : (1) Hayyot (=
the Spheres); (2) Ofannim (=Earthly elements); and (3) the man
above the Hayyot (=Intelligences)
VI On the Difference between the Vision of Ezekiel and that of
Isaiah (vi.)
VII The Different Ways in which the Prophet perceived the Three
Parts of the Mereabah (Chariot)
VIII Man has the Power to Control his Bodily Wants and Earthly
Desires
IX The Material Element in Man Prevents him from Attaining
Perfection
X God is not the Creator of Evil
XI Man is the Cause of his own Misfortunes
XII Three Kinds of Evil : (1) That caused by the Nature of Man;
(2) Caused by Man to Man; (3) Caused by Man to himself
XIII The Universe has No other Purpose than its own Existence
XIV It is the Will of the Creator that the Spheres regulate the
Affairs of Mankind
XV Impossible Things are not ascribed to the Creator, but it in
difficult to Prove the Impossibility in each Individual Case
XVI On God's Omniscience
XVII Five Theories concerning Providence
XVIII Every Individual Member of Mankind enjoys the Influence
of Divine Providence in proportion to his Intellectual Perfection
XIX It is an ancient Error to Assume that God takes no Notice of
Man
XX God's Knowledge is Different from Man's Knowledge
XXI The Creator's knowledge of His Production is Perfect
XXII Object of the Book of job, and Explanation of the First Two
Chapters
XXIII Job and his Friends Discuss the various Theories concerning
Providence
XXIV On Trials and Temptations
XXV The Actions of God are Not Purposeless
XXVI The Divine Precepts Serve a certain Purpose
XXVII The Object of the Divine Precepts is to Secure the
Well-being of Man's Soul and Body
XXVIII This Object is easily seen in some Precepts whilst in
others it is only known after due Reflection
XXIX On the Sabeans or Star-worshippers
XXX It is one of the Objects of the Law of Moses to Oppose
Idolatry
XXXI The Law Promotes the Well-being of Man by teaching
Truth, Morality and Social Conduct
XXXII Why did God give Laws to Oppose Idolatry instead of
Uprooting it directly?
XXXIII Another chief Object of the Law is to Train Man in
Mastering his Appetites and Desires
XXXIV The Law is based on the ordinary condition of man
XXXV Division of the Precepts into Fourteen Classes
XXXVI First Class of Precepts, to Know, Love and Fear God
XXXVII Second Class, Laws concerning Idolatry
XXXVIII Third Class, Moral Precepts
XXXIX Fourth Class, Laws relating to Charity
XL Fifth Class, Compensation for Injury and the Duty of
Preventing Sin
XLI Sixth Class, Punishment of the Sinner
XLII Seventh Class, Equity and Honesty
XLIII Eighth Class, Sabbath and Festivals
XLIV Ninth Class, Prayer, Ttejfllin, Zizit and Meenzah
XLV Tenth Class, The Temple, its Vessels and its Ministers
XLVI Eleventh Class, Sacrifices
XLVII Twelfth Class, Distinction between Clean and Unclean and
on Purification
XLVIII Thirteenth Class, Dietary Laws
XLIX Fourteenth Class, Marriage Laws
L On Scriptural Passages with seemingly Purposeless Contents
LI How God is worshipped by a Perfect Man
LII On the Fear of God
LIII Explanation of Hesed (Love), Mishpat (Judgment), and
Zedakah (Righteousness)
LIV On True Wisdom
[Note: The indexes have not been done, perhaps later] ------------------------ PREFACE
The first Edition of the English Translation of Maimonides Dainlat al-Hairin being exhausted without having fully supplied the demand, I prepared a second, revised edition of the Translation. In the new edition the three volumes of the first edition have been reduced to one volume by the elimination of the notes; besides Hebrew words and phrases have been eliminated or transliterated. By these changes the translator sought to produce a cheap edition in order to bring the work of Maimonides within the reach of all studcnts of Theology and Jewish Literature.
M. FRIEDLANDER. Jews College, July 1904.
PREFACE TO VOLUME ONE OF THE FIRST EDITION
IN compliance with a desire repeatedly expressed by the Committee of the Hebrew Literature Society, I have undertaken to translate Maimonides Dalalat al-Hairin, better known by the Hebrew title Moreh Nebuchim, and I offer the first instalment of my labours in the present volume. This contains--(1) A short Life of Maimonides, in which special attention is given to his alleged apostasy. (2) An analysis of the whole of the Moreh Nebuchim. (3) A translation of the First Part of this work from the Arabic, with explanatory and critical notes.
Parts of the Translation have been contributed by Mr. Joseph Abrahams, B.A., Ph.D., and Rev. H. Gollancz -- the Introduction by the former, and the first twenty--five chapters by the latter.
In conclusion I beg to tender my thanks to Rev. A. Loewy, Editor of the Publications of the Hebrew Literature Society, for his careful revision of my manuscript and proofs, and to Mr. A. Neubauer, M.A., for his kindness in supplying me with such information as I required.
M. FRIEDLANDER. ----------------------- THE LIFE OF MOSES MAIMONIDES
"BEFORE the sun of Eli had set the son of Samuel had risen." Before the voice of the prophets had ceased to guide the people, the Interpreters of the Law, the Doctors of the Talmud, had commenced their labours, and before the Academies of Sura and of Pumbadita were closed, centres of Jewish thought and learning were already flourishing in the far West. The circumstances which led to the transference of the head-quarters of Jewish learning from the East to the West in the tenth century are thus narrated in the Sefer ha-kabbalah of Rabbi Abraham ben David:
"After the death of Hezekiah, the head of the Academy and Prince of the Exile, the academies were closed and no new Geonim were appointed. But long before that time Heaven had willed that there should be a discontinuance of the pecuniary gifts which used to be sent from Palestine, North Africa and Europe. Heaven had also decreed that a ship sailing from Bari should be captured by Ibn Romahis, commander of the naval forces of Abd-er-rahman al-nasr. Four distinguished Rabbis were thus made prisoners -- Rabbi Hushiel, father of Rabbi Hananel, Rabbi Moses, father of Rabbi Hanok, Rabbi Shemarjahu, son of Rabbi Ellisanan, and a fourth whose name has not been recorded. They were engaged in a mission to collect subsidies in aid of the Academy in Sura. The captor sold them as slaves; Rabbi Tiushiel was carried to Kairuan, R. Shemarjahu was left in Alexandria, and R. Moses was brought to Cordova. These slaves were ransomed by their brethren and were soon placed in important positions. When Rabbi Moses was brought to Cordova, it was supposed that he was uneducated. In that city there was a synagogue known at that time by the name of Keneseet ha-midrash, and Rabbi Nathan, renowned for his great piety, was the head of the congregation. The members of the community used to hold meetings at which the Talmud was read and discussed. One day when Rabbi Nathan was expounding the Talmud and was unable to give a satisfactory explanation of the passage under discussion, Rabbi Moses promptly removed the difficulty and at the same time answered several questions whch were submitted to him. Thereupon R. Nathan thus addressed the assembly :--'I am no longer your leader; that stranger in sackcloth shall henceforth be my teacher, and you shall appoint him to be your chief.' The admiral, on hearing of the high attainments of his prisoner, desired to revoke the sale, but the king would not permit this retraction, being pleased to learn that his Jewish subjects were no longer dependent for their religious instruction on the schools in the East?
Henceforth the schools in the West asserted their independence, and even surpassed the parent institutions. The Caliphs, mostly opulent, gave every encouragement to philosophy and poetry; and, being generally liberal in sentiment, they enrertained kindly feelings towards their Jewish subjects. These were allowed to compete for the acquisition of wealth and honour on equal terms with their Mohammedan fellow-citizens. Philosophy and poetry were consequently cultivated by the Jews with the same zest as by the Arabs. Ibn Gabirol, Ibn Hasdai, Judah ha-levi, Hananel, Alfasi, the Ibn Ezras, and others who flourished in that period were the ornament of their age, and the pride of the Jews at all times. The same favourable condition was maintained during the reign of the Omeyades; but when the Moravides and the Almohades came into power, the horizon darkened once more, and misfortunes threatened to destroy the fruit of several centuries. Amidst this gloom there appeared a brilliant luminary which sent forth rays of light and comfort: this was Moses Maimonides.
Moses, the son of Maimon, was born at Cordova, on the 14th of Nisan, 4895 (March 30, 1135). Although the date of his birth has been recorded with the utmost accuracy, no trustworthy notice has been preserved concerning the early period of his life. But his entire career is a proof that he did not pass his youth in idleness; his education must have been in harmony with the hope of his parents, that one day he would, like his father and forefathers, hold the honourable office of Dayyan or Rabbi, and distinguish himself in theological learning. It is probable that the Bible and the Talmud formed the chief subjects of his study; but he unquestionably made the best use of the opportunities which Mohammedan Spain, and especially Cordova, afforded him for the acquisition of general knowledge. It is not mentioned in any of his writings who were his teachers ; his father, as it seems, was his principal guide and instructor in many branches of knowledge. David Conforte, in his historical work, Kore ha-dorot, states that Maimonides was the pupil of two eminent men, namely, Rabbi Joseph Ibn Migash and Ibn Roshd (Averroes); that by the former he was instructed in the Talmud, and by the latter in philosophy. This statement seems to be erroneous, as Maimonides was only a child at the time when Rabbi Joseph died, and already far advanced in years when he became acquainted with the writings of Ibn Roshd. The origin of this mistake, as regards Rabbi Joseph, can easily be traced. Maimonides in his Mishneh Tora, employs, in reference to R. Isaac Alfasi and R. Joseph, the expression "my teachers" (rabbotai), and this expression, by which he merely describes his indebtedness to their writings, has been taken in its literal meaning.
Whoever his teachers may have been, it is evident that he was well prepared by them for his future mission. At the age of twenty-three he entered upon his literary career with a treatise on the Jewish Calendar. It is unknown where this work was composed, whether in Spain or in Africa. The author merely states that he wrote it at the request of a friend, whom he, however, leaves unnamed. The subject was generally considered to be very abstruse, and to involve a thorough knowledge of mathematics. Maimonides must, therefore, even at this early period, have been regarded as a profound scholar by those who knew him. The treatise is of an elementary character.--It was probably about the same time that he wrote, in Arabic, an explanation of Logical terms, Millot higgayon, which Moses Ibn Tibbon translated into Hebrew.
The earlier period of his life does not seem to have been marked by any incident worth noticing. It may, however, be easily conceived that the later period of his life, which was replete with interesting incidents, engaged the exclusive attention of his biographers. So much is certain, that his youth was beset with trouble and anxiety ; the peaceful development of science and philosophy was disturbed by wars raging between Mohammedans and Christians, and also between the several Mohammedan sects. The Moravides, who had succeeded the Omeyades, were opposed to liberality and toleration ; but they were surpassed in cruelty and fanaticism by their successors. Cordova was taken by the Almohades in the year 1148, when Maimonides was about thirteen years old. The victories of the Almohades, first under the leadership of the Mahadi Ibn Tamurt, and then under Abd-almumen, were, according to all testimonies, attended by acts of excessive intolerance. Abd-al-mumen would not suffer in his dominions any other faith but the one which he himself confessed. Jews and Christians had the choice between Islam and emigration or a martyr's death. The Sefer kabbalah contains the following description of one of the persecutions which then occurred:
"After the death of R. Joseph ha-levi the study of the Torah was interrupted, although he left a son and a nephew, both of whom had under his tuition become profound scholars. 'The righteous man (R. Joseph) was taken away on account of the approaching evils. After the death of R. Joseph there came for the Jews a time of oppression and distress. They quitted their homes, ' Such as were for death, to death, and such as were for the sword, to the sword ; and such as were for the famine, to the famine, and such as were for the captivity, to the captivity' ; and--it might be added to the words of Jeremiah (xv. 2)-- 'such as were for apostasy, to apostasy.' All this happened through the sword of Ibn Tamurt, who, in 4902 (1142), determined to blot out the name of Israel, and actually left no trace of the Jews in any part of his empire."
Ibn Verga in his work on Jewish martyrdom, in Shebet Jehudah, gives the following account of events then happening:-- "In the year 4902 the armies of Ibn Tamurt made their appearance. A proclamation was issued that any one who refused to adopt Islam would be put to death, and his property would be confiscated. Thereupon the Jews assembled at the gate of the royal palace and implored the king for mercy. He answered -- 'It is because I have compassion on you, that I command you to become Muslemim; for I desire to save you from eternal punishment.' The Jews replied -- 'Our salvation depends on our observance of the Divine Law; you are the master of our bodies and of our property, but our souls will be judged by the King who gave them to us, and to whom they will return; whatever be our future fate, you, O king, will not be held responsible for it.' 'I do not desire to argue with you,' said the king; 'for I know you will argue according to your own religion. It is my absolute will that you either adopt my religion or be put to death. The Jews then proposed to emigrate, but the king would not allow his subjects to serve another king. In vain did the Jews implore the nobles to intercede in their behalf; the king remained inexorable. Thus many congregations forsook their religion; but within a month the king came to a sudden death ; the son, believing that his father had met with an untimely end as a punishment for his cruelty to the Jews, assured the involuntary converts that it would be indifferent to him what religion they professed. Hence many Jews returned at once to the religion of their fathers, while others hesitated for some time, from fear that the king meant to entrap the apparent converts." From such records it appears that during these calamities some of the Jews fled to foreign countries, some died as martyrs, and many others submitted for a time to outward conversion. Which course was followed by the family of Maimon ? Did they sacrifice personal comfort and safety to their religious conviction, or did they, on the contrary, for the sake of mere worldly considerations dissemble their faith and pretend that they completely submitted to the dictates of the tyrant ? An answer to this question presents itself in the following note which Maimonides has appended to his commentary on the Mishnah: "I have now finished this work in accordance with my promise, and I fervently beseech the Almighty to save us from error. If there be one who shall discover an inaccuracy in this Commentary or shall have a better explanation to offer, let my attention be directed unto it; and let me be exonerated by the fact that I have worked with far greater application than any one who writes for the sake of pay and profit, and that I have worked under the most trying circumstances. For Heaven had ordained that we be exiled, and we were therefore driven about from place to place; I was thus compelled to work at the Commentary while travelling by land, or crossing the sea. It might have sufficed to mention that during that time I, in addition, was engaged in other studies, but I preferred to give the above explanation in order to encourage those who wish to criticise or annotate the Commentary, and at the same time to account for the slow progress of this work. I, Moses, the son of Maimon, commenced it when I was twenty-three years old, and finished it in Egypt, at the age of thirty[-three] years, in the year 1479 Sel.(1168)."
The Sefer Haredim of R. Eleazar Askari of Safed contains the following statement of Maimonides:-- "On Sabbath evening, the 4th of Iyyar, 4925 (1165), I went on board; on the following Sabbath the waves threatened to destroy our lives. . . . On the 3rd of Sivan, I arrived safely at Acco, and was thus rescued from apostasy. . . . On Tuesday, the 4th of Marheshvan, 4926, I left Acco, arrived at Jerusalem after a journey beset with difficulties and with dangers, and prayed on the spot of the great and holy house on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of Marbeshvan. On Sunday, the 9th of that month, I left Jerusalem and visited the cave of Machpelah, in Hebron."
From these two statements it may be inferred that in times of persecution Maimonides and his family did not seek to protect their lives and property by dissimulation. They submitted to the troubles of exile in order that they might remain faithful to their religion. Carmoly, Geiger, Munk, and others are of opinion that the treatise of Maimonides on involuntary apostasy, as well as the accounts of some Mohammedan authors, contain strong evidence to show that there was a time when the family of Maimon publicly professed their belief in Mohammed. A critical examination of these documents compels us to reject their evidence as inadmissible. -- After a long period of trouble and anxiety, the family of Maimon arrived at Fostat, in Egypt, and settled there. David, the brother of Moses Maimonides, carried on a trade in precious stones, while Moses occupied himself with his studies and interested himself in the communal affairs of the Jews.
It appears that for some time Moses was supported by his brother, and when this brother died, he earned a living by practising as a physician; but he never sought or derived any benefit from his services to his community, or from his correspondence or from the works he wrote for the instruction of his brethren; the satisfaction of being of service to his fellow-creatures was for him a sufficient reward.
The first public act in which Maimonides appears to have taken a leading part was a decree promulgated by the Rabbinical authorities in Cairo in the year 1167. The decree begins as follows -- "In times gone by, when storms and tempests threatened us, we used to wander about from place to place but by the mercy of the Almighty we have now been enabled to find here a resting-place. On our arrival, we noticed to our great dismay that the learned were disunited; that none of them turned his attention to the needs of the congregation. We therefore felt it our duty to undertake the task of guiding the holy flock, of inquiring into the condition of the community, of "reconciling the hearts of the fathers to their children," and of correcting their corrupt ways. The injuries are great, but we may succeed in effecting a cure, and--in accordance with the words of the prophet-- I will seek the lost one, and that which has been cast out I will bring back, and the broken one I will cure' (Micah iv. 6). When we therefore resolved to take the management of the communal affairs into our hands, we discovered the existence of a serious evil in the midst of the community," etc.
lt was probably about that time that Maimon died. Letters of condolence were sent to his son Moses from all sides, both from Mohammedan and from Christian countries ; in some instances the letters were several months on their way before they reached their destination.
The interest which Maimonides now took in communal affairs did not prevent him from completing the great and arduous work, the Commentary on the Mishnah, which he had begun in Spain and continued during his wanderings in Africa. In this Commentary he proposed to give the quintessence of the Gemara, to expound the meaning of each dictum in the Mishnah, and to state which of the several opinions had received the sanction of the Talmudical authorities. His object in writing this work was to enable those who are not disposed to study the Gemara, to understand the Mishnah, and to facilitate the study of the Gemara for those who are willing to engage in it. The commentator generally adheres to the explanations given in the Gemara, and it is only in cases where the halakah, or practical law, is not affected, that he ventures to dissent. He acknowledges the benefit he derived from such works of his predecessors as the Halakot of Alfasi, and the writings of the Geonim, but afterwards he asserted that errors which were discovered in his works arose from his implicit reliance on those authorities. His originality is conspicuous in the Introduction and in the treatment of general principles, which in some instances precedes the exposition of an entire section or chapter, in others that of a single rule. The commentator is generally concise, except when occasion is afforded to treat of ethical and theological principles, or of a scientific subject, such as weights and measures, or mathematical and astronomical problems. Although exhortations to virtue and warnings against vice are found in all parts of his work, they are especially abundant in the Commentary on Abot, which is prefaced by a separate psychological treatise, called The Eight Chapters. The dictum "He who speaketh much commits a sin," elicited a lesson on the economy of speech; the explanation of 'olam ha-ba in the treatise Sanhedrin (xi. 1) led him to discuss the principles of faith, and to lay down the thirteen articles of the Jewish creed. The Commentary was written in Arabic, and was subsequently translated into Hebrew and into other languages. The estimation in which the Commentary was held may be inferred from the following fact: When the Jews in Italy became acquainted with its method and spirit, through a Hebrew translation of one of its parts, they sent to Spain in search of a complete Hebrew version of the Commentary. R. Simbah, who had been entrusted with the mission, found no copy extant, but he succeeded, through the influence of Rabbi Shelomoh ben Aderet, in causing a Hebrew translation of this important work to be prepared.-- In the Introduction, the author states that he has written a Commentary on the Babylonian Talmud treatise Hullin and on nearly three entire sections, viz., Moed, Nashim, and Nezikin. Of all these Commentaries only the one on Rosh ha-shanah is known.
In the year 1572 Maimonides wrote the Iggeret Teman, or Petab-tikvab ("Letter to the Jews in Yemen," or "Opening of hope") in response to a letter addressed to him by Rabbi Jacob al-Fayumi on the critical condition of the Jews in Yemen. Some of these Jews had been forced into apostasy others were made to believe that certain passages in the Bible alluded to the mission of Mohammed; others again had been misled by an impostor who pretended to be the Messiah. The character and style of Maimonides reply appear to have been adapted to the intellectual condition of the Jews in Yemen, for whom it was written. These probably read the Bible with Midrashic commentaries, and preferred the easy and attractive Agadah to the more earnest study of the Halakah. It is therefore not surprising that the letter contains remarks and interpretations which cannot be reconciled with the philosophical and logical method by which all the other works of Maimonides are distinguished. After a few complimentary words, in which the author modestly disputes the justice of the praises lavished upon him, he attempts to prove that the present sufferings of the Jews, together with the numerous instances of apostasy, were foretold by the prophets, especially by Daniel, and must not perplex the faithful. It must be borne in mind, he continues, that the attempts made in past times to do away with the Jewish religion, had invariably failed ; the same would be the fate of the present attempts ; for " religious persecutions are of but short duration." The arguments which profess to demonstrate that in certain Biblical passages allusion is made to Mohammed, are based on interpretations which are totally opposed to common sense. He urges that the Jews, faithfully adhering to their religion, should impress their children with the greatness of the Revelation on Mount Sinai, and of the miracles wrought through Moses; they also should remain firm in the belief that God will send the Messiah to deliver their nation, but they must abandon futile calculations of the Messianic period, and beware of impostors. Although there be signs which indicate the approach of the promised deliverance, and the times seem to be the period of the last and most cruel persecution mentioned in the visions of Daniel (xi. and xii.), the person in Yemen who pretends to be the Messiah is an impostor, and if care be not taken, he is sure to do mischief. Similar impostors in Cordova, France, and Africa, have deceived the multitude and brought great troubles upon the Jews.-- Yet, inconsistently with this sound advice the author gives a positive date of the Messianic time, on the basis of an old tradition; the inconsistency is so obvious that it is impossible to attribute this passage to Maimonides himself. It is probably spurious, and has, perhaps, been added by the translator. With the exception of the rhymed introduction, the letter was written in Arabic, "in order that all should be able to read and understand it"; for that purpose the author desires that copies should be made of it, and circulated among the Jews. Rabbi Nahum, of the Maghreb, translated the letter into Hebrew.
The success in the first great undertaking of explaining the Mishnah encouraged Maimonides to propose to himself another task of a still more ambitious character. In the Commentary on the Mishnah, it was his object that those who were unable to read the Gemara should be made acquainted with the results obtained by the Amoraim in the course of their discussions on the Mishnah. But the Mishnah, with the Commentary, was not such a code of laws as might easily be consulted in cases of emergency; only the initiated would be able to find the section, the chapter, and the paragraph in which the desired information could be found. The halakab had, besides, been further developed since the time when the Talmud was compiled. The changed state of things had suggested new questions ; these were discussed and settled by the Geonim, whose decisions, being contained in special letters or treatises, were not generally accessible. Maimonides therefore undertook to compile a complete code, which would contain, in the language and style of the Mishnah, and without discussion, the whole of the Written and the Oral Law, all the precepts recorded in the Talmud, Sifra, Sifre and Tosefta, and the decisions of the Geonim. According to the plan of the author, this work was to present a solution of every question touching the religious, moral, or social duties of the Jews. It was not in any way his object to discourage the study of the Talmud and the Midrash; he only sought to diffuse a knowledge of the Law amongst those who, through incapacity or other circumstances, were precluded from that study. In order to ensure the completeness of the code, the author drew up a list of the six hundred and thirteen precepts of the Pentateuch, divided them into fourteen groups, these again he subdivided, and thus showed how many positive and negative precepts were contained in each section of the Mishneh torah. The principles by which he was guided in this arrangement were laid down in a separate treatise, called Sefer ha-mizvot. Works of a similar kind, written by his predecessors, as the Halakot gedolot of R. Shimon Kahira, and the several Azbarot were, according to Maimonides, full of errors, because their authors had not adopted any proper method. But an examination of the rules laid down by Maimonides and of their application leads to the conclusion that his results were not less arbitrary; as has, in fact, been shown by the criticisms of Nahmanides. The Sefer ha-mizvot was written in Arabic, and thrice translated into Hebrew, namely, by Rabbi Abraham ben Hisdai, Rabbi Shelomoh ben Joseph ben Job, and Rabbi Moses Ibn Tibbon. Maimonides himself desired to translate the book into Hebrew, but to his disappointment he found no time.
This Sefer ha-mizvot was executed as a preparation for his principal work, the Mishneh Torah, or Yad ha-hazakah, which consists of an Introduction and fourteen Books. In the Introduction the author first describes the chain of tradition from Moses to the close of the Talmud, and then he explains his method in compiling the work. He distinguishes between the dicta found in the Talmud, Sifre, Sifra, or Tosefta, on the one hand, and the dicta of the Geonim on the other; the former were binding on all Jews, the latter only as far as their necessity and their utility or the authority of their propounders was recognized. Having once for all stated the sources from which he compiled his work, he did not deem it necessary to name in each case the authority for his opinion or the particular passage from which he derived his dictum. Any addition of references to each paragraph he probably considered useless to the uninformed and superfluous to the learned. At a later time he discovered his error, he being himself unable to find again the sources of some of his decisions. Rabbi Joseph Caro, in his commentary on the Mishneh Torah, termed Keseph Mishneb, remedied this deficiency. The Introduction is followed by the enumeration of the six hundred and thirteen precepts and a description of the plan of the work, its division into fourteen books, and the division of the latter into sections, chapters, and paragraphs.
According to the author, the Mishneh Torah is a mere compendium of the Talmud; but he found sufficient opportunities to display his real genius, his philosophical mind, and his ethical doctrines. For in stating what the traditional Law enjoined he had to exercise his own judgment, and to decide whether a certain dictum was meant to be taken literally or figuratively whether it was the final decision of a majority or the rejected opinion of a minority; whether it was part of the Oral Law or a precept founded on the scientific views of a particular author; and whether it was of universal application or was only intended for a special period or a special locality. The first Book, Sefer ha-madda', is the embodiment of his own ethical and theological theories, although he frequently refers to the Sayings of our Sages, and employs the phraseology of the Talmud. Similarly, the section on the Jewish Calendar, Hilkot ha-'ibur, may be considered as his original work. In each group of the halakot, its source, a certain passage of the Pentateuch, is first quoted, with its traditional interpretation, and then the detailed rules follow in systematic order. The Mishneh Torah was written by the author in pure Hebrew; when subsequently a friend asked him to translate it into Arabic, he said he would prefer to have his Arabic writings translated into Hebrew instead of the reverse. The style is an imitation of the Mishnah he did not choose, the author says, the philosophical style, because that would be unintelligible to the common reader; nor did he select the prophetic style, because that would not harmonize with the subject.
Ten years of hard work by day and by night were spent in the compilation of this code, which had originally been undertaken for "his own benefit, to save him in his advanced age the trouble and the necessity of consulting the Talmud on every occasion." Maimonides knew very well that his work would meet with the opposition of those whose ignorance it would expose, also of those who were incapable of comprehending it, and of those who were inclined to condemn every deviation from their own preconceived notions. But he had the satisfaction to learn that it was well received in most of the congregations of Israel, and that there was a general desire to possess and study it. This success confirmed him in his hope that at a later time, when all cause for jealousy would have disappeared, the Mishneh Torah would be received by all Jews as an authoritative code. This hope has not been realized. The genius, earnestness, and zeal of Maimonides are generally recognized; but there is no absolute acceptance of his dicta. The more he insisted on his infallibility, the more did the Rabbinical authorities examine his words and point out errors wherever they believed that they could discover any. It was not always from base motives, as contended by Maimonides and his followers, that his opinions were criticised and rejected. The language used by Rabbi Abraham ben David in his notes (hasagot) on the Mishneh Torah appears harsh and disrespectful, if read together with the text of the criticised passage, but it seems tame and mild if compared with expressions used now and then by Maimonides about men who happened to hold opinions differing from his own.
Maimonides received many complimentary letters, congratulating him upon his success; but likewise letters with criticisms and questions respecting individual balakot. In most cases he had no difficulty in defending his position. From the replies it must, however, be inferred that Maimonides made some corrections and additions, which were subsequently embodied in his work. The letters addressed to him on the Mishneh Torah and on other subjects were so numerous that he frequently complained of the time he had to spend in their perusal, and of the annoyance they caused him; but "he bore all this patiently, as he had learned in his youth to bear the yoke." He was not surprised that many misunderstood his words, for even the simple words of the Pentateuch, "the Lord is one," had met with the same fate. Some inferred from the fact that he treated fully of 'Olam ha-ba, "the future state of the soul," and neglected to expatiate on the resurrection of the dead, that he altogether rejected that principle of faith. They therefore asked Rabbi Samuel ha-levi of Bagdad to state his opinion; the Rabbi accordingly discussed the subject; but, according to Maimonides, he attempted to solve the problem in a very unsatisfactory manner. The latter thereupon likewise wrote a treatise "On the Resurrection of the Dead," in which he protested his adherence to this article of faith. He repeated the opinion he had stated in the Commentary on the Mishnah and in the Mishneh Torah, but "in more words; the same idea being reiterated in various forms, as the treatise was only intended for women and for the common multitude."
These theological studies engrossed his attention to a great extent, but it did not occupy him exclusively. In a letter addressed to R. Jonathan, of Lunel, he says: "Although from my birth the Torah was betrothed to me, and continues to be loved by me as the wife of my youth, in whose love I find a constant delight, strange women whom I at first took into my house as her handmaids have become her rivals and absorb a portion of my time." He devoted himself especially to the study of medicine, in which he distinguished himself to such a degree, according to Alkifti, that " the King of the Franks in Ascalon wanted to appoint him as his physician." Maimonides declined the honour. Alfadhel, the Vizier of Saladin king of Egypt, admired the genius of Maimonides, and bestowed upon him many distinctions. The name of Maimonides was entered on the roll of physicians, he received a pension, and was introduced to the court of Saladin. The method adopted in his professional practice he describes in a letter to his pupil, Ibn Aknin, as follows: "You know how difficult this profession is for a conscientious and exact person who only states what he can support by argument or authority." This method is more fully described in a treatise on hygiene, composed for Alfadhel, son of Saladin, who was suffering from a severe illness and had applied to Maimonides for advice. In a letter to Rabbi Samuel Ibn Tibbon he alludes to the amount of time spent in his medical practice, and says I reside in Egypt (or Fostat) ; the king resides in Cairo, which lies about two Sabbath-day journeys from the first-named place. My duties to the king are very heavy. I am obliged to visit him every day, early in the morning; and when he or any of his children or the inmates of his harem are indisposed, I dare not quit Cairo, but must stay during the greater part of the day in the palace. It also frequently happens that one or two of the royal officers fall sick, and then I have to attend them. As a rule, I go to Cairo very early in the day, and even if nothing unusual happens I do not return before the afternoon, when I am almost dying with hunger; but I find the antechambers filled with Jews and Gentiles, with nobles and common people, awaiting my return," etc.
Notwithstanding these heavy professional duties of court physician, Maimonides continued his theological studies. After having compiled a religious guide -- Mishneh Torah -- based on Revelation and Tradition, he found it necessary to prove that the principles there set forth were confirmed by philosophy. This task he accomplished in his Dalalat al-hairin, "The Guide for the Perplexed," of which an analysis will be given below. It was composed in Arabic, and written in Hebrew characters. Subsequently it was translated into Hebrew by Rabbi Samuel Ibn Tibbon, in the lifetime of Maimonides, who was consulted by the translator on all difficult passages. The congregation in Lunel, ignorant of Ibn Tibbon's undertaking, or desirous to possess the most correct translation of the Guide, addressed a very flattering letter to Maimonides, requesting him to translate the work into Hebrew. Maimonides replied that he could not do so, as he had not sufficient leisure for even more pressing work, and that a translation was being prepared by the ablest and fittest man, Rabbi Samuel Ibn Tibbon. A second translation was made later on by Jehudah Alharizi. The Guide delighted many, but it also met with much adverse criticism on account of the peculiar views held by Maimonides concerning angels, prophecy, and miracles, especially on account of his assertion that if the Aristotelian proof for the Eternity of the Universe had satisfied him, he would have found no difficulty in reconciling the Biblical account of the Creation with that doctrine. The controversy on the Guide continued long after the death of Maimonides to divide the community, and it is difficult to say how far the author's hope to effect a reconciliation between reason and revelation was realized. His disciple, Joseph Ibn Aknin, to whom the work was dedicated, and who was expected to derive from it the greatest benefit, appears to have been disappointed. His inability to reconcile the two antagonistsic elements of faith and science, he describes allegorically in the form of a letter addressed to Maimonides, in which the following passage occurs: "Speak, for I desire that you be justifled; if you can, answer me. Some time ago your beloved daughter, the beautiful and charming Kimah, obtained grace and favour in my sight, and I betrothed her unto me in faithfulness, and married her in accordance with the Law, in the presence of two trustworthy witnesses, viz., our master, Abd-allah and Ibn Roshd. But she soon became faithless to me; she could not have found fault with me, yet she left me and departed from my tent. She does no longer let me behold her pleasant countenance or hear her melodious voice. You have not rebuked or punished her, and perhaps you are the cause of this misconduct. Now, 'send the wife back to the man, for he is' -- or might become -- 'a prophet; he will pray for you that you may live, and also for her that she may be firm and steadfast. If, however, you do not send her back, the Lord will punish you. Therefore seek peace and pursue it; listen to what our Sages said: 'Blessed be he who restores to the owner his lost property'; for this blessing applies in a higher degree to him who restores to a man his virtuous wife, the crown of her husband." Maimonides replied in the same strain, and reproached his "son-in-law " that he falsely accused his wife of faithlessness after he had neglected her; but he restored him is wife with the advice to be more cautious in future. In another letter Maimonides exhorts Ibn Aknin to study his works, adding, "apply yourself to the study of the Law of Moses; do not neglect it, but, on the contrary, devote to it the best and the most of your time, and if you tell me that you do so, I am satisfied that you are on the right way to eternal bliss."
Of the letters written after the completion of the "Guide," the one addressed to the wise men of Marseilles (1194) is especially noteworthy. Maimonides was asked to give his opinion on astrology. He regretted in his reply that they were not yet in the possession of his Mishneh Torah; they would have found in it the answer to their question. According to his opinion, man should only believe what he can grasp with his intellectual faculties, or perceive by his senses, or what he can accept on trustworthy authority. Beyond this nothing should be believed. Astrological statements, not being founded on any of these three sources of knowledge, must be rejected. He had himself studied astrology, and was convinced that it was no science at all. If some dicta be found in the Talmud which appear to represent astrology as a true source of knowledge, these may either be referred to the rejected opinion of a small minority, or may have an allegorical meaning, but they are by no means forcible enough to set aside principles based on logical proof.
The debility of which Maimonidcs so frequently complained in his correspondence, gradually increased, and he died, in his seventieth year, on the 20th Tebeth, 4965 (1204). His death was the cause of great mourning to all Jews. In Fostat a mourning of three days was kept; in Jerusalem a fast was appointed; a portion of the tochahah (Lev. xxvi. or Deut. xxix.) was read, and also the history oI the capture of the Ark by the Phiistines (i Sam. iv.). His remains were brought to Tiberias. The general regard in which Maimonides was held, both by his contemporaries and by succeeding generations, has been expressed in the popular saying: "From Moses to Moses there was none like Moses." -------------------------- THE MOREH NEBUCHIM LITERATURE
I.The Arabic Text.--The editio princeps, the only edition of the original text of the Guide (in Arabic, De1i1, or Dalalat a1-hatrin), was undertaken and executed by the late S. Munk. Its title is: Le Guide des Egaris, traite de Theologie et de Philosophic par Moite ben Maimon, publie pour la premiere fois dans l'original Arabe, et accompagne d'une traduction Francaise et di note: critiques, litteraires et explicatives, par S. Munk (Paris, 1850-1866). The plan was published, 1833, in Reflexions cur le culte des anciens Hebreux (La Bible, par S. Cahen, vol. iv.), with a specimen of two chapters of the Third Part. The text adopted has been selected from the several MSS. at his disposal with great care and judgment. Two Leyden MSS. (cod. 18 and 221), various MSS. of the Bibliothique Nationale (No. 760, very old; 761 and 758, written by R. Saadia Ibn Danan), and some MSS. of the Bodleian Library were consulted. In the notes which accompany the French translation, the various readings of the different MSS. are fully discussed. At the end of the third volume a list is added of "Variantes des Manuscrits Arabes et des deux Versions HebraIques."
The library of the British Museum possesses two copies of the Arabic text; the one Or. 5423 is complete, beautifully written, with explanatory notes in the margin and between the lines. The name of the copyist is not mentioned, nor the date when it has been written. The volume has in the beginning an incomplete index to the Scriptural passages referred to in the Guide, and at the end fragments of Psalm cxli. in Arabic and of astronomical tables.
The second copy of the Dalalat al-halirin is contained in the MS. Or. 2423, written in large Yemen Rabbinic characters. It is very fragmentary. The first fragment begins with the last paragraph of the introduction; there are a few marginal notes in Hebrew. In the Bodleian Library there are the following copies of the Dalalat alhalirin according to the Catal, of Hebr. MSS. by Dr. A. Neubauer:--
No. 1236. The text is preceded by Jehudah al-Charizi's index of the contents of the chapters, and by an index of Biblical quotstions. In the margin there are notes, containing omissions, by different hands, two in Arabic characters. The volume was written 1473.
No. 1237. The Arabic text, with a few marginal notes containing various readings the text is preceded by three Hebrew poems, beginning, De'i holek, Bi-sedeh tebunot; and Binu be-dat Mosheh. Fol. 212 contains a fragment of the book (III., xxix.).
No. 1238. Text with a few marginal notes.
No. 1239. The end of the work is wanting in this copy. The second part has forty-nine chapters, as the introduction to Part II. is counted as chapter i.; Part III. has fifty-six chapters, the introduction being counted as chapter i., and chapter xxiv. being divided into two chapters. The index of passages from the Pentatcuch follows the ordinary mode of counting the chapters of the Guide.
No. 1240. Arabic text transcribed in Arabic characters by Saadiah b. Levi Azankot for Prof. Golius in 1645.
No. 1245. First part of the Datalas al-hairis, written by Saadiah b. Mordecai b. Mosheh in the year 1431.
No. 1242 contains the same Part, but incomplete. Nos. 1243, 1244, 1245, and 1246 contain Part II. of the Arabic text, incomplete in No,. 1245 and 1246.
Nos. 1247, 1248, and 1249 have Part III.; it is incomplete in Nos. 1248 and 1249. No. 1249 was written 1291, and begins with III, viii. A fragment of the Arabic text, the end of Part III., is contained in No. 407, 2.
No. 2508 includes s fragment of the original (I. ii.-xxxii.), with a Hebrew interlinrary translation of some words and a few marginal notes. It is written in Yemen square characters, and is marked as "holy property of the Synagogue of Alsiani."
A fragment (I. i.) of a different recension from the printed is contained in 2422, 16. On the margin the Commentaries of Shein-tob and Ephodi are added in Arabic.
A copy of the Datalat is also contained in the Berlin Royal Library MS. Or. Qu., 579 (so; Cat. Steinschneider) ; it is defective in the beginning and at the end.
The Cairo Genizah at Cambridge contains two fragments (a) I.lxiv. and beginning of lxv ; (b) II. end of xxxii. and xxxiii. According to Dr. H. Hirschfeld, Jewish Quarterly Review (vol. xv. p. 677), they are in the handwriting of Maimonides.
The valuable collection of MSS. in the possession of Dr. M. Gaster includes a fragment of the Dalalat-al-hairin (Codcx 6o5). II. xiii--xv., beginning and end defective.
II. Translations, a. Hebrew.--As soon as European Jews heard of the existence of this work, they procured its translation into Hebrew. Two scholars, independently of each other, undertook the task: Samuel Ibn Tibbon and Jehudah al-Harizi. There is, besides, in the Moreh ha-moreh of Shemtob Paiquera an original translation of some portions of the Moreh. In the Sifte yeshenim (No. 112) a rhymed translation of the Dalalat by Rabbi Mattityahu Kartin is mentioned. Ibn Tibbon s version is very accurate; he sacrificed elegance of style to the desire of conscientiously reproducing the author's work, and did not even neglect a particle, however unimportant it may appear. Ibn Tibbon went in his anxiety to retain peculiarities of the original so far as to imitate its ambiguities, e.g., meziut (I. lviii.) is treated as a masculine noun, only in order to leave it doubtful whether a pronoun which follows agrees with meziut, "existence," or with nimza, "existing being," both occurring in the same sentence (Br. Mus. MS. Harl. 7586, marg. note by Ibn Tibbon). When he met with passages that offered any difficulty he consulted Maimonides. Harizi, on the other hand, was less conscientious aboot words and particles, but wrote in a superior style. Vox populi, however, decided in favour of the version of Ibn Tibbon, the rival of which became almost forgotten. Also Abraham, the son of Moses Maimooides, in Milbamoth ha-shem, describes Harizi's version as being inaccurate. Most of the modern translations were made from Ibn Tibbon's version. There are, therefore, MSS. of this version almost in every library containing collections of Hebrew books and MSS. It has the title Moreh-nebuchim. The British Museum has the following eight copies of Ibn Tibbon's version.:--
Harl. 7586 A. This codex was written in tlse year 1284, for Rabbi Shabbatai ben Rabbi Mattityshu. In the year 1340 it came into the possession of Jacob b. Shelomoh; his son Menabem sold it in the year 1378 to R. Mattityaho, son of R. Shabbatai, for fifty gold florins. It was again sold in the year 1461 by Yehiel ben Joab. There is, this peculiarity in the writing, that long words at the end of a line are divided, and written half on the one line, half on the next ; in words which are vocalized, patah is frequently found for kamez. There are numerous various readings in the margin. The text is preceded by a poem, written by Joseph Ibn Aknin, pupil of Maimonides, in praise of his master, and beginning Adon yizro. This poem is attributed to R. Yehudah ha-Levi (Luzzatto, in his Divan, Betulat-bat-Yehudah, p. 104). At the end the copyist adds an epigram, the translation of which is as follows:-- "The Moreh is finished--Praise to Him who formed and created everything--written for the instruction and benefit of the few whom the Lord calleth. Those who oppose the Moreh ought to be put to death ; but those who study and understand it deserve that Divine Glory rest upon them, and inspire them with a spirit from above."
Harl. 7586 B. This codex, much damaged in the beginning and at the end, contains the version of Ibn Tibbon, with marginal notes, consisting of words omitted in the text, and other corrections. The version is followed by the poems Karob meod, etc., and De'i bolek, etc.
Harl. 5507 contains the Hebrew version of Ibn Tibbon, with the translator's preface and marginal notes, consisting of various readings and omissions from the text. The work of Maimonides is followed by Ibn Tibbon's Vocabulary (millot-zarot), Mesharet-masheb, 'Arugot ba-mezimmab, Millot biggayon, Ruah-hen, Alfarabi's Hatbalor, a Hebrew-Italian vocabulary of logical terms, and an explanation of koreh. The passage in Part I., chap. lxxi., which refers to Christianity, has been erased.
Harl. 5525 was the property of Shimshon Kohen Modon. The MS. begins with Harizi's Kavvanat ha-perakim ; then follows the text, with a few marginal notes of a later hand, mostly adverse criticisms and references to 'Arama's 'Akedab and the Biblical commentaries of Abarbanel. There is also a note in Latin. The text is followed by Ibn Tibbon's Vocabulary (Millor-zarot) and Masoret ba-pesukim (Index to the Biblical quotations in the Moreh). In a poem, beginning Moreh asben mennu derakav gabehu, the Moreh's compared to a musical instrument, which delights when played by one that understands music, but is spoiled when touched by an ignorant person.
Add. 27068 (Almanzi coil.). At the end the following remark is added : I, Samuel Ibn Tibbon, finished the translation of this work in the month of Tebet 4965 (1205). The text is preceded by the well-known epigrams, De'i bolek and Moreh -- nebuchim sa shelomi; the last page contains the epigram Karob meod. There are some notes in the margin, mostly referring to various readings.
Add. 14763. This codex, written 1273 at Viterbo, contains the preface of Harizi to isis translation of the Moreh and his index of contents, Ibn Tibbon's version with a few marginal notes of different hands, including some remarks of the translator, and the contents of the chapters. The codex contains besides the following treatises: Commentary of Maimonides on Abot ; Comm. of Maini. on Mishnah Sanhedrin x. i ; Letter of Maimonides on the Resurrection of the Dead ; Vocabulary of difficult words by Samuel Ibn Tibbon ; Maimonides' Letter to the wise men ot Marseilles ; his Letter to Rabbi Jonathan ; Keter-malkut, Mesbaret-mosheh, Ruah-hen, Otot ha-shamayim, translated from the Arabic by Samuel Ibn Tibbon ; Hathalot ha-nimzaot, of Alfarabi; Sefer ha-happuah, Mishle hamisbim ha-talmidim ; on the seven zones of the earth ; a fragment of a chronicle from the exile of Babylon down to the fourth year of the Emperor Nicepheros of Constantinople, and a poem, which begins asher yishal, and has the following sense:-- " If one asks the old and experienced for advice, you may expect his success in all he undertakes but if one consults the young, remember the fate of Rehoboam, son of Solomon."
Add. 4764. In addition to the Hebrew version of Ibn Tibbon (from end of I. xxvii.) with a few marginal notes and index, the codex contains at the end of Part I. an Index of references made by the author to explanations given in preceding or succeeding chapters. At the end of the text the statement is added, that the translation was finished in the month of Tebet 968 (1208). The Moreh is followed by Ruah-hen, and Ibn Tibbon's Vocabulary of millot-zarot (incomplete), and is preceded by four poems in praise of the Moreh, beginning Shim'u nebone leb, Moreh nebucbim sa shelomi, De'il bolek and Nofet mahkim.
Bibl. Reg. 16 A, xi. This codex, written in Prov. curs, characters in the year 308, has in front a fragment of iii. i., then follows the poem of Meshullam, beginning Yehgs mezimmotai (Gratz Leket -- shoshannim, p. 1511), and other poems.
The following MS. copies of Ibn Tibbon's version are included in the Oxford Bodleian Library; the numbers refer to Dr. Neubauer's catalogue of the MSS. :--
1250. An index of the passages from the Bible referred to in the work, and an index of the contents precede the version. The marginal note, contain chiefly omissions.
1251. This codex was written in 1675. The marginal notes contain omissions and explanations.
1252. The marginal notes contain the translator's remarks on I. lxxiv. 4, and III. xlvii. The version is followed by Ibn Tibbon a vocabulary, and his additional remarks on the reasons for the commandments. The MS. was bought by Samuel ben Moses from a Christian after the pillage of Padua, where it had belonged to a Synagogue of foreigners (lo' azim) ; he gave it to a Synagogue of the same character at Mantua.
1253. The marginal notes include that of the translator on III. xlvii.
1254, I. Text with marginal note, containing omissions.
1255. The marginal notes include those of the translator on I. xlvi. and lxxiv. 5.
1256. The marginal notes contain various reading, notes relating to Harizi's, translation and the Arabic text; on fol. 80 there is a note in Latin. There are in this codex six epigrams concerning the Moreh.
1257. Text incomplete; with marginal notes.
Fragments of the Version are contained in the following codices: 2047,3, p.65; 2283, 8; 2309, 2, and 2336.
Among the MS. copies of the Moreh in the Bibl. Nat. in Paris, there is one that has been the property of R. Eliah Mizrahi, and another that had been in the hands of Azariah de Rossi (No. 685 and No. 69!); the Gunzburg Library (Paris) possesses a copy (No. 775), that was written 1452 by Samuel son of Isaac for Rabbi Moses de Leon, and Eliah del Medigo's copy of the Moreh is in the possession of Dr. Ginsburg (London); it contains six poems, beginning Moreh nebucbim sa; Emet marcb emet; Bi-lesbon esb; Mabba'aru; Kamu more shav.
The editio princeps of this version has no statement as to where and when it was printed, and is without pagination. According to Furst (Bibliogr.) it is printed before 1480. The copy in the British Museum has some MS. notes. Subsequent editions contain besides the Hebrew text the Commentaries of Shem-tob and Efodi, and the index of contents by Harizi (Venice, 1551, fol.) ; also the Comm. of Crescas and Vocabulary of Ibn Tibbon (Sabionetta, 1553, fol. ; Jessnitz, 1742, fol. etc.) ; the Commentaries of Narboni and S. Mairnon (Berlin, 1791) ; the commentaries of Efodi, Shem-tob, Crescas and Abarbanel (Warsaw, 1872, 4to); German translation and Hebrew Commentary (Biur) Part I. (Krotoschin, 1839, 8vo); German translation and notes, Part II. (Wien. 1864), Part III. (Frankfort-a-M., 1838).
The Hebrew version of Ibn Tibbon (Part I. to ch. lxxii.) has been translated into Mishnaic Hebrew by M. Levin (Zolkiew, 1829, 4to).
There is only one MS. known of Harizi's version, viz., No. 682 of the Bibliothbque Nationale at Paris. It has been edited by L. Schlosberg, with notes. London, 1851 (Part I.), 1876 (II.), and 1879 (III.). The notes on Part I. were supplied by S. Scheyer.
The first Latin translation of the Moreh has been discovered by Dr. J. Perles among the Latin MSS. of the Munic Library, Catal. Cod. latinorum bibl. regiae Monacensis, tom. i, pars iii. pag. 208 (Kaish. 36 b), 1700 (7936 b). This version is almost identical with that edited by Augustinus Justinianus, Paris, 1520, and is based on Harizi's Hebrew version of the Moreh. The name of the translator is not mentioned. In the Commentary of Moses, son of Solomon, of Salerno, on the Moreh, a Latin translation is quoted, and the quotations agree with this version. It is called by this commentator ha 'atakat ha-nozrit ("the Christian translation"), and its author, ha-ma 'atik ha-nozer (lit. "the Christian translator"). Dr. Perles is, however, of opinion that these terms do not necessarily imply that a Christian has made this translation, as the word nozer may have been used here for "Latin." He thinks that it is the result of the combined efforts of Jewish and Christian scholars connected with the court of the German Emperor Frederic II., especially as in the thirteenth century several Jewish scholars distinguished themselves by translating Oriental works into Latin. See Gratz Monatschrift, 1875, Jan.-June, "Die in einer Munchener Handschrift aufgefundene erste lateinische Uebersetzung," etc., von Dr. J. Perles. The title has been variously rendered into Latin: Director neutrorum, directorium dubitantium, director neutrorum, nutantium or dubitantium; doctor perplexorum.
Gedaliah ibn Yahyah, in Shalshelet ba-kabbalah, mentions a Latin translation of the Moreh by Jacob Monteno: but nothing is known of it, unless it be the anonymous translation of the Munich MS., mentioned above. Augustinus Justinianus edited this version (Paris, 1520), with slight alterations and a great number of mistakes. Joseph Scaliger's opinion of this version is expressed in a letter to Casaubonus, as follows : Qui latine vertit, Hebraica, non Arabica, convertit, et quidem saepe hallucinatur, neque mentem Authoris assequitur. Magna seges mendorum est in Latino. Praeter illa quae ab inertia Interpretis peccata sunt accessit et inertia Librariorum aut Typographorum, e.g., prophethae pro philosophiae altitudo pro aptitudo; bonitatem pro brevitatem. (Buxtorf, Doctor Perplexorum, Praef.)
Johannes Buxtorfius, Fil., translated the Hebrew version of Ibn Tibbon into Latin (Basilem, 1629, 4to). In the Praeefatio ad Lectorem, the translator discusses the life and the works of Maimonides, and dwells especially on the merits and the fate of the Moreh-nebucbim. The preface is followed by a Hebrew poem of Rabbi Raphael Joseph of Treves, in praise of an edition of the Moreh containing the Commentaries of Efodi, Shem-tob, and Crescas.
Italian was the first living language into which the Moreh has been translated. This translation was made by Yedidyah ben Moses (Amadeo de Molse di Recanati), and dedicated by him to "divotissimo e divinissimo Signor mio il Signor Immanuel da Fano" (i.e., the Kabbalist Menahem Azarriah). The translator dictated it to his brother Eliah, who wrote it in Hebrew characters ; it was finished the 8th of February, 1583. The MS. copy is contained in the Royal Library at Berlin, MS. Or. Qu. 487 (M. Steinschneider Catal., etc.)--The Moreh has been translated into Italian a second time, and annotated by D. J. Maroni: Guida degli Smarriti, Firenze, 1870, fol.
The Moreh has been translated into German by R. Furstenthal (Part I,, Krotoschin, 1839), M. Stern (Part II., Wien, 1864), and S. Scheyer (Part III.. Frankfort-a.-M., 1838). The translation is based on Ibn Tibbon's Hebrew version. The chapters on the Divine Attributes have been translated into German, and fully discussed, by Dr. Kaufmann in his Geschichte der Attributenlehre (Gotha, 1877).
An excellent French translation, based on the Arabic original, has been supplied by the regenerator of the Guide, S. Munk. It was published together with the Arabic text (Paris, 1850-1866).
The Moreh has also been translated into the Hungarian language by Dr. Klein. The translation is accompanied by notes (Budapest, 1878-80).
The portion containing the reasons of the Commandments (Part III. ch. xxvi.--xlix.) has been translated into English by James Townley (London, 1827). The translation is preceded by an account on the life and works of Maimonides, and dissertations on various subjects ; among others, Talmudical and Rabbinical writings, the Originality of the Institutions of Moses, and Judicial astrology.
III. Commentaries.--It is but natural that in a philosophical work like the Moreh, the reader will meet with passages that at first thought seem unintelligible, and require further explanation, and this want has been supplied by the numerous commentators that devoted their attention to the study of the Moreh. Joseph Solomon del Medigo (1597) saw eighteen Commentaries. The four principal ones he characterizes thus (in imitation of the Hagadah for Passover) : Moses Narboni is rasha', has no piety, and reveals all the secrets of the Moreh. Shem-tob is hakam, wise," expounds and criticises ; Crescas is tam, "simple," explains the book in the style of the Rabbis; Epodi is sbe-eno yode'a lisbol, " does not understand to ask," he simply explains in short notes without criticism Miktababuz; ed. A. Geiger, Berlin, 1840, p. i8). The earliest annotations were made by the author himself on those passages, which the first translator of the Moreh was unable to comprehend. They are contained in a letter addressed to Samuel Ibn Tibbon, beginning, lefi siklo ycbuilal isb (Bodl Library, No. 2218, s. ; comp. The Guide, etc., I. 21, 343 ; II. 8, 99). Ibn Tibbon, the translator, likewise added a few notes, which are found in the margin of MSS. of the Hebrew version of the Moreh (on I. xlv. lxxiv. ; II. xxiv. ; and III. xlvii.--MSS. BodI. 1252, 1; 1253, 1255, 1257; Brit. Mus. Add. 14,763 and 27,068).
Both translators wrote explanations of the philosophical terms employed in the versions. Harizi wrote his vocabulary first, and Ibn Tibbon, in the introductory remarks, to Perush millot zarot ("Explanation of difficult words"), describes his rival's vocabulary as full of blunders. Ibn Tibbon's Perush is found almost in every copy of his version, both MS. and print; so also Harizi's index of the contents of the chapters of the Moreh (Kavvanat ha-perakim).
The following is an alphabetical list of Commentaries on the Moreh :--
Abarbanel (Don Isaak) wrote a Commentary on I. i.--lv.; II. xxxi.--xlv., and a separate book Shamayim-badasbim, "New Heavens," on II. xix., in which he fully discusses the question concerning Creatio ex nibilo. The opinion of Maimonides is not always accepted. Thus twenty-seven objections are raised against his interpretation of the first chapter of Ezekiel. These objections he wrote at Molin, in the house of R. Abraham Treves Zarfati. The Commentary is followed by a short essay (maamar) on the plan of the Moreh. The method adopted by Abarbanel in all his Commentaries, is also employed in this essay. A series of questions is put forth on the subject, and then the author sets about to answer them. M. J. Landau edited the Commentary without text, with a Preface, and with explanatory notes, called Moreh li-zealdakah (Prag. 1831; MS. BodI. 2385). In addition to these the same author wrote Tesbubat " Answers" to several questions asked by Rabbi Shsol ha-Cohen on topics discussed in the Moreh (Venice, 1754).
Abraham Abulajia wrote "Sodot ha-moreh," or Sitre-torah, a kabbalistic Commentary on the Moreh. He gives the expreaaion, [hebrew] (Paradise), for the number (177) of the chapters of the Moreh. MS. Nat. Bibi. 226, 3. Leipsic Libr. 232,4. MS. Bodl. 2360, contains a portion of Part III.
Buchner A. Ha-march li-zedakab (Warsaw, 1838). Commentary on "The Reasons of the Laws," March III. xxix.--xlix. The Commentary is preceded by an account of the life of Maimonides.
Comtino, Mordecai b. Eliezer, wrote a shart commentary on the Moreh (Dr. Ginsburg's collection of MSS. No. 1o). Narboni, who "spread light on dark passages in the Guide," is frequently quoted. Reference is also made to his own commentary on Ibn Ezra's Yesod--mara.
Creacas (Aaher b. Abraham), expresses in the Preface to his Commentary the conviction that he could not always comprehend the right sense of the words of Maimonides, for "there is no searching to his underatanding." He nevertheless thinks that his, explanations will help "the young" to study the Moreh with profit. A long poem in praise of Maimonides and his work precedes the Preface. His notes are short and clear, and in spite of his great respect of Maimonides, he now and then criticises and corrects him.
David Yailya is named by Joseph Del Medigo (Miktab-abaz ed. A. Geiger, Berlin, 1840; p. 18 , and note 76), as having written a Commentary on the Moreh.
David ben Yebudab Leon Rabbins wrote 'En ba-kore, MS. Bodl. 1263. He quotes in his Commentary among others 'Arama's 'Akedar yizhak. The Preface is written by Immanuel ben Raphael Ibn Meir, after the death of the author.
Efadi is the name of the Commentary written by Isaac ben Moses, who during the persecution of 1391 had passed as Christian under the name of Profiat Doran. He returned to Judaism, and wrote against Christianity the famous satire " Al tehee kaaboteka" ("Be not like your Fathers"), which misled Christizns to cite it as written in favour of Christianity. It is addressed to the apostate En Bonet Bon Giorno. The same author also wrote a grammatical work, Ma' aseb-efod. The name Efod (Hebrew), is explained as composed of the initials Amar Profiat Duran. His Commentary consists of short notes, esplanatory of the text. The brginning of this Commentary is contained in an Arabic translation in MS. Bodl. 2422, 16.
Epbraim Al-Naqavab in Sba'or Kebad ba-sbem (MS. BodI. 939,2 and 1258,2), answers some questions addressed to him concerning the Moreh. He quotes Hiadai's Or adonai.
Furstentbal, R., translator and commentator of the Mahzor, added a Biur, short explanatory notes, to his German translation of Part I. of the Morch (Krotoschin, 1839).
Gerahan, Mareb-derek, Commentary on Part 1. of the Moreh (MS. BodI. 1265).
Hillel b. Samuel b. Elazar of Verona explained the Introduction to Part II, (the 25 Propos.). S. H. Halberstam edited this Commentary together with Tagmute ha-nefemh of the same author, for the Society Mekize-nirdamim (Lyck, 1874).
Joseph ben Aba-mart b. Josepb, of Caspi (Argentiere), wrote three Commentaries on the Moreh. The first is contained in a Munich MS. (No. 263) ; and seems to have been recast by the author, and divided into two separate Commentaries: 'Ammude Kesef, and Maskiyot Keatf The former was to contain plain and ordinary explanation, whilst profound and mysterious matter was reserved for the second (Steinschn. Cat.). In II., chap. xlviii., Caspi finds fault with Maimonides that he dues not place the book of Job among the highest class of inspired writings, "its author being undoubtedly Moses." These Commentaries have been edited by T. Werblomer (Frankfort-a.-M., 1848). R. Kirchheim added a Hebrew introduction discussing the character of these commentaries, and describing the manuscripts from which these were copied ; a Biography of the author is added in German.
Josepb Giqatilia wrote notes on the Moreh, printed with "Questinnn of Shaul ha-kohen" (Venice, 1574. MS. Bodl.. 1911, 3).
Josepb b. Isaac ha-Levi's Gib'ar ha-Moreh is a short Commentary on portions of the Moreh, with notes by R. Yom-tub Heller, the author of Tosafar ram-sob (Prag., 1612).
Isaac Saranov wrote a commentary on Parts II. and IIII. of the Moreb (see Maimon Solomon p. xxi.).
Isaac ben Shem-tob ibn Shem-tob wrote a lengthy Commentary on the Moreh, Part I. (MS. Brit. Mus, Or. 1358). The object of the Commentary is to show that there is no contradiction between Maimonides and the Divine Law. He praises Maimonides as a true believer in Creatio ex nihilo, whilst Ibn Ezra and Gersonides assumed a prima materia, (Yozer, kadosb). Nachmanides is called ha-hasid ha-gadol, but is nevertheless blamed, together with Narboni and Zerahyals ba-Levi, for criticising Maimonides, instead of trying to explain startling utterances even in "a forced way" (bederek rabok) and Narboni, "in spite of his wisdom, frequently misunderstood the Moreh." At the end of each chapter a resume‚ (derush) of the contents of the chapter is given, and the lesson to be derived from it. The MS. is incomplete, chaps. xlvi.--xlviii. are missing.
Kauffmann, D, in his Geschichte der Atributenlebre, translated Part I. chap. L--lxiii. into German, and added critical and explanatory notes.
Kalonymos wrote a kind of introduction to the Moreh (Mesbaret Masbeb), in which he especially discusses the theory of Maimonides on Providence.
Leibnitz made extracts from Buxtorf's. Latin version of the Moreb, and added his own remarks, Observationes ad R. Mosen Maimoniden (Foucher de Careil, CA., La Philos opbie Fuive,1861).
Levin, M, wrote Allon-moreb as a kind of introduction to his retranslation of Tibbon's Hebrew version into the language of the Mishnah.
Maimon, Solomon, is the author of Gib' ha-moreb, a lengthy commentary on Book I. (Berlin, 1791). The author is fond of expatiating on topics of modern philosophy, to the introduction he gives a short history of philosophy. The commentary on Books II. and III. was written by Isaac Satanov.
Meir ben Jonah ha-mekunneb Ben-ibneor wrote a commentary on the Moreh in Fez 1560 (MS. Bodl. 1262).
Menahem Kara expounded the twenty-five propositions enumerated in the Introduction to Part II. of the Moreh (MS. BodI. 1649, 13).
Mordecai Yaffe, in his Or Yekarot or Pinnat Yikrat, one of his ten Lebushim, comments upon the theories contained in the Moreh.
Moses, son of Abraham Provencal, explains the passage in Part I. chap. lxxiii. Prop. 3, in which Maimonides refers to the difference between commensurable and incommensurable lines (MS. Bodl.. 2033, 8).
Moses, son of Febudab Nagari, made an index of the subjects treated 1n the Moreh, indicating in each case the chapters in which allusion is made to the subject. He did so, "in obedience to the advice of Maimonides, to consider the chapters in connected order" (Part I. p. 20). It has been printed together with the questions of Shaul ha-kohen (Venice, 1574).
Moses son of Solomon of Salerno, is one of the earliest expounders of the Moreh. He wrote his commentary on Parts I. and II., perhaps together with a Christian scholar. He quotes the opinion of "the Christian scholar with whom he worked together." Thus he names Petrus de Bernia and Nicolo di Giovenazzo. R. Jacob Anatoli, author of the Malmed ha-talmidim, is quoted as offering an explanation for the passage from Pirke di-rabbi Eliezer, which Mamnonides (II. chap. xxvi.) considers as strange and inexplicable (Part I., written 1439 ; MS. of Bet ha-midrash, London; Parts I.--II., MS. Bodl, 1261, written, 1547; MS. Petersburg, No. 82; Munich MS. 60 and 370).
Moses ha-kotan, son of Jebudab, son of Moses, wrote To'aliyoz pirke ha-maamar ("Lessons taught in the chapters of this work"). It is an index to the March (MS. Bodl. 1267).
Moses Leiden explained the 25 Prop. of the Introduction to Part II. (MS. Gunzburg, Paris).
Moses Narboni wrote a short commentary at Soria 1362. He freely criticizes Maimonides, and uses expressions like the following:-- "He went too far, may God pardon him" (II. viii.). Is. Euchel ed. Part I. (Berlin, 1791); J. Goldenthal, I. to III. (Wien, 1852). The Bodl. Libr. possesses several MS. copies of this commentary (Nos. 1260, 1264, 2, and 1266).
Munk, S., added to his French translation of the Moreh numerous critical and explanatory notes.
S.Sacb's (Ha-tehiyah, Berlin, 1850, p. 5) explains various passages of the Moreb, with a view of discovering the names of those who are attacked by Maimonides without being named.
Scheyer, S., added critical and explanatory notes to his German translation of the Moreh, Part 3, and to the Hebrew version of Harizi, Part I. He also wrote Das Psychologiscbe System des Maimonides, an Introduction to the Moreh (Frankf.-a-M., 1845).
Shem tab Ibn Palquera's Moreb ba-moreh consists of 3 parts :(1) a philosophical explanation of the Moreb, (2) a description of the contents of the chapters of the Moreb, Part I, i.--lvii. (Presburg, 1827) ; (3) Corrections of Ibn Tibbon's version. He wrote the book for himself, that in old age he might have a means of refreshing his memory. The study of science and philosophy is to be recommended, but only to those who have had a good training in "the fear of sin." Ibn Roshd (Averroes) is frequently quoted, and referred to as be-hakam ha-nizkar (the philosopher mentioned above).
Sbem-tob ben Joseph ben Sbem-tob had the commentary of Efodi before him, which he seems to have quoted frequently verbatim without naming him. In the preface he dwells on the merits of the Moreb as the just mediator between religion and philosophy. The commentary of Shem-tobh is profuse, and includes almost a paraphrase of the text. He apologises in conclusion for having written many superfluous notes and added explanation where no explanation was required ; his excuse is that he did not only intend to write a commentary (biur) but also a work complete in itself (hibbur). He often calls the reader's attention to things which are plain and clear.
Shem-tob Ibn Shem-tob, in Sefer ba-emunot (Ferrara, 1556), criticises some of the various theories discussed in the Moreh, and rejects them as heretic. His objections were examined by Moses Al-ashkar, and answered in Hasagot 'al mab sbe-katab Rabbi Sbem-tab neged ha-Rasnbam (Ferrara, 1556).
Salomon b. Febudab ha-nasi wrote in Germany Sitre-torah, a kabbalistic commentary on the Moreb, and dedicated it to his pupil Jacob b. Samuel (MS. Bet-ha-midrash, London).
Tabrizi. The twenty-five Propositions forming the introduction to Part 2, have been fully explained by Mohammed Abu-becr ben Mohammed al-tabrizi. His Arabic explanations have been translated by Isaac b. Nathan of Majorca into Hebrew (Ferraro, 1556). At the end the following eulogy is added :--The author of these Propositions is the chief whose sceptre is "wisdom" and whose throne is "understanding," the Israelite prince, that has benefited his nation and all those who love God, etc. Moses b. Maimon b. Ebed-elohim, the Israelite. . . . May God lead us to the truth. Amen !
Tishbi. In MS. Bodl. 2279, I, there are some marginal notes on Part III. which are signed Tishbi (Neub. Cat.).
Yahya Ibn Suleiman wrote in Arabic a Commentary on the Guide of the Perplexed. A fragment is contained in the Berlin MS. Or. Qu., 554, 2 (Steinschneider, Cat. No. 92).
Zerahyab is. Isaac ha-Levi. Commentary on the Moreh, I., i.--lxxi., and some other portions of the work. (See Maskir, 1861, p. 125).
MS. Bodl. 2360, 8, contains a letter of Jehudah b. Shelomoh on some passages of the Moreb, and Zerahyah's reply.
Anonymous Commentaries.--The MS. Brit. Mus. 1423 contains marginal and interlineary notes in Arabic. No author or date is given, nor is any other commentary referred to in the notes. The explanations given are mostly preceded by a question, and introduced by the phrase, "the answer is," in the same style as is employed in the Hebrew-Arabic Midrash, MS. Brit. Mus. Or. 2213. The Midrashic character is prominent in the notes. Thus the verse "Open, ye gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in," is explained as meaning: Open, ye gates of wisdom, that human understanding that perceiveth truth may enter. The notes are numerous, especially in the first part, explaining almost every word; e.g., on "Rabbi": Why does Maimonides employ this title before the name of his pupil The answer is: either the word is not to be taken literally master"), but as a mere compliment, or it has been added by later copyisIs. Of a similar style seem to be the Arabic notes in the Berlin MS. Or. Oct. 258, 2, 8, so. (Cat. Steinschneider, No. 108.)--Anonymous marginal notes are met with almost in every MS. of the Moreh; e.g., Brit. Mos. Harl. 5525 ; Add. 14,763, 14,764; Bodl. 1264, I ; 2282, 10; 2423, 3 ; Munich MS., 239, 6.
The explanation of passages from the Pentateuch contained in the Moreh have been collected by D. Ottensoaaer, and given as an appendix (Morehderek) to Derek -sclulah (Pent. with Comm. etc., Furth, 1824).
IV. Controvercies.--The seemingly new ideas put forth by Maimonides in the Moreb and in the first section of his Mishneh-torah (Sefer ha-madda) soon produced a lively controversy as regards the merits of Maimonides theories. It was most perplexing to pious Talmudists to learn how Maimonides explained the anthropomorphisms employed in the Bible, the Midrashim and the Talmud, what he thought about the future state of our soul, and that he considered the study of philosophy as the highest degree of Divine worship, surpassing even the study of the Law and the practice of its precepts. The objections and attacks of Daniel of Damascus were easily silenced by a herem (excommunication) pronounced against him by the Rosh ha-golah Rabbi David. Stronger was the opposition that had its centre in Montpellier. Rabbi Solomon ben Abraham noticed with regret in his own community the fruit of the theories of Maimonides in the neglect of the study of the Law and of the practice of the Divine precepts. It happened to Moses Maimonides what in modern times happened to Moses Mendelssohn. Many so-called disciples and followers of the great master misunderstood or misinterpreted his teaching in support of their dereliction of Jewish law and Jewish practice, and thus brought disrepute on him in the eyes of their opponents. Thus it came that Rabbi Solomon and his disciples turned their wrath against the writings of Maimonides instead of combating the arguments of the pseudo-Maimonists. The latter even accused Solomon of having denounced the Moreh and the Sefer ha-madda to the Dominicans, who condemned these writings to the flames; when subsequently copies of the Talmud were burnt, and some of the followers of the Rabbi of Montpellier were subjected to cruel tortures, the Maimonists saw in this event a just punishment for offending Maimonides. (Letters of Hillel of Verona, Hemdab Genuzab, ed. H. Edelmann, p. 58 .sqq.).
Meir b. Todros ba-levi Abulafia wrote already during the lifetime of Maimonides to the wise men in Lunel about the heretic doctrines he discovered in the works of Maimonides. Ahron b. Meshullam and Shesheth Benvenisti defended Maimonides. About 1232 a correspondence opened between the Maimonists and the Anti-maimonists (Griitz, Gesch. d. J. vii. note I). The Grammarian David Kimhi wrote in defence of Maimonides three letters to Jehudah Alfachar, who answered each of them in the sense of Rabbi Solomon of Montpellier. Abraham b. Hisdai and Samuel b. Abraham Saportas on the side of the Maimonists, took part in the controversy. Meshullam b. Kalonymos b. Todros of Narbonne begged Alfachar to treat Kimhi with more consideration, whereupon Alfachar resolved to withdraw from the controversy. Nabmanides, though more on the side of Rabbi Solomon, wrote two letters of a conciliatory character, advising moderation on both sides. Representatives of the congregations of Saragossa, Huesca, Monzon, Kalatajud, and Lends signed declarations against R. Solomon. A herem was proclaimed from Lunel and Narbonne against the Anti-Maimonists. The son of Maimonides, Abraham, wrote a pamphlet Milbamot adonai, in defence of the writings of his father. The controversy raised about fifty years later by Abba Man Don Astruc and R. Solomon ben-Aderet of Barcelona, concerned the Moreh less directly. The question was of a more general character: Is the study of philosophy dangerous to the religious belief of young students? The letters written in this controversy are contained in Minbat-kenaot by Abba Mari Don Astruc (Presburg, 1838), and Kitab alrasail of Meir Abulafia ed. J. Brill (Paris, 1871). Yedaya Bedrasi took part in this controversy, and wrote Ketab hitnazlut in defence of the study of philosophy (Teshubot Rashba, Hanau, 1610, p. iii b.). The whole controversy ended in the victory of the Moreh and the other writings of Maimonides. Stray remarks are found in various works, some in praise and some in condemnation of Maimonides. A few instances may suffice. Rabbi Jacob Emden in his Mitpabat-sefarim (Lemberg, 1870, p. 56) believes that parts of the Moreh are spurious ; he even doubts whether any portion of it is the work of "Maimonides, the author of the Mishneh-torah, who was not capable of writing such heretic doctrines," S. D. Luzzato regards Maimonides with great reverence, but this does not prevent him from severely criticising his philosophical theories (Letters to S. Rappoport, No. 79, 83, 266, Iggeroth Shedal ed. E. Graber, Premys l, 1882), and from expressing his conviction that the saying "From Moses to Moses none rose like Moses," was as untrue as that suggested by Rappoport, "From Abraham to Abraham (Ibn-Ezra) none rose like Abraham." Rabbi Hirsch Chayyuth in Darke-Mosbeb (Zolkiew, 5840) examines the attacks made upon the writings of Maimonides, and tries to refute them, and to show that they can be reconciled with the teaching of the Talmud.
The Bodl. MS. 2240, 3a, contains a document signed by Josselman and other Rabbis, declaring that they accept the teaching of Maimonides as correct, with the exception of his theory about angels and sacrifices.
Numerous poems were written, both in admiration and in condemnation of the Moreh. Most of them precede or follow the Moreb in the printed editions and in the various MS. copies of the work. A few have been edited in Dibre-hakamim, pp. 75 and 86; in the Literaturblatt d. Or. I. 379, II. 26-27, IV. 748, and Leket-shoshannim by Dr. Gratz. In the Sammelband of the Mekize Nirdamim (1885) a collection of 69 of these poems is contained, edited and explained by Prof. Dr. A. Berliner. In imitation of the Moreh and with a view of displacing Maimonides work, the Karaite Ahron II. b. Eliah wrote a philosophical treatise, Ez-bayyim (Ed. F. Delitzseh. Leipzig, 1841).
Of the works that discuss the whole or part of the philosophical system of the Moreh the following are noteworthy:--
Bacher, W. Die Bibilexegese Moses Maimftni's, in the Jshreshericht der Landes Rabbinerschule zu Buda-Pest. 1896. Euler, M. Vorlesongen uber die judischen Philosophers des Mittelalters. Abtheil. II., Moses Maimonides (Wien, 1870).
Geiger, A. Das Judenthum u. seine Geschichte (Breslao, 1865), Zehnte Vorlesung Aben Ezra u. Maimonides.
Grltz, H. Geschichte d. Juden, VI. p. 363 sqq.
Joel, M. Religionsphilosophie des Moses b. Maimon (Breslau, 1859).
Joel,M. Albertus Magnus u. seim Vorhaltniss zu Maimonides (Bresisu, 1863).
Kaufmann, D. Geschichte der Attributenlehre, VII. Gotha, 1874.
Philippsohn, L. Die Philosophic des Maimonides. Predigt und Schul-Magazin, I. xviii.(Msgdeburg, 1834.)
Rosin, D. Die Ethik d. Maimonides (Breslsu, 1876).
Rubin, S. Spinoza u. Maimonides, ein Psychologisch-Philosophisches Antitheton (Wien, 1868).
Scheyer, S. Das psychologische System des Maimonides. Frankfort-a.-M., 1845.
Weiss, T. H. Beth-Talmud, I. x. p. 289.
David Yellin and Israel Abrahams, Mainsonides. ------------------- ANALYSIS OF THE GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED
IT is the object of this work "to afford a guide for the perplexed," i.e. "to thinkers whose studies have brought them into collision with religion" p. 9), "who have studied philosophy and have acquired sound knowledge, and who, while firm in religions matters, are perplexed and bewildered on account of she ambiguous and figurative expressions employed in the holy writings (p. 5). Joseph, the son of Jehudah Ibn Aknio, a disciple of Maimonides, is addressed by his teacher as an example of this kind of students. It was "for him and for those like him" that the treatise was composed, and to him this work is inscribed in the dedicatory letter with which the Introduction begins. Maimonides, having discovered that his disciple was sufficiently advanced for an exposition of the esoteric ideas in the books of the Prophets, commenced to give him such expositions "by way of hints." His disciple then begged him to give him further explanations, to treat of metaphysical themes, and to expound the system and the method of the Kalam, or Mohammedan Theology.1 In compliance with this request, Maimonides composed the Guide of the Perplexed. The reader has, therefore, to expect that the subjects mentioned in the disciple's request indicate the design and arrangement of the present work, and that the Guide consists of the following parts :-- 1. An exposition of the esoteric ideas (sodot) in the books of the Prophets. 2. A treatment of certain metaphysical problems. 3. An examination of the system and method of the Kalam. This, in fact, is a correct account of the contents of the book ; but in the second part of the Introduction, in which the theme of this work is defined, the author mentions only the first-named subject. He observes "My primary object is to explain certain terms occurring in the prophetic book. Of these some are homonymous, some figurative, and some hybrid terms." "This work has also a second object. It is designed to explain certain obscure figures which occur in the Prophets, and are not distinctly characterised as being figures" (p. 2). Yet from this observation it must not be inferred that Maimonides abandoned his original purpose ; for he examines the Kalam in the last chapters of the First Part (ch. lxx.--lxxvi.), and treats of certain metaphysical themes in the beginning of the Second Part (Introd. and ch. i.--xxv.). But in the passage quoted above he confines himself to a delineation of the maie object of this treatise, and advisedly leaves unmentioned the other two subjects, which, however important they may be, are here of subordinate interest. Nor did he consider it necessary to expatiate on these subjects ; he only wrote for the student, for whom a mere reference to works on philosophy and science was sufficient. We therefore meet now and then with such phrases as the following "This is folly discussed in works on metaphysics." By references of this kind the authur may have intended so create a taste for the study of philosophical works. But our observation only holds good with regard to the Aristotelian philosophy.
1 See infra, page 4., note i.
The writings of the Mutakallemim are never commended by him ; he states their opinions, and tells his disciple that he would not find any additional argument, even if he were to read all their voluminous works (p. 133). Maimonides was a zealous disciple of Aristotle, although the theory of the Kalam might seem to have been more congenial to Jewish thought and belief. The Kalam upheld the theory of God's Existence, Incorporeality, and Unity, together with the creatio ex nihilo. Maimonides nevertheless opposed the Kalam, and, anticipating the question, why preference should be given to the system of Aristotle, which included the theory of the Eternity of the Universe, a theory contrary to the fundamental teaching of the Scriptures, he exposed the weakness of the Kalam and its fallacies.
The exposition of Scriptural texts is divided by the author into two parts the first part treats of homonymous, figurative, and hybrid terms,2 employed in reference to God ; the second part relates to Biblical figures and allegories. These two parts do not closely follow each other ; they are separated by the examination of the Kalam, and the discussion of metaphysical problems. It seems that the author adopted this arrangement for the following reason first of all, he intended to establish the fact that the Biblical anthropomorphisms do not imply corporeality, and that the Divine Being of whom the Bible speaks could therefore be regarded as identical with the Primal Cause of the philosophers. Having established this principle, he discusses from a purely metaphysical point of view the properties of the Primal Cause and its relation to the universe. A solid foundation is thus established for the esoteric exposition of Scriptural passages. Before discussing metaphysical problems, which he treats in accordance with Aristotelian philosophy, he disposes of the Kalam, and demonstrates that its arguments are illogical and illusory.
The "Guide for the Perplexed" contains, therefore, an Introduction and the following four parts :--1. On homonymous, figurative, and hybrid terms, 2. On else Supreme Being and His relation to the universe, according to the Kalam. 3. On the Primal Cause and its relation to the universe, according to the philosophers. 4. Esoteric exposition of some portions of the Bible (sodot) a. Maaseb bereshith, or the history of the Creation (Genesis, ch. i-iv .) ; b. on Prophecy ; c. Maaseb mercabhah, or the description of the divine chariot (Ezekiel, ch. i.).
According to this plan, the work ends with the seventh chapter of the Third Part. The chapters which follow may be considered as an appendix ; they treat of the following theological themes the Existence of Evil, Omniscience and Providence, Temptations, Design in Nature, in the Law, and in the Biblical Narratives, and finally the true Worship of God.
In the Introduction to the "Guide," Maimonides (1) describes the object ot the work and the method he has followed ; (2) treats of similes ; (3) gives "directions for the study of the work" ; and (4.) discusses the usual causes of inconsistencies in authors.
1 (pp. 2--3). Inquiring into the root of the evil which the Guide was intended to remove, viz., the conflict between science and religion, the author perceived that in most cases it originated in a misinterpretation of the anthropomorphisms in Holy Writ. 'Ihe main difficulty is found in the ambiguity of the words employed by the prophets when speaking of the Divine Being; the question arises whether they are applied to the Deity and to other things in one and the same sense or equivocally ; in the latter case the author distinguishes between homonyms pure and simple, figures, and hybrid terms. In order to show that the Biblical anthropomorphisms do not imply the corporeality of the Deity, he seeks in each instance to demonstrate that the expression under examination is a perfect homonym denoting things which are totally
2 See infra page 5, note 4
distinct from each other, and whenever such a demonstration is impossible, he assumes that the expression is a hybrid term, that is, being employed in one instance figuratively and in another homonymously. His explanation of "form" (zelem) may serve as an illustration. According to his opinion, it invariably denotes "form" in the philosophical aeceptation of the term, viz., the complex of the essential properties of a thing. But to obviate objections he proposes an alternative view, to take zelem as a hybrid term that may be explained as a class noun denoting only things of the same class, or as a homonym employed for totally different things, viz., "form" in the philosophical sense, and "form " in the ordinary meaning of the word. Maimonides seems to have refrained from explaining anthropomorphisms as figurative expressions, lest by such interpretation he might implicitly admit the existence of a certain relation aod comparison between the Creator and His creatures.
Jewish philosophers before Maimonides enunciated and demonstrated the Unity and the Incorporeality of the Divine Being, and interpreted Scriptural metaphors on the principle that "the Law speaks in the language of man" but our author adopted a new and altogether original method. The Commentators, when treating of enthropomorphisms, generally contented themselves with the statement that the term under consideration must not be taken in its literal sense, or they paraphrased the passage in expressions which implied a lesser degree of corporeality. The Talmud, the Midrashim, and the Targumim abound in paraphrases of this kind. Saadiah in "Emunot ve-de'ot," Bahya in his "Hobot ha-lebabot," and Jehudah ha-levi in the "Cutari," insist on the necessity and the appropriateness of such interpretations. Saadiah enumerates ten terms which primarily denote organs of the human body, and are figuratively applied to God. To establish this point of view he cites numerous instances in which the terms in question are used in a figurative sense without being applied to God. Saadiah further shows that the Divine attributes are either qualifications of such of God's actions as are perceived by man, or they imply a negation. The correctness of this method was held to be so obvious that some authors found it necessary to apologize to the reader for introducing such well-known topics. From R. Abraham ban David's strictures on the Yad habazakah it is, however, evident that in the days of Maimonides persons were not wanting who defended the literal interpretation of certain anthropomorphisms. Maimonides, therefore, did not conent himself with the vague and general rule, "The Law speaks in the language of man," but sought carefully to define the meaning of each term when applied to God, and to identify it with some transcendental and metaphysical term. In pursuing this course he is sometimes forced to venture upon an interpretation which is much too far-fetched to commend itself even to the supposed philosophical reader. In such instances he generally adds a simple amid plaims explanation, and leaves it to the option of the reader to choose the one which appears to him preferable. The enumeration of the different meanings of a word is often, from a philological point of view, incomplete ; he introduces only such significations as serve his object. When treating of an imperfect homonym, the several significations of which are derived from one primary signification, he apparently follows a certain system which he does not employ in the interpretation of perfect homonyms. The homonymity of the term is not proved ; the author confines himself to the remark, "It is employed homonymously," even when the various meanings of a word might easily be traced to a common source.
2 (pag. 4-8). In addition to the explanation of homonyms Maimonides undertakes to interpret similes and allegories. At first it had been his intention to write two distinct works--Sefer ha-nebuab, "A Book on Prophecy," and Sefer ha-nebuab, "A Book of Reconciliation." In the former work he had intended to explain difficult passages of the Bible, and in the latter to expound such passages in the Midrash and the Talmud as seemed to be in conflict with common sense. With respect to the "Book of Reconciliation," he abandoned his plan, because he apprehended that neither the learned nor the unlearned would profit by it the one would find it superfluous, the other tedious. The subject of the "Book on Prophecy" is treated in the present work, and also strange passages that occasiooally occur in the Talmud and the Midrash are explained.
The treatment of the simile must vary according as the simile is compound or simple. In the first case, each part represents a separate idea and demands a separate interpretation ; in the other case, only one idea is represented, and it is not necessary to assign to each part a separate metaphorical meaning. This division the author illustrates by citing the dream of Jacob (Gen. xxviii. x a sqq.), and the description of the adulteress (Prov. vii. 6 sqq.). He gives no rule by which it might be ascertained to which of the two categories a simile belongs, and, like other Commentators, he seems to treat as essential those details of a simile for which he can offer an adequate interpretation. As a general principle, he warns against the confusion and the errors which arise when an attempt is made to expound every single detail of a simile. His own explanations are not intended to be exhaustive ; on the contrary, they are to consist of brief allusions to the idea represented by the simile, of mere suggestions, which the reader is expected to develop and to complete. The author thus aspires to follow in the wake of the Creator, whose works can only be understood after a long and persevering study. Yet it is possible that he derived his preference for a reserved and mysterious style from the example of ancient philosophers, who discussed metaphysical problems in figurative and enigmatic language. Like Ibn Ezra, who frequently concludes his exposition of a Biblical passage with the phrase, "Here a profound idea (sod) is hidden," Maimonides somewhat mysteriously remarks at the end of different chapters, "Note this," "Consider it well." In such phrases some Commentators fancied that they found references to metaphysical theories which the author was not willing fully to discuss. Whether this was the case or not, in having recourse to that method he was not, as some have suggested, actuated by fear of being charged with heresy. He expresses his opinion on the principal theological questions without reserve, and does not dread the searching inquiries of opponents ; for he boldly announces that their displeasure would not deter him from teaching the truth and guiding those who are able and willing to follow him, however few these might be. When, however, we examine the work itself, we are at a loss to discover to which parts the professed enigmatic method was applied. His theories concerning the Deity, the Divine attributes, angels, creatio ex nihilo, prophecy, and other subjects, are treated as fully as might be expected. It is true that a cloud of mysterious phrases enshrouds the interpretation of Ma'aseh beresbit (Gen.i--iii.) and Ma'asch mercabah (Ez. i.). But the significant words occurring in these portions are explained in the First Part of this work, and a full exposition is found in the Second and Third Parts. Nevertheless the statement that the exposition was never intended to be explicit occurs over and over again. The treatment of the first three chapters of Genesis concludes thus : "These remarks, together with what we have already observed on the subject, and what we may have to add, must suffice both for the object and for the reader we have in view" (II.xxx.).
In like manner, he declares, after the explanation of the first chapter of Ezekiel "I have given you here as many suggestions as maybe of service to you, if you will give them a further development. . . . Do not expect to hear from me anything more on this subject, for I have, though with some hesitation, gone as far in my explanation as I possibly could go" (III. vii.).
3 (pag. 8--9), In the next paragraph, headed, "Directions for the Study of this Work," he implores the reader not to be hasty with his Criticism, and to bear in mind that every sentence, indeed every word, had been fully considered before it was written down. Yet it might easily happen that the reader could not reconcile his own view with that of the author, and in such a case he is asked to ignore the disapproved chapter or section altogether. Such disapproval Maimonides attributes to a mere misconception on the part of the reader, a fate which awaits every work composed in a mystical style. In adopting this peculiar style, he intended to reduce to a minimum the violation of the rule laid down in the Mishnah (Hagigah ii. i), that metaphysics should not be taught publicly. The violation of this rule he justifies by citing the following two Mishnaic maxims: "It is time to do something in honour of the Lord" (Berakot ix. 5), and "Let all thy acts be guided by pure intentions" (Abot ii. i 7). Maimonides increased the mysteriousness of the treatise, by expressing his wish that the reader should abstain from expounding the work, lest he might spread in the name of the author opinions which the latter never held. But it does not occur to him that the views he enunciates might in themselves be erroneous. He is positive that his own theory is unexceptionally correct, that his esoteric interpretations of Scriptural texts are sound, and that those who differed from him--viz., the Mutakallemim on the one hand, and the unphilosophical Rabbis on the other-- are indefensibly wrong. In this respect other Jewish philosophers--e.g. Saadiah and Balhya--were far less positive ; they were conscious of their own fallibility, and invited the reader to make such corrections as might appear needful. Owing to this strong self-reliance of Maimonides, it is not to be expected that opponents would receive a fair and impartial judgment at his hands.
4 (pag. 9--11). The same self-reliance is noticeable in the next and concluding paragraph of the Introduction. Here he treats of the contradictions which are to be found in literary works, and he divides them with regard to their origin into seven classes. The first four classes comprise the apparent contradictions, which can be traced back to the employment of elliptical speech the other three classes comprise the real contradictions, and are due to carelessness and oversight, or they are intended to serve some special purpose. The Scriptures, the Talmud, and the Midrash abound in instances of apparent contradictions ; later works contain real contradictions, which escaped the notice of the writers. In the present treatise, however, there occur only such contradictions as are the result of intention and design.
PART I.
The homonymous expressions which are discussed in the First Part include-- (1) nouns and verbs used in reference to God, ch. i. to ch. xlix. ; (2) attributes of the Deity, ch. 1. to lx. ; (3) expressions commonly regarded as names of God, ch. lxi. to lxx. In the first section the following groups can be distinguished-- (a) expressions which denote form and figure, cii. i. to ch. vi. ; (b) space or relations of space, ch. viii. to ch. xxv. ; (c) parts of the animal body and their functions, ch. xxviii. to ch. xlix. Each of these groups includes chapters not connected with the main subject, but which serve as a help for the better understanding of previous or succeeding interpretations. Every word selected for discussion bears upon some Scriptural text which, according to the opinion of the author, has been misinterpreted. But such phrases as "the mouth of the Lord," and "the hand of the Lord," are not introduced, because their figurative meaning is too obvious to be misunderstood.
The lengthy digressions which are here and there interposed appear like outbursts of feeling and passion which the author could not repress. Yet they are "words fitly spoken in the right place" , for they gradually unfold the author's theory, and acquaint the reader with those general principles on which he founds the interpretations in the succeeding chapters. Moral reflections are of frequent occurrence, and demonstrate the intimate connexion between a virtuous life and the attainment of higher knowledge, in accordance with the maxim current long before Maimonides, and expressed in the Biblical words, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps. cxi. 10). No opportunity is lost to inculcate this lesson, he it in a passing remark or in an elaborate essay.
The discussion of the term "zelem" (cii. i.) afforded the first occasion for reflections of this kind. Man, "the image of God," is defined as a living and rational being, as though the moral faculties of man were not an essential element of his existence, and his power to discern between good and evil were the result of the first sin. According to Maimonides, the moral faculty would, us fact, not have been required, if man had remained a purely rational being. It is only through the senses that "the knowledge of good and evil" has become indispensable. The narrative of Adam's fall is, according to Maimonidcs, an allegory representing the relation which exists between sensation, moral faculty, and intellect. In this early part (ch. ii.), however, the author does not yet mention this theory ; on the contrary, every allusion to it is for the present studiously avoided, its full exposition being reserved for the Second Part.
The treatment of hazah "he beheld " (ch. vi), is followed by the advice that the student should not approach metaphysics otherwise than after a sound and thorough preparation, because a rash attempt to solve abstruse problems brings nothing but injury upon the inexperienced investigator. The author points to the "nobles of the children of Israel" (Exod. xxiv. s i), who, according to his interpretation, fell into this error, and received their deserved punishment. He gives additional force to these exhortations by citing a dictum of Aristotle to the same effect. In a like way he refers to the allegorical use of certain terms by Plato (ch. xvii.) in support of his interpretation of "zur" (lit., "rock") as denoting "Primal Cause."
The theory that nothing but a sound moral and intellectual training would entitle a student to engage in metaphysical speculations is again discussed in the digression which precedes the third group of homonyms (xxxi.--xxxvi.). Man's intellectual faculties, he argues, have this in common with his physical forces, that their sphere of action is limited, and they become inefficient whenever they are overstrained. This happens when a student approaches metaphysics without due preparation. Maimonides goes on to argue that the non-success of metaphysical studies is attributable to the following causes : the transcendental character of this discipline, the imperfect state of the student's knowledge, the persistent efforts which have to be made even in the preliminary studies, and finally the waste of energy and time owing to the physical demands of man. For these reasons the majority of persons are debarred from pursuing the study of metaphysics. Nevertheless, there are certain metaphysical truths which have to be communicated to all men, e.g., that God is One, and that He is incorporeal ; for to assume that God is corporeal, or that He has any properties, or to ascribe to Him any attributes, is a sin bordering on idolatry.
Another digression occurs as an appendix to the second group of homonyms (ch. xxvi.--xxvii.). Maimonides found that only a limited number of terms are applied to God in a figurative sense; and again, that in the "Targum" of Onkelos some of the figures are paraphrased, while other figures received a literal rendering. He therefore seeks to discover the principle which was applied both in the Sacred Text and in the translation, and he found it in the Talmudical dictum, "The Law speaketh the language of man." For this reason all figures are eschewed which, in their literal sense, would appear to the multitude as implying debasement or a blemish. Onkelos, who rigorously guards himself against using any term that might suggest corporification, gives a literal rendering of figurative terms when there is no cause for entertaining such an apprehension. Maimonides illustsatcs this rule by the mode in which Onkelos renders "yarad" (" he went down,"), when used in reference to God. It is generally paraphrased, but in one exceptional instance, occurring in Jacob's "visions of the night" (Gen. xlvi. i), it is translated literally ; in this instance the literal rendering does not lead to corporification ; because visions and dreams were generally regarded as mental operations, devoid of objective reality. Simple and clear as this explanation may be, we do not consider that it really explains the method of Onkelos. On the contrary, the translator paraphrased anthropomorphic terms, even when he found them in passages relating to dreams or visions; and indeed it is doubtful whether Maimonides could produce a single instance, in favour of his view. He was equally unsuccessful in his explanation of "hazah" "he saw" (ch. xlviii.). He says that when the object of the vision was derogatory, it was not brought into direct relation with the Deity; in such instances the verb is paraphrased, while in other instances the rendering is literal. Although Maimonides grants that the force of this observation is weakened by three exceptions, he does not doubt its correctness.
The next Section (ch. I. to ch. lix.) "On the Divine Attributes" begins with the explanation that "faith" consists in thought, not in mere utterance ; in conviction, not in mere profession. This explanation forms the basis for the subsequent discussion. The several arguments advanced by Maimonides against the employment of attributes are intended to show that those who assume the real existence of Divine attributes may possibly utter with their lips the creed of the Unity and the Incorporeality of God, but they cannot truly believe it. A demonstration of this fact would be needless, if the Attributists had not put forth their false theses and defended them with the utmost tenacity, though with the most absurd arguments.
After this explanation the author proceeds to discuss the impropriety of assigning attributes to God. The Attributists admit that God is the Primal Cause, One, incorporeal, free from emotion and privation, and that He is not comparable to any of His creatures, Maimonides therefore contends that any attributes which, either directly or indirectly, are in contradiction to this creed, should not be applied to God. By this rule he rejects four classes of attributes viz., those which include a definition, a partial definition, a quality, or a relation. The definition of a thing includes its efficient Cause ; and since God is the Primal Cause, He cannot be defined, or described by a partial definition. A quality, whether psychical, physical, emotional, or quantitative, is always regarded as something distinct from its substratum ; a thing which possesses any quality, consists, therefore, of that quality and a substratum, and should not be called one. All relations of time and space imply corporeality ; all relations between two objects are, to a certain degree, a comparison between these two objects. To employ any of these attributes in referencc to God would be as much as to declare that God is not the Primal Cause, that He is not One, that He is corporeal, or that He is comparable to His creatures.
There is only one class of attributes to which Maimonidcs makes no objection, viz, such as describe actions, and to this class belong all the Divine attributes which occur in the Scriptures. The "Thirteen Attributes" (shelosh esreh middot, Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7) serve as an illustration. They were communicated to Moses when he, as the chief of the Israelites, wished to know the way in which God governs the universe, in order that he himself in ruling the nation might follow it, and thereby promote their real well-being. On the whole, the opponents of Maimonides admit the correctness of this theory. Only a small number of attributes are the subject of dispute. The Scriptures unquestionably ascribe to God Existence, Life, Power, Wisdom, Unity, Eternity, and Will. The Attributists regard these as properties distinct from, but co-existing with, the Essence of God. With great acumen, and with equally great acerbity, Maimonides shows that their theory is irreconcilable with their belief in the Unity and the Ineorpureahity of God. He points out three different ways of interpreting these attributes :--1. They may be regarded as descriptive of the works of God, and as declaring that these possess such properties as, in works of man, would appear to be the result of the will, the power, and the wisdom of a living being. 2. The term "existing," "one," "wise," etc., are applied to God and to His creatures homonymously ; as attributes of God they coincide with His Essence ; as attributes of anything beside God they are distinct from the essence of the thing. 3. These terms do not describe a positive quality, but express a negation of its opposite. This third interpretation appears to have been preferred by the author ; he discusses it more fully than the two others. He observes that the knowledge of the incomprehensible Being is solely of a negative character, and he shows by simple and appropriate examples that an approximate knowledge of a thing can be attained by mere negations, that such knowledge increases with the number of these negations, and that an error in positive assertions is more injurious than an error in negative assertions. In describing the evils which arise from the application of positive attributes to God, he unsparingly censures the hymnologists, because he found them profuse in attributing positive epithets to the Deity. On the basis of his own theory he could easily have interpreted these epithets in the same way as he explains the Scriptural attributes of God. His severity may, however, be accounted for by the fact that the frequent recurrence of positive attributes in the literary composition of the Jews was the cause that the Muhammedans charged the Jews with entertaining false notions of the Deity.
The inquiry into the attributes is followed by a treatment of the names of God. It seems to have been beyond the design of the author to elucidate the etymology of each name, or to establish methodically its signification ; for he does not support his explanations by any proof. His sole aim is to show that the Scriptural names of God in their true meaning strictly harmonize with the philosophical conception of the Primal Cause. There are two things which have so be distinguished in the treatment of the Primal Cause the Primal Cause per se, and its relation to the Universe. The first is expressed by the tetragrammaton and its cognates, the second by the several attributes, especially by rokeb ba'arabot, "He who rideth on the 'arabot" (Ps. lxviii. 4)
The tetragrammaton exclusively expresses the essence of God, and therefore it is employed as a nomen preprium. In the mystery of this name, and others mentioned in she Talmud, as consisting of twelve and of forty-two letters, Maimonides finds no other secret than the solution of some metaphysical problems. The subject of these problems is not actually known, but the author supposes that it referred to the "absolute existence of the Deity." He discovers the same idea in ehyeh (Exod. iii. 14), in accordance with the explanation added in the Sacred Text : asher ehyeh, "that is, I am." In the course of this discussion he exposes the folly or sinfulness of those who pretend to work miracles by the aid of these and similar names.
With a view of preparing the way for his peculiar interpretation of rokeb ba'arabot, he explains a variety of Scriptural passages, and treats of several philosophical terms relative to the Supreme Being. Such expressions as "the word of God," "the work of God," "the work of His fingers," "He made," "He spake," must be taken in a figurative sense ; they merely represent God as the cause that some work has been produced, and that some person has acquired a certain knowledge. The passage, "And He rested on the seventh day" (Exod. xx. ii) is interpreted as follows : On the seventh Day the forces and laws were complete, which during the previous six days were in the state of being established for the preservation of the Universe. They were not to be increased or modified.
It seems that Maimonides introduced this figurative explanation with a view of showing that the Scriptural "God" does not differ from the "Primal Cause" or "Ever-active Intellect" of the philosophers. On the other hand, the latter do not reject the Unity of God, although they assume that the Primal Cause comprises the causa efficiens, the agens, and the causafinalis (or, the cause, the means, and the end) ; and that the Ever-active Intellect comprises the intelligens, the intellectus, and the intellectum (or, the thinking subject, the act or thought, and the object thought of) ; because in this case these apparently different elements are, in fact, identical. The Biblical term corresponding to "Primal Cause " is rokeb ba'arabot, "riding on 'arabot." Maimonides is at pains to prove that 'arabot denotes "the highest sphere," which causes the motion of all other spheres, and which thus brings about the natural course of production and destruction. By "the highest sphere " he does not understand a material sphere, but the immaterial world of intelligences and angels, "the seat of justice and judgment, stores of life, peace, and blessings, the seat of the souls of the righteous," etc. Rokeb ba'arabot, therefore, means He presides over the immaterial beings, He is the source of their powers, by which they move the spheres and regulate the course of nature. This theory is more fully developed in the Second Part.
The next section (chap. lxxi.--lxxvi.) treats of the Kalam. According to the author, the method of the Kalam is copied from the Christian Fathers, who applied it in the defence of their religious doctrines. The latter examined in their writings the views of the philosophers, ostensibly in search of truth, in reality, however, with the object of supporting their own dogmas. Subsequently Mohammedan theologians found in these works arguments which seemed to confirm the truth of their own religion ; they blindly adopted these arguments, and made no inquiry whence these had been derived. Maimonides rejects a priori the theories of the Mutakallemim, because they explain the phenomena in the universe in conformity with preconceived notions, instead of following the scientific method of the philosophers. Among the Jews, especially in the East and in Africa, there were also some who adopted the method of the Kalam ; in doing so they followed the Mu'tazilah (dissenting Mohammedans), not because they found it more correct than the Kalam of the Ashariyah (orthodox Mohammedans), hut because at the time when the Jews became acquainted with the Kalam it was only cultivated by the Mu'taziiah. The Jews in Spain, however, remained faithful to the Aristotelian philosophy.
The four principal dogmas upheld by the dominant religions were the creatio ex nihilo, the Existence of God, His Incorporeality, and His Unity. By the philosophers the creatio ex nibilo was rejected, but the Mutakallemim defended it, and founded upon it their proofs for the other three dogmas. Maimonides adopts the philosophical proofs for the Existence, Incorporeality, and Unity of God, because they must be admitted even by those who deny the creatio ex nihilo, the proofs being independent of this dogma. In order to show that the Mutakallemim are mistaken in ignoring the organization of the existing order of things, the author gives a minute description of the analogy between the Universe, or Kosmos, and man, the mikrokosmos (ch. lxxii.). This analogy is merely asserted, and the reader is advised either to find the proof by his own studies, or to accept the fact on the authority of the learned. The Kalam does not admit the existence of law, organization, and unity in the universe. Its adherents have, accordingly, no trustworthy criterion to determine whether a thing is possible or impossible. Everything that is conceivable by imagination is by them held as possible. The several parts of the universe are in no relation to each other ; they all consist of equal elements ; they are not composed of substance and properties, but of atoms and accidents the law of causality is ignored ; man's actions are not the result of will and design, but are mere accidents. Maimonides in enumerating and discussing the twelve fundamental propositions of the Kalam (ch. lxiii,), which embody these theories, had apparently no intention to give a complete and impartial account of the Kalam ; he solely aimed at exposing the weakness of a system which he regarded as founded not on a sound basis of positive facts, but on mere fiction ; not on the evidences of the senses and of reason, but on the illusions of imagination.
After having shown that the twelve fundamental propositions of the Kalam are utterly untenable, Maimonides finds no difficulty in demonstrating the insufficiency of the proofs advanced by the Mutakallemim in support of the above-named dogmas. Seven arguments are cited which the Mutakallemim employ in support of the creatio ex nihilo.3 The first argument is based on the atomic theory, viz., that the universe consists of equal atoms without inherent properties all variety and elsange observed in nature must therefore be attributed to an external force. Three arguments are supplied by the proposition that finite things of an infinite number cannot exist (Propos. xi.). Three other arguments derive their support from the following proposition (x.) Everything that can be imagined can have an actual existence. The present order of things is only one out of the many forms wlsich are possible, and exist through the fiat of a determining power.
The Unity of God is demonstrated by the Mutakallemim as follows : Two Gods would have been unable to produce the world; one would have impeded the work of the other. Maimonides points out that this might have been avoided by a suitable division of labour. Another argument is as follows The two Beings would have one element in common, and would differ in another each would thus Consist of two elements, and would not be God. Maimonides might have suggested that the argument moves in a circle, the unity of God being proved by assuming His unity. The following argument is altogether unintelligible : Both Gods are moved to action by will ; the will, being without a substratum, could not act simultaneously in two separate beings. The fallacy of the following argument is clear : The existence of one God is proved ; the existence of a second God is not proved, it would be possible; and as possibility is inapplicable to God, there does not exist a second God. The possibility of ascertaining the existence of God is here confounded with potentiality of existence. Again, if one God suffices, the second God is superfluous ; if one God is not sufficient, he is not perfect, and cannot be a deity. Maimonides objects that it would not he an imperfection in either deity to act exclusively within their respective provinces. As in the criticism of the first argument, Maimonides seems here to forget that the existence of separate provinces would require a superior determining Power, and the two Beings would not properly be called Gods.
1 Saaiah proves the existence of the Creator in the following way :--1. The Universe is limited, and therefore cannot possess an unlimited force, 2. All things are compounds the composition must he owing to some external cause, 3. Changes observed in all beings are effected by some external cause, 4. If time were infinite, it would be impossible to conceive the progress of time from the present moment so the future, or from the past to the present moment. (Emunot vede'ot, ch. i.).--Bahys founds his arguments on three propositions: --1. A thing cannot be its own maker, 2. The series of successive causes is finite. 3. Compounds owe their existence to an external force. His arguments are :--1. The Universe, even the elements, are compounds consisting of substance and form. 2. In the Universe plan and unity is discernible. ( Hobot halehsbot, ch. i.)
The weakest of all arguments are, according to Maimonides, those by which the Mutakallemim sought to support the doctrine of God's Incorporeality. If God were corporeal, He would consist of atoms, and would not be one; or He would be comparable to other beings but a comparison implies the existence of similar and of dissisnilar elesoents, and God would thus not be one. A corporeal God would be finite, and an external power would be required to define those limits.
PART II.
The Second Part includes the following sections:--1. Introduction; 2. Philosophical Proof of the Existence of One Incorporeal Primal Cause (ch. i.) ; 3. On the Spheres and she Intelligences (ii.--xii.) ; 4. On the theory of the Eternity of the Universe (xiii.--xxix.) ; 5. Exposition of Gen. i.--iv. (xxx., xxxi.) ; 6. On Prophecy (xxxii.--xlviii.).
The enumeration of twenty-six propositions, by the aid of which the philosophers prove the Existence, the Unity, and the Incorporeality of the Primal Cause, forms the introduction so the Second Part of this work. The propositions treat of the properties of the finite and the infinite (i--iii., x.--xii., xvi.), of change and motion (iv.-ix., xiii.-xviii.), and of the possible and she absolute or necessary (xx.-xxv.) ; they are simply enumerated, but are not demonstrated. Whasever the value of these Propositions may be, they were inadequate for their purpose, and the author is compelled to introduce auxiliary propositions to prove the existence of an infinite, incorporeal, and uncompounded Primal Cause. (Arguments I. and III.)
The first and she fourth arguments may be termed cosmological proofs. They are based on the hypothesis that the series of causes for every change is finite, and terminates in the Primal Cause. There is no essential difference in the two arguments in the first are discussed the causes of the motion of a moving object ; the fourth treats of the causes which bring about the transition of a thing from potentiality to reality. To prove that neither the spheres nor a force residing in them constitute the Primal Cause, the philosophers employed two propositions, of which the one asserts that the revolutions of the spheres are infinite, and the other denies the possibility that an infinite force should reside in a finite object. The distinction between she finite in space and the finite in time appears to have been ignored ; for it is not shown why a force infinite in time could not reside in a body finite in space. Moreover, those who, like Maimonides, reject the eternity of the universe, necessarily reject this proof, while those who hold that the universe is eternal do not admit that the spheres have ever been only potential, and passed from potentiality to actuality. The second argument is supported by the following supplementary proposition If two elements coexist in a state of combination, and one of these elements is to be found as the same time separate, in a free state, is it certain that the second element is likewise to be found by itself. Now, since things exist which combine in themselves motive power and mass moved by that power, and since mass is found by itself, motive power must also be found by itself independens of mass.
The third argument has a logical character: The universe is either eternal or temporal, or partly eternal and partly temporal. It cannot be eternal in all its parts, as many parts undergo destruction ; it is isot altogether temporal, because, if so, the universe could not be reproduced after being destroyed. The continned existence of the universe leads, therefore, to the conclusion that there is an immortal force, the Primal Cause, besides the transient world.
These arguments have this in common, that while proving the existence of a Primal Cause, they at the same time demonstrate the Unity, the Incorporeality, and time Eternity of that Cause. Special proofs are nevertheless superadded for each of these postulates, and on the whole they differ very little from those advanced by the Mohamnmedan Theologians.
This philosophical theory of the Primal Cause was adapted by Jewish scholars to the Biblical theory of the Creator. The universe is a living, organized being, of which the earth is the centre. Any changes on this earth are due to the revolutions of the spheres ; the lowest or innermost sphere, viz., the one nearest tn the centre, is the sphere of the moon ; the outermost or uppermost is "the all-encompassing sphere." Numerous spheres are interposed but Maimonides divides all the spheres into four groups, corresponding to the moon, the sun, the planets, and the fixed stars. This division is claimed by the author as his own discovery ; he believes that it stands in relation to the four causes of their motions, the four elements of the sublunary world, and the four classes of beings, viz., the mineral, the vegetable, the animal, and the rational. The spheres have souls, and are endowed with intellect ; their souls enable them to move freely, and the impulse to the motion is given by the intellect in conceiving the idea of the Absolute Intellect. Each sphere has an intellect peculiar to itself; the intellect attached to the sphere of the moon is called "the active intellect" (Sekel ha-po'el). In support of this theory numerous passages are cited both from Holy Writ and from post-Biblical Jewish literature. The angels (elohim, malakim) mentioned in the Bible are assumed to be identical with the intellects of the spheres ; they are free agents, and their volition invariably tends to that which is good and noble they emanate from the Primal Cause, and form a descending series of beings, ending with the active intellect. The transmission of power from one element to the other is called "emanation" (shefa'). This transmission is performed without the utterance of a sound ; if any voice is supposed to be heard, it is oniy an illusion, originating in the human imagination, which is the source of all evils (ch. xii.).
In accordance with this doctrine, Maimonides explains that the three men who appeared to Abraham, the angels whom Jacob saw ascend and descend the ladder, and all other angels seen by man, are nothing but the intellects of the spheres, four in number, which emanate from the Primal Cause (ch.. x). In his description of the spheres he, as usual, follows Aristotle. The spheres do not contain any of the four elements of the sublunary world, but consist of a quintessence, an entirely different element. Whilst things on this earth are transient, the beings which inhabit the spheres above are eternal. According to Aristotle, these spheres, as well as their intellects, coexist with the Primal Cause. Maimonides, faithful to the teaching of the Scriptures, here departs from his master, and holds that the spheres and the intellects had a beginning, and were brought into existence by the will of the Creator. He does not attempt to give a positive proof of his doctrine all he contends is that the theory of the creatio ex nihilo is, froiri a philosoplsieah point of view, not inferior to the doctrine which asserts the eternity of the universe, and that he can refute all objections advanced against his theory (ch. xiii.-- xxviii.).
He next enumerates and criticises the various theories respecting the origin of the Universe, viz. : A. God created the Universe out of nothing. B. God formed the Universe from an eternal substance. C. The Universe originating in the eternal Primal Cause is co-eternal.----It is not held necessary by the author to discuss the view of those who do not assume a Primal Cause, since the existence of such a cause has already been proved (ch. xiii.).
The objections raised to a creastis ex nihilo by its opponents are founded partly on the properties of Nature, and partly on those of the Primal Cause, They infer from the properties of Nature the following arguments : (1) The first moving force is eternal ; for if it had a beginning, another motion must have produced it, and then it would not be the First moving force. (2) If the formless matter be not eternal, it must have been produced out of another substance ; it would then have a certain form by which it might be distinguished from the primary substance, and then it would not formless. (3) The circular motion of the spheres does not involve the necessity of termination ; and anything that is without an end, must be without a beginning. (4) Anything brought to existence existed previously in potentia; something must therefore have pre-existed of which potential existence could be predicated. Some support for the theory of the eternity of the heavens has been derived from the general belief in the eternity of the heavens.-- The properties of the Primal Cause furnished the following arguments :--If it were assumed that the Universe was created from nothing, it would imply that the First Cause had changed from the condition of a potential Creator to that of an actual Creator, or that His will had undergone a change, or that He must be imperfect, because He produced a perishable work, or that He had been inactive during a certain period. All these contingencies would be contrary so a true conception of the First Cause (ch.xiv.).
Maimonides is of opinion that the arguments based on the properties of things in Nature are inadmissible, because the laws by which the Universe is regulated need not have been in force before the Universe was in existence. This refutation is styled by our author "a strong wall built round the Law, able to resist all attacks" (ch. xvii.). In a similar manner the author proceeds against the objections founded on the properties of the First Cause. Purely intellectual beings, he says, are not subject to the same laws as material bodies ; that which necessitates a change in the latter or in the will of man need not produce a change in immaterial beings. As so the belief that the heavens are inhabited by angels and deities, it has not its origin in the real existence of these supernatural beings; it was suggested to man by meditation on the apparent grandeur of heavenly phenomena (ch. xviii.).
Maimonides next proceeds to explain how, independently of the authority or Scripture, he has been led to adopt the belief in the creatio ex nihilo. Admitting that the great variety of the things in the sublunary world can be traced to those immusable laws which regulate the influence of the spheres on the beings below -- the variety in the spheres can only be explained as the result of God's free will. According to Aristotle -- the principal authority for the eternity of the Universe -- it is impossible that a simple being should, according to the laws of nature, be the cause of various and compound beings. Another reason for the rejection of the Eternity of the Universe may be found in the fact that the astronomer Ptolemy has proved the incorrectness of the view which Aristotle had of celestial spheres, although the system of that astronomer is likewise far from being perfect and final (ch, xxiv.). It is impossible to obtain a correct notion of the properties of the heavenly spheres; "the heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's, but the earth hath He given to the children of man" (Ps. cxv. 16). The author, observing that the arguments against the creatio ex nihilo are untenable, adheres to his theory, which was taught by such prophets as Abraham and Moses. Although each Scriptural quotation could, by a figurative interpretation, be made to agree with the opposite theory, Maimonides declines to ignore the literal sense of a term, unless it be in opposition so well-established truths, as is the case with anthropomorphic expressions ; for the latter, if taken literally, would be contrary to the demonstrated truth of God's incorporeality (ch. xxv.). He is therefore surprised that the author of Pirke-di Rabbi Eliezer ventured to assume the eternity of matter, and he thinks it possible that Rabbi Eliezer carried the license of figurative speech too far. (Ch. xxvi.).
The theory of the creatio ex nihilo does not involve the belief that the Universe will at a future time be destroyed ; the Bible distinctly teaches the creation, but not the destruction of the world except in passages which are undoubtedly conceived in a metaphorical sense. On the contrary, respecting certain parts of the Universe it is clearly stated "He established them for ever." (Ps.cxlviii. 5.) The destruction of the Universe would be, as the creation has been, a direct act of the Divine will, and not the result of those immutable laws which govern the Universe. The Divine will would in that case set aside those laws, both in the initial and the final stages of the Universe. Within this interval, however, the laws remain undisturbed (ch. xxvii.). Apparent exceptions, the miracles, originate in these laws, although man is unable to perceive the causal relation. The Biblical account of the creation concludes with the statement that God rested on the seventh day, that is to say, He declared that the work was complete ; no new act of creation was to take place, and no new law was to be introduced. It is true that the second and the third chapters of Genesis appear to describe a new creation, that of Eve, and a new law, viz., that of man's mortality, but these chapters are explained as containing an allegorical representation of man's psychical and intellectual faculties, or a supplemental detail of the Contents of the first chapter. Maimonides seems to prefer the allegorical explanation which, as it seems, he had in view without expressly stating it, in his treatment of Adams sin and punishment. (Part I. ch. ii.) It is certainly inconsistent on the one hand to admit that at the pleasure of the Almighty the laws of nature may become inoperative, and that the whole Universe may become annihilated, and on the other hand to deny, that during the existence of the Universe, any of the natural laws ever have been or ever will be suspended. It seems that Maimonides could not conceive the idea that the work of the All-wise should be, as the Mutakallemim taught--without plan and system, or that the laws Once laid down should not be sufficient for all emergencies.
The account of the Creation given in the book of Genesis is explained by the author according to the following two rules : First its language is allegorical; and, Secondly, the terms employed are homomsyms. The words erez, mayim, ruah, and hoshek in the second verse (ch. i.), are homonyms and denote the four elements : earth, water, air, and fire; in other instances erez is the terrestrial globe, mayim is water or vopour, noah denotes wind, and botbek darkness: According to Maimonides, a summary of the first chapter may be given thus; God created the Universe by producing first the reshit the "beginning" Gen. i. s), or hathalah, i.e., the intellects which give to the spheres both existence and motion, and thus become the source of the existence of the entire Universe. At first this Universe consisted of a chaos of elements, but its form was successively developed by the influence of the spheres, and more directly by the action of light and darkness, the properties of which were fixed on the first day of the Creation. In the subsequent five days minerals, plants, animals, and the intellectual beings came into existence. The seventh day, on which the Universe was for the first time ruled by the same natural laws which still continue in operation, was distinguished as a day blessed arid sanctified by the Creator, who designed it to proclaim the creatio ex nihilo (Exod. xx. xi). The Israelites were moreover commanded to keep this Sabbath in commemoration of their departure from Egypt (Deut. v. ii), because during the period of the Egyptian bondage, they had not been permitted to rest on that day. In the history of the first sin of man, Adam, Eve, and the serpent represent the intellect, the body, and the imagination. In order to complete the imagery, Samael or Satan, mentioned in the Midrash in connexion with this account, is added as representing man's appetitive faculties. Imagination, the source of error, is directly aided by the appetitive faculty, and the two are intimately connected with the body, so which man generally gives paramount attention, and for the sake of which he indulges in sins; in the end, however, they subdue the intellect and weaken its power. Instead of obtaining pure and real knowledge, man forms false conceptions; in consequence, the body is subject to suffering, whilst the imagination, instead of being guided by the intellect and atsaining a higher development becomes debased and depraved. In the three sons of Adam, Kain, Abel, and Seth, Maimonides finds an allusion to the three elements in man : the vegetable, the animal, and the intellectual. First, the animal element (Abel) becomes extinct ; then the vegetable elements (Kaiss) are dissolved ; only the third element, the intellect (Seth), survives, and forms the basis of mankind (ch. xxx., xxxi.).
Maimonides having so far stated his opinion in explicit terms, it is difficult to understand what he had in view by the avowal that he could not disclose everything. It is unquestionably no easy matter to adapt each verse in the first chapters of Genesis to the foregoing allegory; but such an adaptation is, according to the author's own view (Part I., Introd., p. 19), not only unnecessary, but actually objectionable.
In the next section (xxxii.-xlviii.) Maimonides treats of Prophecy. He mentions the following three opinions :--1. Any person, irrespective of his physical or moral qualifications, may be summoned by the Almighty to the mission of a prophet. 2. Prophecy is the highest degree of mental development, and can only be attained by training and study. 3. The gift of prophecy depends on physical, moral, and mental training, combined with inspiration. The author adopts the lass-mentioned opinion. He defines prophecy as an emanation (shefa), which through the will of the Almighty descends from the Active Intellect so the intellect and the imagination of thoroughly qualified persons. The prophet is thus distinguished both from wise men whose intellect alone received the necessary impulse from the Active Intellect, and from diviners or dreamers, whose imagination alone has been influenced by the Active Intellect. Although it is assumed that the attainment of this prophetic faculty depends on God's will, this dependence is nothing else but the relation which all things bear to the Primal Cause ; for the Active Intellect acts in conformity with the laws established by the will of God ; it gives an impulse to the intellect of man, and, bringing to light those mental powers which lay dormant, it merely turns potential faculty into real action. These faculties can be perfected to such a degree as to enable man to apprehend the highest truths intuitively, without passing through all the stages of research required by ordinary persons. The same fact is noticed wish respect to imagination ; man sometimes forms faithful images of objects and events which cannot be traced to the ordinary channel of information, viz., impressions made on the senses. Since prophecy is the result of a natural process, it may appear surprising that, of the numerous men excelling in wisdom, so few became prophets. Maimonides accounts for this fact by assuming that the moral faculties of such men had not been duly trained. None of them had, in the author's opinion, gone through the moral discipline indispensable for the vocation of a prophet. Besides this, everything which obstructs mental improvement, misdirects the imagination or impairs the physical strength, and precludes man from attaining to the rank of prophet. Hence no prophecy was vouchsafed to Jacob during the period of his anxieties on account of his separation from Joseph. Nor did Moses receive a Divine message during the years which the Israelites, under Divine punishment, spent in the desert. On the other hand, music and song awakened the prophetic power (comp. a Kings iii. si), and "The spirit of prophecy alights only on him who is wise, strong, and rich" (Babyl. Talm. Shabbat, 922). Although the preparation for a prophetic mission, the pursuit of earnest and persevering study, as also the execution of the Divine dictates, required physical strength, yet in the moment when the prophecy was received the functions of the bodily organs were suspended. The intellect then acquired true knowledge, which presented itself to the prophet's imagination in forms peculiar to that faculty. Pure ideals are almost incomprehensible; man must translate them into language which he is accustomed to use, and he must adapt them to his own mode of thinking. In receiving prophecies and communicating them to others the exercise of the prophet's imagination was therefore as essential as that of his intellect, and Maimonides seems to apply to this imagination the term "angel," which is so frequently mentioned in the Bible as the medium of communication between the Supreme Being and the prophet.
Only Moses held his bodily functions under such control that even without their temporary suspension he was able to receive prophetic inspiration the interposition of the imagination was in his case not needed "God spoke to him mouth to mouth" (Num. xii. I). Moses differed so completely from other prophets that the term "prophet" could only have been applied to him and other men by way of homonymy.
The impulses descending from the Active intellect so man's intellect and to his imagination produce various effects, according to his physical, moral, and intellectual condition. Some men are thus endowed with extraordinary courage and with an ambition to perform great deeds, or they feel themselves impelled to appeal mightily to their fellowmen by means of exalted and pure language. Such men are filled with "the spirit of the Lord," or, "with the spirit of holiness." To this distinguished class belonged Jephthah, Samson, David, Solomon, and the authors of the Hagiographa. Though above the standard of ordinary men, they were not included in the rank of prophets. Maimonides divides the prophets into two groups, viz., those who receive inspiration in a dream and those who receive it in a vision. The first group includes the following five classes :--1. Those who see symbolic figures ; 2. Those who hear a voice addressing them without perceiving the speaker ; 3. Those who see a man and hear him addressing them ; 4. Those who see an angel addressing them ; 5. Those who see God and hear His voice. The other group is divided in a similar manner, but contains only the first four classes, for Maimonides considered it impossible that a prophet should see God in a vision. This classification is based on the various expressions employed in the Scriptures to describe the several prophecies.
When the Israelites received the Law at Mount Sinai, they distinctly heard the first two commandments, which include the doctrines of the Existence and the Unity of God ; of the other eight commandments, which enunciate moral, not metaphysical truths, they heard the mere "sound of words" ; and it was through the mouth of Moses that the Divine instruction was revealed to them. Maimonides defends this opinion by quotations from the Talmud and the Midrashim.
The theory that imagination was an essential element in prophecy is supported by the fact that figurative speech predominates in the prophetical writings, which abound in figures, hyperbolical expressions and allegories. The symbolical acts which are described in connexion with the visions of the prophets, such as the translation of Ezekiel from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ez. viii. 3), Isaiah's walking about naked and barefoot (Isa. xx. a), Jacob's wrestling with the angel (Gen. xxxii. 17 sqq.), and the speaking of Balaam's ass (Num. xxii.28), had no positive reality. The prophets, employing an elliptical style, frequently omitted to state that a Certain event related by them was part of a vision or a dream. In consequence of such elliptical speech events are described in the Bible as coming directly from God, although they simply are the effect of the ordinary laws of nature, and as such depend on the will of God. Such passages cannot be misunderstood when it is borne in mind that every event and every natural phenomenon can for its origin be traced to the Primal Cause. In this sense the prophets employ such phrases as the following "And I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it" (Isa. v. 6); "I have also called my mighty men" (ibid. xi. 3).
PART III.
This part contains the following six sections :--1. Exposition of the ma'aseh mercabah (Ez. i.), ch. i. vii. ; 2. On the nature and the origin of evil, ch. viii. xii. 3. On the object of the creation, ch. xiii.,-xv. ; 4. On Providence and Omniscience, ch. xvi.-xxv. ; 5. On the object of the Divine precepts (ta'ame ha-mizvot) and the historical portions of the Bible, ch. xxv.-xl. ; 6. A guide to the proper worship of God.
With great caution Maimonides approaches the explanation of the ma'aseh mercabah, the chariot which Ezekiel beheld in a vision (Ez. i.). The mysteries included in the description of the Divine chariot had been orally trasmitted from generation to generation, but in consequence of the dispersion of the Jews the chain of tradition was broken, and the knowledge of these mysteries had vanished. Whatever he knew of those mysteries he owed exclusively to his own intellectual faculties; he therefore could not reconcile himself to the idea that his knowledge should die with him. He committed his exposition of the ma'aseh mercabah and the ma'aseh bereshit to writing, bus did not divest it of its original mysterious character ; so that the explanation was fully intelligible to the initiated--that is to say, to the philosopher --but to the ordinary reader it was a mere paraphrase of the Biblical text.-- (Introduction.)
The first seven chapters are devoted to the exposition of the Divine chariot. According to Maimonides three distinct parts are to be noticed, each of which begins with the phrase, "And I saw." These parts correspond to the three parts of the Universe, the sublunary world, the spheres and the intelligences. First of all the prophet is made to behold the material world which consists of the earth and the spheres, and of these the spheres, as the more important, are noticed first. In the Second Part, in which the nature of the spheres is discussed, the author dwells with pride on his discovery that they can be divided into four groups. This discovery he now employs to show that the four "hayyot" (animals) represent the four divisions of the spheres. He points out that the terms which the prophet uses in the description of the hayyot are identical with terms applied to the properties of the spheres. For the four hayyot or "angels," or cherubim, (1) have human form ; (2) have human faces ; (3)possess characteristics of other animals ; (4) have human hands ; (5) their feet are straight and round (cylindrical) ; (6) their bodies are closely joined so each other ; (7) only their faces and their wings are separate ; (8) their substance is transparent and refulgent; (9) they move uniformly ; (10) each moves in its own direction ; (11) they run ; (12) swift as lightning they return towards their starting point ; and (13) they move in consequence of an extraneous impulse (ruah). In a similar manner the spheres are described :--(1) they possess the characteristics of man, viz., life and intellect ; (2) they consist like man of body and soul ; (3.) they are strong, mighty and swift, like the ox, the lion, and the eagle , (4.) they perform all manner of work as though they had hands ; (5) they are round, and are not divided into parts ; (6) no vacuum intervenes between one sphere and the other ; (7) they may be considered as one being, but in respect to the intellects, which are the causes of their existence and motion, they appear as four different beings ; (8) they are transparent and refulgent; (9) each sphere moves uniformly, (10) and according to its special laws ; (11) they revolve with great velocity ; (12) each point returns again so its previous position ; (13) they are self-moving, yet the impulse emanates from an external power.
In the second part of the vision the prophet saw the ofannim. These represent the four elements of the sublunary world. For the ofannim (1) are connected with the bayyot and with the earth ; (2) they have four faces, and are four separate beings, but interpenetrate each other "as though it were a wheel in the midst of a wheel" (Ez. 1. 16) ; (3) they are covered with eyes ; (4.) they are not self-moving ; (5) they are set in motion by the hayyot; (6) their motion is not circular but rectilinear. The same may almost be said of the four elements (1) they are in close Contact with the spheres, being encompassed by the sphere of the moon ; earth occupies the centre, water surrounds earth, air has its position between water and fire ; (2) this order is not invariably maintained ; the respective portions change and they become intermixed and combined with each other (3) though they are only four elements they form an infinite number of things; (4.) not being animated they do not move of their own accord ; (5) they are set in motion by the action of the spheres ; (6) when a portion is displaced it returmss in a straight line to its original position.
In the third vision Ezekiel saw a human form above thse hayyot. The figure was divided in the middle ; in the upper portion the prophet only noticed that it was hashmal, (mysterious) ; from the loins downwards there was "the vision of the likeness of the Divine Glory," and "the likeness of the throne." The world of Intelligences was represented by the figure ; these can only be perceived in as far as they influence the spheres, but their relation to the Creator is beyond human comprehension. The Creator himself is not represented in this vision.
The key to the whole vision Maimonides finds in the introductory words, "And the heavens were opened," and in the minute description of the place and the time of the revelation. When pondering on the grandeur of the spheres and their influences, which vary according to time and place, man begins to think of the existence of the Creator. At the conclusion of this exposition Maimonides declares that he will, in the subsequent chapters, refrain from giving further explanation of the ma'aseh mercahah. The foregoing summary, however, shows that the opinion of the author on this subject is fully stated, and it is indeed difficult to conceive what additional disclosures he could still have made.
The task which the author has proposed to himself in the Preface he now regarded as accomplished. He has discussed the method of the Kalam, the system of the philosophers, and his own theory concerning the relation between the Primal Cause and the Universe: he has explained the Biblical account of the creation, the nature of prophecy, and the mysteries in Ezekiel's vision. In the remaining portion of the work the author attempts to solve certain theological problems, as though he wished to obviate the following objections, which might be raised to his theory that there is a design throughout the creation, and that the entire Universe is subject to the law of causation :--What is the purpose of the evils which attend human life? For what purpose was the world created? In how far does Providence interfere with the natural course of events? Does God know and foresee man's actions ? To what end was the Divine Law revealed These problems are treated seriatim.
All evils, Maimonides holds, originate in the material element of man's existence. Those who are able to emancipate themselves from the tyranny of the body, and unconditionally so submit to the dictates of reason, are protected from many evils. Man should disregard the cravings of the body, avoid them as topics of conversation, and keep his thoughts far away from them ; convivial and erotic songs debase man's noblest gifts -- thought and speech. Matter is the partition separating man from the pure Intellects ; it is "the thickness of rhe cloud" which true knowledge has so traverse before it reaches man. In reality, evil is the mere negative of good "God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good" (Gen. i. 3 ). Evil does not exist at all. When evils are mentioned in the Scriptures as the work of God, the Scriptural expressions must not be taken in their literal sense, There are three kinds of evils :-- 1. Evils necessitated by those laws of production and destruction by which the species are perpetuated. 2. Evils which men inflict on each other ; they are comparatively few, especially among civilized men. 3. Evils which man brings upon himself, and which comprise the majority of existing evils. The consideration of these three classes of evils leads to the conclusion that "the Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works" (Ps. cxlv. 9).
The question, What is the object of the creation?, must be left unanswered. The creation is the result of the will of God. Also those who believe that the Universe is eternal must admit that they are unable to discover the purpose of the Universe. It would, however, not be illogical to asaume that the spheres have been created for the sake of man, notwithstanding the great dimensions of the former and the smallness of the latter. Still it must be conceded that, even if mankind were the main and central object of creation, there is no absolute interdependence between them ; for it is a matter of course that, under altered conditions, man could exist without the spheres. All teleological theories must therefore be confined within the limits of the Universe as it now exists. They are only admissible in the relation in which the several parts of the Universe stand to each other; but the purpose of the Universe as a whole cannot be accounted for. It is simply an emanation from the will of God.
Regarding the belief in Providence, Maimonides enumerates the following five opinions :--1. There is no Providence; everything is subject to chance 2. Only a part of the Universe is governed by Providence, viz., the spheres, the species, and such individual beings as possess the power of perpetuating their existence (e.g., the start) ; the rest--that is, the sublunary world--is left to mere chance. 3. Everthing is predetermined ; according to this theory, revealed Law is inconceivable. 4. Providence assigns its blessings to all creatures, according to their merits ; accordingly, all beings, even the lowest animals, if innocently injored or killed, receive compensation in a future life. 5. According to the Jewish belief all living beings are endowed with free-will ; God is just, and the destiny of man depends on his merits. Maimonides denies the existence of trials inflicted by Divine love, i.e. afflictions which befall man, not as punishments of sin, but as means to procure for him a reward in times to come. Maimonides also rejects the notion that God ordains special temptation. The Biblical account, according to which God tempts men, "to know what is in their hearts," must not be taken in its literal sense ; it merely states that God made the virtues of certain people known to their fellowmen in order that their good example should be followed. Of all creatures man alone enjoys the especial care of Providence because the acts of Providence are identical with certain influences (shefa') which the Active Intellect brings to bear upon the human intellect; their eflcct upon man varies according to his physical, moral, and intellectual condition ; irrational beings, however, cannot be affected by these influences. If we cannot in each individual case see how these principles are applied, it must be borne in mind that God's wisdom is far above that of man. The author seems to have felt that his theory has its weak points, for he introduces it as follows :--" My theory is not established by demonstrative proof ; it is based on the authority of the Bible, and it is less subject to refutation than any of the theories previously mentioned."
Providence implies Omniscience, and men who deny this, eo ipso, have no belief in Providence. Some are unable to reconcile the fate of man with Divine Justice, and are therefore of opinion that God takes no notice whatever of the events which occur on earth. Others believe that God, being an absolute Unity, cannot possess a knowledge of a multitude of things, or of things that do not yet exist, or the number of which is infinite. These objections, which arc based nn the nature of man's perception, are illogical, for God's knowledge cannot be compared to that of man ; it is identical with His essence. Even the Attributists, who assume that God's knowledge is different from His essence, hold that it is distinguished from man's knowledge in the following five points :-- 1. It is one, although it embraces a plurality. 2. It includes even such things as do not yet exist. 3. It includes things which are infinite in number. 4. It does not change when new objects of perception present themselves. 5. It does not determine the course of events. -- However difficult this theory may appear to human comprehension, it is in accordance with the words of Isaiah (lv. 8) "Your thoughts are not My thoughts, and your ways are not My ways." According to Maimonides, the difficulty is to be explained by the fact that God is the Creator of all things, and His knowledge of the things is not dependent on their existence ; while the knowledge of man is solely dependent on the objects which come under his cognition.
According to Maimonides, the book of Job illustrates the several views which have been mentioned above. Satan, that is, the material element in human existence, is described as the cause of Job's sufferings. Job at first believed that man's happiness depends on riches, health, and children ; being deprived of these sources of happiness, he conceived the notion that Providence is indifferent to the fate of mortal beings. After a careful study of natural phenomena, he rejected this opinion. Eliphaz held that all misfortunes of man serve as punishments of past sins. Bildad, the second friend of Job, admitted the existence of those afflictions which Divine love decrees in order that the patient sufferer may be fitted to receive a bountiful reward. Zophar, the third friend of Job, declared that the ways of God are beyond human comprehension ; there is but one explanation assignable to all Divine acts, namely: Such is His Will. Elihu gives a fuller development to this idea ; he says that such evils as befell Job may be remedied once or twice, but the course of nature is not altogether reversed. It is true that by prophecy a clearer insight into the ways of God can be obtained, but there are only few who arrive at that exalted intellectual degree, whilst the majority of men must content themselves with acquiring a knowledge of God through the study of nature. Such a study leads man to the conviction that his understanding cannot fathom the secrets of nature and the wisdom of Divine Providence.
The concluding section of the Third Part treats of the purpose of the Divine precepts. In the Pentateuch they are described as the means of acquiring wisdom, enduring happiness, and also bodily comfort (ch. xxxi.). Generally a distinction is made between "hukkim" ("statutes") and mishpatim ("judgments"). The object of the latter is, on the whole, known, but the hukkim are considered as tests of mans obedience ; no reason is given why they have been enacted. Maimonides rejects this distinction ; he states that all precepts are the result of wisdom and design, that all contribute to the welfare of mankind, although with regard to the hukkim this is less obvious. The author draws another line of distinction between the general principles and the details of rules. For the selection and the introduction of the latter there is but one reason, viz. "Such is the will of God."
The laws are intended to promote man's perfection ; they improve both his mental and his physical condition ; the former in so far as they lead him to the acquisition of true knowledge, the latter through the training of his moral and social faculties. Each law thus imparts knowledge, improves the moral condition of man, or conduces to the well-being of society. Many revealed laws help to enlighten man, and to correct false opinions. This object is not always clearly announced. God in His wisdom sometimes withheld from the knowledge of man the purpose of commandments and actions. There are other precepts which tend to restrain man's passions and desires. If the same end is occasionally attainable by other means, it must be remembered that the Divine laws are adapted to the ordinary mental and emotional state of man, and not to exceptional circumstances. In this work, as in the Yad ha-hazakah, Maimonides divides the laws of the Pentateuch into fourteen groups, and in each group he discusses the principal and the special object of the laws included in it.
In addition to the legislative contents, the Bible includes historical information ; and Maimonides, in briefly reviewing the Biblical narratives, shows that these are likewise intended to improve man's physical, moral, and intellectual condition. "It is not a vain thing for you" (Deut. xxxii. 47) and when it proves vain to anyone, it is his own fault.
In the final chapters the author describes the several degrees of human perfection, from the sinners who have turned from the right path to the best of men, who in all their thoughts and acts cling to the Most Perfect Being, who aspire after the greatest possible knowledge of God, and strive to serve their Maker in the practice of "loving-kindness, righteousness, and justice." This degree of human perfection can only be attained by those who never forget the presence of the Almighty, and remain firm in their fear and love of God. These servants of the Most High inherit the choicest of human blessings they are endowed with wisdom they are godlike beings. -------------------- INTRODUCTION
[Letter of the Author to his Pupil, R. Joseph Ibn Aknin.]
In the name of GOD, Lord of the Universe.
To R. Joseph (may God protect him!), son of R. Jehudah (may his repose be in Paradise !) :
My dear pupil, ever since you resolved to come to me, from a distant country, and to study under my direction, I thought highly of your thirst for knowledge, and your fondness for speculative pursuits, which found expression in your poems. I refer to the time when I received your writings in prose and verse from Alexandria. I was then not yet able to test your powers of apprehension, and I thought that your desire might possibly exceed your capacity. But when you had gone with me through a course of astronomy, after having completed the [other] elementary studies which are indispensable for the understanding of that science, 1 was still more gratified by the acuteness and the quickness of your apprehension. Observing your great fondness for mathematics, I let you study them more deeply, for I felt sure of your ultimate success. Afterwards, when I took you through a course of logic, 1 found that my great expectations of you were confirmed, and I considered you fit to receive from me an exposition of the esoteric ideas contained in the prophetic books, that you might understand them as they are understood by men of culture. When I commenced by way of hints, 1 noticed that you desired additional explanation, urging me to expound some metaphysical problems; to teach you the system of the Mutakallemim; to tell you whether their arguments were based on logical proof; and if not, what their method was. I perceived that you had acquired some knowledge in those matters from others, and that you were perplexed and bewildered; yet you sought to find out a solution to your difficulty. I urged you to desist from this pursuit, and enjoined you to continue your studies systematically; for my object was that the truth should present itself in connected order, and that you should not hit upon it by mere chance. Whilst you studied with me I never refused to explain difficult verses in the Bible or passages in rabbinical literature which we happened to meet. When, by the will of God, we parted, and you went your way, our discussions aroused in me a resolution which had long been dormant. Your absence has prompted me to compose this treatise for you and for those who are like you, however few they may be. I have divided it into chapters, each of which shall be sent to you as soon as it is completed. Farewell!"
[Prefatory Remarks.]
Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto Thee." (Psalm cxliii. S.)
Unto you, 0 men, 1 call, and my voice is to the sons of men." (Prov. viii. 4)
Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge." (Prov. xxii. 17.)
My primary object in this work is to explain certain words occurring in the prophetic books. Of these some are homonyms, and of their several meanings the ignorant choose the wrong ones; other terms which are employed in a figurative sense are erroneously taken by such persons in their primary signification. There are also hybrid terms, denoting things which are of the same class from one point of view and of a different class from another. It is not here intended to explain all these expressions to the unlettered or to mere tyros, a previous knowledge of Logic and Natural Philosophy being indispensable, or to those who confine their attention to the study of our holy Law, I mean the study of the canonical law alone; for the true knowledge of the Torah is the special aim of this and similar works.
The object of this treatise is to enlighten a religious man who has been trained to believe in the truth of our holy Law, who conscientiously fulfils his moral and religious duties, and at the same time has been successful in his philosophical studies. Human reason has attracted him to abide within its sphere; and he finds it difficult to accept as correct the teaching based on the literal interpretation of the Law, and especially that which he himself or others derived from those homonymous, metaphorical, or hybrid expressions. Hence he is lost in perplexity and anxiety. If he be guided solely by reason, and renounce his previous views which are based on those expressions, he would consider that he had rejected the fundamental principles of the Law; and even if he retains the opinions which were derived from those expressions, and if, instead of following his reason, he abandon its guidance altogether, it would still appear that his religious convictions had suffered loss and injury. For he would then be left with those errors which give rise to fear and anxiety, constant grief and great perplexity.
This work has also a second object in view. It seeks to explain certain obscure figures which occur in the Prophets, and are not distinctly characterized as being figures. Ignorant and superficial readers take them in a literal, not in a figurative sense. Even well informed persons are bewildered if they understand these passages in their literal signification, but they are entirely relieved of their perplexity when we explain the figure, or merely suggest that the terms are figurative. For this reason I have called this book Guide for the Perplexed.
I do not presume to think that this treatise settles every doubt in the minds of those who understand it, but I maintain that it settles the greater part of their difficulties. No intelligent man will require and expect that on introducing any subject 1 shall completely exhaust it; or that on commencing the exposition of a figure I shall fully explain all its parts. Such a course could not be followed by a teacher in a viva vote exposition, much less by an author in writing a book, without becoming a target for every foolish conceited person to discharge the arrows of folly at him. Some general principles bearing upon this point have been fully discussed in our works on the Talmud, and we have there called the attention of the reader to many themes of this kind. We also stated (Mishneh torah, I. ii. 12, and iv. 10) that the expression Ma'ase Bereshit (Account of the Creation) signified" Natural Science," and Ma'aseh Mercabah (" Description of the Chariot" ) Metaphysics, and we explained the force of the Rabbinical dictum," The Ma'aseh Mercabak must not be fully expounded even in the presence of a single student, unless he be wise and able to reason for himself, and even then you should merely acquaint him with the heads of the different sections of the subject. (Babyl. Talm. Hagigah, fol. II b). You must, therefore, not expect from me more than such heads. And even these have not been methodically and systematically arranged in this work, but have been, on the contrary, scattered, and are interspersed with other topics which we shall have occasion to explain. My object in adopting this arrangement is that the truths should be at one time apparent, and at another time concealed. Thus we shall not be in opposition to the Divine Will (from which it is wrong to deviate) which has withheld from the multitude the truths required for the knowledge of God, according to the words," The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him" (Ps. xxv. 14).
Know that also in Natural Science there are topics which are not to be fully explained. Our Sages laid down the rule," The Ma'aseb Bereshith must not be expounded in the presence of two." If an author were to explain these principles in writing, it would be equal to expounding them unto thousands of men. For this reason the prophets treat these subjects in figures, and our Sages, imitating the method of Scripture, speak of them in metaphors and allegories; because there is a close affinity between these subjects and metaphysics, and indeed they form part of its mysteries. Do not imagine that these most difficult problems can be thoroughly understood by any one of us. This is not the case. At times the truth shines so brilliantly that we perceive it as clear as day. Our nature and habit then draw a veil over our perception, and we return to a darkness almost as dense as before. We are like those who, though beholding frequent flashes of lightning, still find themselves in the thickest darkness of the night. On some the lightning flashes in rapid succession, and they seem to be in continuous light, and their night is as clear as the day. This was the degree of prophetic excellence attained by (Moses) the greatest of prophets, to whom God said," But as for thee, stand thou here by Me" (Deut. v. 31), and of whom it is written" the skin of his face shone," etc. (Exod. xxxiv. 29). [Some perceive the prophetic flash at long intervals; this is the degree of most prophets.] By others only once during the whole night is a flash of lightning perceived. This is the case with those of whom we are informed," They prophesied, and did not prophesy again" (Num. xi. 25). There are some to whom the flashes of lightning appear with varying intervals; others are in the condition of men, whose darkness is illumined not by lightning, but by some kind of crystal or similar stone, or other substances that possess the property of shining during the night; and to them even this small amount of light is not continuous, but now it shines and now it vanishes, as if it were" the flame of the rotating sword."
The degrees in the perfection of men vary according to these distinctions. Concerning those who never beheld the light even for one day, but walk in continual darkness, it is written," They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness" (Ps. lxxxii. 5). Truth, in spite of all its powerful manifestations, is completely withheld from them, and the following words of Scripture may be applied to them," And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies" (job xxxvii. 21). They are the multitude of ordinary men: there is no need to notice them in this treatise.
You must know that if a person, who has attained a certain degree of perfection, wishes to impart to others, either orally or in writing, any portion of the knowledge which he has acquired of these subjects, he is utterly unable to be as systematic and explicit as he could be in a science of which the method is well known. The same difficulties which he encountered when investigating the subject for himself will attend him when endeavouring to instruct others: viz., at one time the explanation will appear lucid, at another time, obscure: this property of the subject appears to remain the same both to the advanced scholar and to the beginner. For this reason, great theological scholars gave instruction in all such matters only by means of metaphors and allegories. They frequently employed them in forms varying more or less essentially. In most cases they placed the lesson to be illustrated at the beginning, or in the middle, or at the end of the simile. When they could find no simile which from beginning to end corresponded to the idea which was to be illustrated, they divided the subject of the lesson, although in itself one whole, into different parts, and expressed each by a separate figure. Still more obscure are those instances in which one simile is employed to illustrate many subjects, the beginning of the simile representing one thing, the end another. Sometimes the whole metaphor may refer to two cognate subjects in the same branch of knowledge.
If we were to teach in these disciplines, without the use of parables and figures, we should be compelled to resort to expressions both profound and transcendental, and by no means more intelligible than metaphors and similes: as though the wise and learned were drawn into this course by the Divine Will, in the same way as they are compelled to follow the laws of nature in matters relating to the body. You are no doubt aware that the Almighty, desiring to lead us to perfection and to improve our state of society, has revealed to us laws which are to regulate our actions. These laws, however, presuppose an advanced state of intellectual culture. We must first form a conception of the Existence of the Creator according to our capabilities; that is, we must have a knowledge of Metaphysics. But this discipline can only be approached after the study of Physics: for the science of Physics borders on Metaphysics, and must even precede it in the course of our studies, as is clear to all who are familiar with these questions. Therefore the Almighty commenced Holy Writ with the description of the Creation, that is, with Physical Science; the subject being on the one hand most weighty and important, and on the other hand our means of fully comprehending those great problems being limited. He described those profound truths, which His Divine Wisdom found it necessary to communicate to us, in allegorical, figurative, and metaphorical language. Our Sages have said (Yemen Midrash on Gen. i. 1)," It is impossible to give a full account of the Creation to man. Therefore Scripture simply tells us, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. i. 1). Thus they have suggested that this subject is a deep mystery, and in the words of Solomon," Far off and exceedingly deep, who can find it out ?" (Eccles. Vii. 24). It has been treated in metaphors in order that the uneducated may comprehend it according to the measure of their faculties and the feebleness of their apprehension, while educated persons may take it in a different sense. In our commentary on the Mishnah we stated our intention to explain difficult problems in the Book on Prophecy and in the Book of Harmony. In the latter we intended to examine all the passages in the Midrash which, if taken literally, appear to be inconsistent with truth and common sense, and must therefore be taken figuratively. Many years have elapsed since 1 first commenced those works. I had proceeded but a short way when 1 became dissatisfied with my original plan. For I observed that by expounding these passages by means of allegorical and mystical terms, we do not explain anything, but merely substitute one thing for another of the same nature, whilst in explaining them fully our efforts would displease most people; and my sole object in planning to write those books was to make the contents of Midrashirn and the exoteric lessons of the prophecies intelligible to everybody. We have further noticed that when an ill-informed Theologian reads these Midrashim, he will find no difficulty; for possessing no knowledge of the properties of things, he will not reject statements which involve impossibilities. When, however, a person who is both religious and well educated reads them, he cannot escape the following dilemma: either he takes them literally, and questions the abilities of the author and the soundness of his mind-doing thereby nothing which is opposed to the principles of our faith,-- or he will acquiesce in assuming that the passages in question have some secret meaning, and he will continue to hold the author in high estimation whether he understood the allegory or not. As regards prophecy in its various degrees and the different metaphors used in the prophetic books, we shall give in the present work an explanation, according to a different method. Guided by these considerations I have refrained from writing those two books as I had previously intended. In my larger work, the Mishnab Torah, I have contented myself with briefly stating the principles of our faith and its fundamental truths, together with such hints as approach a clear exposition. In this work, however, I address those who have studied philosophy and have acquired sound knowledge, and who while firm in religious matters are perplexed and bewildered on account of the ambiguous and figurative expressions employed in the holy writings. Some chapters may be found in this work which contain no reference whatever to homonyms. Such chapters will serve as an introduction to others: they will contain some reference to the signification of a homonym which 1 do not wish to mention in that place, or explain some figure: point out that a certain expression is a figure: treat of difficult passages generally misunderstood in consequence of the homonymy they include, or because the simile they contain is taken in place of that which it represents, and vice versa.
Having spoken of similes, I proceed to make the following remark :-The key to the understanding and to the full comprehension of all that the Prophets have said is found in the knowledge of the figures, their general ideas, and the meaning of each word they contain. You know the verse:
" I have also spoken in similes by the Prophets" (Hosea xii. 10): and also the verse," Put forth a riddle and speak a parable" (Ezek. xvii. 2). And because the Prophets continually employ figures, Ezekiel said," Does He not speak parables ?" (xxi. 5). Again, Solomon begins his book of Proverbs with the words," To understand a proverb and figurative speech, the words of the wise and their dark sayings" (Prov. i. 6): and we read in Midrash, Shir ha-shirim Rabba, i. 1):" To what were the words of the Law to be cornpared before the time of Solomon ? To a well the waters of which are at a great depth, and though cool and fresh, yet no man could drink of them. A clever man joined cord with cord, and rope with rope, and drew up and drank. So Solomon went from figure to figure, and from subject to subject, till he obtained the true sense of the Law." So far go the words of our Sages. I do not believe that any intelligent man thinks that" the words of the Law" mentioned here as requiring the application of figures in order to be understood, can refer to the rules for building tabernacles, for preparing the lulab, or for the four kinds of trustees. What is really meant is the apprehension of profound and difficult subjects, concerning which our Sages said," If a man loses in his house a sela, or a pearl, he can find it by lighting a taper worth only one issar. Thus the parables in themselves are of no great value, but through them the words of the holy Law are rendered intelligible." These likewise are the words of our Sages; consider well their statement, that the deeper sense of the words of the holy Law are pearls, and the literal acceptation of a figure is of no value in itself. They compare the hidden meaning included in the literal sense of the simile to a pearl lost in a dark room, which is full of furniture. It is certain that the pearl is in the room, but the man can neither see it nor know where it lies. It is just as if the pearl were no longer in his possession, for, as has been stated, it affords him no benefit whatever until he kindles a light. The same is the case with the comprehension of that which the simile represents. The wise king said," A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in vessels of silver" (Prov. xxv. 11). Hear the explanation of what he said :-The word maskiyotb, the Hebrew equivalent for" vessels," denotes" filigree network" --i.e., things in which there are very small apertures, such as are frequently wrought by silversmiths. They are called in Hebrew maskiyyoth (lit." transpicuous," from the verb sakah," he saw," a root which occurs also in the Targum of Onkelos, Gen. xxvi. 8), because the eye penetrates through them. Thus Solomon meant to say," just as apples of gold in silver filigree with small apertures, so is a word fitly spoken."
See how beautifully the conditions of a good simile are described in this figure! It shows that in every word which has a double sense, a literal one and a figurative one, the plain meaning must be as valuable as silver, and the hidden meaning still more precious: so that the figurative meaning bears the same relation to the literal one as gold to silver. It is further necessary that the plain sense of the phrase shall give to those who consider it some notion of that which the figure represents. just as a golden apple overlaid with a network of silver, when seen at a distance, or looked at superficially, is mistaken for a silver apple, but when a keen-sighted person looks at the object well, he will find what is within, and see that the apple is gold. The same is the case with the figures employed by prophets. Taken literally, such expressions contain wisdom useful for many purposes, among others, for the amelioration of the condition of society; e.g., the Proverbs (of Solomon), and similar sayings in their literal sense. Their hidden meaning, however, is profound wisdom, conducive to the recognition of real truth.
Know that the figures employed by prophets are of two kinds : first, where every word which occurs in the simile represents a certain idea: and secondly, where the simile, as a whole, represents a general idea, but has a great many points which have no reference whatever to that idea: they are simply required to give to the simile its proper form and order, or better to conceal the idea: the simile is therefore continued as far as necessary, according to its literal sense. Consider this well.
An example of the first class of prophetic figures is to be found in Genesis:-"And, behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and, behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it" (Gen. xxviii. 12). The word" ladder" refers to one idea:" set up on the earth" to another:" and the top of it reached to heaven" to a third: 4' angels of God" to a fourth:" ascending" to a fifth;" descending" to a sixth;" the Lord stood above it" (ver. 13) to a seventh. Every word in this figure introduces a fresh element into the idea represented by the figure.
An example of the second class of prophetic figures is found in Proverbs (vii. 6-26) :--" For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, and beheld among the simple ones; I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner : and he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: and, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: now the is without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait in every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yam of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: he hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as fetters to the correction of a fool : till a dart strike through his liver: as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Hearken unto me now therefore, 0 ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her."
The general principle expounded in all these verses is to abstain from excessive indulgence in bodily pleasures. The author compares the body, which is the source of all sensual pleasures, to a married woman who at the same time is a harlot. And this figure he has taken as the basis of his entire book. We shall hereafter show the wisdom of Solomon in comparing sensual pleasures to an adulterous harlot. We shall explain how aptly he concludes that work with the praises of a faithful wife who devotes herself to the welfare of her husband and of her household. All obstacles which prevent man from attaining his highest aim in life, all the deficiencies in the character of man, all his evil propensities, are to be traced to the body alone. This will be explained later on. The predominant idea running throughout the figure is, that man shall not be entirely guided by his animal, or material nature; for the material substance of man is identical with that of the brute creation.
An adequate explanation of the figure having been given, and its meaning having been shown, do not imagine that you will find in its application a corresponding element for each part of the figure; you must not ask what is meant by" I have peace offerings with me" (ver. 14): by" I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry" (ver. 16): or what is added to the force of the figure by the observation" for the goodman is not at home" (ver. 19), and so on to the end of the chapter. For all this is merely to complete the illustration of the metaphor in its literal meaning. The circumstances described here are such as are common to adulterers. Such conversations take place between all adulterous persons. You must well understand what I have said, for it is a principle of the utmost importance with respect to those things which I intend to expound. If you observe in one of the chapters that I explained the meaning of a certain figure, and pointed out to you its general scope, do not trouble yourself further in order to find an interpretation of each separate portion, for that would lead you to one of the two following erroneous courses: either you will miss the sense included in the metaphor, or you will be induced to explain certain things which require no explanation, and which are not introduced for that purpose. Through this unnecessary trouble you may fall into the great error which besets most modern sects in their foolish writings and discussions: they all endeavour to find some hidden meaning in expressions which were never uttered by the author in that sense. Your object should be to discover inmost of the figures the general idea which the author wishes to express. In some instances it will be sufficient if you understand from my remarks that a certain expression contains a figure, although I may offer no further comment. For when you know that it is not to be taken literally, you will understand at once to what subject it refers. My statement that it is a figurative expression will, as it were, remove the screen from between the object and the observer.
Directions for the Study of this Work.
If you desire to grasp all that is contained in this book so that nothing shall escape your notice, consider the chapters in connected order. In studying each chapter, do not content yourself with comprehending its principal subject, but attend to every term mentioned therein, although it may seem to have no connection with the principal subject. For what I have written in this work was not the suggestion of the moment: it is the result of deep study and great application. Care has been taken that nothing that appeared doubtful should be left unexplained. Nothing of what is mentioned is out of place, every remark will be found to illustrate the subject-matter of the respective chapter. Do not read superficially, lest you do me an injury, and derive no benefit for yourself. You must study thoroughly and read continually; for you will then find the solution of those important problems of religion, which are a source of anxiety to all intelligent men. I adjure any reader of my book, in the name of the Most High, not to add any explanation even to a single word: nor to explain to another any portion of it except such passages as have been fully treated of by previous theological authorities: he must not teach others anything that he has learnt from my work alone, and that has not been hitherto discussed by any of our authorities. The reader must, moreover, beware of raising objections to any of my statements, because it is very probable that he may understand my words to mean the exact opposite to what 1 intended to say. He will injure me, while I endeavoured to benefit him." He will requite me evil for good." Let the reader make a careful study of this work; and if his doubt be removed on even one point, let him praise his Maker and rest contented with the knowledge he has acquired. But if he derive from it no benefit whatever, he may consider the book as if it had never been written. Should he notice any opinions with which he does not agree, let him endeavour to find a suitable explanation, even if it seem far-fetched, in order that he may judge me charitably. Such a duty we owe to every one. We owe it especially to our scholars and theologians, who endeavour to teach us what is the truth according to the best of their ability. I feel assured that those of my readers who have not studied philosophy, will still derive profit from many a chapter. But the thinker whose studies have brought him into collision with religion, will, as I have already mentioned, derive much benefit from every chapter. How greatly will he rejoice! How agreeably will my words strike his ears! Those, however, whose minds are confused with false notions and perverse methods, who regard their misleading studies as sciences, and imagine themselves philosophers, though they have no knowledge that could truly be termed science, will object to many chapters, and will find in them many insuperable difficulties, because they do not understand their meaning, and because I expose therein the absurdity of their perverse notions, which constitute their riches and peculiar treasure," stored up for their ruin." God knows that 1 hesitated very much before writing on the subjects contained in this work, since they are profound mysteries: they are topics which, since the time of our captivity have not been treated by any of our scholars as far as we possess their writings; how then shall I now make a beginning and discuss them ? But I rely on two precedents : first, to similar cases our Sages applied the verse," It is time to do something in honour of the Lord: for they have made void thy law" (Ps. cxix. 126). Secondly, they have said," Let all thy acts be guided by pure intentions." On these two principles I relied while composing some parts of this work. Lastly, when I have a difficult subject before me-when I find the road narrow, and can see no other way of teaching a well established truth except by pleasing one intelligent man and displeasing ten thousand fools-I prefer to address myself to the one man, and to take no notice whatever of the condemnation of the multitude; I prefer to extricate that intelligent man from his embarrassment and show him the cause of his perplexity, so that he may attain perfection and be at peace.
[ON METHOD]
THERE are seven causes of inconsistencies and contradictions to be met with in a literary work. The first cause arises from the fact that the author collects the opinions of various men, each differing from the other, but neglects to mention the name of the author of any particular opinion. In such a work contradictions or inconsistencies must occur, since any two statements may belong to two different authors. Second cause: The author holds at first one opinion which he subsequently rejects: in his work., however, both his original and altered views are retained. Third cause: The passages in question are not all to be taken literally: some only are to be understood in their literal sense, while in others figurative language is employed, which includes another meaning besides the literal one : or, in the apparently inconsistent passages, figurative language is employed which, if taken literally, would seem to be contradictories or contraries. Fourth cause : The premises are not identical in both statements, but for certain reasons they are not fully stated in these passages: or two propositions with different subjects which are expressed by the same term without having the difference in meaning pointed out, occur in two passages. The contradiction is therefore only apparent, but there is no contradiction in reality. The fifth cause is traceable to the use of a certain method adopted in teaching and expounding profound problems. Namely, a difficult and obscure theorem must sometimes be mentioned and assumed as known, for the illustration of some elementary and intelligible subject which must be taught beforehand the commencement being always made with the easier thing. The teacher must therefore facilitate, in any manner which he can devise, the explanation of those theorems, which have to be assumed as known, and he must content himself with giving a general though somewhat inaccurate notion on the subject. It is, for the present, explained according to the capacity of the students, that they may comprehend it as far as they are required to understand the subject. Later on, the same subject is thoroughly treated and fully developed in its right place. Sixth cause : The contradiction is not apparent, and only becomes evident through a series of premises. The larger the number of premises necessary to prove the contradiction between the two conclusions, the greater is the chance that it will escape detection, and that the author will not perceive his own inconsistency. Only when from each conclusion, by means of suitable premises, an inference is made, and from the enunciation thus inferred, by means of proper arguments, other conclusions are formed, and after that process has been repeated many times, then it becomes clear that the original conclusions are contradictories or contraries. Even able writers are liable to overlook such inconsistencies. If, however, the contradiction between the original statements can at once be discovered, and the author, while writing the second, does not think of the first, he evinces a greater deficiency, and his words deserve no notice whatever. Seventh cause: Itis sometimes necessary to introduce such metaphysical matter as may partly be disclosed, but must partly be concealed: while, therefore, on one occasion the object which the author has in view may demand that the metaphysical problem be treated as solved in one way, it may be convenient on another occasion to treat it as solved in the opposite way. The author must endeavour, by concealing the fact as much as possible, to prevent the uneducated reader from perceiving the contradiction.
Inconsistencies occurring in the Mishnah and Boraitot are traceable to the first cause. You meet frequently in the Gemara with passages like the following : --" Does not the beginning of the passage contradict the end ? No: the beginning is the dictum of a certain Rabbi: the end that of an other" : or" Rabbi (Jehudah ha-Nasi) approved of the opinion of a certain rabbi in one case and gave it therefore anonymously, and having accepted that of another rabbi in the other case he introduced that view without naming the authority" : or" Who is the author of this anonymous dictum ? Rabbi A."" Who is the author of that paragraph in the Mishnah? Rabbi B." Instances of this kind are innumerable.
Apparent contradictions or differences occurring in the Gemara may be traced to the first cause and to the second, as e.g.," In this particular case he agrees with this rabbi or" He agrees with him in one point, but differs from him in another" or" These two dicta are the opinions of two Amoraim, who differ as regards the statement made by a certain rabbi." These are examples of contradictions traceable to the first cause. The following are instances which may be traced to the second cause." Rabba altered his opinion on that point" : it then becomes necessary to consider which of the two opinions came second. Again," In the first recension of the Talmud by Rabbi Ashi, he made one assertion, and in the second a different one."
The inconsistencies and contradictions met with in some passages of the prophetic books, if taken literally, are all traceable to the third or fourth cause, and it is exclusively in reference to this subject that I wrote the present Introduction. You know that the following expression frequently occurs," One verse says this, another that," showing the contradiction, and explaining that either some premise is wanting or the subject is altered. Comp." Solomon, it is not sufficient that thy words contradict thy father: they are themselves inconsistent, etc." Many similar instances occur in the writings of our Sages. The passages in the prophetical books which our Sages have explained, mostly refer to religious or moral precepts. Our desire, however, is to discuss such passages as contain apparent contradictions in regard to the principles of our faith. I shall explain some of them in various chapters of the present work: for this subject also belongs to the secrets of the Torah. Contradictions traceable to the seventh cause occurring in the prophetical works require special investigation: and no one should express his opinion on that matter by reasoning and arguing without weighing the matter well in his mind.
Inconsistencies in the writings of true philosophers are traceable to the fifth cause. Contradictions occurring in the writings of most authors and commentators, such as are not included in the above-mentioned works, are due to the sixth cause. Many examples of this class of contradictions are found in the Midrash and the Agada: hence the saying," We must not raise questions concerning the contradictions met with in the Agada." You may also notice in them contradictions due to the seventh cause. Any inconsistency discovered in the present work will be found to arise in consequence of the fifth cause or the seventh. Notice this, consider its truth, and remember it well, lest you misunderstand some of the chapters in this book.
Having concluded these introductory remarks I proceed to examine those expressions, to the true meaning of which, as apparent from the context, it is necessary to direct your attention. This book will then be a key admitting to places the gates of which would otherwise be closed. When the gates are opened and men enter, their souls will enjoy repose, their eyes will be gratified, and even their bodies, after all toil and labour, will be refreshed.
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" Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in."-(Isa. xxvi. 2.)
PART ONE
CHAPTER I
Some have been of opinion that by the Hebrew zelem, the shape and figure of a thing is to be understood, and this explanation led men to believe in the corporeality [of the Divine Being]: for they thought that the words" Let us make man in our ,relem" (Gen.i. 26), implied that God had the form of a human being, i.e., that He had figure and shape, and that, consequently, He was corporeal. They adhered faithfully to this view, and thought that if they were to relinquish it they would eo ipso reject the truth of the Bible : and further, if they did not conceive God as having a body possessed of face and limbs, similar to their own in appearance, they would have to deny even the existence of God. The sole difference which they admitted, was that He excelled in greatness and splendour, and that His substance was not flesh and blood. Thus far went their conception of the greatness and glory of God. The incorporeality of the Divine Being, and His unity, in the true sense of the word-for there is no real unity without incorporeality-will be fully proved in the course of the present treatise. (Part ll., ch. i.) In this chapter it is our sole intention to explain the meaning of the words zelem and demut. 1 hold that the Hebrew equivalent of" form" in the ordinary acceptation of the word, viz., the figure and shape of a thing, is tor. Thus we find" [And Joseph was] beautiful in toar ('form'), and beautiful in appearance" (Gen. xxxix. 6):" What form (toar) is he of ?" (I Sam. xxviii. 14):" As the form (toar) of the children of a king" (judges viii. 18). It is also applied to form produced by human labour, as" He marketh its form (toar) with a line,"" and he marketh its form (toar) with the compass" (Isa. xliv. 13). This term is not at all applicable to God. The term zelem, on the other hand, signifies the specific form, viz., that which constitutes the essence of a thing, whereby the thing is what it is; the reality of a thing in so far as it is that particular being. In man the" form" is that constituent which gives him human perception: and on account of this intellectual perception the term zelem is employed in the sentences" In the :pelem of God he created him" (Gen. i. 27). It is therefore rightly said," Thou despisest their zelem" (PS. lxiii. 20): the" contempt 11 can only concern the soulthe specific form of man, not the properties and shape of his body. 1 am also of opinion that the reason why this term is used for" idols" may be found in the circumstance that they are worshipped on account of some idea represented by them, not on account of their figure and shape. For the same reason the term is used in the expression," the forms (zalme) of your emerods" (I Sam. vi. 5), for the chief object was the removal of the injury caused by the emerods, not a change of their shape. As, however, it must be admitted that the term zelem is employed in these two cases, viz." the images of the emerods" and" the idols" on account of the external shape, the term zelem is either a homonym or a hybrid term, and would denote both the specific form and the outward shape, and similar properties relating to the dimensions and the shape of material bodies; and in the phrase" Let us make man in our zelem" (Gen. i. 26), the term signifies" the specific form" of man, viz., his intellectual perception, and does not refer to his" figure" or" shape." Thus we have shown the difference between zelem and toar, and explained the meaning of zelem.
Demut is derived from the verb damah," he is like." This term likewise denotes agreement with regard to some abstract relation: comp." I am like a pelican of the wilderness" (Ps. cii. 7): the author does not compare himself to the pelican in point of wings and feathers, but in point of sadness." Nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in beauty" (Ezek. 8): the comparison refers to the idea of beauty." Their poison is like the poison of a serpent" (Ps. lviii. 5):" He is like unto a lion" (Ps. xvii. 12): the resemblance indicated in these passages does not refer to the figure and shape, but to some abstract idea. In the same manner is used" the likeness of the throne" (Ezek. i. 26); the comparison is made with regard to greatness and glory, not, as many believe, with regard to its square form, its breadth, or the length of its legs : this explanation applies also to the phrase" the likeness of the hayyot (" living creatures," Ezek. i. 13).
As man's distinction consists in a property which no other creature on earth possesses, viz., intellectual perception, in the exercise of which he does not employ his senses, nor move his hand or his foot, this perception has been compared-though only apparently, not in truth-to the Divine perception, which requires no corporeal organ. On this account, i.e., on account of the Divine intellect with which man has been endowed, he is said to have been made in the form and likeness of the Almighty, but far from it be the notion that the Supreme Being is corporeal, having a material form.
CHAPTER II
Some years ago a learned man asked me a question of great importance; the problem and the solution which we gave in our reply deserve the closest attention. Before, however, entering upon this problem and its solution I must premise that every Hebrew knows that the term Elohim is a homonym, and denotes God, angels, judges, and the rulers of countries, and that Onkelos the proselyte explained it in the true and correct manner by taking Elohim in the sentence," and ye shall be like Elohim" (Gen. iii. 5) in the lastmentioned meaning, and rendering the sentence" and ye shall be like princes." Having pointed out the homonymity of the term" Elohim" we return to the question under consideration." It would at first sight," said the objector," appear from Scripture that man was originally intended to be perfectly equal to the rest of the animal creation, which is not endowed with intellect, reason, or power of distinguishing between good and evil: but that Adarn's disobedience to the command of God procured him that great perfection which is the Peculiarity of man, viz., the power of distinguishing between good and evil-the noblest of all the faculties of our nature, the essential characteristic of the human race. It thus appears strange that the punishment for rebelliousness should be the means of elevating man to a pinnacle of perfection to which he had not attained previously. This is equivalent to saying that a certain man was rebellious and extremely wicked, wherefore his nature was changed for the better, and he was made to shine as a star in the heavens." Such was the purport and subject of the question, though not in the exact words of the inquirer. Now mark our reply, which was as follows:-" You appear to have studied the matter superficially, and nevertheless you imagine that you can understand a book which has been the guide of past and present generations, when you for a moment withdraw from your lusts and appetites, and glance over its contents as if you were reading a historical work or some poetical composition. Collect your thoughts and examine the matter carefully, for it is not to be understood as you at first sight think, but as you will find after due deliberation; namely, the intellect which was granted to man as the highest endowment, was bestowed on him before his disobedience. With reference to this gift the Bible states that 46 man was created in the form and likeness of God." On account of this gift of intellect man was addressed by God, and received His commandments, as it is said:" And the Lord God commanded Adam" (Gen. ii. 16) -- for no commandments are given to the brute creation or to those who are devoid of understanding. Through the intellect man distinguishes between the true and the false. This faculty Adam possessed perfectly and completely. The right and the wrong are terms employed in the science of apparent truths (morals), not in that of necessary truths, as, e.g, it is not correct to say, in reference to the proposition" the heavens are spherical," it is" good" or to declare the assertion that" the earth is flat" to be" bad" : but we say of the one it is true, of the other it is false. Similarly our language expresses the idea of true and false by the terms emet and sheker, of the morally right and the morally wrong, by tob and ra'. Thus it is the function of the intellect to discriminate between the true and the false -- a distinction which is applicable to all objects of intellectual perception. When Adam was yet in a state of innocence, and was guided solely by reflection and reason -- on account of which it is said:" Thou hast made him (man) little lower than the angels" (Ps. viii. 6) -- he was not at all able to follow or to understand the principles of apparent truths; the most manifest impropriety, viz., to appear in a state of nudity, was nothing unbecoming according to his idea: he could not comprehend why it should be so. After man's disobedience, however, when he began to give way to desires which had their source in his imagination and to the gratification of his bodily appetites, as it is said," And the wife saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to the eyes" (Gen. iii. 6), he was punished by the loss of part of that intellectual faculty which he had previously possessed. He therefore transgressed a command with which he had been charged on the score of his reason; and having obtained a knowledge of the apparent truths, he was wholly absorbed in the study of what is proper and what improper. Then he fully understood the magnitude of the loss he had sustained, what he had forfeited, and in what situation he was thereby placed. Hence we read," And ye shall be like elohim, knowing good and evil," and not" knowing" or" discerning the true and the false" : while in necessary truths we can only apply the words" true and. false," not" good and evil." Further observe the passage," And the eyes of both were opened, and they knew they were naked" (Gen. iii. 7) : it is not said," And the eyes of both were opened, and they saw" : for what the man had seen previously and what he saw after this circumstance was precisely the same: there had been no blindness which was now removed, but he received a new faculty whereby he found things wrong which previously he had not regarded as wrong. Besides, you must know that the Hebrew word pakah used in this passage is exclusively employed in the figurative sense of receiving new sources of knowledge, not in that of regaining the sense of sight. Comp.," God opened her eyes" (Gen. xxi. ig)." Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened" (Isaiah xxxviii. 8)." Open ears, he heareth not" (ibid. Xlii. 20), similar in sense to the verse," Which have eyes to see, and see not" (Ezek. xii. 2). When, however, Scripture says of Adam," He changed his face (panav) and thou sentest him forth" Job xiv. 20), it must be understood in the following way: On account of the change of his original aim he was sent away. For panim, the Hebrew equivalent of face, is derived from the verb panah," he turned," and signifies also" aim," because man generally turns his face towards the thing he desires. In accordance with this interpretation, our text suggests that Adam, as he altered his intention and directed his thoughts to the acquisition of what he was forbidden, he was banished from Paradise: this was his punishment; it was measure for measure. At first he had the privilege of tasting pleasure and happiness, and of enjoying repose and security; but as his appetites grew stronger, and he followed his desires and impulses, (as we have already stated above), and partook of the food he was forbidden to taste, he was deprived of everything, was doomed to subsist on the meanest kind of food, such as he never tasted before, and this even only after exertion and labour, as it is said," Thorns and thistles shall grow up for thee" (Gen. iii. 18)," By the sweat of thy brow," etc., and in explanation of this the text continues," And the Lord God drove him from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground whence he was taken." He was now with respect to food and many other requirements brought to the level of the lower animals: comp.," Thou shalt eat the grass of the field" (Gen. iii. 18). Reflecting on his condition, the Psalmist says," Adam unable to dwell in dignity, was brought to the level of the dumb beast" (Ps. xlix. 13)." May the Almighty be praised, whose design and wisdom cannot be fathomed."
CHAPTER III
IT might be thought that the Hebrew words temunah and tabnit have one and the same meaning, but this is not the case. Tabnit, derived from the verb banah (he built), signifies the build and construction of a thing-that is to say, its figure, whether square, round, triangular, or of any other shape. Comp." the pattern (tabnit) of the Tabernacle and the pattern (tabnit) of all its vessels" (Exod. xxv. 9):" according to the pattern (tabnit) which thou wast shown upon the mount" (Exod. xxv, 40):" the form of any bird" (Deut. iv. 17):" the form (tabnit) of a hand" (Ezek. viii. 3):" the pattern (tabnit) of the porch" (I Chron. xxviii. 11). In all these quotations it is the shape which is referred to. Therefore the Hebrew language never employs the word tabnit in speaking of the qualities of God Almighty.
The term temunah, on the other hand, is used in the Bible in three different senses. It signifies, first, the outlines of things which are perceived by our bodily senses, i.e., their shape and form; as, e.g.," And ye make an image the form (temunat) of some likeness" (Dent. iv. 16):" for ye saw no likeness" (temunah) (Dent. iv. 15). Secondly, the forms of our imagination, i.e., the impressions retained in imagination when the objects have ceased to affect our senses. In this sense it is used in the passage which begins" In thoughts from the visions of the night" (job iv. 13), and which concludes" it remained but I could not recognize its sight, only an image -temunah was before my eyes," i.e., an image which presented itself to my sight during sleep. Thirdly, the true form of an object, which is perceived only by the intellect : and it is in this third signification that the term is applied to God. The words" And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold" (Num. xii. 8) therefore mean" he shall comprehend the true essence of the Lord."
CHAPTER IV
THE three verbs raah, hibbit, and hazab, which denote" he perceived with the eye," are also used figuratively in the sense of intellectual perception. As regards the first of these verbs this is well known, e.g., And he looked (va-yar) and behold a well in the field" (Gen. XXiX. 2) here it signifies ocular perception:" yea, my heart has seen (raah) much of wisdom and of knowledge" (Eccles. i. 16): in this passage it refers to the intellectual perception.
In this figurative sense the verb is to be understood, when applied to God e.g.," I saw (raiti) the Lord" (I Kings xxii. 19):" And the Lord appeared (va-yera) unto him (Gen. xviii. 1):" And God saw (va-yar) that it was good" (Gen. i. 10)" I beseech thee, show me (harem) thy glory" (Exod. xxxiii. 18):" And they saw (va-yiru) the God of Israel" (Exod. xxiv. 10). All these instances refer to intellectual perception, and by no means to perception with the eye as in its literal meaning : for, on the one hand, the eye can only perceive a corporeal object, and in connection with it certain accidents, as colour, shape, etc.: and, on the other hand, God does not perceive by means of a corporeal organ, as will be explained.
In the same manner the Hebrew hibbit signifies" he viewed with the eye; comp." Look (tabbit) not behind thee" (Gen. xix. 17): But his wife looked (va-tabbet) back from him" (Gen. xix. 26):" And if one look (venibbat) unto the land" (Isa. V. 30): and figuratively," to view and observe" with the intellect," to contemplate" a thing till it be understood. In this sense the verb is used in passages like the following:" He hath not beheld (hibbit) iniquity in Jacob" (Num. xxiii. 21): for" iniquity" cannot be seen with the eye. The words," And they looked (ve-hibbitu) after Moses" (Exod. xxxiii. 8) -- in addition to the literal understanding of the phrasewere explained by our Sages in a figurative sense. According to them, these words mean that the Israelites examined and criticised the actions and sayings of Moses. Compare also" Contemplate (habbet), I pray thee, the heaven" (Gen.xv.5); for this took place in a prophetic vision. This verb, when applied to God, is employed in this figurative sense; e.g., 46 to look (mehabbit) upon God" (Exod. iii. 6)" And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold" (yabbit) (Num. xii. 8): And thou canst not look (habbet) on iniquity" (Hab. i. 13).
The same explanation applies to hazah. It denotes to view with the eye, as:" And let our eye look (ve-tahaz) upon Zion" (Mic. iv. 11): and also figuratively, to perceive mentally :" which he saw (hazah) concerning Judah and Jerusalem" (Isa. i. 1):" The word of the Lord came unto Abraham in a vision" (mahazeh) (Gen. xv. 1): in this sense hazab is used in the phrase," Also they saw (va-yehezu) God" (Exod. xxiv. 11). Note this well.
CHAPTER V
WHEN the chief of philosophers (Aristotle) was about to inquire into some very profound subjects, and to establish his theory by proofs, he commenced his treatise with an apology, and requested the reader to attribute the author's inquiries not to presumption, vanity, egotism, or arrogance, as though he were interfering with things of which he had no knowledge, but rather to his zeal and his desire to discover and establish true doctrines, as far as lay in human power. We take the same position, and think that a man, when he commences to speculate, ought not to embark at once on a subject so vast and important; he should previously adapt himself to the study of the several branches of science and knowledge, should most thoroughly refine his moral character and subdue his passions and desires, the offspring of his imagination; when, in addition, he has obtained a knowledge of the true fundamental propositions, a comprehension of the several methods of inference and proof, and the capacity of guarding against fallacies, then he may approach the investigation of this subject. He must, however, not decide any question by the first idea that suggests itself to his mind, or at once direct his thoughts and force them to obtain a knowledge of the Creator, but he must wait modestly and patiently, and advance step by step.
In this sense we must understand the words" And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God" (Exod. iii. 6), though retaining also the literal meaning of the passage, that Moses was afraid to gaze at the light which appeared to his eye; but it must on no account be assumed that the Being which is exalted far above every imperfection can be perceived by the eye. This act of Moses was highly commended by God, who bestowed on him a well deserved portion of His goodness, as it is said:" And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold" (Num. xii. 8). This, say our Sages, was the reward for having previously hidden his face, lest he should gaze at the Eternal. (Talm. B. Berakot Fa.)
But" the nobles of the Children of Israel" were impetuous, and allowed their thoughts to go unrestrained: what they perceived was but imperfect. Therefore it is said of them," And they saw the God of Israel, and there was under his feet," etc. (Exod. xxiv. 10): and not merely," and they saw the God of Israel" : the purpose of the whole passage is to criticize their act of seeing and not to describe it. They are blamed for the nature of their perception, which was to a certain extent corporeal -- a result which necessarily followed, from the fact that they ventured too far before being perfectly prepared. They deserved to perish, but at the intercession of Moses this fate was averted by God for the time. They were afterwards burnt at Taberah, except Nadab and Abihu, who were burnt in the Tabernacle of the congregation, according to what is stated by authentic tradition. (Midr. Rabba ad locum.)
If such was the case with them, how much more is it incumbent on us who are inferior, and on those who are below us, to persevere in perfecting our knowledge of the elements, and in rightly understanding the preliminaries which purify the mind from the defilement of error: then we may enter the holy and divine camp in order to gaze : as the Bible says," And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them" (Exod. XiX. 22). Solomon, also, has cautioned all who endeavour to attain this high degree of knowledge in the following figurative terms," Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God" (Eccles. iv. 17).
I will now return to complete what I commenced to explain. The nobles of the Children of Israel, besides erring in their perception, were, through this cause, also misled in their actions: for in consequence of their confused perception, they gave way to bodily cravings. This is meant by the words," Also they saw God and did eat and drink" (Exod. xxiv. 11). The principal part of that passage, viz.," And there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone" (Exod. xxiv. 10), will be further explained in the course of the present treatise (ch. xxviii.). All we here intend to say is, that wherever in a similar connection any one of the three verbs mentioned above occurs, it has reference to intellectual perception, not to the sensation of sight by the eye: for God is not a being to be perceived by the eye.
It will do no harm, however, if those who are unable to comprehend what we here endeavour to explain should refer all the words in question to sensuous perception, to seeing lights created [for the purpose], angels, or similar beings.
CHAPTER VI
THE two Hebrew nouns ish and ishshah were originally employed to designate the" male and female" of human beings, but were afterwards applied to the" male and female" of the other species of the animal creation. For instance, we read," Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens," ish ve-ishto (Gen. Vii. 2), in the same sense as ish ve-ishshah," male and female." The term zakar u-nekebah was afterwards applied to anything designed and prepared for union with another object Thus we read," The five curtains shall be coupled together, one (ishshah) to the other" (ahotah) (Exod. xxvi. 3).
It will easily be seen that the Hebrew equivalents for" brother and sister" are likewise treated as homonyms, and used, in a figurative sense, like ish and ishshah.
CHAPTER VII
IT is well known that the verb yalad means" to bear,"" they have born (ve-yaledu) him children" (Deut. xxi. 15). The word was next used in a figurative sense with reference to various objects in nature, meaning," to create," e.g." before the mountains were created" (yulladu) (Ps. xc. 2): also," to produce," in reference to that which the earth causes to come forth as if by birth, e.g.," He will cause her to bear (holidah) and bring forth" (Isa. Iv. 10). The verb further denotes," to bring forth," said of changes in the process of time, as though they were things which were born, e.g.," for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (yeled) (Prov. xxvii. 1). Another figurative use of the word is its application to the formation of thoughts and ideas, or of opinions resulting from them: comp." and brought forth (ve-yalad) falsehood" (Ps. vii. 14): also," and they please themselves in the children (yalde) of strangers" (Isa. ii. 6), i.e.," they delight in the opinions of strangers." Jonathan the son of Uzziel paraphrases this pass-age, they walk in the customs of other nations."
A man who has instructed another in any subject, and has improved his knowledge, may in like manner be regarded as the parent of the person taught, because he is the author of that knowledge: and thus the pupils of the prophets are called" sons of the prophets," as I shall explain when treating of the homonymity of ben (son). In this figurative sense, the verb yalad (to bear) is employed when it is said of Adam," And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat (va-yoled) a son in his own likeness, in his form" (Gen. V. 3). As regards the words," the form of Adam, and his likeness," we have already stated (ch. i.) their meaning. Those sons of Adam who were born before that time were not human in the true sense of the word, they had not" the form of man." With reference to Seth who had been instructed, enlightened and brought to human perfection, it could rightly be said," he (Adam) begat a son in his likeness, in his form." It is acknowledged that a man who does not possess this" form" (the nature of which has just been explained) is not human, but a mere animal in human shape and form. Yet such a creature has the power of causing harm and injury, a power which does not belong to other creatures. For those gifts of intelligence and judgment with which he has been endowed for the purpose of acquiring perfection, but which he has failed to apply to their proper aim, are used by him for wicked and mischievous ends; he begets evil things, as though he merely resembled man, or simulated his outward appearance. Such was the condition of those sons of Adam who preceded Seth. In reference to this subject the Midrash says:" During the 130 years when Adam was under rebuke he begat spirits, i.e., demons; when, however, he was again restored to divine favour" he begat in his likeness, in his form." This is the sense of the passage," Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and he begat in his likeness, in his form" (Gen. v. 3).
CHAPTER VIII
ORIGINALLY the Hebrew term makom (place) applied both to a particular spot and to space in general subsequently it received a wider signification and denoted" position," or degree," as regards the perfection of man in certain things. We say, e.g., this man occupies a certain place in such and such a subject. In this sense this term, as is well known, is frequently used by authors, e.g.," He fills his ancestors' place (makom) in point of wisdom and piety" :" the dispute still remains in its place" (makom), i.e., in statu quo [ante]. In the verse," Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place" (mekomo) (Ezek. iii. 12), makom has this figurative meaning, and the verse may be paraphrased" Blessed be the Lord according to the exalted nature of His existence," and wherever makom is applied to God, it expresses the same idea, namely, the distinguished position of His existence, to which nothing is equal or comparable, as will be shown below (chap. Ivi.).
It should be observed that when we treat in this work of any homonym, we do not desire you to confine yourself to that which is stated in that particular chapter: but we open for you a portal and direct your attention to those significations of the word which are suited to our purpose, though they may not be complete from a philological point of view. You should examine the prophetical books and other works composed by men of science, notice the meaning of every word which occurs in them, and take homonyms in that sense which is in harmony with the context. What 1 say in a particular passage is a key for the comprehension of all similar passages. For example, we have explained here makom in the sentence" Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place" (mekomo): but you must understand that the word makom has the same signification in the passage" Behold, a place (makom) is with me" (Exod. xxxiii. 26), viz., a certain degree of contemplation and intellectual intuition (not of ocular inspection), in addition to its literal meanling" a place," viz., the mountain which was pointed out to Moses for seclusion and for the attainment of perfection.
CHAPTER IX
THE original meaning of the word kisse," throne," requires no comment. Since men of greatness and authority, as, e.g., kings, use the throne as a seat, and" the throne" thus indicates the rank, dignity, and position of the person for whom it is made, the Sanctuary has been styled" the throne," inasmuch as it likewise indicates the superiority of I-Em who manifests Himself, and causes His light and glory to dwell therein. Comp." A glorious throne on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary" (Jer. xvii.12). For the same reason the heavens are called" throne," for to the mind of him who observes them with intelligence they suggest the Omnipotence of the Being which has called them into existence, regulates their motions, and governs the sublunary world by their beneficial influence: as we read," Thus saith the Lord, The heavens are my throne and the earth my footstool" (Isa. 1xvi. 1); i.e., they testify to my Existence, my Essence, and my Omnipotence, as the throne testifies to the greatness of him who is worthy to occupy it.
This is the idea which true believers should entertain; not, however, that the Omnipotent, Supreme God is supported by any material object; for God is incorporeal, as we shall prove further on; how, then, can He be said to occupy any space, or rest on a body ? The fact which I wish to point out is this : every place distinguished by the Almighty, and chosen to receive His light and splendour, as, for instance, the Sanctuary or the Heavens, is termed" throne" : and, taken in a wider sense, as in the passage" For my hand is upon the throne of God" (Exod. xvii. 16)," the throne" denotes here the Essence and Greatness of God. These, however (the Essence and Greatness of God) need not be considered as something separate from the God Himself or as part of the Creation, so that God would appear to have existed both without the throne, and with the throne: such a belief would be undoubtedly heretical. It is distinctly stated," Thou, 0 Lord, remainest for ever; Thy throne from generation to generation" (Lam. v. 19). By" Thy throne" we must, therefore, understand something inseparable from God. On that account, both here and in all similar passages. the word" throne" denotes God's Greatness and Essence, which are inseparable from His Being.
Our opinion will be further elucidated in the course of this Treatise.
CHAPTER X
WE have already remarked that when we treat in this work of homonyms, we have not the intention to exhaust the meanings of a word (for this is not a philological treatise): we shall mention no other significations but those which bear on our subject. We shall thus proceed in our treatment of the terms alah and yarad.
These two words, alah," he went up," and yarad, 'I he went down," are Hebrew terms used in the sense of ascending and descending. When a body moves from a higher to a lower place, the verb yarad," to go down." is used; when it moves from a lower to a higher place, alah," to go up," is applied. These two verbs were afterwards employed with regard to greatness and power. When a man falls from his high position, we say" he has come down," and when he rises in station" he has gone up." Thus the Almighty says," The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high, and thou shalt come down very low" (Deut. xxviii. 43). Again," The Lord thy God will set thee on high ('elyon) above all nations of the earth" (Deut. xxviii. 1) :" And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly" (lema'alah) (I Chron. XXiX. 25). The Sages often employ these expressions, as:" In holy matters men must ascend (ma'alin) and not descend (moridin)." The two words are also applied to intellectual processes, namely, when we reflect on something beneath ourselves we are said to go down, and when our attention is raised to a subject above us we are said to rise.
Now, we occupy a lowly position, both in space and rank in comparison with the heavenly sphere, and the Almighty is Most High not in space, but with respect to absolute existence, greatness and power. When it pleased the Almighty to grant to a human being a certain degree of wisdom or prophetic inspiration, the divine communication thus made to the prophet and the entrance of the Divine Presence into a certain place is termed (yeridah)," descending," while the termination of the prophetic communication or the departure of the divine glory from a place is called aliyah," ascending."
The expressions" to go up" and" to go down," when used in reference to God, must be interpreted in this sense. Again, when, in accordance with the divine will, some misfortune befalls a nation or a region of the earth, and when the biblical account of that misfortune is preceded by the statement that the Almighty visited the actions of the people, and that He punished them accordingly, then the prophetic author employs the term 11 to descend" : for man is so low and insignificant that his actions would not be visited and would not bring punishment on him, were it not for the divine will: as is clearly stated in the Bible, with regard to this idea," What is man that thou shouldst remember him, and the son of man that thou shouldst visit him" (PS. viii. 5).
The design of the Deity to punish man is, therefore, introduced by the verb" to descend" : comp. Go to, let us go down and there confound their language" (Gen. xi. 7)" And the Lord came down to see" (Gen. xi. 5):" I will go down now and see" (Gen. xviii. 21). All these instances convey the idea that man here below is going to be punished.
More numerous, however, are the instances of the first case, viz., in which these verbs are used in connection with the revelation of the word and of the glory of God, e.g.," And I will come down and talk with thee there" (Num. xi. 17):" And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai (Exod. xix. 20):" The Lord will come down in the sight of all the people (Exod. xix. 11):" And God went up from him" (Gen. xxxv. 13):" And God went up from Abraham" (Gen. XVii. 22). When, on the other hand, it says," And Moses went up unto God" (Exod. xix. 3), it must be taken in the third signification of these verbs, in addition to its literal meaning that Moses also ascended to the top of the mount, upon which a certain material light (the manifestation of God's glory) was visible; but we must not imagine that the Supreme Being occupies a place to which we can ascend, or from which we can descend. He is far from what the ignorant imagine.
CHAPTER XI
THE primary meaning of the Hebrew yashab is" he was seated," as" Now Eli the priest sat (yashab) upon a seat" (I Sam. i. 9): but, since a person can best remain motionless and at rest when sitting, the term was applied to everything that is permanent and unchanging; thus, in the promise that Jerusalem should remain constantly and permanently in an exalted condition, it is stated," She will rise and sit in her place" (Zech. xiv.10): further," He maketh the woman who was childless to sit as a joyful mother of children" (Ps. cxiii. 9): i.e., He makes her happy condition to be permanent and enduring.
When applied to God, the verb is to be taken in that latter sense:" Thou 0 Lord, remainest (tesheb) for ever" (Lam. v. 19):" 0 thou who sittest (ba-yoshebt) in the heavens" (Ps. cxxiii. 1):" He who sitteth in the heavens" (ii. 4), i.e., He who is everlasting, constant, and in no way subject to change; immutable in His Essence, and as He consists of nought but His Essence, He is mutable in no way whatever; not mutable in His relation to other things: for there is no relation whatever existing between Him and any other being, as will be explained below, and therefore no change as regard; such relations can take place in Him. Hence He is immutable in every respect, as He expressly declares," I, the Lord, do not change" (Mal. iii. 6): i.e., in Me there is not any change whatever. This idea is expressed by the term yashab when referring to God.
The verb, when employed of God, is frequently complemented by" the Heavens," inasmuch as the heavens are without change or mutation, that is to say, they do not individually change, as the individual beings on earth, by transition from existence into non-existence.
The verb is also employed in descriptions of God's relation (the term" relation" is here used as a homonym) to existing species of evanescent things: for those species are as constant, well organized, and unvarying as the individuals of the heavenly hosts. Thus we find," Who sitteth over the circle of the earth" (Isa. xl. 22), Who remains constantly and unremittingly over the sphere of the earth; that is to say, over the things that come into existence within that sphere.
Again," The Lord sitteth upon the flood" (Ps. xxix. 10), i.e., despite the change and variation of earthly objects, no change takes place with respect to God's relation (to the earth): His relation to each of the things which come into existence and perish again is stable and constant, for it concerns only the existing species and not the individuals. It should therefore be borne in mind, that whenever the term" sitting" is applied to God, it is used in this sense.
CHAPTER XII
THE term kam (he rose) is a homonym. In one of its significations it is the opposite of" to sit," as" He did not rise (kam) nor move for him" (Esth. v. 9). It further denotes the confirmation and verification of a thing, e.g, :" Tjie Lord will verify (yakem) His promise" (I Sam. i. 23):" The field of Ephron was made sure (va-yakom) as the property of Abraham" (Gen. xxiii. 17)." The house that is in the walled city shall be established (ve-kam)" (Lev. xxv. 30):" And the kingdom of Israel shall be firmly established (ve-kamah) in thy hand" (I Sam. xxiv. 20). It is always in this sense that the verb is employed with reference to the Almighty; as" Now shall I rise (akum), saith the Lord" (Ps. xii. 7), which is the same as saying," Now shall I verify my word and my dispensation for good or evil."" Thou shalt arise (takum) and have mercy upon Zion" (Ps. cii. 13), which means : Thou wilt establish what thou hast promised, viz., that thou wouldst pity Zion.
Generally a person who resolves to set about a matter, accompanies his resolve by rising, hence the verb is employed to express" to resolve" to do a certain thing; as," That my son hath stirred up my servant against me" (I Sam. xxii. 8). The word is figuratively used to signify the execution of a divine decree against a people sentenced to extermination, as" And I win rise against the house of Jeroboam" (Amos vii. 9):" but he win arise against the house of the evildoers" (Isa. XXXi. 2). Possibly in Psalm xii. 7 the verb has this latter sense, as also in Psalm cii. 13, namely: Thou wilt rise up against her enemies.
There are many passages to be interpreted in this manner, but in no way should it be understood that He rises or sits-far be such a notion 1 Our Sages expressed this idea in the formula," In the world above there is neither sitting nor standing ('amidah)" : for the two verbs 'amad and kam are synonyms [and what is said about the former is also applicable to the latter]. CHAPTER XIII
THE term amad (he stood) is a homonym signifying in the first instance" to stand upright," as" When he stood (be-'omdo) before Pharaoh" (Gen. xli. 46):" Though Moses and Samuel stood (ya'amod)" (Jer. xv. 1):" He stood by them" (Gen. xviii. 8). It further denotes" cessation and interruption," as" but they stood still ('amedu) and answered no more" (job xxxii. 16):" and she ceased (va-ta'amod) to bear" (Gen. xxix. 35). Next it signifies" to be enduring and lasting," as," that they may continue (yo'amedu) many days" (jer. xxxii. 14):" Then shalt thou be able to endure ('amod)" (Exod. xviii. 23):" His taste remained ('amad) in him" (Jer. xlviii. 11), i.e., it has continued and remained in existence without any change:" His righteousness standeth for ever" (Ps. cxi. 3), i.e., it is permanent and everlasting. The verb applied to God must be understood in this latter sense, as in Zechariah xiv. 4, And his feet shall stand (ve-'amedu) in that day upon the Mount of Olives (Zech. xiv. 4)," His causes, i.e., the events of which He is the cause, will remain efficient," etc. This will be further elucidated when we speak of the meaning of regel (foot). (Vide infra, chap. xxviii.) In the same sense is this verb employed in Deuteronomy v. 28," But as for thee, stand thou here by me," and Deuteronomy v. 5," I stood between the Lord and you."
CHAPTER XIV
THE homonymous term adam is in the first place the name of the first man, being, as Scripture indicates, derived from adamah," earth." Next, it means" mankind," as" My spirit shall not strive with man (adam)" (Gen. vi. 3). Again" Who knoweth the spirit of the children of man (adam)" (Eccles. iii. 21):" so that a man ( adam) has no pre-eminence above a beast" (Eccles. iii. 19). Adam. signifies also" the multitude ... .. the lower classes" as opposed to those distinguished from the rest, as" Both low (bene adam) and high (bene ish)" (Ps. xlix. 3).
It is in this third signification that it occurs in the verses," The sons of the higher order (Elohim) saw the daughters of the lower order (adam)" (Gen. vi. 2): and" Forsooth! as the humble man (adam) you shall die" (Ps. lxxxii. 7).
CHAPTER XV
ALTHOUGH the two roots nazab and yazab are distinct, yet their meaning is, as you know, identical in all their various forms.
The verb has several meanings: in some instances it signifies" to stand or" to place oneself," as" And his sister stood (va-tetazzab) afar off" (Exod. ii. 4):" The kings of the earth set themselves" (yiyazzebu) (PS. ii. 2):" They came out and stood" (nizzabim) (Num. xvi. 27). In other instances it denotes continuance and permanence, as," Thy word is established (nizzab) in Heaven" (Ps. cxix. 89), i.e., it remains for ever.
Whenever this term is applied to God it must be understood in the latter sense, as," And, behold, the Lord stood (nizzab) upon it" (Gen. xxviii. 13), i.e., appeared as eternal and everlasting" upon it," namely, upon the ladder, the upper end of which reached to heaven, while the lower end touched the earth. This ladder all may climb up who wish to do so, and they must ultimately attain to a knowledge of Him who is above the summit of the ladder, because He remains upon it permanently. It must be well understood that the term" upon it" is employed by me in harmony with this metaphor." Angels of God" who were going up represent the prophets. That the term" angel" was applied to prophets may clearly be seen in the following passages:" He sent an angel" (Num. xx. 16):" And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim" (judges ii.1). How suggestive, too, is the expression" ascending and descending on it"! The ascent is mentioned before the descent, inasmuch as the" ascending" and arriving at a certain height of the ladder precedes the" descending," i.e., the application of the knowledge acquired in the ascent for the training and instruction of mankind. This application is termed" descent," in accordance with our explanation of the term yarad (chapter x.).
To return to our subject. The phrase" stood upon it" indicates the permanence and constancy of God, and does not imply the idea of physical position. This is also the sense of the phrase" Thou shalt stand upon the rock" (Exod. xxxiii. 21). It is therefore clear that nizzab and amad are identical in this figurative signification. Comp." Behold, I will stand ('omed) before thee there upon the rock in Horeb" (Exod. xvii. 6).
CHAPTER XVI
THE word zur (rock) is a homonym. First, it denotes rock," as" And thou shalt smite the rock" (zur) (Exod. xvii. 6). Then, hard stone," like the flint, e.g.," Knives of stone" (zurim) (josh. V. 2). It is next employed to signify the quarry from which the stones are hewn; comp." Look unto the rock (zur) whence ye are hewn" (Isa. li. 1). From this latter meaning of the term another figurative notion was subsequently derived, viz.," the root and origin" of all things. It is on this account that after the words" Look to the rock whence ye are hewn," the Prophet continues," Look unto Abraham your father," from which we evidently may infer that the words" Abraham your father" serve to explain" the rock whence ye are hewn" : and that the Prophet meant to say," Walk in his ways, put faith in his instruction, and conduct yourselves according to the rule of his life ! for the properties contained in the quarry should be found again in those things which are formed and hewn out of it."
It is in the latter sense that the Almighty is called" rock," He being the origin and the causa efficiens of all things besides Himself. Thus we read," He is the Rock, His work is perfect" (Deut. xxxii. 4):" Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful" (Dent. xxxii. 18):" Their Rock had sold them 11 (-xi- 30):" There is no rock like our God" (I Sam. ii. 2):" The Rock of Eternity" (Isa. xxvi. 4). Again," And thou shalt stand upon the Rock" (Exod. xxxiii. 21), i.e., Be firm and steadfast in the conviction that God is the source of all things, for this will lead you towards the knowledge of the Divine Being. We have shown (chap. viii.) that the words" Behold, a place is with me" (Exod. xxxiii. 21) contain the same idea.
CHAPTER XVII
Do not imagine that only Metaphysics should be taught with reserve to the common people and to the uninitiated: for the same is also the case with the greater part of Natural Science. In this sense we have repeatedly made use of the expression of the Sages," Do not expound the chapter on the Creation in the presence of two" [vide Introd. page 2]. This principle was not peculiar to our Sages: ancient philosophers and scholars of other nations were likewise wont to treat of the principia rerum obscurely, and to use figurative language in discussing such subjects. Thus Plato and his predecessors called Substance the female, and Form the male. (You are aware that the principia of all existing transient things are three, viz., Substance, Form, and Absence of a particular form; the last-named principle is always inherent in the substance, for otherwise the substance would be incapable of receiving a new form: and it is from this point of view that absence [of a particular form) is included among the principia. As soon, then, as a substance has received a certain form, the privation of that form, namely, of that which has just been received, has ceased, and is replaced by the privation of another form, and so on with all possible forms, as is explained in treatises on natural philosophy.) -- Now, if those philosophers who have nothing to fear from a lucid explanation of these metaphysical subjects still were in the habit of discussing them in figures and metaphors, how much more should we, having the interest of religion at heart, refrain from elucidating to the mass any subject that is beyond their comprehension, or that might be taken in a sense directly opposite to the one intended. This also deserves attention.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE three words karab," to come near," naga'," to touch," and nagash," to approach," sometimes signify" contact" or" nearness in space," sometimes the approach of man's knowledge to an object, as if it resembled the physical approach of one body to another. As to the use of karab in the first meaning, viz., to draw near a certain spot, comp." As he drew near (karab) the camp" (Exod. xxxii. 19);" And Pharaoh drew near (hikrib) (Exod. xiv. 10). Naga, in the first sense, viz., expressing the contact of two bodies, occurs in" And she cast it (va-tagga') at his feet" (Exod. iv. 25):" He caused it to touch (va-yagga') my mouth" (Isa. vi. 7). And nagash in the first sense, viz., to approach or move towards another person, is found, e.g., in" And Judah drew near (va-yiggash) unto him" (Gen. xliv. 1).
The second meaning of these three words is" approach by means of knowledge," or" contact by comprehension," not in reference to space. As to naga' in this second sense, comp." for her judgment reacheth (naga') unto heaven" (Jer. li. 9). An instance of karab being used in this meaning is contained in the following passage," And the cause that is too hard for you, bring (takribun) it unto me" (Deut. i. 17): this is equivalent to saying," Ye shall make it known unto me." The verb karab (in the Hiphil) is thus employed in the sense of giving information concerning a thing. The verb nagash is used figuratively in the phrase," And Abraham drew near (vayiggash), and said" (Gen. xviii. 23): this took place in a prophetic vision and in a trance, as will be explained (Part I. chap. xxi., and Part II. chap. xli.; also in" Forasmuch as this people draw near (niggash) me with their mouths and with their lips" (Isa. xxix. 13). Wherever a word denoting approach or contact is employed in the prophetic writings to describe a certain relation between the Almighty and any created being, it has to be understood in this latter sense [viz., to approach mentally]. For, as will be proved in this treatise (II. chap. iv.), the Supreme is incorporeal, and consequently He does not approach or draw near a thing, nor can aught approach or touch Him; for when a being is without corporeality, it cannot occupy space, and all idea of approach, contact, distance, conjunction, separation, touch, or proximity is inapplicable to such a being.
There can be no doubt respecting the verses" The Lord is nigh (karob) unto all them that call upon him" (Ps. cxlv. 18):" They take delight in approaching (kirbat) to God" (Isa. lviii. 2):" The nearness (kirbat) of God is pleasant to Me" (PS. Ixxii. 28): all such phrases intimate a spiritual approach, i.e., the attainment of some knowledge, not, however, approach in space. Thus also" who hath God so nigh (kerobim) unto him" (Dent. iv. 7):" Draw thou near (kerab) and hear" (Dent. V. 27):" And Moses alone shall draw near (ve-niggash) the Lord; but they shall not come nigh (yiggashu)" (Exod. xxiv. 2).
If, however, you wish to take the words" And Moses shall draw near" to mean that he shall draw near a certain place in the mountain, whereon the Divine Light shone, or, in the words of the Bible," where the glory of the Lord abode," you may do so, provided you do not lose sight of the truth that there is no difference whether a person stand at the centre of the earth or at the highest point of the ninth sphere, if this were possible: he is no further away from God in the one case, or nearer to Him in the other; those only approach Him who obtain a knowledge of Him; while those who remain ignorant of Him recede from Him. In this approach towards, or recession from God there are numerous grades one above the other, and 1 shall further elucidate, in one of the subsequent chapters of the Treatise (I. chap. lx., and II. chap. xxxvi.) what constitutes the difference in our perception of God.
In the passage," Touch (ga') the mountains, and they shall smoke
(Ps. cxliv. 5), the verb" touch" is used in a figurative sense, viz.," Let thy word touch them." So also the words," Touch thou him himself" (job ii. 5), have the same meaning as" Bring thy infliction upon him." In a similar manner must this verb, in whatever form it may be employed be interpreted in each place, according to the context: for in some cases it denotes contact of two material objects, in others knowledge and comprehension of a thing, as if he who now comprehends anything which he had not comprehended previously had thereby approached a subject which had been distant from him. This point is of considerable importance.
CHAPTER XIX
THE term male is a homonym which denotes that one substance enters another, and fills it, as" And she filled (va-temalle) her pitcher" (Gen. xxiv. 16):" An omer-full (melo) for each" (Exod. xvi. 32), and many other instances. Next, it signifies the expiration or completion of a fixed period of time, as" And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled (va-yimleu)" (Gen. XXV. 24):" And forty days were completed (va-yimleu) for him" (Gen. 1. It further denotes attainment of the highest degree of excellency, as Full (male) with the blessing of the Lord" (Dent. xxxiii. 23)
Them hath he filled (mille) with wisdom of heart" (Exod. xxxv. 35) He was filled (va-yimmale) with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning" (I Kings vii. 14). In this sense it is said" The whole earth is full (melo) of his glory" (Isa. vi. 4)," All the earth gives evidence of his perfection," i.e. leads to a knowledge of it. Thus also" The glory of the Lord filled (male) the tabernacle" (Exod. xl. 34): and, in fact, every application of the word to God must be interpreted in this manner; and not that He has a body occupying space. If, on the other hand, you prefer to think that in this passage by" the glory of the Lord," a certain light created for the purpose is to be understood, that such light is always termed" glory," and that such light" filled the tabernacle," we have no objection.
CHAPTER XX
THE word ram (high) is a homonym, denoting elevation in space, and elevation in dignity, i.e., greatness, honour, and power. It has the first meaning in" And the ark was lifted up (va-tarom) above the earth" (Gen. vii. 17): and the latter meaning in" I have exalted (harimoti) one chosen out of the people" (Ps. lxxxix. 20;" Forasmuch as I have exalted (harimoti) thee from amongst the dust" (I Kings xvi. 2):" Forasmuch as I exalted (harimott) thee from among the people" (I Kings xiv. 7).
Whenever this term is employed in reference to God, it must be taken in the second sense :" Be thou exalted (rumah), 0 God, above the heavens" (Ps. lvii.12). In the same manner does the root nasa (to Eft up) denote both elevation in space and elevation in rank and dignity. In the former sense it occurs in And they lifted up (va-yisseu) their corn upon their asses" (Gen. xlii. 26) and there are many instances like this in which this verb has the meaning to carry,"" to move" from place to place: for this implies elevation in space. In the second sense we have" And his kingdom shall be exalted" (ve-tinnase) (Num. xxiv. 7):" And he bare them, and carried them" (va-yenasseem) (Isa. Ixiii. 9):" Wherefore do ye exalt yourselves" (titnasseu) (Num. xvi. 3).
Every form of this verb when applied to God has this latter sense -- e.g.," Lift up thyself (hinnase), thou judge of the earth" (PS. XCiV. 2):" Thus saith the High (ram) and Exalted (nisia) One" (Isa. Ivii. 15) -- denoting elevation in rank, quality, and power, and not elevation in space.
You may be surprised that I employ the expression," elevation in rank, quality, and power," and you may say," How can you assert that several distinct expressions denote the same thing ?" It will be explained later on (chap. 1. seqq.) that those who possess a true knowledge of God do not consider that He possesses many attributes, but believe that these various attributes which describe His Might, Greatness, Power, Perfection, Goodness, etc., are identical, denoting His Essence, and not anything extraneous to His Essence. 1 shall devote special chapters to the Names and Attributes of
God; our intention here is solely to show that" high and exalted" in the passage quoted denote elevation in rank, not in space.
CHAPTER XXI
IN its primary signification the Hebrew 'abar," to pass," refers to the motion of a body in space, and is chiefly applied to living creatures moving at some distance in a straight line, e.g.," And He passed over ('abar) before them" (Gen. xxxiii- 3):" Pass ('abor) before the people" (Exod. xvii. 5). Instances of this kind are numerous. The verb was next applied to the passage of sound through air, as" And they caused a sound to pass (va-ya'abiru) through out the camp" (Exod. xxxvi. 6):" That I hear the Lord's people spreading the report" (ma'abirim) (I Sam. ii. 24).
Figuratively it denoted the appearance of the Light and the Divine Presence (Shechinah) which the prophets perceived in their prophetic visions, as it is said," And behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed ('abar) between those pieces" (Gen. xv. 17). This took place in a prophetic vision, for the narrative commences," And a deep sleep fell upon Abram." The verb has this latter meaning in Exodus xii. 12," And I shall pass (ve-abartz) through the land of Egypt" (denoting" I shall reveal myself," etc.), and in all similar phrases.
The verb is next employed to express that a person has gone too far, and transgressed the usual limit, in the performance of some act, as" And as a man who is drinking wine has passed ('abarv) the proper limit" (Jer. xxiii. 9).
It is also used figuratively to denote: to abandon one aim, and turn to a different aim and object, e.g.," He shot an arrow, causing it to miss the aim (leba'abiro)" (I Sam. xx. 36). This is the sense, it appears to me, of this verb in" And the Lord passed by (va-ya'abor) before his face (Exod. xxxiv. 6). 1 take" his face" to mean" the face of God: our Teachers likewise interpreted" his face" as being identical with" the face of God." And, although this is found in the midst of Agadic interpretations which would be out of place in this our work, yet it is some support of our view, that the pronoun" his" is employed in this passage as a substitute for" God's" -and the whole passage could in my opinion be explained as follows: Moses sought to attain to a certain perception which is called" the perception of the Divine face," a term occurring in the phrase" My face cannot be seen" : but God vouchsafed to him a perception of a lower degree, viz., the one called," the seeing of the back," in the words," And thou shalt see my back" (Exod. xxxiii. 23). We have mentioned this subject in our work Mishneh Torah. Accordingly, it is stated in the above-mentioned passage that the Lord withheld from Moses that perception which is termed" the seeing of the Divine face," and substituted for it another gift, viz., the knowledge of the acts attributed to God, which, as I shall explain (chap. liv.) are considered to be different and separate attributes of the Supreme. In asserting that God withheld from Moses (the higher knowledge) I mean to say that this knowledge was unattainable, that by its nature it was inaccessible to Moses: for man, whilst able to gain perfection by applying his reasoning faculties to the attainment of what is within the reach of his intellect, either weakens his reason or loses it altogether as soon as he ventures to seek a higher degree of knowledgeas I shall elucidate in one of the chapters of this work-unless he be granted a special aid from heaven, as is described in the words," And I will cover thee with my hand until I pass by" (Exod. xxxiii. 23)
Onkelos, in translating this verse, adopts the same method which he applies to the explanation of similar passages, viz., every expression implying corporeality or corporal properties, when referring to God, he explains by assuming an ellipsis of a nomen regens before" God," thus connecting the expression (of corporeality) with another word which is supplied, and which governs the genitive" God" : e.g.," And behold the Lord stood upon it" (Gen. xxviii. 13), he explains," The glory of the Lord stood arrayed above it." Again," The Lord watch between me and thee" (Gen. xxxi. 49), he paraphrases," The word of the Lord shall watch." This is his ordinary method in explaining Scripture. He applies it also to Exod. xxxiv. 6, which he paraphrases," The Lord caused his Presence to pass before his face and called." According to this rendering the thing which passed was unquestionably some physical object, the pronoun" his" refers to Moses, and the phrase 'al panav is identical with lefanav," before him." Comp." So went the present over before him" ('al panav) (Gen. xxxii. 22). This is likewise an appropriate and satisfactory explanation: and I can adduce still further support for the opinion of Onkelos from the words" while my glory passeth by" (ba'abor) (Exod. xxxiii. 22), which expressly state that the passing object was something ascribed to God, not God Himself: and of this Divine glory it is also said," until I pass by," and" And the Lord passed by before him."
Should it, however, be considered necessary to assume here an ellipsis, according to the method of Onkelos, who supplies in some instances the term 44 the Glory," in others" the Word," and in others" the Divine Presence," as the context may require in each particular case, we may also supply here the word" voice," and explain the passage," And a voice from the Lord passed before him and called." We have already shown that the verb abar," he passed," can be applied to the voice, as in" And they caused a voice to pass through the camp" (Exod. xxxvi. 6). According to this explanation, it was the voice which called. No objection can be raised to applying the verb kara (he called) to kol (voice), for a similar phrase occurs in the Bible in reference to God's commands to Moses," He heard the voice speaking unto him" : and, in the same manner as it can be said" the voice spoke," we may also say" the voice called" : indeed, we can even support this application of the verbs" to say," and" to call," to" the voice," by parallel passages, as" A voice saith 'Cry,' and it says' What shall I cry ? '" (Isa. xl. 6). According to this view, the meaning of the passage under discussion would be:" A voice of God passed before him and called, 'Eternal, Eternal, Allpowerful, All-merciful, and All-gracious!" ' (The word Eternal is repeated; it is in the vocative, for the Eternal is the one who is called. Comp. Moses, Moses! Abraham, Abraham!) This, again, is a very appropriate explanation of the text.
You will surely not find it strange that this subject, so profound and difficult, should bear various interpretations; for it will not impair the force of the argument with which we are here concerned. Either explanation may be adopted: you may take that grand scene altogether as a prophetic vision, and the whole occurrence as a mental operation, and consider that what Moses sought, what was withheld from him, and what he attained, were things perceived by the intellect without the use of the senses (as we have explained above): or you may assume that in addition there was a certain ocular perception of a material object, the sight of which would assist intellectual perception. The latter is the view of Onkelos, unless he assumes that in this instance the ocular perception was likewise a prophetic vision, as was the case with" a smoking furnace and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces" (Gen. xv. 17), mentioned in the history of Abraham. You may also assume that in addition there was a perception of sound, and that there was a voice which passed before him, and was undoubtedly something material. You may choose either of these opinions, for our sole intention and purpose is to guard you against the belief that the phrase" and the Lord passed," is analogous to" pass before the people" (Exod. xvii. 5), for God, being incorporeal, cannot be said to move, and consequently the verb" to pass" cannot with propriety be applied to Him in its primary signification.
CHAPTER XXII
IN Hebrew, the verb bo signifies" to come" as applied to a living being, i.e., its arrival at a certain place, or approach to a certain person, as" Thy brother came (ba) with subtilty" (Gen. xxvii. 35). It next denotes (with regard to a living being)" to enter" a certain place, e.g.," And when Joseph came (va-yabo) into the house" (Gen. Aiii. 26):" When ye come (ta-bou) into the land" (Exod. Xii. 25). The term was also employed metaphorically in the sense of to come" applied to a certain event, that is, to something incorporeal, as When thy sayings come to pass (yabo)" (judg. xiii. 17):" Of that which will come (yabou) over thee" (Isa. xlvii. 13). Nay, it is even applied to privatives, e.g.," Yet evil came (va-yabo)" (job iii. 26):" And darkness came (va-yabo)" Now, since the word has been applied to incorporeal things, it has also been used in reference to God-to the fulfilment of His word, or to the manifestation of His Presence (the Shechinah). In this figurative sense it is said," Lo, 1 come (ba) unto thee in a thick cloud" (Exod. xix. 9):" For the Lord the God of Israel cometh (ba) through it" (Ezek. XliV. 2). In these and all similar passages, the coming of the Shechinah is meant, but the words," And the Lord my God shall come (u-ba)" (Zech. xiv. 5) are identical with" His word will come," that is to say, the promises which He made through the Prophets will be fulfilled; therefore Scripture adds" all the holy ones that are with thee," that is to say," The word of the Lord my God will be performed, which has been spoken by all the holy ones who are with thee, who address the Israelites."
CHAPTER XXIII
Yaza (" he came out" ) is the opposite of ba (" he came in" ). The term yaza is applied to the motion of a body from a place in which it had previously rested, to another place (whether the body be a living being or not), e.g.," And when they were gone out (yazeu) if the city" (Gen. xliv. 4):" If fire break out (teze)" (Exod. xxii. .5). It was then figuratively employed to denote the appearance of something incorporeal, as," The word went out (yaza) of the king's mouth" (Esth. vii. 8):" When this deed of the queen shall come abroad (yeze) unto all women" (Esth. i. 17), that is to say," the report will spread." Again," For out of Zion shall go forth (teze) the Law" (Isa. ii. 3): further," The sun had risen (yaza) upon the earth" (Gen. xix. 23), i.e., its light became visible.
In this figurative sense we must take every expression of coming out when applied to the Almighty, e.g.," Behold, the Lord cometh out (yoze) of his place" (Isa. XXVi. 2 1), i.e.," The word of God, which until now has been in secret, cometh out, and will become manifest," i.e., something will come into being which had not existed before: for everything new emanating from God is ascribed to His word. Comp." By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth" (PS. xxxiii. 6). This is a simile taken from the conduct of kings, who employ the word as the means of carrying their will into effect. God, however, requires no instrument wherewith to operate in order to perform anything; the effect is produced solely by His will alone. He does not employ any kind of speech, as will be explained further on (chap. Iv.).
The verb" to come out" is thus employed to designate the manifestation of a certain work of God, as we noticed in our interpretation of the phrase," Behold, the Lord cometh out of his place." In a similar manner the term shub," to return," has been figuratively employed to denote the discontinuance of a certain act according to the will of God, as in" I will go and return to my place" (Hosea v. 15): that is to say, the Divine presence (Shechinah) which had been in our midst departed from us, the consequence of which has been the absence of Divine protection from amongst us. Thus the Prophet foretelling misfortune says," And 1 will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured" (Deut. xxxi. 17): for, when man is deprived of Divine protection he is exposed to all dangers, and becomes the butt of all fortuitous circumstances: his fortune and misfortune then depend on chance. Alas! how terrible a threat ! -- This is the idea contained in the words," I will go and return to my place" (Hos. v. 15).
CHAPTER XXIV
THE term halak is likewise one of the words which denote movements performed by living beings, as in" And Jacob went (halak) on his way" (Gen. xxxii. I), and in many other instances. The verb" to go" was next employed in describing movements of objects less solid than the bodies of living beings, comp." And the waters were going on (halok) decreasing" (Gen. viii. 5):" And the fire went along (va-tibalak) upon the ground" (Exod. ix. 23). Then it was employed to express the spreading and manifestation of something incorporeal, comp." The voice thereof shall go like a serpent" (Jer. XIVi. 22): again," The voice of the Lord God walking in the garden" (Gen. iii. 8). It is" the voice that is qualified by" walking."
Whenever the word" to go" is used in reference to God, it must be taken in this figurative sense, i.e., it applies to incorporeal things, and signifies either the manifestation of something incorporeal, or the withdrawal of the Divine protection, an act corresponding in lifeless beings to the removal of a thin., in living beings to the departure of a living being," walking." The withdrawal of God's protection is called in the Bible" the hiding of God's countenance, as in Deuteronomy xxxi. 18," As for me, I will hide my countenance." On the same ground it has been designated" going away," or moving away from a thing. comp." I will depart and return to my place" (Hos. v. 15). But in the passage," And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he went" (Num. xii. g), the two meanings of the verb are combined. viz., the withdrawal of the Divine protection, expressed by" and he went," and the revelation, manifestation, and appearance of something namely, of the anger which went forth and reached them, in consequence of which Miriam became" leprous, white as snow." The expression 11 to walk" was further applied to conduct, which concerns only the inner life, and which requires no bodily motion, as in the following passages," And thou shalt walk in his ways (Deut. xxviii. 9):" Ye shall walk after the Lord your God" (Deut. xiii. 5) Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord." (Isa. ii. 5).
CHAPTER XXV
THE Hebrew shakan, as is well known, signifies" to dwell," as, And he was dwelling (shoken) in the plains of Mamre" (Gen. xiv. 13): And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt (bishekon)" (Gen. XXXV. 22). This is the most common meaning of the word. But" dwelling in a ]Flace" consists in the continued stay in a place, general or special; when a living being dwells long in a place, we say that it stays in that place, although it unquestionably moves about in it, comp." And he was staying in the plains of Mamre" (Gen. xiv. 13), and," And it came to pass, when Israel stayed" (Gen. XXM 22).
The term was next applied metaphorically to inanimate objects, i.e., to everything which has settled and remains fixed on one object, although the object on which the thing remains is not a place, and the thing itself is not a living being; for instance," Let a cloud dwell upon it [the day]" (job iii. 5): there is no doubt that the cloud is not a living being, and that the day is not a corporeal thing, but a division of time.
In this sense the term is employed in reference to God, that is to Say, to denote the continuance of His Divine Presence (Shechinah) or of His Providence in some place where the Divine Presence manifested itself constantly, or in some object which was constantly protected by Providence. Comp." And the glory of the Lord abode" (Exod. xxiv. 16):" And I will dwell among the children of Israel" (Exod. xxix. 45):" And for the goodwill of him that dwelt in the bush" (Deut. xxxiii. 16). Whenever the term is applied to the Almighty, it must be taken consistently with the context in the sense either as referring to the Presence of His Shechinah (i.e., of His light that was created for the purpose) in a certain place, or of the continuance of His Providence protecting a certain object.
CHAPTER XXVI
You, no doubt, know the Talmudical saying, which includes in itself all the various kinds of interpretation connected with our subject. It runs thus :" The Torah speaks according to the language of man," that is to say, expressions, which can easily be comprehended and understood by all, are applied to the Creator. Hence the description of God by attributes implying corporeality, in order to express His existence: because the multitude of people do not easily conceive existence unless in connection with a body, and that which is not a body nor connected with a body has for them no existence. Whatever we regard as a state of perfection, is likewise attributed to God, as expressing that He is perfect in every respect, and that no imperfection or deficiency whatever is found in Him. But there is not attributed to God anything which the multitude consider a defect or want; thus He is never represented as eating, drinking, sleeping, being ill, using violence, and the like. Whatever, on the other hand, is commonly regarded as a state of perfection is attributed to Him, although it is only a state of perfection in relation to ourselves; for in relation to God, what we consider to be a state of perfection, is in truth the highest degree of imperfection. If, however, men were to think that those human perfections were absent in God, they would consider Him as imperfect.
You are aware that locomotion is one of the distinguishing characteristics of living beings, and is indispensable for them in their progress towards perfection. As they require food and drink to supply animal waste, so they require locomotion, in order to approach that which is good for them and in harmony with their nature, and to escape from what is injurious and contrary to their nature. It makes, in fact, no difference whether we ascribe to God eating and drinking or locomotion; but according to human modes of expression, that is to say, according to common notions, eating and drinking would be an imperfection in God, while motion would not, in spite of the fact that the necessity of locomotion is the result of some want. Furthermore, it has been clearly proved, that everything which moves is corporeal and divisible; it will be shown below that God is incorporeal and that He can have no locomotion; nor can rest be ascribed to Him; for rest can only be applied to that which also moves. All expressions, however, which imply the various modes of movement in living beings, are employed with regard to God in the manner we have described and in the same way as life is ascribed to Him: although motion is an accident pertaining to living beings, and there is no doubt that, without corporeality, expressions like the following could not be imagined :" to descend, to ascend, to walk, to place, to stand, to surround, to sit, to dwell, to depart, to enter, to pass, etc.
It would have been superfluous thus to dilate on this subject, were it not for the mass of the people, who are accustomed to such ideas. It has been necessary to expatiate on the subject, as we have attempted, for the benefit of those who are anxious to acquire perfection, to remove from them such notions as have grown up with them from the days of youth.
CHAPTER XXVII
ONKELOS the Proselyte, who was thoroughly acquainted with the Hebrew and Chaldaic languages, made it his task to oppose the belief in God's corporeality. Accordingly, any expression employed in the Pentateuch in reference to God, and in any way implying corporeality, he paraphrases inconsonance with the context. All expressions denoting any mode of motion, are explained by Him to mean the appearance or manifestation of a certain light that had been created [for the occasion], i.e., the Shekhinah (Divine Presence), or Providence. Thus he paraphrases" the Lord will come down" (Exod. xix. 11)," The Lord will manifest Himself" ;" And God came down" (xvi. 20)," And God manifested Himself" : and does not say" And God came down" :" I will go down now and see" (Gen. xviii. 21), he paraphrases," I will manifest myself now and see." This is his rendering [of the verb yarad," he went down," when used in reference to God] throughout his version, with the exception of the following passage," I will go down (ered) with thee into Egypt" (Gen. xlvi. 4), which he renders literally. A remarkable proof of this great man's talents, the excellence of his version, and the correctness of his interpretation ! By this version he discloses to us an important principle as regards prophecy.
This narrative begins:" And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob, etc. And He said, I am God, etc., I will go down with thee into Egypt" (Gen. XlVi. 2,3)- Seeing that the whole narrative is introduced as a vision of the night, Onkelos did not hesitate to translate literally the words addressed to Jacob in the nocturnal vision, and thus gave a faithful account of the occurrence. For the passage in question contains a statement of what Jacob was told, not what actually took place, as is the case in the words," And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai" (Exod. xix. 20). Here we have an account of what actually occurred in the physical world; the verb Varad is therefore paraphrased" He manifested Himself," and entirely detached from the idea of motion. Accounts of what happened in the imagination of man, I mean of what he was told, are not altered. A most remarkable distinction !
Hence you may infer that there is a great difference between a communication, designated as having been made in a dream, or a vision of the night, and a vision or a manifestation simply introduced with phrases like" And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying And the Lord spake unto me, saying."
According to my opinion, it is also possible that Onkelos understood Elohim in the above passage to signify" angel," and that for this reason he did not hesitate to translate literally," I will go down with thee to Egypt." Do not think it strange that Onkelos should have believed the Elohim, who said to Jacob," I am God, the God of thy father" (ib. 3), to be an angel, for this sentence can, in the same form, also have been spoken by an angel. Thus Jacob says," And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob. And I said, Here am 1," etc. (Gen. xxxi. 11): and concludes the report of the angel's words to him in the following way," I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me" (ib. 13), although there is no doubt that Jacob vowed to God, not to the angel. It is the usual practice of prophets to relate words addressed to them by an angel in the name of God, as though God Himself had spoken to them. Such passages are all to be explained by supplying the nomen regens, and by considering them as identical with" I am the messenger of the God of thy father,"" I am the messenger of God who appeared to thee in Bethel," and the like. Prophecy with its various degrees, and the nature of angels, will be fully discussed in the sequel, in accordance with the object of this treatise (II. chap. xiv.).
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE term regel is homonymous, signifying, in the first place, the foot of a living being; comp." Foot for foot (Exod. XXi. 24). Next it denotes an object which follows another: comp. And all the people that follow thee" Oit. that are at thy feet) (ib. xi. 18). Another signification of the word is cc cause"; comp." And the Lord hath blessed thee, I being the cause" (leragli) (Gen. xxx. 30), i.e., for my sake; for that which exists for the sake of another thing has the latter for Its final cause. Examples of the term used in this sense are numerous. It has that meaning in Genesis xxxiii. 14," Because (leregel) of the cattle that goeth before me, and because (leregel) of the children."
Consequently, the Hebrew text, of which the literal rendering is:" And his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives" (Zech. xiv. 4) can be explained in the following way:" And the things caused by him (raglav) on that day upon the Mount of Olives, that is to say, the wonders which will then be seen, and of which God will be the Cause or the Maker, will remain permanently." To this explanation does Jonathan son of Uziel incline in paraphrasing the passage," And he will appear in his might on that day upon the Mount of Olives. He generally expresses terms denoting those parts of the body by which contact and motion are effected, by" his might" [when referring to God], because all such expressions denote acts done by His Will.
In the passage (Exod. xxiv. 10, lit.," And there was under his feet, like the action of the whiteness of a sapphire stone" ), Onkelos, as you know, in his version, considers the word (raglav)" his feet" as a figurative expression and a substitute for" throne" : the words" under his feet" he therefore paraphrases," And under the throne of his glory." Consider this well, and you will observe with wonder how Onkelos keeps free from the idea of the corporeality of God, and from everything that leads thereto, even in the remotest degree. For he does not say," and under His throne" : the direct relation of the throne to God, implied in the literal sense of the phrase" His throne," would necessarily suggest the idea that God is supported by a material object, and thus lead directly to the corporeality of God: he therefore refers the throne to His glory, i.e., to the Shekhinah, which is a light created for the purpose.
Similarly he paraphrases the words," For my hand I lift up to the throne of God" (Exod. xvii. 16)," An oath has been uttered by God, whose Shekhinah is upon the throne of his glory." This principle found also expression in the popular phrase," the Throne of the Glory."
We have already gone too far away from the subject of this chapter, and touched upon things which will be discussed in other chapters; we will now return to our present theme. You are acquainted with the version of Onkelos [of the passage quoted]. He contents himself with excluding from his version all expressions of corporeality in reference to God, and does not show us what they (the nobles of the children of Israel Exod. xxiv. 10) perceived, or what is meant by that figure. In all similar instances Onkelos also abstains from entering into such questions, and only endeavours to exclude every expression implying corporeality; for the incorporeality of God is a demonstrative truth and an indispensable element in our faith; he could decidedly state all that was necessary in that respect. The interpretation of a simile is a doubtful thing: it may possibly have that meaning, but it may also refer to something else. It contains besides very profound matter, the understanding of which is not a fundamental element in our faith, and the comprehension of which is not easy for the common people. Onkelos, therefore, did not enter at all into this subject.
We, however, remaining faithful to our task in this treatise, find ourselves compelled to give our' explanation. According to our opinion" under his feet" (raglav) denotes" under that of which He is the cause,"" that which exists through Hirn," as we have already stated. They (the nobles of the children of Israel) therefore comprehended the real nature of the materia prima, which emanated from Him, and of whose existence He is the only cause. Consider well the phrase," like the action of the whiteness of the sapphire stone." If the colour were the point of comparison, the words," as the whiteness of the sapphire stone" would have sufficed; but the addition of" like the action" was necessary, because matter, as such, is, as you are well aware, always receptive and passive, active only by some accident. On the other hand, form, as such, is always active, and only passive by some accident, as is explained in works on Physics. This explains the addition of" like the action" in reference to the materia prima. The expression" the whiteness of the sapphire" refers to the transparency, not to the white colour: for" the whiteness" of the sapphire is not a white colour, but the property of being transparent. Things, however, which are transparent, have no colour of their own, as is proved in works on Physics: for if they had a colour they would not permit all the colours to pass through them nor would they receive colours: it is only when the transparent object is totally colourless, that it is able to receive successively all the colours. In this respect it (the whiteness of the sapphire) is like the materia prima, which as such is entirely formless, and thus receives all the forms one after the other. What they (the nobles of the children of Israel) perceived was therefore the materia prima, whose relation to God is distinctly mentioned, because it is the source of those of his creatures which are subject to genesis and destruction, and has been created by him. This subject also will be treated later on more fully.
Observe that you must have recourse to an explanation of this kind, even when adopting the rendering of Onkelos," And under the throne of His glory" ; for in fact the materia prima is also under the heavens, which are called" throne of God," as we have remarked above. I should not have thought of this unusual interpretation, or hit on this argument were it not for an utterance of R. Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, which will be discussed in one of the parts of this treatise (II. chap. xxvi.). The primary object of every intelligent person must be to deny the corporeality of God, and to believe that all those perceptions (described in the above passage) were of a spiritual not of a material character. Note this and consider it well. CHAPTER XXIX
THE term 'ezeb is homonymous, denoting, in the first place, pain and trembling; comp." In sorrow (be-'ezeb) thou shalt bring forth children" (Gen. iii. 16). Next it denotes anger; comp." And his father had not made him angry ('azabo) at any time" (I Kings i. 6):" for he was angry (ne'ezab) for the sake of David" (I Sam. xx. 34). The term signifies also provocation: comp." They rebelled, and vexed ('izzebu) his holy spirit" (Isa. lxiii. 10):" and provoked (ya'azibahu) him in the desert" (Ps. lxxviii. 4o);" If there be any way of provocation ('ozeb) in me" (ib. cxxxix. 24) Every day they rebel (ye'azzebu) against my words" (ib. Ivi. 6).
In Genesis vi. 6 the word has either the second or the third signification. In the first case, the sense of the Hebrew va-yit'azzeb el libbo is God was angry with them on account of the wickedness of their deeds" as to the words" to his heart" used here, and also in the history of Noah (ib. viii. 21) 1 will here explain what they mean. With regard to man, we use the expression" he said to himself," or" he said in his heart," in reference to a subject which he did not utter or communicate to any other person. Similarly the phrase" And God said in his heart," is used in reference to an act which God decreed without mentioning it to any prophet at the time the event took place according to the will of God. And a figure of this kind is admissible, since" the Torah speaketh in accordance with the language of man" (supra c. xxvi.). This is plain and dear. In the Pentateuch no distinct mention is made of a message sent to the wicked generation of the flood, cautioning or threatening them with death; therefore, it is said concerning them, that God was angry with them in His heart; likewise when He decreed that no flood should happen again, He did not tell a prophet to communicate it to others, and for that reason the words" in his heart" are added.
Taking the verb in the third signification, we explain the passage thus:" And man rebelled against God's will concerning him" : for leb (heart) also signifies" will," as we shall explain when treating of the homonymity of leb (heart).
CHAPTER XXX
IN its primary meaning akal (to eat) is used in the sense of taking food by animals: this needs no illustration. It was afterwards observed that eating includes two processes-- (1) the loss of the food, i.e., the destruction of its form, which first takes place; (2) the growth of animals, the preservation of their strength and their existence, and the support of all the forces of their body, caused by the food they take.
The consideration of the first process led to the figurative use of the verb in the sense of" consuming," destroying" : hence it includes all modes of depriving a thing of its form comp." And the land of your enemies shall destroy (lit. eat) you" (Lev. xxvi. 38):" A land that destroyeth (lit. eateth) the inhabitants thereof" (Num. xiii. 32):" Ye shall be destroyed (lit. eaten) with the sword" (Isa. i. 6):" Shall the sword destroy (lit. eat)" (2 Sam. ii. 26):" And the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and destroyed (lit. ate) them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp" (Num. xi. 1):" (God) is a destroying (lit. eating) fire" (Deut. iv. 24), that is, He destroys those who rebel against Him, as the fire destroys everything that comes within its reach. Instances of this kind are very frequent.
With reference to the second effect of the act of eating, the verb" to eat is figuratively used in the sense of" acquiring wisdom ... .. learning"; in short, for all intellectual perceptions. These preserve the human form (intellect) constantly in the most perfect manner, in the same way as food preserves the body in its best condition. Comp." Come ye, buy and eat" (Isa. lv. I):" Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good" (ib. 2):" It is not good to eat much honey" (Prov. XXV. 27):" My son, eat thou honey, because it is good, and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste; so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul" (ib. xxiv. 13, 14).
This figurative use of the verb" to eat" in the sense of" acquiring wisdom" is frequently met with in the Talmud, e.g., Come, eat fat meat at Raba's (Baba Bathra 22a); comp." All expressions of eating' and ' drinking' found in this book (of Proverbs) refer to wisdom," or, according to another reading," to the Law" (Koh. rabba on Eccl. iii. 13) - Wisdom has also been frequently called" water," e.g.," Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters" (Isa. Iv. 1).
The figurative meaning of these expressions has been so general and common, that it was almost considered as its primitive signification, and led to the employment" of hunger" and" thirst" in the sense of" absence of wisdom and intelligence" : comp." I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" ;" My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God" (Ps. xlii. 3). Instances of this kind occur frequently. The words," With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isa. Xii. 3), are paraphrased by Jonathan son of Uzziel thus :" You will joyfully receive new instruction from the chosen of the righteous." Consider how he explains" water" to indicate" the wisdom which will then spread," and" the wells" (ma'ayene) as being identical with" the eyes of the congregation" (Num. XV. 24), in the sense of" the chiefs," or" the wise." By the phrase," from the chosen of the righteous," he expresses his belief that righteousness is true salvation. You now see how he gives to every word in this verse some signification referring to wisdom and study. This should be well considered.
CHAPTER XXXI
KNOW that for the human mind there are certain objects of perception which are within the scope of its nature and capacity; on the other hand, there are, amongst things Aich actually exist, certain objects which the mind can in no way and by no means grasp : the gates of perception are dosed against it. Further, there are things of which the mind understands one part, but remains ignorant of the other; and when man is able to comprehend certain things, it does not follow that he must be able to comprehend everything. This also applies to the senses : they are able to perceive things, but not at every distance: and all other power; of the body are limited in a similar way. A man can, e.g., carry two kikkar, but he cannot carry ten kikkar. How individuals of the same species surpass each other in these sensations and in other bodily faculties is universally known, but there is a limit to them, and their power cannot extend to every distance or to every degree.
All this is applicable to the intellectual faculties of man. There is a considerable difference between one person and another as regards these faculties, as is well known to philosophers. While one man can discover a certain thing by himself, another is never able to understand it, even if taught by means of all possible expressions and metaphors, and during a long period; his mind can in no way grasp it, his capacity is insufficient for it. This distinction is not unlimited. A boundary is undoubtedly set to the human mind which it cannot pass. There are things (beyond that boundary) which are acknowledged to be inaccessible to human understanding, and man does not show any desire to comprehend them, being aware that such knowledge is impossible, and that there are no means of overcoming the difficulty: e.g., we do not know the number of stars in heaven, whether the number is even or odd; we do not know the number of animals, minerals, or plants, and the like. There are other things, however, which man very much desires to know, and strenuous efforts to examine and to investigate them have been made by thinkers of all classes, and at all times. They differ and disagree, and constantly raise new doubts with regard to them, because their minds are bent on comprehending such things, that is to say, they are moved by desire
and every one of them believes that he has discovered the way leading to a true knowledge of the thing, although human reason is entirely unable to demonstrate the fact by convincing evidence.-For a proposition which can be proved by evidence is not subject to dispute, denial, or rejection: none but the ignorant would contradict it, and such contradiction is called" denial of a demonstrated proof." Thus you find men who deny the spherical form of the earth, or the circular form of the line in which the stars move, and the like: such men are not considered in this treatise. This confusion prevails mostly in metaphysical subjects, less in problems relating to physics, and is entirely absent from the exact sciences. Alexander Aphrodisius said that there are three causes which prevent men from discovering the exact truth : first, arrogance and vainglory; secondly, the subtlety, depth, and difficulty of any subject which is being examined; thirdly, ignorance and want of capacity to comprehend what might be comprehended. These causes are enumerated by Alexander. At the present time there is a fourth cause not mentioned by him, because it did not then prevail, namely, habit and training. We naturally like what we have been accustomed to, and are attracted towards it. This may be observed amongst villagers; though they rarely enjoy the benefit of a douche or bath, and have few enjoyments, and pass a life of privation, they dislike town life and do not desire its pleasures, preferring the inferior things to which they are accustomed, to the better things to which they are strangers; it would give them no satisfaction to live in palaces, to be clothed in silk, and to indulge in baths, ointments, and perfumes.
The same is the case with those opinions of man to which he has been accustomed from his youth; he likes them, defends them, and shuns the opposite views. This is likewise one of the causes which prevent men from finding truth, and which make them cling to their habitual opinions. Such is, e.g., the case with the vulgar notions with respect to the corporeality of God, and many other metaphysical questions, as we shall explain. It is the result of long familiarity with passages of the Bible, which they are accustomed to respect and to receive as true, and the literal sense of which implies the corporeality of God and other false notions; in truth, however, these words were employed as figures and metaphors for reasons to be mentioned below. Do not imagine that what we have said of the insufficiency of our understanding and of its limited extent is an assertion founded only on the Bible: for philosophers likewise assert the same, and perfectly understand it,- without having regard to any religion or opinion. It is a fact which is only doubted by those who ignore things fully proved. This chapter is intended as an introduction to the next.
CHAPTER XXXII
You must consider, when reading this treatise, that mental perception, because connected with matter, is subject to conditions similar to those to which physical perception is subject. That is to say, if your eye looks around, you can perceive all that is within the range of your vision: if, however, you overstrain your eye, exerting it too much by attempting to see an object which is too distant for your eye, or to examine writings or engravings too small for your sight, and forcing it to obtain a correct perception of them, you will not only weaken your sight with regard to that special object, but also for those things which you otherwise are able to perceive: your eye will have become too weak to perceive what you were able to see before you exerted yourself and exceeded the limits of your vision.
The same is the case with the speculative faculties of one who devotes himself to the study of any science. If a person studies too much and exhausts his reflective powers, he will be confused, and will not be able to apprehend even that which had been within the power of his apprehension. For the powers of the body are all alike in this respect.
The mental perceptions are not exempt from a similar condition. If you admit the doubt, and do not persuade yourself to believe that there is a proof for things which cannot be demonstrated, or to try at once to reject and positively to deny an assertion the opposite of which has never been proved, or attempt to perceive things which are beyond your perception, then you have attained the highest degree of human perfection, then you are like R. Akibha, who" in peace entered [the study of these theological problems], and came out in peace." If, on the other hand, you attempt to exceed the limit of your intellectual power, or at once to reject things as impossible which have never been proved to be impossible, or which are in fact possible, though their possibility be very remote, then you will be like Elisha Aber; you will not only fail to become perfect, but you will become exceedingly imperfect. Ideas founded on mere imagination will prevail over you, you will incline toward defects, and toward base and degraded habits, on account of the confusion which troubles the mind, and of the dimness of its light, just as weakness of sight causes invalids to see many kinds of unreal images, especially when they have looked for a long time at dazzling or at very minute objects.
Respecting this it has been said," Hast thou found honey ? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it" (Prov. xxv. 16). Our Sages also applied this verse to Elisha Aber, How excellent is this simile! In comparing knowledge to food (as we observed in chap. xxx.), the author of Proverbs mentions the sweetest food, namely, honey, which has the further property of irritating the stomach, and of causing sickness. He thus fully describes the nature of knowledge. Though great, excellent, noble and perfect, it is injurious if not kept within bounds or not guarded properly; it is like honey which gives nourishment and is pleasant, when eaten in moderation, but is totally thrown away when eaten immoderately. Therefore, it is not said" lest thou be filled and loathe it," but" lest thou vomit it." The same idea is expressed in the words," It is not good to eat much honey" (Prov. XM 27): and in the words," Neither make thyself over-wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself ?" (Eccles. vii. 16); comp." Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God" (ibid. v. 1). The same subject is alluded to in the words of David," Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me" (PS. =XL 2), and in the sayings of our Sages:" Do not inquire into things which are too difficult for thee, do not search what is hidden from thee: study what you are allowed to study, and do not occupy thyself with mysteries." They meant to say, Let thy mind only attempt things which are within human perception; for the study of things which lie beyond man's comprehension is extremely injurious, as has been already stated. This lesson is also contained in the Talmudical passage, which begins," He who considers four things," etc., and concludes," He who does not regard the honour of his Creator" : here also is given the advice which we have already mentioned, viz., that man should not rashly engage in speculation with false conceptions, and when he is in doubt about anything, or unable to find a proof for the object of his inquiry, he must not at once abandon, reject and deny it; he must modestly keep back, and from regard to the honour of his Creator, hesitate [from uttering an opinion) and pause. This has already been explained.
It was not the object of the Prophets and our Sages in these utterances to close the gate of investigation entirely, and to prevent the mind from comprehending what is within its reach, as is imagined by simple and idle people, whom it suits better to put forth their ignorance and incapacity as wisdom and perfection, and to regard the distinction and wisdom of others as irreligion and imperfection, thus taking darkness for light and light for darkness. The whole object of the Prophets and the Sages was to declare that a limit is set to human reason where it must halt. Do not criticise the words used in this chapter and in others in reference to the mind, for we only intended to give some idea of the subject in view, not to describe the essence of the intellect: for other chapters have been dedicated to this subject.
CHAPTER XXXIII
You must know that it is very injurious to begin with this branch of philosophy, viz., Metaphysics: or to explain [at first] the sense of the similes occurring in prophecies, and interpret the metaphors which are employed in historical accounts and which abound in the writings of the Prophets. On the contrary, it is necessary to initiate the young and to instruct the less intelligent according to their comprehension: those who appear to be talented and to have capacity for the higher method of study, i.e., that based on proof and on true logical argument, should be gradually advanced towards perfection, either by tuition or by self-instruction. He, however, who begins with Metaphysics, will not only become confused in matters of religion, but will fall into complete infidelity. I compare such a person to an infant fed with wheaten bread, meat and wine; it will undoubtedly die, not because such food is naturally unfit for the human body, but because of the weakness of the child, who is unable to digest the food, and cannot derive benefit from it. The same is the case with the true principles of science. They were presented in enigmas, dad in riddles, and taught by an wise men in the most mysterious way that could be devised, not because they contain some secret evil, or are contrary to the fundamental principles of the Law (as fools think who are only philosophers in their own eyes), but because of the incapacity of man to comprehend them at the beginning of his studies: only slight allusions have been made to them to serve for the guidance of those who are capable of understanding them. These sciences were, therefore, called Mysteries (sodoth), and Secrets of the Law (sitre torah), as we shall explain.
This also is the reason why" the Torah speaks the language of man," as we have explained, for it is the object of the Torah to serve as a guide for the instruction of the young, of women, and of the common people; and as all of them are incapable to comprehend the true sense of the words, tradition was considered sufficient to convey all truths which were to be established; and as regards ideals, only such remarks were made as would lead towards a knowledge of their existence, though not to a comprehension of their true essence. When a man attains to perfection, and arrives at a knowledge of the" Secrets of the Law," either through the assistance of a teacher or by self-instruction, being led by the understanding of one part to the study of the other, he will belong to those who faithfully believe in the true principles, either because of conclusive proof, where proof is possible, or by forcible arguments, where argument is admissible; he will have a true notion of those things which he previously received in similes and metaphors, and he will fully understand their sense. We have frequently mentioned in this treatise the principle of our Sages" not to discuss the Ma'aseh Mercabah even in the presence of one pupil, except he be wise and intelligent; and then only the headings of the chapters are to be given to him." We must, therefore, begin with teaching these subjects according to the capacity of the pupil, and on two conditions, first, that he be wise, i.e., that he should have successfully gone through the preliminary studies, and secondly that he be intelligent, talented, clear-headed, and of quick perception, that is, have a mind of his own" (mebin midda'ato), as our Sages termed it.
I will now proceed to explain the reasons why we should not instruct the multitude in pure metaphysics, or begin with describing to them the true essence of things, or with showing them that a thing must be as it is, and cannot be otherwise. This will form the subject of the next chapter; and I proceed to say
CHAPTER XXXIV
THERE are five reasons why instruction should not begin with Metaphysics, but should at first be restricted to pointing out what is fitted for notice and what may be made manifest to the multitude.
First Reason -- The subject itself is difficult, subtle and profound," Far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out ?" (Eccles. vii. 24). The following words of job may be applied to it:" Whence then cometh wisdom ? and where is the place of understanding ?" (job xxviii. 20). Instruction should not begin with abstruse and difficult subjects. In one of the similes contained in the Bible, wisdom is compared to water, and amongst other interpretations given by our Sages of this simile, occurs the following: He who can swim may bring up pearls from the depth of the sea, he who is unable to swim will be drowned, therefore only such persons as have had proper instruction should expose themselves to the risk.
Second Reason --The intelligence of man is at first insufficient; for he is not endowed with perfection at the beginning, but at first possesses perfection only in potentia, not in fact. Thus it is said," And man is born a wild ass" (job xi. 12). If a man possesses a certain faculty in potentia, it does not follow that it must become in him a reality. He may possibly remain deficient either on account of some obstacle, or from want of training in practices which would turn the possibility into a reality. Thus it is distinctly stated in the Bible," Not many are wise" (ib., xxxii. 9): also our Sages say," I noticed how few were those who attained to a higher degree of perfection" (B. T. Succah 45a). There are many things which obstruct the path to perfection, and which keep man away from it. Where can he find sufficient preparation and leisure to learn all that is necessary in order to develop that perfection which he has in potentia ?
Third Reason. -- The preparatory studies are of long duration, and man, in his natural desire to reach the goal, finds them frequently too wearisome, and does not wish to be troubled by them. Be convinced that, if man were able to reach the end without preparatory studies, such studies would not be preparatory but tiresome and utterly superfluous. Suppose you awaken any person, even the most simple, as if from sleep, and you say to him, Do you not desire to know what the heavens are, what is their number and their form; what beings are contained in them; what the angels are; how the creation of the whole world took place; what is its purpose, and what is the relation of its various parts to each other; what is the nature of the soul; how it enters the body; whether it has an independent existence, and if so, how it can exist independently of the body; by what means and to what purpose, and similar problems. He would undoubtedly say" Yes," and show a natural desire for the true knowledge of these things; but he win wish to satisfy that desire and to attain to that knowledge by listening to a few words from you. Ask him to interrupt his usual pursuits for a week, till he learn all this, he would not do it, and would be satisfied and contented with imaginary and misleading notions; he would refuse to believe that there is anything which requires preparatory studies and persevering research.
You, however, know how all these subjects are connected together; for there is nothing else in existence but God and His works, the latter including all existing things besides Him: we can only obtain a knowledge of I-Em through His works; His works give evidence of His existence, and show what must be assumed concerning Him, that is to say, what must be attributed to Him either affirmatively or negatively. It is thus necessary to examine all things according to their essence, to infer from every species such true and well established propositions as may assist us in the solution of metaphysical problems. Again, many propositions based on the nature of numbers and the properties of geometrical figures, are useful in examining things which must be negatived in reference to God, and these negations will lead us to further inferences. You will certainly not doubt the necessity of studying astronomy and physics, if you are desirous of comprehending the relation between the world and Providence as it is in reality, and not according to imagination. There are also many subjects of speculation, which, though not preparing the way for metaphysics, help to train the reasoning power, enabling it to understand the nature of a proof, and to test truth by characteristics essential to it. They remove the confusion arising in the minds of most thinkers, who confound accidental with essential properties, and likewise the wrong opinions resulting therefrom. We may add, that although they do not form the basis for metaphysical research, they assist in forming a correct notion of these things, and are certainly useful in many other things connected with that discipline. Consequently he who wishes to attain to human perfection, must therefore first study Logic, next the various branches of Mathematics in their proper order, then Physics, and lastly Metaphysics. We find that many who have advanced to a certain point in the study of these disciplines become weary, and stop: that others, who are endowed with sufficient capacity, are interrupted in their studies by death, which surprises them while still engaged with the preliminary course. Now, if no knowledge whatever had been given,' to us by means of tradition, and if we had not been brought to the belief in a thing through the medium of similes, we would have been bound to form a perfect notion of things with their essential characteristics, and to believe only what we could prove: a goal which could only be attained by long preparation. In such a case most people would die, without having known whether there was a God or not, much less that certain things must be asserted about Him, and other things denied as defects. From such a fate not even" one of a city or two of a family" (jer. iii. 14) would have escaped.
As regards the privileged few," the remnant whom the Lord calls" (Joel iii. 5), they only attain the perfection at which they aim after due preparatory labour. The necessity of such a preparation and the need of such a training for the acquisition of real knowledge, has been plainly stated by King Solomon in the following words:" If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: and it is profitable to prepare for wisdom" (Eccles. x. 10):" Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end" (Prov. XiX. 20).
There is still another urgent reason why the preliminary disciplines should be studied and understood. During the study many doubts present themselves, and the difficulties, or the objections raised against certain assertions, are soon understood, just as the demolition of a building is easier than its erection: while, on the other hand, it is impossible to prove an assertion, or to remove any doubts, without having recourse to several propositions taken from these preliminary studies. He who approaches metaphysical problems without proper preparation is like a person who journeys towards a certain place, and on the road falls into a deep pit, out of which he cannot rise, and he must perish there: if he had not gone forth, but had remained at home, it would have been better for him.
Solomon has expatiated in the book of Proverbs on sluggards and their indolence, by which he figuratively refers to indolence in the search after wisdom. He thus speaks of a man who desires to know the final results, but does not exert himself to understand the preliminary disciplines which lead to them, doing nothing else but desire." The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth, and spareth not" (PrOV. XXi. 25, 26): that is to say, if the desire killeth the slothful, it is because he neglects to seek the thing which might satisfy his desire, he does nothing but desire, and hopes to obtain a thing without using the means to reach it. It would be better for him were he without that desire. Observe how the end of the simile throws light on its beginning. It concludes with the words" but the righteous giveth, and spareth not" : the antithesis of" righteous" and" slothful" can only be justified on the basis of our interpretation. Solomon thus indicates that 0 such a man is righteous who gives to everything its due portion; that is to say, who gives to the study of a thing the whole time required for it, and does not devote any part of that time to another purpose. The passage may therefore be paraphrased thus : And the righteous man devotes his ways to wisdom, and does not withhold any of them." Comp." Give not thy strength unto women" (Prov. xxxi. 3).
The majority of scholars, that is to say, the most famous in science, are afflicted with this failing, viz., that of hurrying at once to the final results, and of speaking about them, without treating of the preliminary disciplines. Led by folly or ambition to disregard those preparatory studies, for the attainment of which they are either incapable or too idle, some scholars endeavour to prove that these are injurious or superfluous. On reflection the truth will become obvious.
The Fourth Reason is taken from the physical constitution of man. It has been proved that moral conduct is a preparation for intellectual progress, and that only a man whose character is pure, calm and steadfast, can attain to intellectual perfection: that is, acquire correct conceptions. Many men are naturally so constituted that all perfection is impossible: e.g., he whose heart is very warm and is himself very powerful, is sure to be passionate, though he tries to counteract that disposition by training; he whose testicles are warm, humid, and vigorous, and the organs connected therewith are surcharged, will not easily refrain from sin, even if he makes great efforts to restrain himself. You also find persons of great levity and rashness, whose excited manners and wild gestures prove that their constituttion is in disorder, and their temperament so bad that it cannot be cured. Such persons can never attain to perfection: it is utterly useless to occupy oneself with them on such a subject [as Metaphysics]. For this science is, as you know, different from the science of Medicine and of Geometry, and, from the reason already mentioned, it is not every person who is capable of approaching it. It is impossible for a man to study it successfully without moral preparation; he must acquire the highest degree of uprightness and integrity," for the froward is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret is with the righteous" (Prov. iii. 32). Therefore it was considered inadvisable to teach it to young men; nay, it is impossible for them to comprehend it, on account of the heat of their blood and the flame of youth, which confuses their minds: that heat, which causes all the disorder, must first disappear; they must have become moderate and settled, humble in their hearts, and subdued in their temperament; only then will they be able to arrive at the highest degree of the perception of God, i.e., the study of Metaphysics, which is called Ma'aseh Mercabah Comp. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" (Ps. xxxiv. 18)" I dwell in the high and lofty place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit: to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa. lvii. 15).
Therefore the rule," the headings of the sections may be confided to him," is further restricted in the Talmud, in the following way: The headings of the sections must only be handed down to an Ab-bet-din (President of the Court), whose heart is full of care, i.e., in whom wisdom is united with humility, meekness, and a great dread of sin. It is further stated there :" The secrets of the Law can only be communicated to a counsellor, scholar, and good orator." These qualities can only be acquired if the physical constitution of the student favour their development. You certainly know that some persons, though exceedingly able, are very weak in giving counsel, while others are ready with proper counsel and good advice in social and political matters. A person so endowed is called" counsellor" and may be unable to comprehend purely abstract notions, even such as are similar to common sense. He is unacquainted with them, and has no talent whatever for them; we apply to him the words :" Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it ?" (Prov. xvii. 16). Others are intelligent and naturally clear-sighted, able to convey complicated ideas in concise and well chosen language, -- such a person is called" a good orator," but he has not been engaged in the pursuit of science, or has not acquired any knowledge of it. Those who have actually acquired a knowledge of the sciences, are called" wise in arts" (or" scholars" ): the Hebrew term for" wise in arts" -- hakam harashim -has been explained in the Talmud as implying, that when such a man speaks, all become, as t were, speechless.
Now, consider how, in the writings of the Rabbis, the admission of a person into discourses on metaphysics is made dependent on distinction in social qualities, and study of philosophy, as well as on the possession of clearsightedness, intelligence, eloquence, and ability to communicate things by slight allusions. If a person satisfies these requirements, the secrets of the Law are confided to him. In the same place we also read the following passage :-R. Jochanan said to R. Elasar," Come, I will teach you Ma'aseh Mercabah." The reply was," I am not yet old," or in other words, I have not yet become old, I still perceive in myself the hot blood and the rashness of youth. You learn from this that, in addition to the above-named good qualities, a certain age is also required. How, then, could any person speak on these metaphysical themes in the presence of ordinary people, of children, and of women!
Fifth Reason. -- Man is disturbed in his intellectual occupation by the necessity of looking after the material wants of the body, especially if the necessity of providing for wife and children be superadded: much more so if he seeks superfluities in addition to his ordinary wants, for by custom and bad habits these become a powerful motive. Even the perfect man to whom we have referred, if too busy with these necessary things, much more so if busy with unnecessary things, and filled with a great desire for them-must weaken or altogether lose his desire for study, to which he win apply himself with interruption, lassitude, and want of attention. He will not attain to that for which he is fitted by his abilities, or he will acquire imperfect knowledge, a confused mass of true and false ideas. For these reasons it was proper that the study of Metaphysics should have been exclusively cultivated by privileged persons, and not entrusted to the common people. It is not for the beginner, and he should abstain from it, as the little child has to abstain from taking solid food and from carrying heavy weights.
CHAPTER XXXV
Do not think that what we have laid down in the preceding
chapters on the importance, obscurity, and difficulty of the subject,
and its unsuitableness for communication to ordinary persons,
includes the doctrine of God's incorporeality and His exemption
from all affections
This suffices for the guidance of children and of ordinary persons
who must believe that there is a Being existing, perfect,
incorporeal, not inherent in a body as a force in it-God, who is
above all kinds of deficiency, above A affections. But the question
concerning the attributes of God, their inadmissibility, and the
meaning of those attributes which are ascribed to Him; concerning
the Creation, His Providence, in providing for everything;
concerning His will, His perception, His knowledge of everything;
concerning prophecy and its various degrees: concerning the
meaning of His names which imply the idea of unity, though they
are more than one; all these things are very difficult problems, the
true" Secrets of the Law" the" secrets" mentioned so frequently
in the books of the Prophets, and in the words of our Teachers, the
subjects of which we should only mention the headings of the
chapters, as we have already stated, and only in the presence of a
person satisfying the above-named conditions.
That God is incorporeal, that He cannot be compared with His
creatures, that He is not subject to external influence; these are
things which must be explained to every one according to his
capacity, and they must be taught by way of tradition to children
and women, to the stupid and ignorant, as they are taught that God
is One, that He is eternal, and that He alone is to be worshipped.
Without incorporeality there is no unity, for a corporeal thing is in
the first case not simple, but composed of matter and form which
are two separate things by definition, and secondly, as it has
extension it is also divisible. When persons have received this
doctrine, and have been trained in this belief, and are in
consequence at a loss to reconcile it with the writings of the
Prophets, the meaning of the latter must be made dear and
explained to them by pointing out the homonymity and the
figurative application of certain terms discussed in this part of the
work. Their belief in the unity of God and in the words of the
Prophets will then be a true and perfect belief.
Those who are not sufficiently intelligent to comprehend the true
interpretation of these passages in the Bible, or to understand that
the same term admits of two different interpretations, may simply
be told that the scriptural passage is clearly understood by the
wise, but that they should content themselves with knowing that
God is incorporeal, that He is never subject to external influence,
as passivity implies a change, while God is entirely free from all
change, that He cannot be compared to anything besides Himself,
that no definition includes Him together with any other being, that
the words of the Prophets are true, and that difficulties met with
may be explained on this principle. This may suffice for that class
of persons, and it is not proper to leave them in the belief that God
is corporeal, or that He has any of the properties of material
objects, just as there is no need to leave them in the belief that God
does not exist, that there are more Gods than one, or that any other
being may be worshipped.
CHAPTER XXXVI
I SHALL explain to you, when speaking on the attributes of God,
in what sense we can say that a particular thing pleases Him, or
excites His anger and His wrath, and in reference to certain
persons that God was pleased with them, was angry with them, or
was in wrath against them. This is not the subject of the present
chapter; I intend to explain in it what I am now going to say. You
must know, that in examining the Law and the books of the
Prophets, you will not find the expressions" burning anger," "
provocation," or" jealousy" applied to God except in reference to
idolatry; and that none but the idolater called" enemy .. ..
adversary," or" hater of the Lord." Comp." And ye serve other
gods,. and then the Lord's wrath will be kindled against you"
(Dent. xi. 16, 17) Lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled
against thee." etc. (ib. vi. 15):" To provoke him to anger through
the work of your hands" (ib. xrxi. 29):" They have moved me to
jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to
anger with their vanities" (ib. xxxii. 21):" For the Lord thy God is
a jealous God" (ib. vi. 15):" Why have they provoked me to anger
with their graven images, and with strange vanities ?" (Jer. viii.
19):" Because of the provoking of his sons and of his daughters"
(Dent. xxxii. 19):" For a fire is kindled in mine anger" (ib. 22):"
The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and he reserveth
wrath for his enemies" (Nah. i. 2):" And repayeth them that hate
Him" (Deut. vii. 10):" Until He hath driven out His enemies from
before Him (Num. xxxii. 2 1):" Which the Lord thy God hateth"
(Deut. XVi. 22): For every abomination to the Lord, which He
hateth, have they done unto their gods" (ib. xii. P). Instances like
these are innumerable; and if you examine all the examples met
with in the holy writings, you will find that they confirm our view.
The Prophets in their writings laid special stress on this, because it
concerns errors in reference to God, i.e., it concerns idolatry. For if
any one believes that, e.g., Zaid is standing, while in fact he is
sitting, he does not deviate from truth so much as one who
believes that fire is under the air, or that water is under the earth,
or that the earth is a plane, or things similar to these. The latter
does not deviate so much from truth as one who believes that the
sun consists of fire, or that the heavens form a hemisphere, and
similar things: in the third instance the deviation from truth is less
than the deviation of a man who believes that angels cat and drink,
and the like. The latter again deviates less from truth than one who
believes that something besides God is to be worshipped; for
ignorance and error concerning a great thing, i.e., a thing which
has a high position in the universe, are of greater importance than
those which refer to a thing which occupies a lower place:-by"
error" 1 mean the belief that a thing is different from what it really
is: by" ignorance," the want of knowledge respecting things the
knowledge of which can be obtained.
If a person does not know the measure of the cone, or the
sphericity of the sun, it is not so important as not to know whether
God exists, or whether the world exists without a God; and if a
man assumes that the cone is half (of the cylinder), or that the sun
is a circle, it is not so injurious as to believe that God is more than
One. You must know that idolaters when worshipping idols do not
believe that there is no God besides them: and no idolater ever did
assume that any image made of metal, stone, or wood has created
the heavens and the earth, and still governs them. Idolatry is
founded on the idea that a particular form represents the agent
between God and His creatures. This is plainly said in passages
like the following:" Who would not fear thee, 0 king of nations ?"
(Jer. x. 7)" And in every place incense is offered unto my name"
(Mal. i. 11): by my name" allusion is made to the Being which is
called by them [i.e., the idolaters]" the First Cause." We have
already explained this in our larger work (Misbneb Torah, I. On
Idolatry, chap. i.), and none of our co-religionists can doubt it.
The infidels, however, though believing in the existence of the
Creator, attack the exclusive prerogative of God, namely, the
service and worship which was commanded, in order that the
belief of the people in His existence should be firmly established,
in the words," And you shall serve the Lord," etc. (Exod. xxiii.
25). By transferring that prerogative to other beings, they cause the
people, who only notice the rites, without comprehending their
meaning or the true character of the being which is worshipped, to
renounce their belief in the existence of God. They were therefore
punished with death: comp." Thou shalt save alive nothing that
breatheth" (Deut. xx. 16). The object of this commandment, as is
distinctly stated, is to extirpate that false opinion, in order that
other men should not be corrupted by it any more: in the words of
the Bible" that they teach you not," etc. (ib. is). They are called"
enemies,"" foes ... .. adversaries" : by worshipping idols they are
said to provoke God to jealousy, anger, and wrath. How great,then,
muut be the offence of him who has a wrong opinion of God
Himself, and believes Him to be different from what He truly is,
i.e., assumes that He does not exist, that He consists of two
elements, that He is corporeal, that He is subject to external
influence, or ascribes to Him any defect whatever. Such a person is
undoubtedly worse than he who worships idols in the belief that
they, as agents, can do good or evil.
Therefore bear in mind that by the belief in the corporeality or in
anything connected with corporeality, you would provoke God to
jealousy and wrath, kindle His fire and anger, become His foe, His
enemy, and His adversary in a higher degree than by the worship
of idols. If you think that there is an excuse for those who believe
in the corporeality of God on the ground of their training, their
ignorance or their defective comprehension, you must make the
same concession to the worshippers of idols: their worship is due
to ignorance, or to early training," they continue in the custom of
their fathers." (T.B. Hullin, 13a) You will perhaps say that the
literal interpretation of the Bible causes men to fall into that doubt,
but you must know that idolaters were likewise brought to their
belief by false imaginations and ideas. There is no excuse
whatever for those who, being unable to think for themselves, do
not accept [the doctrine of the incorporeality of God] from the true
philosophers. I do not consider those men as infidels who are
unable to prove the incorporeality, but I hold those to be so Who
do not believe it, especially when they see that Onkelos and
Jonathan avoid [in reference to God] expressions implying
corporeality as much as possible. This is all I intended to say in
this chapter.
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE Hebrew term panim (face) is homonymous: most of its
various meanings have a figurative character. It denotes in the first
place the face of a living being: comp." And all laces are turned
into paleness" (Jer. xxx. 6):" Wherefore are your laces so sad
(Gen. xl. 7). In this sense the term occurs frequently.
The next meaning of the word is" anger"; comp." And her anger
(paneha) was gone" (I Sam. i. 18). Accordingly, the term is
frequently used in reference to God in the sense of anger and
wrath; comp." The anger (pene) of the Lord hath divided them
(Lam. iv. 16) The anger (pene) of the Lord is against them that do
evil (Ps. xxxiv. 17) Mine anger (Panai) shall go and I will give thee
rest" (Exod. xxxiii. 14): Then will I set mine anger" (panai) (Lev.
xx. 3): there are many other instances.
Another meaning of the word is" the presence and existence of a
person comp." He died in the presence (pene) [i.e., in the lifetime]
of all his brethren" (Gen. xxv. is):" And in the presence (pene) of
all the people I will be glorified" (Lev. x. 3):" He will surely curse
thee in thy very presence" (paneka) (job i. 11). In the same sense
the word is used in the following passage," And the Lord spake
unto Moses face to face," i.e., both being present, without any
intervening medium between them. Comp." Come, let us look one
another in the face" (2 Kings xiv. 8): and also" The Lord talked
with you face to face" (Deut. v. 4): instead of which we read more
plainly in another place," Ye heard the voice of the words, but saw
no similitude: only ye heard a voice" (ib. iv. 12). The hearing of
the voice without seeing any similitude is termed" face to face."
Similarly do the words," And the Lord spake unto Moses face to
face" correspond to" There he heard the voice of one speaking
unto him" (Num. vii. 89), in the description of God's speaking to
Moses. Thus it will be clear to you that the perception of the
Divine voice without the intervention of an angel is expressed by"
face to face." In the same sense the word panim must be
understood in" And my face (panai) shall not be seen" (Exod.
xxxiii. 23) i.e., my true existence, as it is, cannot be
comprehended.
The word panim is also used in Hebrew as an adverb of place, in
the sense of" before," or" between the hands." In this sense it is
frequently employed in reference to God: so also in the passage,"
And my face (panai) shall not be seen," according to Onkelos, who
renders it," And those before me shall not be seen." He finds here
an allusion to the fact, that there are also higher created beings of
such superiority that their true nature cannot be perceived by man:
viz., the ideals, separate intellects, which in their relation to God
are described as being constantly before Him, or between His
hands, i.e., as enjoying uninterruptedly the closest attention of
Divine Providence. He, i.e., Onkelos, considers that the things
which are described as completely perceptible are those beings
which, as regards existence, are inferior to the ideals, viz.,
substance and form: in reference to which we are told," And thou
shalt see that which is behind me" (ibid.), i.e., beings, from which,
as it were, I turn away, and which I leave behind me. This figure is
to represent the utter remoteness of such beings from the Deity.
You shall later on (chap. liv.) hear my explanation of what Moses,
our teacher, asked for.
The word is also used as an adverb of time, meaning" before."
Comp. In former time (le-phanim) in Israel" (Ruth !v. 7):" Of old
(le-phanim) hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth" (PS. Cii.
25).
Another signification of the word is" attention and regard."
Comp." Thou shalt not have regard (pene) to the poor (Lev. xx.
15):" And a person receiving attention (panim)" (Isa. iii. 3): Who
does not show regard (panim)," etc. (Deut. x. 17, etc.). The word
panim (face) has a similar signification in the blessing," The Lord
turn his face to thee" (i.e., The Lord let his providence accompany
thee)," and give thee peace."
CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE Hebrew term ahor is a homonym. It is a noun, signifying"
back Comp." Behind (ahare) the tabernacle" (Exod. xxvi. 12) The
spear came out behind him (ahroav)" (2 Sam. ii. 23).
It is next used in reference to time, signifying" after" :" neither
after him (aharav) arose there any like him" (2 Kings xxiii. 25)"
After (ahar) these things" (Gen. xv. 1). In this sense the word
occurs frequently.
The term includes also the idea of following a thing and of
conforming with the moral principles of some other being. Comp."
Ye shall walk after (ahare) the Lord, your God" (Dent. xiii. 5):"
They shall walk after (ahare) the Lord" (Hos. xi. 10), i.e., follow
His will, walk in the way of His actions, and imitate His virtues:"
He walked after (ahare) the commandment" (ib. v.11). In this
sense the word occurs in Exod us XXXiii. 20," And thou shalt see
my back" (ahorai): thou shalt perceive that which follows me, is
similar to me, and is the result of my will, i.e., all things created by
me, as will be explained in the course of this treatise.
CHAPTER XXXIX
THE Hebrew leb (heart) is a homonymous noun, signifying that
organ which is the source of life to all beings possessing a heart.
Comp." And thrust them through the heart of Absalom" (I Sam.
xviii. 14).
This organ being in the middle of the body, the word has been
figuratively applied to express" the middle part of a thing."
Comp." unto the midst (leb) of heaven" (Deut. iv.11):" the midst
(labbath) of fire" (Exod. iii. 2).
It further denotes" thought." Comp." Went not mine heart with
thee ?" (2 Kings V. 26), i.e., I was with thee in my thought when a
certain event happened. Similarly must be explained," And that ye
seek not after your own heart" (Num. xv, 39), i.e., after your own
thoughts: Whose heart (i.e., whose thought), turneth away this day"
(Deut. xxix. is).
The word further signifies" counsel." Comp." All the rest of Israel
were of one heart (i.e., had one plan) to make David king" (I
Chron. xii. 38):" but fools die for want of heart," i.e., of counsel;"
My heart (i.e., my counsel) shall not turn away from this so long as
I live" (job xxvii. 6): for this sentence is preceded by the words,
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go" : and then
follows, my heart shall never turn away from this." -- As regards
the expression yeheraf, I think that it may be compared with the
same verb in the form nehrefet," a handmaid betrothed (nehrefet)
to a man" (Lev. XiX. 20), where nehefeth is similar in meaning to
the Arabic munharifat," turning away," and signifies" turning from
the state of slavery to that of marriage."
Leh (heart) denotes also" will" : comp." And I shall give you
pastors according to my will (libbi)" (Jer. iii. 15)," Is thine heart
right as my heart is ?" (2 Kings x. 15), i.e., is thy will right as my
will is ? In this sense the word has been figuratively applied to
God. Comp." That shall do according to that which is in mine
heart and in my soul" (I Sam. ii. 35), i.e., according to My will;"
And mine eyes and mine heart (i.e., My providence and My will)
shall be there perpetually" (I Kings ix. 3).
The word is also used in the sense of" understanding." Comp." For
vain man will be endowed with a heart" Uob xi. 12), i.e., will be
wise;" A wise man's heart is at his right hand" (Eccles. X. 2), i.e.,
his understanding is engaged in perfect thoughts, the highest
problems. Instances of this kind are numerous. It is in this sense,
namely, that of understanding, that the word is used whenever
figuratively applied to God; but exceptionally it is also used in the
sense of" will." It must, in each passage, be explained in
accordance with the context. Also, in the following and similar
passages, it signifies" understanding" :" Consider it in thine heart"
(Deut. iv. 39):" And none considereth in his heart" (Isa. xliv. 19).
Thus, also," Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive,"
is identical in its meaning with" Unto thee it was shown that thou
mightest know" (Deut. iv. 35).
As to the passage," And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thine heart" (Ib. vi. 5), 1 explain" with all thine heart" to mean"
with all the powers of thine heart," that is, with all the powers of
the body, for they all have their origin in the heart: and the sense of
the entire passage is : make the knowledge of God the aim of all
thy actions, as we have stated in our Commentary on the Mishnah
(Aboth, Eight Chapters, v.), and in our Mishneh Torah, yesode
hatorah, chap. ii. 2.
CHAPTER XL
Ruab is a homonym, signifying" air," that is, one of the four
elements. Comp." And the air of God moved (Gen. i. 2).
It denotes also," wind." Comp. And the east wind (ruah) brought
the locusts" (Exod. x. 13):" west wind" (ruah) (ib. 19). In this
sense the word occurs frequently.
Next, it signifies" breath." Comp." A breath (ruah) that passeth
away, and does not come again" (PS. lxxviii. 39) wherein is the
breath (ruah) of life" (Gen. vii. 15).
It signifies also that which remains of mar after his death, and is
not subject to destruction. Comp." And the spirit (ruah) shall
return unto God who gave it" (Eccles. xii. 7).
Another signification of this word is" the divine inspiration of the
prophets whereby they prophesy" -as we shall explain, when
speaking on prophecy, as far as it is opportune to discuss this
subject in a treatise like this.Comp." And I will take of the spirit
(ruah) which is upon thee, and will put it upon them" (Num. xi.
17)" And it came to pass, when the spirit (ruah) rested upon them"
(ib. 25): The spirit (ruah) of the Lord spake by me (2 Sam. xxiii.
2). The term is frequently used in this sense.
The meaning of" intention ... .. will," is likewise contained in the
word ruah. Comp." A fool uttereth all his spirit" (ruah) (Prov.
xxix.11), i.e., his intention and will:" And the spirit (ruah) of
Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof, and I will destroy the counsel
thereof" (Isa. xix. 3), i.e., her intentions will be frustrated, and her
plans will be obscured;" Who has comprehended the spirit (ruah)
of the Lord, or who is familiar with his counsel that he may tell us
?" (Isa. xl. 13), i.e., Who knows the order fixed by His will, or
perceives the system of His Providence in the existing world, that
he may tell us ? as we shall explain in the chapters in which we
shall speak on Providence.
Thus the Hebrew ruah when used in reference to God, has
generally the fifth signification: sometimes, however, as explained
above, the last signification, viz.," will." The meaning of the word
in each individual case is therefore to be determined by the
context.
CHAPTER XLI
THE Hebrew nefesh (soul) is a homonymous noun, signifying the
vitality which is common to all living, sentient beings. E.g."
wherein there is a living soul" (nefesh) (Gen. i. 30). It denotes also
blood," as in" Thou shalt not eat the blood (nefesh) with the meat"
(Dent. xii. 23). Another signification of the term is" reason," that
is, the distinguishing characteristic of man, as in" As the Lord
liveth that made us this soul" (Jer. xxxviii. 16). It denotes also the
part of man that remains after his death (nefesh, soul) comp." But
the soul (nefesh) of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life (I
Sam. XXV. 29). Lastly, it denotes" will" ; comp." To bind his
princes at his will" (be-nafsho) (PS. CV. 22): Thou wilt not deliver
me unto the will (be-nefesh) of my enemies" (Ps. xli. 3): and
according to my opinion, it has this meaning also in the following
passages," If it be your will (nafshekem) that I should bury my
dead" (Gen. xxiii. 8):" Though Moses and Samuel stood before
me, yet my will (nafshi) could not be toward this people" (Jer. xv.
1), that is, I had no pleasure in them, I did not wish to preserve
them. When nefesh is used in reference to God, it has the meaning
(swill," as we have already explained with reference to the
passage," That shall do according to that which is in my will
(bi-lebabi) and in mine intention (be-nafsht)" (I Sam. ii. 35).
Simiiarly we explain the phrase," And his will (nafsho) to trouble
Israel ceased" (Judg. x. 16). Jonathan, the son of Uzziel [in the
Targum of the Prophets], did not translate this passage, because he
understood nafshi to have the first signification, and finding,
therefore, in these words sensation ascribed to God, he omitted
them from his translation. If, however, nefesh be here taken in the
last signification, the sentence can well be explained. For in the
passage which precedes, it is stated that Providence abandoned the
Israelites, and left them on the brink of death: then they cried and
prayed for help, but in vain. When, however, they had thoroughly
repented, when their misery had increased, and their enemy had
had power over them, He showed mercy to them, and His will to
continue their trouble and misery ceased. Note it well, for it is
remarkable. The preposition ba in this passage has the force of the
preposition min (" from" or 11 of" ): and ba'amal is identical with
me'amal. Grammarians give many instances of this use of the
preposition ba :" And that which remaineth of (ba) the flesh and of
(ba) the bread" (Lev. viii. 32):" If there remains but few of (ba)
the years" (ib. xxv. 52):" Of (ba) the strangers and of (ba) those
born in the land" (Exod. xii. 19).
CHAPTER XLII
Hai (" living" ) signifies a sentient organism (lit." growing" and"
having sensation" ), comp." Every moving thing that liveth" (Gen.
ix. 3): it also denotes recovery from a severe illness :" And was
recovered (va-yehi) of his sickness" (Isa. xxxviii. 0' ): 11 In the
camp till they recovered" (hayotam) (josh. v. 8):" quick, raw (bat)
flesh" (Lev. xiii. 10).
Mavet signifies" death" and" severe illness," as in" His heart
died (va-yamot) within him, and he became as a stone" (I Sam.
xxv. 37), that is, his illness was severe. For this reason it is stated
concerning the son of the woman of Zarephath," And his sickness
was so sore, that there was no breath left in him" (I Kings xvii.
17). The simple expression va-yamoth would have given the idea
that he was very ill, near death, like Nabal when he heard what had
taken place.
Some of the Andalusian authors say that his breath was suspended,
so that no breathing could be perceived at all, as sometimes an
invalid is seized with a fainting fit or an attack of asphyxia, and it
cannot be discovered whether he is alive or dead: in this condition
the patient may remain a day or two.
The term hai has also been employed in reference to the
acquisition of wisdom. Comp." So shall they be life (hayyim) unto
thy soul" (Prov. iii. 22):" For whoso findeth me findeth life" (ib.
viii. 35):" For they are life (hayyim) to those that find them" (ib.
iv. 22). Such instances are numerous. In accordance with this
metaphor, true principles are called life, and corrupt principles
death. Thus the Almighty says," See, I have set before thee this
day life and good and death and evil" (Dent. xxx. 15), showing
that" life" and" good,"" death" and" evil," are identical, and
then He explains these terms. In the same way I understand His
words," That ye may live" (ib. v. 33), in accordance with the
traditional interpretation of" That it may be well with thee" [scil.
in the life to come] (ib. xxii. 7). In consequence of the frequent use
of this figure in our language our Sages said," The righteous even
in death are called living, while the wicked even in life are called
dead." (Talm. B. Berakkoth, P. 78). Note this well.
CHAPTER XLIII
THE Hebrew kanaf is a homonym; most of its meanings are
metaphorical. Its primary signification is" wing of a flying
creature," e.g.," Any winged (kanaf) fowl that flieth in the air"
(Deut. iv. 17).
The term was next applied figuratively to the wings or comers of
garments comp." upon the four corners (kanfoth) of thy vesture"
(ib. xxii. 12).
It was also used to denote the ends of the inhabited part of the
earth, and the corners that are most distant from our habitation.
Comp." That it might take hold of the ends (kanfoth) of the earth"
(job xxxviii. 13):" From the uttermost part (kenaf) of the earth
have we heard songs" (Isa. xxiv. 16).
Ibn Ganab (in his Book of Hebrew Roots) says that kenaf is used in
the sense of" concealing," in analogy with the Arabic kanaftu
alshaian," I have hidden something," and accordingly explains,
Isaiah xxx. 20," And thy teacher will no longer be hidden or
concealed." It is a good explanation, and I think that kenaf has the
same meaning in Deuteronomy xxiii. 1," He shall not take away
the cover (kenaf) of his father" : also in," Spread, therefore, thy
cover (kenafeka) over thine handmaid" (Ruth iii. 9). In this sense, I
think, the word is figuratively applied to God and to angels (for
angels are not corporeal, according to my opinion, as I shall
explain). Ruth ii. 12 must therefore be translated" Under whose
protection (kenafav) thou art come to trust" : and wherever the
word occurs in reference to angels, it means concealment. You
have surely noticed the words of Isaiah (Isa. Vi. 2)," With twain
he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet." Their
meaning is this: The cause of his (the angel's) existence is hidden
and concealed; this is meant by the covering of the face. The
things of which he (the angel) is the cause, and which are called"
his feet" (as I stated in speaking of the homonym regel, are
likewise concealed: for the actions of the intelligences are not
seen, and their ways are, except after long study, not understood,
on account of two reasons -- the one of which is contained in their
own properties, the other in ourselves: that is to say, because our
perception is imperfect and the ideals are difficult to be fully
comprehended. As regards the phrase" and with twain he flieth," I
shall explain in a special chapter (x1ix.) why flight has been
attributed to angels.
CHAPTER XLIV
THE Hebrew ayin is a homonym, signifying" fountain" ; e.g.," By
a fountain (,en) of water" (Gen. xvi. 7). It next denotes" eye" :
comp. ('ayin)" Eye for eye" (Exod. xxi. 24). Another meaning of
the word is" providence," as it is said concerning Jeremiah," Take
him and direct thine attention (eneka) to him" (Jer. xxxix. 12). In
this figurative sense it is to be understood when used in reference
to God; e.g.," And my providence and my pleasure shall be there
perpetually" (I Kings ix. 3), as we have already explained (page
140):" The eyes ('ene), i.e., the Providence of the Lord thy God,
are always upon it" (Deut. xi. 12):" They are the eyes ('ene) of the
Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth" (Zech. iv. 10),
i.e., His providence is extended over everything that is on earth, as
will be explained in the chapters in which we shall treat of
Providence. When, however, the word" eye" is connected with
the verb" to see," (raah or hazah) as in" Open thine eyes, and see"
(I Kings xix. 16):" His eyes behold" (Ps. xi. 4), the phrase denotes
perception of the mind, not that of the senses: for every sensation
is a passive state, as is well known to you, and God is active, never
passive, as will be explained by me.
CHAPTER XLV
Shama, is used homonymously. It signifies" to hear," and also" to
obey." As regards the first signification, comp." Neither let it be
heard out of thy mouth" (Exod. xxiii. 13):" And the fame thereof
was heard in Pharaoh's house" (Gen. xlv. 26). Instances of this
kind are numerous.
Equally frequent are the instances of this verb being used in the
sense of" to obey" :" And they hearkened (shame,#) not unto
Moses" (Exod. vi. 9)." If they obey (yishme'u) and serve him (job
xxxvi. 11):" Shall we then hearken (nishma') unto you" (Neh. xiii.
27) Whosoever will not hearken (yishma') unto thy words" (josh. i.
18).
The verb also signifies" to know" (" to understand" ), comp." A
nation whose tongue, i.e., its language, thou shalt not understand"
(tishma') (Deut. xxviii. 49). The verb shama', used in reference to
God, must be taken in the sense of perceiving, which is part of the
third signification, whenever, according to the literal interpretation
of the passage, it appears to have the first meaning: comp." And
the Lord heard it" (Num. xi. 1):" For that He heareth your
murmurings" (Exod. xvi. 7). In all such passages mental
perception is meant. When, however, according to the literal
interpretation the verb appears to have the second signification, it
implies that God responded to the prayer of man and fulfilled his
wish, or did not respond and did not fulfil his wish:" I will surely
hear his cry" (Exod. xxii. 23):" I will hear, for I am gracious" (ib.
27):" Bow down thine ear, and hear" (2 Kings xix. 16):" But the
Lord would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you"
(Deut. i. 45):" Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear"
(Isa. i. 15):" For I will not hear thee 11 (Jer. vii. 16). There are
many instances in which shama' has this sense.
Remarks will now be presented to you on these metaphors and
similes, which will quench your thirst, and explain to you all their
meanings without leaving a doubt.
CHAPTER XLVI
WE have already stated, in one of the chapters of this treatise, that
there is a great difference between bringing to view the existence
of a thing and demonstrating its true essence. We can lead others
to notice the existence of an object by pointing to its accidents,
actions, or even most remote relations to other objects: e.g., if you
wish to describe the king of a country to one of his subjects who
does not know him, you can give a description and an account of
his existence in many ways. You will either say to him, the tall
man with a fair complexion and grey hair is the king, thus
describing him by his accidents; or you will say, the king is the
person round whom are seen a great multitude of men on horse
and on foot, and soldiers with drawn swords, over whose head
banners are waving, and before whom trumpets are sounded; or it
is the person living in the palace in a particular region of a certain
country: or it is the person who ordered the building of that wall,
or the construction of that bridge: or by some other similar acts
and things relating to him. His existence can be demonstrated in a
still more indirect way, e.g., if you are asked whether this land has
a king, you will undoubtedly answer in the affirmative." What
proof have you ?" " The fact that this banker here, a weak and little
person, stands before this large mass of gold pieces, and that poor
man, tall and strong, who stands before him asking in vain for
alms of the weight of a carob-grain, is rebuked and is compelled to
go away by the mere force of words: for had he not feared the
king, he would, without hesitation, have killed the banker, or
pushed him away and taken as much of the money as he could."
Consequently, this is a proof that this country has a ruler and his
existence is proved by the well-regulated affairs of the country, on
account of which the king is respected and the punishments
decreed by him are feared. In this whole example nothing is
mentioned that indicated his characteristics, and his essential
properties, by virtue of which he is king. The same is the case with
the information concerning the Creator given to the ordinary
classes of men in all prophetical books and in the Law. For it was
found necessary to teach all of them that God exists, and that He is
in every respect the most perfect Being, that is to say, He exists not
only in the sense in which the earth and the heavens exist, but He
exists and possesses life, wisdom, power, activity, and all other
properties which our belief in His existence must include, as will
be shown below. That God exists was therefore shown to ordinary
men by means of similes taken from physical bodies; that He is
living, by a simile taken from motion, because ordinary men
consider only the body as fully, truly, and undoubtedly existing;
that which is connected with a body but is itself not a body,
although believed to exist, has a lower degree of existence on
account of its dependence on the body for existence. That,
however, which is neither itself a body, nor a force within a body,
is not existent according to man's first notions, and is above all
excluded from the range of imagination. In the same manner
motion is considered by the ordinary man as identical with life;
what cannot move voluntarily from place to place has no life,
although motion is not part of the definition of life, but an accident
connected with it. The perception by the senses, especially by
hearing and seeing, is best known to us; we have no idea or notion
of any other mode of communication between the soul of one
person and that of another than by means of speaking, i.e., by the
sound produced by lips, tongue, and the other organs of speech.
When, therefore, we are to be informed that God has a knowledge
of things, and that communication is made by Him to the Prophets
who convey it to us, they represent Him to us as seeing and
hearing, i.e., as perceiving and knowing those things which can be
seen and heard. They represent Him to us as speaking, i.e., that
communications from Him reach the Prophets; that is to be
understood by the term" prophecy," as will be fully explained.
God is described as working, because we do not know any other
mode of producing a thing except by direct touch. He is said to
have a soul in the sense that He is living, because all living beings
are generally supposed to have a soul; although the term soul is, as
has been shown, a homonym.
Again, since we perform all these actions only by means of
corporeal organs, we figuratively ascribe to God the organs of
locomotion, as feet, and their soles; organs of hearing, seeing, and
smelling, as ear, eye, and nose; organs and substance of speech, as
mouth, tongue, and sound; organs for the performance of work, as
hand, its fingers, its palm, and the arm. In short, these organs of
the body are figuratively ascribed to God, who is above all
imperfection, to express that He performs certain acts: and these
acts are figuratively ascribed to Him to express that He possesses
certain perfections different from those acts themselves. E.g., we
say that He has eyes, ears, hands, a mouth, a tongue, to express
that He sees, hears, acts, and speaks: but seeing and hearing are
attributed to Him to indicate simply that He perceives. You thus
find in Hebrew instances in which the perception of the one sense
is named instead of the other; thus," See the word of the Lord"
(Jer. ii, 31), in the same meaning as" Hear the word of the Lord,"
for the sense of the phrase is," Perceive what He says" : similarly
the phrase," See the smell of my son" (Gen. xxvii. 27) has the
same meaning as" Smell the smell of my son," for it relates to the
perception of the smell. In the same way are used the words," And
all the people saw the thunders and the lightnings" (Exod. xx. 15),
although the passage also contains the description of a prophetical
vision, as is well known and understood among our people. Action
and speech are likewise figuratively applied to God, to express that
a certain influence has emanated from Him, as win be explained
(chap. lxv and chap. lxvi.). The physical organs which are
attributed to God in the writings of the Prophets are either organs
of locomotion, indicating life: organs of sensation, indicating
perception: organs of touch, indicating action: or organs of speech,
indicating the divine inspiration of the Prophets, as will be
explained.
The object of all these indications is to establish in our minds the
notion of the existence of a living being, the Maker of everything,
who also possesses a knowledge of the things which He has made.
We shall explain, when we come to speak of the inadmissibility of
Divine attributes, that all these various attributes convey but one
notion, viz., that of the essence of God. The sole object of this
chapter is to explain in what sense physical organs are ascribed to
the Most Perfect Being, namely, that they are mere indications of
the actions generally performed by means of these organs. Such
actions being perfections respecting ourselves, are predicated of
God, because we wish to express that He is most perfect in every
respect, as we remarked above in explaining the Rabbinical
phrase," The language of the Torah is like the language of man."
Instances of organs of locomotion being applied to the Creator
occur as follows :-" My footstool" (Isa. 1xvi. 1):" the place of the
soles of my feet (Ezek. xliii. 7). For examples of organs of touch
applied to God, comp. the hand of the Lord" (Exod. ix. 3):" with
the finger of God" (ib. xxxi. 18):" the work of thy fingers" (Ps.
viii. 4)," And thou hast laid thine hand upon me" (ib. cxxxix. 5):"
The arm of the Lord" (Isa. liii. 1):" Thy right hand, 0 Lord" (Exod.
xv. 6). In instances like the following, organs of speech are
attributed to God :" The mouth of the Lord has spoken" (Isa. i.
20):" And He would open His lips against thee" (Job xi. 5):" The
voice of the Lord is powerful" (Ps. xxix. 4):" And his tongue as a
devouring fire" (Isa. XXX. 27). Organs of sensation are attributed
to God in instances like the following :" His eyes behold, His
eyelids try" (Ps. xi. 4):" The eyes of the Lord which run to and
fro" (Zech. iv. 10):" Bow down thine car unto me, and hear" (2
Kings xix. 16):" You have kindled a fire in my nostril" (Jer. xvii.
5). Of the inner parts of the human body only the heart is
figuratively applied to God, because" heart" is a homonym, and
denotes also" intellect" : it is besides the source of animal life. In
phrases like" my bowels are troubled for him" (Jer. XXXi. 20):"
The sounding of thy bowels" (Isa. Ixiii. 15), the term" bowels" is
used in the sense of" heart" : for the term" bowels" is used both
in a general and in a specific meaning; it denotes specifically"
bowels," but more generally it can be used as the name of any
inner organ, including" heart." The correctness of this argument
can be proved by the phrase" And thy law is within my bowels"
(Ps. xl. g), which is identical with" And thy law is within my
heart." For that reason the prophet employed in this verse the
phrase 11 my bowels are troubled" (and 11 the sounding of thy
bowels" ): the verb hamah is in fact used more frequently in
connection with" heart," than with any other organ; comp." My
heart maketh a noise (homeh) in me" (Jer. iv. 19). Similarly, the
shoulder is never used as a figure in reference to God, because it is
known as a mere instrument of transport, and also comes into
close contact with the thing which it carries. With far greater
reason the organs of nutrition are never attributed to God: they are
at once recognized as signs of imperfection. In fact all organs, both
the external and the internal, are employed in the various actions
of the soul: some, as e.g., all inner organs, are the means of
preserving the individual for a certain time: others, as the organs of
generation, are the means of preserving the species; others are the
means of improving the condition of man and bringing his actions
to perfection, as the hands, the feet, and the eyes, all of which tend
to render motion, action, and perception more perfect. Animate
beings require motion in order to be able to approach that which is
conducive to their welfare, and to move away from the opposite:
they require the senses in order to be able to discern what is
injurious to them and what is beneficial. In addition, man requires
various kinds of handiwork, to prepare his food, clothing, and
dwelling; and he is compelled by his physical constitution to
perform such work, namely, to prepare what is good for him. Some
kinds of work also occur among certain animals, as far as such
work is required by those animals. I do not believe that any man
can doubt the correctness of the assertion that the Creator is not in
need of anything for the continuance of His existence, or for the
improvement of His condition. Therefore, God has no organs, or,
what is the same, He is not corporeal; His actions are
accomplished by His Essence, not by any organ, and as
undoubtedly physical forces are connected with the organs, He
does not possess any such forces, that is to say, He has, besides His
Essence, nothing that could be the cause of His action, His
knowledge, or His will, for attributes are nothing but forces under
a different name. It is not my intention to discuss the question in
this chapter. Our Sages laid down a general principle, by which the
literal sense of the physical attributes of God mentioned by the
prophets is rejected; a principle which evidently shows that our
Sages were far from the belief in the corporeality of God, and that
they did not think any person capable of misunderstanding it, or
entertaining any doubt about it. For that reason they employ in the
Talmud and the Midrashim phrases similar to those contained in
the prophecies, without any circumlocution; they knew that there
could not be any doubt about their metaphorical character, or any
danger whatever of their being misunderstood; and that all such
expressions would be understood as figurative [language],
employed to communicate to the intellect the notion of His
existence. Now, it was well known that in figurative language God
is compared to a king who commands, cautions, punishes, and
rewards, his subjects, and whose servants and attendants publish
his orders, so that they might be acted upon, and they also execute
whatever he wishes. Thus the Sages adopted that figure, used it
frequently, and introduced such speech, consent, and refusal of a
king, and other usual acts of kings, as became necessary by that
figure. In all these instances they were sure that no doubt or
confusion would arise from it. The general principle alluded to
above is contained in the following saying of our Sages, mentioned
in Bereshith Rabba (c. xxvii.)," Great was the power of the
Prophets; they compared the creature to its Creator; comp. 'And
over the resemblance of the throne was a resemblance like the
appearance of man '" (Ezek. i. 26). They have thus plainly stated
that all those images which the Prophets perceived, i.e. in
prophetic visions, are images created by God. This is perfectly
correct; for every image in our imagination has been created. How
pregnant is the expression," Great is their boldness!" They
indicated by it, that they themselves found it very remarkable; for
whenever they perceived a word or act difficult to explain, or
apparently objectionable, they used that phrase: e.g., a certain
Rabbi has performed the act (of" hali ah" ) with a slipper, alone
and by night. Another Rabbi, thereupon exclaimed How great is
his boldness to have followed the opinion of the minority." The
Chaldee phrase rab gubreh in the original of the latter quotation,
and the Hebrew gadol koho in that of the former quotation, have
the same meaning, viz., Great is the power of (or the boldness of).
Hence, in the preceding quotation, the sense is, How remarkable is
the language which the Prophets were obliged to use when they
speak of God the Creator in terms signifying properties of beings
created by Him. This deserves attention. Our Sages have thus
stated in distinct and plain terms that they are far from believing in
the corporeality of God; and in the figures and forms seen in a
prophetical vision, though belonging to created beings, the
Prophets, to use the words of our Sages," compared the creature to
its Creator." If, however, after these explanations, any one wishes
out of malice to cavil at them, and to find fault with them, though
their method is neither comprehended nor understood by him, the
Sages o.b.m. will sustain no injury by it.
CHAPTER XLVII
WE have already stated several times that the prophetic books
never attribute to God anything which ordinary men consider a
defect, or which they cannot in their imagination combine with the
idea of the Almighty, although such terms may not otherwise be
different from those which were employed as metaphors in
relation to Goa. Indeed all things which are attributed to God are
considered in some way to be perfection, or can at least be
imagined [as appertaining to Him].
We must now show why, according to this principle, the senses of
hearing, sight and smell, are attributed to God, but not those of
taste and touch. He is equally elevated above the use of all the five
senses: they are all defective as regards perception, even for those
who have no other source of knowledge: because they are passive,
receive impressions from without, and are subject to interruptions
and sufferings, as much as the other organs of the body. By saving
that God sees, we mean to state that He perceives visible things:"
he hears" is identical with saying" He perceives audible things" :
in the same way we might say," He tastes and He touches," in the
sense of" He perceives objects which man perceives by means of
taste and touch." For, as regards perception, the senses are
identical: if we deny the existence of one sensation in God, we
must deny that of all other sensations, i.e., the perceptions of the
five senses: and if we attribute the existence of one sensation to
Him, i.e., the perception appertaining to one of the senses, we must
attribute all the five sensations. Nevertheless, we find in Holy
Writ," And God saw" (Gen. vi. 5):" And God heard" (Num. xi. 1):"
And God smelt" (Gen. Viii. 2 1): but we do not meet with the
expressions," And God tasted,"" And God touched." According to
our opinion the reason of this is to be found in the idea, which has
a firm hold in the minds of all men, that Goddoesnotcome into
contact with a body in the same manner as one body comes into
contact with another, since He is not even seen by the eye. While
these two senses, namely, taste and touch, only act when in close
contact with the object, by sight, hearing, and smell, even distant
objects are perceived. These, therefore, were considered by the
multitude appropriate expressions [to be figuratively applied to
God]. Besides, the object in figuratively applying the sensations to
Him, could only have been to express that He perceives our
actions: but hearing and sight are sufficient for that, namely, for
the perception of what a man does or says. Thus our Sages, among
other admonitions, gave the following advice and warning:" Know
what is above thee, a seeing eye, and a hearing ear." (Mishnah
Abot, ii.1.)
You, however, know that, strictly speaking, the condition of all the
sensations is the same, that the same argument which is employed
against the existence of touch and taste in God, may be used
against sight, hearing, and smell; for they all are material
perceptions and impressions which are subject to change. There is
only this difference, that the former, touch and taste, are at once
recognized as deficiencies, while the others are considered as
perfections. In a similar manner the defect of the imagination is
easily seen, less easily that of thinking and reasoning. Imagination
(ra'ayon) therefore, was never employed as a figure in speaking of
God, while thought and reason are figuratively ascribed to Him.
Comp." The thoughts which the Lord thought" (Jer. XEX. 20):"
And with his understanding he stretched out the heavens" (ib. x.
12). The inner senses were thus treated in the same way as the
external; some are figuratively applied to God, some not. All this
is according to the language of man; he ascribes to God what he
considers a perfection, and does not ascribe to Him what he
considers a defect. In truth, however, no real attribute, implying an
addition to His essence, can be applied to Him, as will be proved.
CHAPTER XLVIII
WHENEVER in the Pentateuch the term" to hear" is applied to
God, Onkelos, the Proselyte, does not translate it literally, but
paraphrases it, merely expressing that a certain speech reached
Him, i.e., He perceived it, or that He accepted it or did not accept,
when it refers to supplication and prayer as its object. The words"
God heard" are therefore paraphrased by him regularly either," It
was heard before the Lord," or" He accepted" when employed in
reference to supplication and prayer; [e.g.]" I will. surely accept,"
lit. I will surely hear" (Exod. XXii. 22). This principle is followed
by Onkelos in his translation of the Pentateuch without any
exception. But as regards the verb" to see," (raah), his renderings
vary in a remarkable manner, and I was unable to discern his
principle or method. In some instances he translates literally," and
God saw" : in others he paraphrases" it was revealed before the
Lord." The use of the phrase va-haza adonai by Onkelos is
sufficient evidence that the term haza in Chaldee is homonymous,
and that it denotes mental perception as well as the sensation of
sight. This being the case, I am surprised that, in some instances
avoiding the literal rendering, he substituted for it" And it was
revealed before the Lord." When I, however, examined the various
readings in the version of Onkelos, which 1 either saw myself or
heard from others during the time of my studies, 1 found that the
term" to see" when connected with wrong, injury, or violence,
was paraphrased," It was manifest before
was manifest before the Lord."
There is no doubt that the term haza in Chaldee denotes complete
apprehension and reception of the object in the state in which it
has been perceived. When Onkelos, therefore, found the verb" to
see" connected with the object" wrong," he did not render it
literally, but paraphrased it," It was revealed before the Lord."
Now, I noticed that in all instances of the Pentateuch where seeing
is ascribed to God, he translated it literally, except those instances
which I will mention to you :" For my affliction was revealed
before the Lord" (Gen. xxix. 32):" For all that Laban doeth unto
thee is revealed before me" (ib. xxxi. 12):-although the first
person in the sentence refers to the angel [and not to God],
Onkelos does not ascribe to him that perception which implies
complete comprehension of the object, because the object is"
iniquity" -" The oppression of the children of Israel was known to
the Lord" (Exod. ii. 25):" The oppression of my people was surely
known to me" (ib. iii. 7):" The affliction is known to me" (ib. 9):"
Their oppression is known to me" (ib. iv. 31):" This people is
known to me" (ib. xxxii. 9), i.e., their rebellion is known to
mecomp. the Targurn of the passage," And God saw the children
of Israel (ib. ii. 25), which is equal to" He saw their affliction and
their trouble" " And it was known to the Lord, and he abhorred
them" (Dent. xxxii. 19):" It was known to him that their power
was gone" (ib. 36): in this instance the object of the perception is
likewise the wrong done to the Israelites, and the increasing power
of the enemy. In all these examples Onkelos is consistent,
following the maxim expressed in the words," Thou canst not look
on iniquity" (Hab. i. 13): wherefore he renders the verb" to see,"
when referring to oppression or rebellion, It is revealed before
him, etc. This appropriate and satisfactory explanation, the
correctness of which 1 do not doubt, is weakened by three
passages, in which, according to this view, I expected to find the
verb" to see" paraphrased" to be revealed before him," but found
instead the literal rendering" to see in the various copies of the
Targum. The following are the three passages" And God saw that
the wickedness of man was great upon the earth (Gen. vi. 6)" And
the Lord saw the earth, and behold it was corrupt (ib. vi. 12): and
God saw that Leah was hated" (ib. xxx. 3). It appears to me that in
these passages there is a mistake, which has crept into the copies
of the Targum, since we do not possess the Targum in the original
manuscript of Onkelos, for in that case we should have assumed
that he had a satisfactory explanation of it.
In rendering Genesis xxii. 8," the lamb is known to the Lord," he
either wished to indicate that the Lord was not expected to seek
and to bring it, or he considered it inappropriate, in Chaldee to
connect the divine perception with one of the lower animals.
However, the various copies of the Targum must be carefully
examined with regard to this point, and if you still find those
passages the same as I quoted them, I cannot explain what he
meant.
CHAPTER XLIX
THE angels are likewise incorporeal: they are intelligences
without matter, but they are nevertheless created beings, and God
created them, as will be explained below. In Bereshith Rabbah (on
Gen. iii. 24) we read the following remark of our Sages:" The
angel is called 'the flame of the sword which turned every way'
(Gen. iii. 24), in accordance with the words, 'His ministers a
flaming fire ' (Ps. civ. 4): the attribute, which turned every way ' is
added, because angels are changeable in form they appear at one
time as males, at another as females; now as spirits; now as
angels." By this remark they clearly stated that angels are
incorporeal, and have no permanent bodily form independent of
the mind [of him who perceives them], they exist entirely in
prophetic vision, and depend on the action of the imaginative
power, as will be explained when speaking on the true meaning of
prophecy. As to the words" at another time as females," which
imply that the Prophets in prophetical vision perceived angels also
in the form of women, they refer to the vision of Zechariah (v. 9),"
And, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their
wings." You know very well how difficult it is for men to form a
notion of anything immaterial, and entirely devoid of corporeality,
except after considerable training : it is especially difficult for
those who do not distinguish between objects of the intellect and
objects of the imagination, and depend mostly on the mere
imaginative power. They believe that all imagined things exist or
at least have the possibility of existing: but that which cannot be
imagined does not exist, and cannot exist. For persons of this
class-and the majority of thinkers belong to it-cannot arrive at the
true solution of any question, or at the explanation of anything
doubtful. On account of this difficulty the prophetic books contain
expressions which, taken literally, imply that angels are corporeal,
moving about, endowed with human form, receiving commands of
God, obeying His word and performing whatever He wishes,
according to His command. All this only serves to lead to the
belief that angels exist, and are alive and perfect, in the same way
as we have explained in reference to God. If the figurative
representation of angels were limited to this, their true essence
would be believed to be the same as the essence of God, since, in
reference to the Creator expressions are likewise employed, which
literally imply that He is corporeal, living, moving and endowed
with human form. In order, therefore, to give to the mind of men
the idea that the existence of angels is lower than the existence of
God, certain forms of lower animals were introduced in the
description of angels. It was thereby shown, that the existence of
God is more perfect than that of angels, as much as man is more
perfect than the lower animals. Nevertheless no organ of the brute
creation was attributed to the angels except wings. Without wings
the act of flying appears as impossible as that of walking without
legs: for these two modes of motion can only be imagined in
connection with these organs. The motion of flying has been
chosen as a symbol to represent that angels possess life, because it
is the most perfect and most sublime movement of the brute
creation. Men consider this motion a perfection to such an extent
that they themselves wish to be able to fly, in order to escape
easily what is injurious, and to obtain quickly what is useful,
though it be at a distance. For this reason this motion has been
attributed to the angels.
There is besides another reason. The bird in its flight is sometimes
visible, sometimes withdrawn from our sight; one moment near to
us, and in the next far off: and these are exactly the circumstances
which we must associate with the idea of angels, as will be
explained below. This imaginary perfection, the motion of flight,
being the exclusive property of the brute creation, has never been
attributed to God. You must not be misled by the passage," And he
rode upon a cherub, and he did fly" (Ps. xviii. 10), for it is the
cherub that did fly, and the simile only serves to denote the rapid
arrival of that which is referred to in that passage. Comp. :"
Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into
Egypt" (Isa. xix. 1): that is, the punishment alluded to will come
down quickly upon Egypt. Nor should expressions like" the face
of an ox,"" the face of a lion,"" the face of an eagle ... .. the sole
of the foot of a calf," found in the prophecies of Ezekiel (i. 10 and
7) mislead you: for all these are explained in a different manner, as
you will learn later, and besides, the prophet only describes the
animals (havyot). The subject will be explained (III. 1.), though by
mere hints, as far as necessary, for directing your attention to the
true interpretation.
The motion of flying, frequently mentioned in the Bible,
necessitates, according to our imagination, the existence of wings:
wings are therefore given to the angels as symbols expressive of
their existence, not of their true essence. You must also bear in
mind that whenever a thing moves very quickly, it is said to fly, as
that term implies great velocity of motion. Comp." As the eagle
flieth" (Deut. xxviii- 49). The eagle flies and moves with greater
velocity than any other bird, and therefore it is introduced in this
simile. Furthermore, the wings are the organs [lit. causes] of flight;
hence the number of the wings of angels in the prophetic vision
corresponds to the number of the causes which set a thing in
motion, but this does not belong to the theme of this chapter.
(Comp. Il. iv. and x.)
CHAPTER L
WHEN reading my present treatise, bear in mind that by" faith"
we do not understand merely that which is uttered with the lips,
but also that which is apprehended by the soul, the conviction that
the object [of belief] is exactly as it is apprehended. If, as regards
real or supposed truths, you content yourself with giving utterance
to them in words, without apprehending them or believing in them,
especially if you do not seek real truth, you have a very easy task
as, in fact, you will find many ignorant people professing articles
of faith without connecting any idea with them.
If, however, you have a desire to rise to a higher state, viz., that of
reflection, and truly to hold the conviction that God is One and
possesses true unity, without admitting plurality or divisibility in
any sense whatever, you must understand that God has no essential
attribute in any form or in any sense whatever, and that the
rejection of corporeality implies the rejection of essential
attributes. Those who believe that God is One, and that He has
many attributes, declare the unity with their lips, and assume
plurality in their thoughts. This is like the doctrine of the
Christians, who say that He is one and He is three, and that the
three are one. Of the same character is the doctrine of those who
say that God is One, but that He has many attributes; and that He
with His attributes is One, although they deny corporeality and
affirm His most absolute freedom from matter; as if our object
were to seek forms of expression, not subjects of belief. For belief
is only possible after the apprehension of a thing; it consists in the
conviction that the thing apprehended has its existence beyond the
mind [in reality] exactly as it is conceived in the mind. If in
addition to this we are convinced that the thing cannot be different
in any way from what we believe it to be, and that no reasonable
argument can be found for the rejection of the belief or for the
admission of any deviation from it, then the belief is true.
Renounce desires and habits, follow your reason, and study what I
am going to say in the chapters which follow on the rejection of
the attributes; you will then be fully convinced of what we have
said: you will be of those who truly conceive the Unity of God, not
of those who utter it with their lips without thought, like men of
whom it has been said," Thou art near in their mouth, and far from
their reins" (Jer. Xii. 2). It is right that a man should belong to that
class of men who have a conception of truth and understand it,
though they do not speak of it. Thus the pious are advised and
addressed," Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be
still. Selah." (Ps. iv. S.)
CHAPTER LI
THERE are many things whose existence is manifest and obvious;
some of these are innate notions or objects of sensation, others are
nearly so: and in fact they would require no proof if man had been
left in his primitive state. Such are the existence of motion, of
man's free will, of phases of production and destruction, and of the
natural properties perceived by the senses, e.g., the heat of fire, the
coldness of water, and many other similar things. False notions,
however, may be spread either by a person labouring under error,
or by one who has some particular end in view, and who
establishes theories contrary to the real nature of things, by
denying the existence of things perceived by the senses, or by
affirming the existence of what does not exist. Philosophers are
thus required to establish by proof things which are selfevident,
and to disprove the existence of things which only exist in man's
imagination. Thus Aristotle gives a proof for the existence of
motion, because it had been denied: he disproves the reality of
atoms, because it had been asserted.
To the same class belongs the rejection of essential attributes in
reference to God. For it is a self-evident truth that the attribute is
not inherent in the object to which it is ascribed, but it is
superadded to its essence, and is consequently an accident: if the
attribute denoted the essence [
Some thinkers have gone so far as to say that the attributes of God
are neither His essence nor anything extraneous to His essence.
This is like the assertion of some theorists, that the ideals, i.e., the
universalia, are neither existing nor non-existent, and like the
views of others, that the atom does not fill a definite place, but
keeps an atom of space occupied; that man has no freedom of
action at all, but has acquirement. Such things are only said: they
exist only in words, not in thought, much less in reality. But as you
know, and as all know who do not delude themselves, these
theories are preserved by a multitude of words, by misleading
similes sustained by declamation and invective, and by numerous
methods borrowed both from dialectics and sophistry. If after
uttering them and supporting them by such words, a man were to
examine for himself his own belief on this subject, he would see
nothing but confusion and stupidity in an endeavour to prove the
existence of things which do not exist, or to find a mean between
two opposites that have no mean. Or is there a mean between
existence and non-existence, or between the identity and
non-identity of two things ? But, as we said, to such absurdities
men were forced by the great licence given to the imagination, and
by the fact that every existing material thing is necessarily
imagined as a certain substance possessing several attributes; for
nothing has ever been found that consists of one simple substance
without any attribute. Guided by such imaginations, men thought
that God was also composed of many different elements, viz., of
His essence and of the attributes superadded to His essence.
Following up this comparison, some believed that God was
corporeal, and that He possessed attributes: others, abandoning this
theory, denied the corporeality, but retained the attributes. The
adherence to the literal sense of the text of Holy'Writ is the source
of all this error, as I shall show in some of the chapters devoted to
this theme.
CHAPTER LII
EVERY description of an object by an affirmative attribute, which
includes the assertion that an object is of a certain kind, must be
made in one of the following five ways :
First. The object is described by its definition, as e.g., man is
described as a being that lives and has reason: such a description,
containing the true essence of the object, is, as we have already
shown, nothing else but the explanation of a name. All agree that
this kind of description cannot be given of God: for there are no
previous causes to His existence, by which He could be defined:
and on that account it is a well-known principle, received by all
the philosophers, who are precise in their statements, that no
definition can be given of God.
Secondly. An object is described by part of its definition, as when,
e.g., man is described as a living being or as a rational being. This
kind of description includes the necessary connection [of the two
ideas]: for when we say that every man is rational we mean by it
that every being which has the characteristics of man must also
have reason. All agree that this kind of description is inappropriate
in reference to God: for if we were to speak of a portion of His
essence, we should consider His essence to be a compound. The
inappropriateness of this kind of description in reference to God is
the same as that of the preceding kind.
Thirdly. An object is described by something different from its
true essence, by something that does not complement or establish
the essence of the object. The description, therefore, relates to a
quality: but quality, in its most general sense, is an accident. If God
could be described in this way, He would be the substratum of
accidents: a sufficient reason for rejecting the idea that He
possesses quality, since it diverges from the true conception of His
essence. It is surprising how those who admit the application of
attributes to God can reject, in reference to Him, comparison and
qualification. For when they say" He cannot be qualified," they
can only mean that He possesses no quality; and yet every positive
essential attribute of an object either constitutes its essence, -- and
in that case it is identical with the essence, -- or it contains a
quality of the object.
There are, as you know, four kinds of quality; I will give you
instances of attributes of each kind, in order to show you that this
class of attributes cannot possibly be applied to God. (a) A man is
described by any of his intellectual or moral qualities, or by any of
the dispositions appertaining to him as an animate being, when,
e.g., we speak of a person who is a carpenter, or who shrinks from
sin, or who is ill. It makes no difference whether we say. a
carpenter, or a sage, or a physician: by all these we represent
certain physical dispositions: nor does it make any difference
whether we say ' sinfearing" or" merciful." Every trade, every
profession, and every settled habit of man are certain physical
dispositions. All this is clear to those who have occupied
themselves with the study of Logic. (b) A thing is described by
some physical quality it possesses, or by the absence of the Same,
e.g., as being soft or hard. It makes no difference whether we say"
soft or hard," or" strong or weak" : in both cases we speak of
physical conditions. (c) A man is described by his passive
qualities, or by his emotions: we speak, e.g., of a person who is
passionate, irritable, timid, merciful, without implying that these
conditions have become permanent. The description of a thing by
its colour, taste, heat, cold, dryness, and moisture, belongs also to
this class of attributes. (d) A thing is described by any of its
qualities resulting from quantity as such; we speak, e.g. of a thing
which is long, short, curved, straight, etc.
Consider all these and similar attributes, and you will find that
they cannot be employed in reference to God. He is not a
magnitude that any quality resulting from quantity as such could
be possessed by Him; He is not affected by external influences,
and therefore does not possess any quality resulting from emotion.
He is not subject to physical conditions, and therefore does not
possess strength or similar qualities; He is not an animate being,
that He should have a certain disposition of the soul, or acquire
certain properties, as meekness, modesty, etc., or be in a state to
which animate beings as such are subject, as, e.g., in that of health
or of illness. Hence it follows that no attribute coming under the
head of quality in its widest sense, can be predicated of God.
Consequently, these three classes of attributes, describing the
essence of a thing, or part of the essence, or a quality of it, are
clearly inadmissible in reference to God, for they imply
composition, which, as we shall prove, is out of question as
regards the Creator. We say, with regard to this latter point, that
He is absolutely One.
Fourthly. A thing is described by its -relation to another thing, e.g.,
to time, to space, or to a different individual: thus we say, Zaid, the
father of A, or the partner of B, or who dwells at a certain place, or
who lived at a stated time. This kind of attribute does not
necessarily imply plurality or change in the essence of the object
described; for the same Zaid, to whom reference is made, is the
partner of Amru, the father of Becr, the master of Khalid, the
friend of Zaid, dwells in a certain house, and was born in a certain
year. Such relations are not the essence of a thing, nor are they so
intimately connected with it as qualities. At first thought, it would
seem that they may be employed in reference to God, but after
careful and thorough consideration we are convinced of their
inadmissibility. It is quite clear that there is no relation between
God and time or space. For time is an accident connected with
motion, in so far as the latter includes the relation of anteriority
and posteriority, and is expressed by number, as is explained in
books devoted to this subject; and since motion is one of the
conditions to which only material bodies are subject, and God is
immaterial, there can be no relation between Him and time.
Similarly there is no relation between Him and space. But what we
have to investigate and to examine is this : whether some real
relation exists between God and any of the substances created by
Him, by which He could be described ? That there is no correlation
between Him and any of His creatures can easily be seen: for the
characteristic of two objects correlative to each other is the
equality of their reciprocal relation. Now, as God has absolute
existence, while all other beings have only possible existence, as
we shall show, there consequently cannot be any correlation
[between God and His creatures]. That a certain kind of relation
does exist between them is by some considered possible, but
wrongly. It is impossible to imagine a relation between intellect
and sight, although, as we believe, the same kind of existence is
common to both: how, then, could a relation be imagined between
any creature and God, who has nothing in common with any other
being; for even the term existence is applied to Him and other
things, according to our opinion, only by way of pure homonymity.
Consequently there is no relation whatever between Him and any
other being. For whenever we speak of a relation between two
things, these belong to the same kind; but when two things belong
to different kinds though of the same class, there is no relation
between them. We therefore do not say, this red compared with
that green, is more, or less, or equally intense, although both
belong to the same class -- colour: when they belong to two
different classes, there does not appear to exist any relation
between them, not even to a man of ordinary Intellect, although
the two things belong to the same category: e.g., between a
hundred cubits and the heat of pepper there is no relation, the one
being a quality, the other a quantity; or between wisdom and
sweetness, between meekness and bitterness, although all these
come under the head of quality in its more general signification.
How, then, could there be any relation between God and His
creatures, considering the important difference between them in
respect to true existence, the greatest of all differences. Besides, if
any relation existed between them, God would be subject to the
accident of relation; and although that would not be an accident to
the essence of God, it would still be, to some extent, a kind of
accident. You would, therefore, be wrong if you applied
affirmative attributes in their literal sense to God, though they
contained only relations: these, however, are the most appropriate
of all attributes, to be employed, in a less strict sense, in reference
to God, because they do not imply that a plurality of eternal things
exists, or that any change takes place in the essence of God, when
those things change to which God is in relation.
Fifthly. A thing is described by its actions: I do not mean by" its
actions" the inherent capacity for a certain work, as is expressed
in" carpenter ... .. painter," or" smith" -for these belong to the
class of qualities which have been mentioned above-but I mean the
action the latter has performed-we speak, e.g., of Zaid, who made
this door, built that wall, wove that garment. This kind of
attributes is separate from the essences of the thing described, and,
therefore, appropriate to be employed in describing the Creator,
especially since we know that these different actions do not imply
that different elements must be contained in the substance of the
agent, by which the different actions are produced, as will be
explained. On the contrary, all the actions of God emanate from
His essence, not from any extraneous thing superadded to His
essence, as we have shown.
What we have explained in the present chapter is this: that God is
one in every respect, containing no plurality or any element
superadded to His essence : and that the many attributes of
different significations applied in Scripture to God, originate in the
multitude of His actions, not in a plurality existing in His essence,
and are partly employed with the object of conveying to us some
notion of His perfection, in accordance with what we consider
perfection, as has been explained by us. The possibility of one
simple substance excluding plurality, though accomplishing
different actions, will be illustrated by examples in the next
chapter.
CHAPTER LIII
THE circumstance which caused men to believe in the existence of
divine attributes is similar to that which caused others to believe in
the corporeality of God. The latter have not arrived at that belief
by speculation, but by following the literal sense of certain
passages in the Bible. The same is the case with the attributes:
when in the books of the Prophets and of the Law, God is
described by attributes, such passages are taken in their literal
sense, and it is then believed that God possesses attributes: as if He
were to be exalted above corporeality, and not above things
connected with corporeality, i.e., the accidents, I mean Psychical
dispositions, all of which are qualities [and connected with
corporeality]. Every attribute which the followers of this doctrine
assume to be essential to the Creator, you will find to express,
although they do not distinctly say so, a quality similar to those
which they are accustomed to notice in the bodies of all living
beings. We apply to all such passages the principle," The Torah
speaketh in the language of man," and say that the object of all
these terms is to describe God as the most perfect being, not as
possessing those qualities which are only perfections in relation to
created living beings. Many of the attributes express different acts
of God, but that difference does not necessitate any difference as
regards Him from whom the acts proceed. This fact, viz., that from
one agency different effects may result, although that agency has
not free will, and much more so if it has free will, I will illustrate
by an instance taken from our own sphere. Fire melts certain things
and makes others hard, it boils and burns, it bleaches and blackens.
If we described the fire as bleaching, blackening, burning, boiling,
hardening and melting, we should be correct, and yet he who does
not know the nature of fire, would think that it included six
different elements, one by which it blackens, another by which it
bleaches, a third by which it boils, a fourth by which it consumes,
a fifth by which it melts, a sixth by which it hardens things-actions
which are opposed to one another, and of which each has its
peculiar property. He, however, who knows the nature of fire, will
know that by virtue of one quality in action, namely, by heat, it
produces all these effects. If this is the case with that which is
done by nature, how much more is it the case with regard to beings
that act by free will, and still more with regard to God, who is
above all description. If we, therefore, perceive in God certain
relations of various kinds-for wisdom in us is different from
power, and power from will-it does by no means follow that
different elements are really contained in Him, that He contains
one element by which He knows, another by which He wills, and
another by which He exercises power, as is, in fact, the
signification of the attributes of God] according to the Attributists.
Some of them express it plainly, and enumerate the attributes as
elements added to the essence. Others, however, are more reserved
with regard to this matter, but indicate their opinion, though they
do not express it in distinct and intelligible words. Thus, e.g., some
of them say:" God is omnipotent by His essence, wise by His
essence, living by His essence, and endowed with a will by His
essence." (I will mention to you, as an instance, man's reason,
which being one faculty and implying no plurality, enables him to
know many arts and sciences: by the same faculty man is able to
sow, to do carpenter's work, to weave, to build, to study, to acquire
a knowledge of geometry, and to govern a state. These various acts
resulting from one simple faculty, which involves no plurality, are
very numerous; their number, that is, the number of the actions
originating in man's reason, is almost infinite. It is therefore
intelligible how in reference to God, those different actions can be
caused by one simple substance, that does not include any plurality
or any additional element. The attributes found in Holy Scripture
are either qualifications of His actions, without any reference to
His essence, or indicate absolute perfection, but do not imply that
the essence of God is a compound of various elements.) For in not
admitting the term" compound," they do not reject the idea of a
compound when they admit a substance with attributes.
There still remains one difficulty which led them to that error, and
which I am now going to mention. Those who assert the existence
of the attributes do not found their opinion on the variety of God's
actions: they say it is true that one substance can be the source of
various effects, but His essential attributes cannot be qualifications
of His actions, because it is impossible to imagine that the Creator
created Himself. They vary with regard to the so-called essential
attributes -- I mean as regards their number-according to the text of
the Scripture which each of them follows. 1 will enumerate those
on which all agree, and the knowledge of which they believe that
they have derived from reasoning, not from some words of the
Prophets, namely, the following four :-life, power, wisdom, and
will. They believe that these are four different things, and such
perfections as cannot possibly be absent from the Creator, and that
these cannot be qualifications of His actions. This is their opinion.
But you must know that wisdom and life in reference to God are
not different from each other: for in every being that is conscious
of itself, life and wisdom are the same thing, that is to say, if by
wisdom we understand the consciousness of self. Besides, the
subject and the object of that consciousness are undoubtedly
identical [as regards God]: for according to our opinion, He is not
composed of an element that apprehends, and another that does
not apprehend; He is not like man, who is a combination of a
conscious soul and an unconscious body. If, therefore, by"
wisdom" we mean the faculty of self-consciousness, wisdom and
life are one and the same thing. They, however, do not speak of
wisdom in this sense, but of His power to apprehend His creatures.
There is also no doubt that power and will do not exist in God in
reference to Himself: for He cannot have power or will as regards
Himself: we cannot imagine such a thing. They take these
attributes as different relations between God and His creatures,
signifying that He has power in creating things, will in giving to
things existence as He desires, and wisdom in knowing what He
created. Consequently, these attributes do not refer to the essence
of God, but express relations between Him and His creatures.
Therefore we, who truly believe in the Unity of God, declare, that
as we do not believe that some element is included in His essence
by which He created the heavens, another by which He created the
[four] elements, a third by which He created the ideals, in the same
way we reject the idea that His essence contains an element by
which He has power, another element by which He has will, and a
third by which He has a knowledge of His creatures. On the
contrary, He is a simple essence, without any additional element
whatever; He created the universe, and knows it, but not by any
extraneous force. There is no difference whether these various
attributes refer to His actions or to relations between Him and His
works; in fact, these relations, as we have also shown, exist only in
the thoughts of men. This is what we must believe concerning the
attributes occurring in the books of the Prophets: some may also be
taken as expressive of the perfection of God by way of comparison
with what we consider as perfections in us, as we shall explain.
CHAPTER LIV
THE wisest man, our Teacher Moses, asked two things of God,
and received a reply respecting both. The one thing he asked was,
that God should let him know His true essence: the other, which in
fact he asked first, that God should let him know His attributes. In
answer to both these petitions God promised that He would let him
know all His attributes, and that these were nothing but His
actions. He also told him that His true essence could not be
perceived, and pointed out a method by which he could obtain the
utmost knowledge of God possible for man to acquire. The
knowledge obtained by Moses has not been possessed by any
human being before him or after him. His petition to know the
attributes of God is contained in the following words:" Show me
now thy way, that 1 may know thee, that I may find grace in thy
sight" (Exod. xxxiii. 13). Consider how many excellent ideas
found expression in the words." Show me thy way, that I may
know thee." We learn from them that God is known by His
attributes, for Moses believed that he knew Him, when he was
shown the way of God. The words" That I may find grace in thy
sight," imply that he who knows God finds grace in His eyes. Not
only is he acceptable and welcome to God who fasts and prays, but
everyone who knows Him. He who has no knowledge of God is the
object of His wrath and displeasure. The pleasure and the
displeasure of God, the approach to Him and the withdrawal from
Him are proportional to the amount of man's knowledge or
ignorance concerning the Creator. We have already gone too far
away from our subject, let us now return to it.
Moses prayed to God to grant him knowledge of His attributes, and
also pardon for His people; when the latter had been granted, he
continued to pray for the knowledge of God's essence in the
words," Show me thy glory" (ib. 18), and then received,
respecting his first request," Show me thy way," the following
favourable reply," I will make all my goodness to pass before
thee" (ib. 19): as regards the second request, however, he was
told," Thou canst not see my face" (ib. 20). The words" all my
goodness" imply that God promised to show him the whole
creation, concerning which it has been stated," And God saw
everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good" (Gen.
i. 31); when I say" to show him the whole creation," I mean to
imply that God promised to make him comprehend the nature of
all things, their relation to each other, and the way they are
governed by God both in reference to the universe as a whole and
to each creature in particular. This knowledge is referred to when
we are told of Moses," he is firmly established in all mine house"
(Num. xii. 7): that is," his knowledge of all the creatures in My
universe is correct and firmly established" : for false opinions are
not firmly established. Consequently the knowledge of the works
of God is the knowledge of His attributes, by which He can be
known. The fact that God promised Moses to give him a
knowledge of His works, may be inferred from the circumstance
that God taught him such attributes as refer exclusively to His
works, viz.," merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in
goodness," etc., (Exod. xxxiv. 6). It is therefore clear that the ways
which Moses wished to know, and which God taught him, are the
actions emanating from God. Our Sages call them middot
(qualities), and speak of the thirteen middoth of God (Talm. B.
Rosh ha-shanah, P. 17b): they used the term also in reference to
man; comp." there are four different middoth (characters) among
those who go to the house of learning" ;" There are four different
middoth (characters) among those who give charity" (Mishnah
Abot, v. 13, 14). They do not mean to say that God really possesses
middot (qualities), but that He performs actions similar to such of
our actions as originate in certain qualities, i.e., in certain
psychical dispositions not that God has really such dispositions.
Although Moses was shown all His goodness," i.e., all His works,
only the thirteen middot are mentioned, because they include those
acts of God which refer to the creation and the government of
mankind, and to know these acts was the principal object of the
prayer of Moses. This is shown by the conclusion of his prayer,"
that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight, and
consider that this nation is thy people" (Exod. xxxiii. 16), that is
to say, the people whom I have to rule by certain acts in the
performance of which I must be guided by Thy own acts in
governing them. We have thus shown that" the ways" used in the
Bible, and" middot" used in the Mishnah, are identical, denoting
the acts emanating from God in reference to the universe.
Whenever any one of His actions is perceived by us, we ascribe to
God that emotion which is the source of the act when performed
by ourselves, and call Him by an epithet which is formed from the
verb expressing that emotion. We see, e.g., how well He provides
for the life of the embryo of living beings; how He endows with
certain faculties both the embryo itself and those who have to rear
it after its birth, in order that it may be protected from death and
destruction, guarded against all harm, and assisted in the
performance of all that is required [for its development]. Similar
acts, when performed by us, are due to a certain emotion and
tenderness called mercy and pity. God is, therefore, said to be
merciful: e.g.," Like as a father is merciful to his children, so the
Lord is merciful to them that fear Him" (Ps. ciii- 13):" And I will
spare them, as a man spareth (yahamol) his own son that serveth
him" (Mal. iii. I7). Such instances do not imply that God is
influenced by a feeling of mercy, but that acts similar to those
which a father performs for his son, out of pity, mercy and real
affection, emanate from God solely for the benefit of His pious
men, and are by no means the result of any impression or change --
[produced in God]. -- When we give something to a person who
has no claim upon us, we perform an act of grace; e.g.," Grant
them graciously unto us" Uudges XXi. 22). [The same term is
used in reference to God, e.g.]" which God hath graciously given"
(Gen. xxxiii. 5):" Because God hath dealt graciously with me" (ib.
11). Instances of this kind are numerous. God creates and guides
beings who have no claim upon Him to be created and guided by
Him; He is therefore called gracious (hannun) -- His actions
towards mankind also include great calamities, which overtake
individuals and bring death to them, or affect whole families and
even entire regions, spread death, destroy generation after
generation, and spare nothing whatsoever. Hence there occur
inundations, earthquakes, destructive storms, expeditions of one
nation against the other for the sake of destroying it with the sword
and blotting out its memory, and many other evils of the same
kind. Whenever such evils are caused by us to any person, they
originate in great anger, violent jealousy, or a desire for revenge.
God is therefore called, because of these acts, jealous ... ..
revengeful,"" wrathful," and" keeping anger" (Nah. i. 2) that is to
say, He performs acts similar to those which, when performed by
us, originate in certain psychical dispositions, in jealousy, desire
for retaliation, revenge, or anger: they are in accordance with the
guilt of those who are to be punished, and not the result of any
emotion: for He is above all defect ! The same is the case with all
divine acts: though resembling those acts which emanate from our
passions and psychical dispositions, they are not due to anything
superadded to His essence. -- The governor of a country, if he is a
prophet, should conform to these attributes. Acts [of punishment]
must be performed by him moderately and in accordance with
justice, not merely as an outlet of his passion. He must not let
loose his anger, nor allow his passion to overcome him: for all
passions are bad, and they must be guarded against as far as it lies
in man's power. At times and towards some persons he must be
merciful and gracious, not only from motives of mercy and
compassion, but according to their merits: at other times and
towards other persons he must evince anger, revenge, and wrath in
proportion to their guilt, but not from motives of passion. He must
be able to condemn a person to death by fire without anger,
passion, or loathing against him, and must exclusively be guided
by what he perceives of the guilt of the person, and by a sense of
the great benefit which a large number will derive from such a
sentence. You have, no doubt, noticed in the Torah how the
commandment to annihilate the seven nations, and" to save alive
nothing that breatheth" (Deut. xx. 16) is followed immediately by
the words," That they teach you not to do after all their
abominations, which they have done unto their gods: so should you
sin against the Lord your God" (ib. 18): that is to say, you shall not
think that this commandment implies an act of cruelty or of
retaliation; it is an act demanded by the tendency of man to
remove everything that might turn him away from the right path,
and to dear away all obstacles in the road to perfection, that is, to
the knowledge of God. Nevertheless, acts of mercy, pardon, pity,
and grace should more frequently be performed by the governor of
a country than acts of punishment: seeing that all the thirteen
middoth of God are attributes of mercy with only one exception,
namely," visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children"
(Exod. xxxiv. 7): for the meaning of the preceding attribute (in the
original ve-nakkeh lo yenakkeh) is" and he will not utterly
destroy" : (and not" He will by no means clear the guilty" ):
comp." And she will be utterly destroyed (venikketah), she shall
sit upon the ground" (Isa. iii. 26). When it is said that God is
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, this refers
exclusively to the sin of idolatry, and to no other sin. That this is
the case may be inferred from what is said in the ten
commandments," upon the third and fourth generation of my
enemies" (Exod. xx. 5), none except idolaters being called"
enemy" : comp. also" every abomination to the Lord, which he
hateth" (Deut. xii. 31). It was, however, considered sufficient to
extend the punishment to the fourth generation, because the fourth
generation is the utmost a man can see of his posterity: and when,
therefore, the idolaters of a place are destroyed, the old man
worshipping idols is killed, his son, his grandson, and his
great-grandson, that is, the fourth generation. By the mention of
this attribute we are, as it were, told that His commandments,
undoubtedly in harmony with His acts, include the death even of
the little children of idolaters because of the sin of their fathers
and grandfathers. This principle we find frequently applied in the
Law, as, e.g., we read concerning the city that has been led astray
to idolatry," destroy it utterly, and all that is therein" (Deut. xiii.
15). All this has been ordained in order that every vestige of that
which would lead to great injury should he blotted out, as we have
explained.
We have gone too far away from the subject of this chapter, but we
have shown why it has been considered sufficient to mention only
these (thirteen) out of all His acts: namely, because they are
required for the good government of a country; for the chief aim of
man should be to make himself, as far as possible, similar to God :
that is to say, to make his acts similar to the acts of God, or as our
Sages expressed it in explaining the verse," Ye shall be holy"
(Lev. xxi. 2):" He is gracious, so be you also gracious: He is
merciful, so be you also merciful."
The principal object of this chapter was to show that all attributes
ascribed to God are attributes of His acts, and do not imply that
God has any qualities.
CHAPTER LV
WE have already, on several occasions, shown in this treatise that
everything that implies corporeality or passiveness, is to be
negatived in reference to God, for all passiveness implies change:
and the agent producing that state is undoubtedly different from
the object affected by it: and if God could be affected in any way
whatever, another being beside Him would act on Him and cause
change in Him. All kinds of non-existence must likewise be
negatived in reference to Him: no perfection whatever can
therefore be imagined to be at one time absent from Him, and at
another present in Him: for if this were the case, He would [at a
certain time] only be potentially perfect. Potentiality always
implies non-existence, and when anything has to pass from
potentiality into reality, another thing that exists in reality is
required to effect that transition. Hence it follows that all
perfections must really exist in God, and none of them must in any
way be a mere potentiality. Another thing likewise to be denied in
reference to God, is similarity to any existing being. This has been
generally accepted, and is also mentioned in the books of the
Prophets: e.g.," To whom, then, will you liken me ?" (Isa. Xl.
25):" To whom, then, will you liken God ?" (ib. 18):" There is
none like unto Thee" (Jer. x. 6). Instances of this kind are
frequent. In short, it is necessary to demonstrate by proof that
nothing can be predicated of God that implies any of the following
four things: corporeality, emotion or change, nonexistence, -- e.g.,
that something would be potential at one time and real at
another-and similarity with any of His creatures. In this respect our
knowledge of God is aided by the study of Natural Science. For he
who is ignorant of the latter cannot understand the defect implied
in emotions, the difference between potentiality and reality, the
non-existence implied in all potentiality, the inferiority of a thing
that exists in potentia to that which moves in order to cause its
transition from potentiality into reality, and the inferiority of that
which moves for this purpose compared with its condition when
the transition has been effected. He who knows these things, but
without their proofs, does not know the details which logically
result from these general propositions: and therefore he cannot
prove that God exists, or that the [four] things mentioned above
are inadmissible in reference to God.
Having premised these remarks, I shall explain in the next chapter
the error of those who believe that God has essential attributes:
those who have some knowledge of Logic and Natural Science
will understand it.
CHAPTER LVI
SIMILARITY is based on a certain relation between two things: if
between two things no relation can be found, there can be no
similarity between them, and there is no relation between two
things that have no similarity to each other; e.g., we do not say this
heat is similar to that colour, or this voice is similar to that
sweetness. This is self-evident. Since the existence of a relation
between God and man, or between Him and other beings has been
denied, similarity must likewise be denied. You must know that
two things of the same kind -- i.e., whose essential properties are
the same, and which are distinguished from each other by
greatness and smallness, strength and weakness, etc. -- are
necessarily similar, though different in this one way; e.g., a grain
of mustard and the sphere of the fixed stars are similar as regards
the three dimensions, although the one is exceedingly great, the
other exceedingly small, the property of having [three] dimensions
is the same in both: or the heat of wax melted by the sun and the
heat of the element of fire, are similar as regards heat: although the
heat is exceedingly great in the one case, and exceedingly small in
the other, the existence of that quality (heat) is the same in both.
Thus those who believe in the presence of essential attributes in
God, viz., Existence, Life, Power, Wisdom, and Will, should know
that these attributes, when applied to God, have not the same
meaning as when applied to us, and that the difference does not
only consist in magnitude, or in the degree of perfection, stability,
and durability. It cannot be said, as they practically believe, that
His existence is only more stable, His life more permanent, His
power greater, His wisdom more perfect, and His will more
general than ours, and that the same definition applies to both.
This is in no way admissible, for the expression" more than" is
used in comparing two things as regards a certain attribute
predicated of both of them in exactly the same sense, and
consequently implies similarity [between God and His creatures].
When they ascribe to God essential attributes, these so-called
essential attributes should not have any similarity to the attributes
of other things, and should according to their own opinion not be
included in one of the same definition, just as there is no similarity
between the essence of God and that of other beings. They do not
follow this principle, for they hold that one definition may include
them, and that, nevertheless, there is no similarity between them.
Those who are familiar with the meaning of similarity will
certainly understand that the term existence, when applied to God
and to other beings, is perfectly homonymous. In like manner, the
terms Wisdom, Power, Will, and Life are applied to God and to
other beings by way of perfect homonymity, admitting of no
comparison whatever. Nor must you think that these attributes are
employed as hybrid terms; for hybrid terms are such as are applied
to two things which have a similarity to each other in respect to a
certain property which is in both of them an accident, not an
essential, constituent element. The attributes of God, however, are
not considered as accidental by any intelligent person, while all
attributes applied to man are accidents, according to the
Mutakallemim. I am therefore at a loss to see how they can find
any similarity [between the attributes of God and those of man]:
how their definitions can be identical, and their significations the
same ! This is a decisive proof that there is, in no way or sense,
anything common to the attributes predicated of God, and those
used in reference to ourselves: they have only the same names, and
nothing else is common to them. Such being the case, it is not
proper to believe, on account of the use of the same attributes, that
there is in God something additional to His essence, in the same
way as attributes are joined to our essence. This is most important
for those who understand it. Keep it in memory, and study it
thoroughly in order to be well prepared for that which I am going
to explain to you.
CHAPTER LVII
ON attributes; remarks more recondite than the preceding. It is
known that existence is an accident appertaining to all things, and
therefore an element superadded to their essence. This must
evidently be the case as regards everything the existence of which
is due to some cause: its existence is an element superadded to its
essence. But as regards a being whose existence is not due to any
cause-God alone is that being, for His existence, as we have said,
is absolute-existence and essence are perfectly identical; He is not
a substance to which existence is joined as an accident, as an
additional element. His existence is always absolute, and has never
been a new element or an accident in Him. Consequently God
exists without possessing the attribute of existence. Similarly He
lives, without possessing the attribute of life; knows, without
possessing the attribute of knowledge; is omnipotent without
possessing the attribute of omnipotence; is wise, without
possessing the attribute of wisdom: all this reduces itself to one
and the same entity; there is no plurality in Him, as will be shown.
It is further necessary to consider that unity and plurality are
accidents supervening to an object according as it consists of many
elements or of one. This is fully explained in the book called
Metaphysics. In the same way as number is not the substance of
the things numbered, so is unity not the substance of the thing
which has the attribute of unity, for unity and plurality are
accidents belonging to the category of discrete quantity, and
supervening to such objects as are capable of receiving them.
To that being, however, which has truly simple, absolute existence,
and in which composition is inconceivable, the accident of unity is
as inadmissible as the accident of plurality; that is to say, God's
unity is not an element superadded, but He is One without
possessing the attribute of unity. The investigation of this subject,
which is almost too subtle for our understanding, must not be
based on current expressions employed in describing it, for these
you know that something is in the house, but not exactly what, you
ask what is in that house, and you are told, not a plant nor a
mineral. You have thereby obtained some special knowledge of
the thing; you have learnt that it is a living being, although you do
not yet know what kind of a living being it is. The negative
attributes have this in common with the positive, that they
necessarily circumscribe the object to some extent, although such
circumscription consists only in the exclusion of what otherwise
would not be excluded. In the following point, however, the
negative attributes are distinguished from the positive. The
positive attributes, although not peculiar to one thing, describe a
portion of what we desire to know, either some part of its essence
or some of its accidents: the negative attributes, on the other hand,
do not, as regards the essence of the thing which we desire to
know, in any way tell us what it is, except it be indirectly, as has
been shown in the instance given by us.
After this introduction, I would observe that, -- as has already been
shown -God's existence is absolute, that it includes no
composition, as will be proved, and that we comprehend only the
fact that He exists, not His essence. Consequently it is a false
assumption to hold that He has any positive attribute: for He does
not possess existence in addition to His essence: it therefore cannot
be said that the one may be described as an attribute [of the other];
much less has He [in addition to His existence] a compound
essence, consisting of two constituent elements to which the
attribute could refer: still less has He accidents, which could be
described by an attribute. Hence it is clear that He has no positive
attribute whatever. The negative attributes, however, are those
which are necessary to direct the mind to the truths which we must
believe concerning God; for, on the one hand, they do not imply
any plurality, and, on the other, they convey to man the highest
possible knowledge of God; e.g., it has been established by proof
that some being must exist besides those things which can be
perceived by the senses, or apprehended by the mind; when we say
of this being, that it exists, we mean that its non-existence is
impossible. We then perceive that such a being is not, for instance,
like the four elements, which are inanimate, and we therefore say
that it is living, expressing thereby that it is not dead. We call such
a being incorporeal, because we notice that it is unlike the
heavens, which are living, but material. Seeing that it is also
different from the intellect, which, though incorporeal and living,
owes its existence to some cause, we say it is the first, expressing
thereby that its existence is not due to any cause. We further
notice, that the existence, that is the essence, of this being is not
limited to its own existence: many existences emanate from it, and
its influence is not like that of the fire in producing heat, or that of
the sun in sending forth light, but consists in constantly giving
them stability and order by well-established rule, as we shall show:
we say, on that account, it has power, wisdom, and will, i.e., it is
not feeble or ignorant, or hasty, and does not abandon its creatures:
when we say that it is not feeble, we mean that its existence is
capable of producing the existence of many other things: by saying
that it is not ignorant, we mean" it perceives" or" it lives," -- for
everything that perceives is living-by saying" it is not hasty, and
does not abandon its creatures," we mean that all these creatures
preserve a certain order and arrangement: they are not left to
themselves; they are not produced aimlessly, but whatever
condition they receive from that being is given with design and
intention. We thus learn that there is no other being like unto God,
and we say that He is One, i.e., there are not more Gods than one.
It has thus been shown that every attribute predicated of God either
denotes the quality of an action, or-when the attribute is intended
to convey some idea of the Divine Being itself, and not of His
actions-the negation of the opposite. Even these negative attributes
must not be formed and applied to God, except in the way in
which, as you know, sometimes an attribute is negatived in
reference to a thing, although that attribute can naturally never be
applied to it in the same sense, as, e.g., we say," This wall does
not see." Those who read the present work are aware that,
notwithstanding all the efforts of the mind, we can obtain no
knowledge of the essence of the heavens -- a revolving substance
which has been measured by us in spans and cubits, and examined
even as regards the proportions of the several spheres to each other
and respecting most of their motions-although we know that they
must consist of matter and form; but the matter not being the same
as sublunary matter, we can only describe the heavens in terms
expressing negative properties, but not in terms denoting positive
qualities. Thus we say that the heavens are not light, not heavy, not
passive and therefore not subject to impressions, and that they do
not possess the sensations of taste and smell: or we use similar
negative attributes. All this we do, because we do not know their
substance. What, then, can be the result of our efforts, when we try
to obtain a knowledge of a Being that is free from substance, that
is most simple, whose existence is absolute, and not due to any
cause, to whose perfect essence nothing can be superadded, and
whose perfection consists, as we have shown, in the absence of all
defects. All we understand is the fact that He exists, that He is a
Being to whom none of His creatures is similar, who has nothing
in common with them, who does not include plurality, who is
never too feeble to produce other beings, and whose relation to the
universe is that of a steersman to a boat: and even this is not a real
relation, a real simile, but serves only to convey to us the idea that
God rules the universe: that is, that He gives it duration, and
preserves its necessary arrangement. This subject will be treated
more fully. Praised be He! In the contemplation of His essence, our
comprehension and knowledge prove insufficient; in the
examination of His works, how they necessarily result from His
will, our knowledge proves to be ignorance, and in the endeavour
to extol Him in words, all our efforts in speech are mere weakness
and failure
CHAPTER LIX
THE following question might perhaps be asked : Since there is no
possibility of obtaining a knowledge of the true essence of God,
and since it has also been proved that the only thing that man can
apprehend of Him is the fact that He exists, and that all positive
attributes are inadmissible, as has been shown , what is the
difference among those who have obtained a knowledge of God ?
Must not the knowledge obtained by our teacher Moses, and by
Solomon, be the same as that obtained by any one of the lowest
class of philosophers, since there can be no addition to this
knowledge ? But, on the other hand, it is generally accepted among
theologians and also among philosophers, that there can be a great
difference between two persons as regards the knowledge of God
obtained by them. Know that this is really the case, that those who
have obtained a knowledge of God differ greatly from each other;
for in the same way as by each additional attribute an object is
more specified, and is brought nearer to the true apprehension of
the observer, so by each additional negative attribute you advance
toward the knowledge of God, and you are nearer to it than he who
does not negative, in reference to God ' those qualities which you
are convinced by proof must be negatived. There may thus be a
man who after having earnestly devoted many years to the pursuit
of one science, and to the true understanding of its principles, till
he is fully convinced of its truths, has obtained as the sole result of
this study the conviction that a certain quality must be negatived in
reference to God, and the capacity of demonstrating that it is
impossible to apply it to Him. Superficial thinkers will have no
proof for this, will doubtfully ask, Is that thing existing in the
Creator, or not ? And those who are deprived of sight will
positively ascribe it to God, although it has been clearly shown that
He does not possess it. E.g., while I show that God is incorporeal,
another doubts and is not certain whether He is corporeal or
incorporeal: others even positively declare that He is corporeal,
and appear before the Lord with that belief. Now see how great the
difference is between these three men: the first is undoubtedly
nearest to the Almighty; the second is remote, and the third still
more distant from Him. If there be a fourth person who holds
himself convinced by proof that emotions are impossible in God,
while the first who rejects the corporeality, is not convinced of that
impossibility, that fourth person is undoubtedly nearer the
knowledge of God than the first, and go on, so that a person who,
convinced by proof, negatives a number of things in reference to
God, which according to our belief may possibly be in Him or
emanate from Him, is undoubtedly a more perfect man than we
are, and would surpass us still more if we positively believed these
things to be properties of God. It will now be clear to you, that
every time you establish by proof the negation of a thing in
reference to God, you become more perfect, while with every
additional positive assertion you follow your imagination and
recede from the true knowledge of God. Only by such ways must
we approach the knowledge of God, and by such researches and
studies as would show us the inapplicability of what is
inadmissible as regards the Creator, not by such methods as would
prove the necessity of ascribing to Him anything extraneous to His
essence, or asserting that He has a certain perfection, when we find
it to be a perfection in relation to us. The perfections are all to
some extent acquired properties, and a property which must be
acquired does not exist in everything capable of making such
acquisition.
You must bear in mind, that by affirming anything of God, you are
removed from Him in two respects; first, whatever you affirm, is
only a perfection in relation to us: secondly, He does not possess
anything superadded to this essence: His essence includes all His
perfections, as we have shown. Since it is a well-known fact that
even that knowledge of God which is accessible to man cannot be
attained except by negations, and that negations do not convey a
true idea of the being to which they refer, all people, both of past
ind present generations, declared that God cannot be the object of
human comprehension, that none but Himself comprehends what
He is, and that our knowledge consists in knowing that we are
unable truly to comprehend Him. All philosophers say," He has
overpowered us by His grace, and is invisible to us through the
intensity of His light," like the sun which cannot be perceived by
eyes which are too weak to bear its rays. Much more has been said
on this topic, but it is useless to repeat it here. The idea is best
expressed in the book of Psalms," Silence is praise to Thee" Q^
2). It is a very expressive remark on this subject: for whatever we
utter with the intention of extolling and of praising Him, contains
something that cannot be applied to God, and includes derogatory
expressions: it is therefore more becoming to be silent, and to be
content with intellectual reflection, as has been recommended by
men of the highest culture, in the words" Commune with your
own heart upon your bed, and be still" (Ps. iv. 4). You must surely
know the following celebrated passage in the Talmud-would that
all passages in the Talmud were like that! -- although it is known
to you, I quote it literally, as I wish to point out to you the ideas
contained in it :" A certain person, reading prayers in the presence
of Rabbi Haninah, said, 'God, the great, the valiant and the
tremendous, the powerful, the strong, and the mighty.' -- The rabbi
said to him, Have you finished all the praises of your Master ? The
three epithets, ' God, the great, the valiant and the tremendous,' we
should not have applied to God, had Moses not mentioned them in
the Law, and had not the men of the Great Synagogue come
forward subsequently and established their use in the prayer: and
you say all this ! Let this be illustrated by a parable. There was
once an earthly king, possessing millions of gold coin; he was
praised for owning millions of silver coin: was this not really
dispraise to him ?" Thus far the opinion of the pious rabbi.
Consider, first, how repulsive and annoying the accumulation of
all these positive attributes was to him; next, how he showed that,
if we had only to follow our reason, we should never' have
composed these prayers, and we should not have uttered any of
them. It has, however, become necessary to address men in words
that should leave some idea in their minds, and, in accordance
with the saying of our Sages," The Torah speaks in the language
of men," the Creator has been described to us in terms of our own
perfections; but we should not on that account have uttered any
other than the three above-mentioned attributes, and we should not
have used them as names of God except when meeting with them
in reading the Law. Subsequently, the men of the Great
Synagogue, who were prophets, introduced these expressions also
into the prayer, but we should not on that account use [in our
prayers] any other attributes of God. The principal lesson to be
derived from this passage is that there are two reasons for our
employing those phrases in our prayers : first, they occur in the
Pentateuch; secondly, the Prophets introduced them into the
prayer. Were it not for the first reason, we should never have
uttered them; and were it not for the second reason, we should not
have copied them from the Pentateuch to recite them in our
prayers: how then could we approve of the use of those numerous
attributes! You also learn from this that we ought not to mention
and employ ill our prayers all the attributes we find applied to God
in the books of the Prophetq: for he does not say," Were it not that
Moses, our Teacher, said them, we should not have been able to
use them" : but he adds another condition-" and had not the men of
the Great Synagogue come forward and established their use in the
prayer," because only for that reason are we allowed to use them in
our prayers. We cannot approve of what those foolish persons do
who are extravagant in praise, fluent and prolix in the prayers they
compose, and in the hymns they make in the desire to approach the
Creator. They describe God in attributes which would be an
offence if applied to a human being; for those persons have no
knowledge of these great and important principles, which are not
accessible to the ordinary intelligence of man. Treating the Creator
as a familiar object, they describe Him and speak of Him in any
expressions they think proper; they eloquently continue to praise
Him in that manner, and believe that they can thereby influence
Him and produce an effect on Him. If they find some phrase suited
to their object in the words of the Prophets they are still more
inclined to consider that they are free to make use of such
texts-which should at least be explained-to employ them in their
literal sense, to derive new expressions from them, to form from
them numerous variations, and to found whole compositions on
them. This license is frequently met with in the compositions of
the singers, preachers, and others who imagine themselves to be
able to compose a poem. Such authors write things which partly
are real heresy, partly contain such folly and absurdity that they
naturally cause those who hear them to laugh, but also to feel
grieved at the thought that such things can be uttered in reference
to God. Were it not that 1 pitied the authors for their defects. and
did not wish to injure them, I should have cited some passages to
show you their mistakes; besides, the fault of their compositions is
obvious to all intelligent persons. You must consider it, and think
thus : If slander and libel is a great sin, how much greater is the sin
of those who speak with looseness of tongue in reference to God,
and describe Him by attributes which are far below Him; and I
declare that they not only commit an ordinary sin, but
unconsciously at least incur the guilt of profanity and blasphemy.
This applies both to the multitude that listens to such prayers, and
to the foolish man that recites them. Men, however, who
understand the fault of such compositions, and, nevertheless, recite
them, may be classed, according to my opinion, among those to
whom the following words are applied:" And the children of Israel
used words that were not right against the Lord their God" (2
Kings xvii. 9): and" utter error against the Lord" (Isa. =ii. 6). If
you are of those who regard the honour of their Creator, do not
listen in any way to them, much less utter what they say, and still
less compose such prayers. knowing how great is the offence of
one who hurls aspersions against the Supreme Being. There is no
necessity at all for you to use positive attributes of God with the
view of magnifying Him in your thoughts, or to go beyond the
limits which the men of the Great Synagogue have introduced in
the prayers and in the blessings, for this is sufficient for all
purposes, and even more than Sufficient, as Rabbi Haninah said.
Other attributes, such as occur in the books of the Prophets, may
be uttered when we meet with them in reading those books; but we
must bear in mind what has already been explained, that they are
either attributes of God's actions, or expressions implying the
negation of the opposite. This likewise should not be divulged to
the multitude; but a reflection of this kind is fitted for the few only
who believe that the glorification of God does not consist in
uttering that which is not to be uttered, but in reflecting on that on
which man should reflect.
We Will now conclude our exposition of the wise words of R.
Haninah. He does not employ any such simile as:" A king who
possesses millions of gold denarii, and is praised as having
hundreds" : for this would imply that God's perfections, although
more perfect than those ascribed to man are still of the same kind:
but this is not the case, as has been proved. The excellence of the
simile consists in the words: who possesses golden denarii, and is
praised as having silver denarii" this implies that these attributes,
though perfections as regards ourselves, are not such as regards
God; in reference to Him they would all be defects, as is distinctly
suggested in the remark," Is this not an offence to Him ?" '
I have already told you that all these attributes, whatever
perfection they may denote according to your idea, imply defects
in reference to God, if applied to Him in the same sense as they are
used in reference to ourselves. Solomon has already given us
sufficient instruction on this subject by saying," For God is in
heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few"
(Eccles. V. 2).
CHAPTER LX
I WILL give you in this chapter some illustrations, in order that
you may better understand the propriety of forming as many
negative attributes as possible, and the impropriety of ascribing to
God any positive attributes. A person may know for certain that a"
ship" is in existence, but he may not know to what object that
name is applied, whether to a substance or to an accident: a second
person then learns that the ship is not an accident: a third, that it is
not a mineral: a fourth, that it is not a plant growing in the earth: a
fifth, that it is not a body whose parts are joined together by nature:
a sixth, that it is not a flat object like boards or doors: a seventh,
that it is not a sphere: an eighth, that it is not pointed: a ninth, that
it is not roundshaped: nor equilateral: a tenth, that it is not solid. It
is clear that this tenth person has almost arrived at the correct
notion of a" ship" by the foregoing negative attributes, as if he
had exactly the same notion as those have who imagine it to be a
wooden substance which is hollow, long, and composed of many
pieces of wood, that is to say, who know it by positive attributes.
Of the other persons in our illustration, each one is more remote
from the correct notion of a ship than the next mentioned, so that
the first knows nothing about it but the name. In the same manner
you will come nearer to the knowledge and comprehension of God
by the negative attributes. But you must be careful, in what you
negative, to negative by proof, not by mere words, for each time
you ascertain by proof that a certain thing, believed to exist in the
Creator, must be negatived, you have undoubtedly come one step
nearer to the knowledge of God.
It is in this sense that some men come very near to God, and others
remain exceedingly remote from Him, not in the sense of those
who are deprived of vision, and believe that God occupies a place,
which man can physically approach or from which he can recede.
Examine this well, know it, and be content with it. The way which
will bring you nearer to God has been clearly shown to you; walk
in it, if you have the desire. On the other hand, there is a great
danger in applying positive attributes to God. For it has been
shown that every perfection we could imagine, even if existing in
God in accordance with the opinion of those who assert the
existence of attributes, would in reality not be of the same kind as
that imagined by us, but would only be called by the same name,
according to our explanation; it would in fact amount to a
negation. Suppose, e.g., you say He has knowledge, and that
knowledge, which admits of no change and of no plurality,
embraces many changeable things; His knowledge remains
unaltered, while new things are constantly formed, and His
knowledge of a thing before it exists, while it exists, and when it
has ceased to exist, is the same without the least change: you
would thereby declare that His knowledge is not like ours: and
similarly that His existence is not like ours. You thus necessarily
arrive at some negation, without obtaining a true conception of an
essential attribute: on the contrary, you are led to assume that there
is a plurality in God, and to believe that He, though one essence,
has several unknown attributes. For if you intend to affirm them,
you cannot compare them with those attributes known by us, and
they are consequently not of the same kind. You are, as it were,
brought by the belief in the reality of the attributes, to say that God
is one subject of which several things are predicated: though the
subject is not like ordinary subjects, and the predicates are not like
ordinary predicates. This belief would ultimately lead us to
associate other things with God, and not to believe that He is One.
For of every subject certain things can undoubtedly be predicated,
and although in reality subject and predicate are combined in one
thing, by the actual definition they consist of two elements, the
notion contained in the subject not being the same as that
contained in the predicate. In the course of this treatise it will be
proved to you that God cannot be a compound, and that He is
simple in the strictest sense of the word.
I do not merely declare that he who affirms attributes of God has
not sufficient knowledge concerning the Creator, admits some
association with God, or conceives Him to be different from what
He is: but I say that he unconsciously loses his belief in God. For
he whose knowledge concerning a thing is insufficient,
understands one part of it while he is ignorant of the other, as, e.g.,
a person who knows that man possesses life, but does not know
that man possesses understanding: but in reference to God, in
whose real existence there is no plurality, it is impossible that one
thing should be known, and another unknown. Similarly he who
associates an object with [the properties of] another object,
conceives a true and correct notion of the one object. and applies
that notion also to the other: while those who admit the attributes
of God, do not consider them as identical with His essence, but as
extraneous elements. Again, he who conceives an incorrect notion
of an object, must necessarily have a correct idea of the object to
some extent , he, however, who says that taste belongs to the
category of quantity has not, according to my opinion, an incorrect
notion of taste, but is entirely ignorant of its nature, for he does not
know to what object the term" taste is to be applied. -- This is a
very difficult subject: consider it well.
According to this explanation you will understand, that those who
do not recognize, in reference to God, the negation of things.,
which others negative by clear proof, are deficient in the
knowledge of God, and are remote from comprehending Him.
Consequently, the smaller the number of things is which a person
can negative in relation to God, the less he knows of Him as has
been explained in the beginning of this chapter; but the man who
affirms an attribute of God, knows nothing but the same: for the
object to which, in his imagination, he applies that name, does not
exist; it is a mere fiction and invention, as if he applied that name
to a non-existing being, for there is, in reality, no such object. E.g.,
some one has heard of the elephant, and knows that it is an animal,
and wishes to know its form and nature. A person, who is either
misled or misleading, tells him it is an animal with one leg, three
wings, lives in the depth of the sea, has a transparent body: its face
is wide like that of a man, has the same form and shape, speaks
like a man, flies sometimes in the air, and sometimes swims like a
fish. I should not say, that he described the elephant incorrectly, or
that he has an insufficient knowledge of the elephant, but I would
say that the thing thus described is an invention and fiction, and
that in reality there exists nothing like it: it is a non-existing being,
called by the name of a really existing being, and like the griffin,
the centaur, and similar imaginary combinations for which simple
and compound names have been borrowed from real things. The
present case is analogous: namely, God, praised be His name,
exists, and His existence has been proved to be absolute and
perfectly simple, as I shall explain. If such a simple, absolutely
existing essence were said to have attributes, as has been
contended, and were combined with extraneous elements, it would
in no way be an existing thing, as has been proved by us; and when
we say that that essence, which is called" God," is a substance
with many properties by which it can be described, we apply that
name to an object which does not at all exist. Consider, therefore,
what are the consequences of affirming attributes to God ! As to
those attributes of God which occur in the Pentateuch, or in the
books of the Prophets, we must assume that they are exclusively
employed, as has been stated by us, to convey to us some notion of
the perfections of the Creator, or to express qualities of actions
emanating from Him.
CHAPTER LXI
IT is well known that all the names of God occurring in Scripture
are derived from His actions, except one, namely, the
Tetragrammaton, which consists of the letters yod, he, vau and he.
This name is applied exclusively to God, and is on that account
called Shem ha-meforash," The nomen proprium." It is the distinct
and exclusive designation of the Divine Being; whilst His other
names are common nouns, and are derived from actions, to which
some of our own are similar, as we have already explained. Even
the name Jdonay," Lord," which has been substituted for the
Tetragrammaton, is derived from the appellative" lord" : comp."
The man who is the lord (adone) of the land spake roughly to us"
(Gen. xliii. 3o). The difference between 4doni ," my lord," (with
hirek under the nun), or Jdonay with kamez), is similar to the
difference between Sari," my prince," and Sarai, Abraham's wife
(ib. xvi. 1), the latter form denoting majesty and distinction. An
angel is also addressed as" Adonay" : e.g.," Jdonay (My lord), pass
not away, I pray thee" (ib. xviii. 3). 1 have restricted my
explanation to the term Jdonay, the substitute for the
Tetragrammaton, because it is more commonly applied to God
than any of the other names which are in frequent use, like
dayyan," judge," shadday," almighty zaddik, righteous," hannun,"
gracious," rahum" merciful," and elohim" chief all these terms
are unquestionably appellations and derivatives. The derivation of
the name, consisting of yod, hi, vau, and he, is not positively
known, the word having no additional signification. This sacred
name, which, as you know, was not pronounced except in the
sanctuary by the appointed priests, when they gave the sacerdotal
blessing, and by the high priest on the Day of Atonement,
undoubtedly denotes something which is peculiar to God, and is
not found in any other being. It is possible that in the Hebrew
language, of which we have now but a slight knowledge, the
Tetragrammaton, in the way it was pronounced, conveyed the
meaning of" absolute existence." In short, the majesty of the name
and the great dread of uttering it, are connected with the fact that it
denotes God Himself, without including in its meaning any names
of the things created by Him. Thus our Sages say :" ' My name '
(Num. vi. 2 7) means the name which is peculiar to Me." -AM
other names of God have reference to qualities, and do not signify
a simple substance, but a substance with attributes, they being
derivatives. On that account it is believed that they imply the
presence of a plurality in God, I mean to say, the presence of
attributes, that is, of some extraneous element superadded to His
essence. Such is the meaning of all derivative names: they imply
the presence of some attribute and its substratum, though this be
not distinctly named. As, however, it has been proved, that God is
not a substratum capable of attributes, we are convinced that those
appellatives when employed as names of God, only indicate the
relation of certain actions to Him, or they convey to us some
notion of His perfection.
Hence R. Haninah would have objected to the expression" the
great, the mighty, and the tremendous," had it not been for the two
reasons mentioned by him: because such expressions lead men to
think that the attributes are essential, i.e., they are perfections
actually present in God. The frequent use of names of God derived
from actions, led to the belief that He had as many [essential]
attributes as there were actions from which the names were
derived. The following promise was therefore made, implying that
mankind will at a certain future time understand this subject, and
be free from the error it involves :" In that day will the Lord be
One, and His name One" (Zech. xiv. 9). The meaning of this
prophecy is this: He being One, will then be called by one name,
which will indicate the essence of God; but it does not mean that
His sole name will be a derivative [viz.," One" ]. In the Pirke
Rabbi Eliezer (chap. iii.) occurs the following passage:" Before
the universe was created, there was only the Almighty and His
name." Observe how clearly the author states that all these
appelatives employed as names of God came into existence after
the Creation. This is true: for they all refer to actions manifested in
the Universe. If, however, you consider His essence as separate
and as abstracted from all actions, you will not describe it by an
appellative, but by a proper noun, which exclusively indicates that
essence. Every other name of God is a derivative, only the
Tetragrammaton is a real nomen proprium, and must not be
considered from any other point of view. You must beware of
sharing the error of those who write amulets (kameot). Whatever
you hear from them, or read in their works, especially in reference
to the names which they form by combination, is utterly senseless;
they call these combinations shemot (names) and believe that their
pronunciation demands sanctification and purification, and that by
using them they are enabled to work miracles. Rational persons
ought not to listen to such men, nor in any way believe their
assertions. No other name is called shem ha-meforash except this
Tetragrammaton, which is written, but is not pronounced
according to its letters. The words," Thus shall ye bless the
children of Israel" (Num. vi. 23) are interpreted in Siphri as
follows:" ' Thus,' in the holy language: again ' thus,' with the Shem
ha-meforash." The following remark, is also found there:" In the
sanctuary [the name of God is pronounced] as it is spelt, but
elsewhere by its substitutes." In the Talmud, the following passage
occurs :" ' Ehus,' i.e., with the shem ha-meforash. -- You say [that
the priests, when blessing the people, had to pronounce] the fhem
ha-meforash: this was perhaps not the case, and they may have
used other names instead.-We infer it from the words : ' And they
shall put My name ' (Num. vi. 27), i.e., My name, which is peculiar
to Me." It has thus been shown that the shem ha-meforash (the
proper name of God) is the Tetragrammaton, and that this is the
only name which indicates nothing but His essence, and therefore
our Sages in referring to this sacred term said My name' means the
one which is peculiar to Me alone."
In the next chapter I will explain the circumstances which brought
men to a belief in the power of Shemot (names of God): I will
point out the main subject of discussion, and lay open to you its
mystery, and then not any doubt will be left in your mind, unless
you prefer to be misguided.
CHAPTER LXII
WE were commanded that, in the sacerdotal blessing, the name of
the Lord should be pronounced as it is written in the form of the
Tetragrammaton, the shem ha-meforash. It was not known to every
one how the name was to be pronounced, what vowels were to be
given to each consonant, and whether some of the letters capable
of reduplication should receive a dagesh. Wise men successively
transmitted the pronunciation of the name: it occurred only once in
seven years that the pronunciation was communicated to a
distinguished disciple. I must, however, add that the statement,"
The wise men communicated the Tetragrammaton to their children
and their disciples once in seven years," does not only refer to the
pronunciation but also to its meaning, because of which the
Tetragrammaton was made a nomen proprium of God, and which
includes certain metaphysical principles.
Our Sages knew in addition a name of God which consisted of
twelve letters, inferior in sanctity to the Tetragrammaton. I believe
that this was not a single noun, but consisted of two or three
words, the sum of their letters being twelve, and that these words
were used by our Sages as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton,
whenever they met with it in the course or their reading the
Scriptures, in the same manner as we at present substitute for it
aleph, daleth, etc. [i.e., Adonay," the Lord" ]. There is no doubt
that this name also, consisting of twelve letters, was in this sense
more distinctive than the name Adonay : it was never withheld
from any of the students; whoever wished to learn it, had the
opportunity given to him without any reserve : not so the
Tetragrammaton: those who knew it did not communicate it except
to a son or a disciple, once in seven years, When, however,
unprincipled men had become acquainted with that name which
consists of twelve letters and in consequence had become corrupt
in faith-as is sometimes the case when persons with imperfect
knowledge become aware that a thing is not such as they had
imagined-the Sages concealed also that name, and only
communicated it to the worthiest among the priests, that they
should pronounce it when they blessed the people in the Temple;
for the Tetragrammeton was then no longer uttered in the
sanctuary on account of the corruption of the people. There is a
tradition, that with the death of Simeon the just, his brother priests
discontinued the pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton in the
blessing; they used, instead, this name of twelve letters. It is
further stated, that at first the name of twelve letters was
communicated to every man; but when the number of impious men
increased it was only entrusted to the worthiest among the priests,
whose voice, in pronouncing it, was drowned amid the singing of
their brother priests. Rabbi Tarphon said," Once I followed my
grandfather to the days [where the blessing was pronounced); I
inclined my ear to listen to a priest [who pronounced the name],
and noticed that his voice was drowned amid the singing of his
brother priests."
There was also a name of forty-two letters known among them.
Every intelligent person knows that one word of forty-two letters is
impossible. But it was a phrase of several words which had
together forty-two letters. There is no doubt that the words had
such a meaning as to convey a correct notion of the essence of
God, in the way we have stated. This phrase of so many letters is
called a name because, like other proper nouns, they represent one
single object, and several words have been employed in order to
explain more clearly the idea which the name represents: for an
idea can more easily be comprehended if expressed in many
words. Mark this and observe now that the instruction in regard to
the names of God extended to the signification of each of those
names, and did not confine itself to the pronunciation of the single
letters which, in themselves, are destitute of an idea. Shem
ha-meforash applied neither to the name of forty-two letters nor to
that of twelve, but only to the Tetragrammaton, the proper name of
God, as we have explained. Those two names must have included
some metaphysical ideas. It can be proved that one of them
conveyed profound knowledge, from the following rule laid down
by our Sages:" The name of forty-two letters is exceedingly holy; it
can only be entrusted to him who is modest, in the midway of life,
not easily provoked to anger, temperate, gentle, and who speaks
kindly to his fellow men. He who understands it, is cautious with
it, and keeps it in purity, is loved above and is liked here below; he
is respected by his fellow men; his learning remaineth with him,
and he enjoys both this world and the world to come." So far in the
Talmud. How grievously has this passage been misunderstood!
Many believe that the forty-two letters are merely to be
pronounced mechanically; that by knowledge of these, without any
further interpretation, they can attain to these exalted ends,
although it is stated that he who desires to obtain a knowledge of
that name must be trained in the virtues named before, and go
through all the great preparations which are mentioned in that
passage. On the contrary, it is evident that all this preparation aims
at a knowledge of Metaphysics, and includes ideas which
constitute the" secrets of the Law," as we have explained (chap.
xxxv.). In works on Metaphysics it has been shown that such
knowledge, i.e., the perception of the active intellect, can never be
forgotten: and this is meant by the phrase" his learning remaineth
with him."
When bad and foolish men were reading such passages, they
considered them to be a support of their false pretensions and of
their assertion that they could, by means of an arbitrary
combination of letters, form a shem (" a name" ) which would act
and operate miraculously when written or spoken in a certain
particular way. Such fictions, originally invented by foolish men,
were in the course of time committed to writing, and came into the
hands of good but weak-minded and ignorant persons who were
unable to discriminate between truth and falsehood, and made a
secret of these shemot (names). When after the death of such
persons those writings were discovered among their papers, it was
believed that they contained truths: for," The simple believeth
every word" (Prov. xiv. 15).
We have already gone too far away from our interesting subject
and recondite inquiry, endeavouring to refute a perverse notion,
the absurdity of which every one must perceive who gives a
thought to the subject. We have, however, been compelled to
mention it, in treating of the divine names, their meanings, and the
opinions commonly held concerning them. We shall now return to
our theme. Having shown that all names of God, with the
exception of the Tetragrammaton (Shem ha-meforash), are
appellatives, we must now, in a separate chapter, speak on the
phrase Ehyeh asher Ehyeh, (Exod. iii. 14), because it is connected
with the difficult subject under discussion, namely, the
inadmissibility of divine attributes.
CHAPTER LXIII
BEFORE approaching the subject of this chapter, we will first
consider the words of Moses, And they shall say unto me, What is
His name ? what shall I say unto them" (Exod. iii. 13), How far
was this question, anticipated by Moses, appropriate, and how far
was he justified in seeking to be prepared with the answer ? Moses
was correct in declaring," But, behold, they will not believe me,
for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee" (ib. iv. 1):
for any man claiming the authority of a prophet must expect to
meet with such an objection so long as he has not given a proof of
his mission. Again, if the question, as appears at first sight,
referred only to the name, as a mere utterance of the lips, the
following dilemma would present itself : either the Israelites knew
the name, or they had never heard it: if the name was known to
them, they would perceive in it no argument in favour of the
mission of Moses, his knowledge and their knowledge of the
divine name being the same. If, on the other hand, they had never
heard it mentioned, and if the knowledge of it was to prove the
mission of Moses, what evidence would they have that this was
really the name of God ? Moreover, after God had made known
that name to Moses, and had told him," Go and gather the elders
of Israel. . . . and they shall hearken to thy voice" (ib. xvi. 18), he
replied," Behold, they will not believe me nor hearken unto my
voice," although God had told him," And they will hearken to thy
voice" : whereupon God answered," What is that in thine hand ?"
and he said," A rod" (ib. iv. 2). In order to obviate this dilemma,
you must understand what I am about to tell you. You know how
widespread were in those days the opinions of the Sabeans: all
men, except a few individuals, were idolaters, that is to say, they
believed in spirits, in man's power to direct the influences of the
heavenly bodies, and in the effect of talismans. Any one who in
those days laid claim to authority, based it either, like Abraham, on
the fact that, by reasoning and by proof he had been convinced of
the existence of a Being who rules the whole Universe, or that
some spiritual power was conferred upon him by a star, by an
angel, or by a similar agency; but no one could establish his claim
on prophecy, that is to say, on the fact that God had spoken to him,
or had entrusted a mission to him: before the days of Moses no
such assertion had ever been made. You must not be misled by the
statements that God spoke to the Patriarchs, or that He had
appeared to them. For you do not find any mention of a prophecy
which appealed to others, or which directed them. Abraham, Isaac,
or Jacob, or any other person before them did not tell the people,"
God said unto me, you shall do this thing, or you shall not do that
thing." or" God has sent me to you." Far from it! for God spoke to
them on nothing but of what especially concerned them, i.e., He
communicated to them things relating to their perfection, directed
them in what they should do, and foretold them what the condition
of their descendants would be: nothing beyond this. They guided
their fellow-men by means of argument and instruction, as is
implied, according to the interpretation generally received
amongst us, in the words" and the souls that they had gotten in
Haran" (Gen. xii. 5). When God appeared to our Teacher Moses,
and commanded him to address the people and to bring them the
message, Moses replied that he might first be asked to prove the
existence of God in the Universe, and that only after doing so he
would be able to announce to them that God had sent him. For all
men, with few exceptions, were ignorant of the existence of God;
their highest thoughts did not extend beyond the heavenly sphere,
its forms or its influences. They could not yet emancipate
themselves from sensation, and had not yet attained to any
intellectual perfection. Then God taught Moses how to teach them,
and how to establish amongst them the belief in the existence of
Himself, namely, by saying Ehyeh asher Ehyeh, a name derived
from the verb hayah in the sense of" existing," for the verb hayah
denotes cc to be," and in Hebrew no difference is made between
the verbs" to be" and" to exist." The principal point in this phrase
is that the same word which denotes" existence," is repeated as an
attribute. The word asher," that," corresponds to the Arabic illadi
and illati, and is an incomplete noun that must be completed by
another noun: it may be considered as the subject of the predicate
which follows. The first noun which is to be described is ehyeh:
the second, by which the first is described, is likewise ehyth, the
identical word, as if to show that the object which is to be
described and the attribute by which it is described are in this case
necessarily identical. This is, therefore, the expression of the idea
that God exists, but not in the ordinary sense of the term: or, in
other words, He is" the existing Being which is the the existing
Being," that is to say, the Being whose existence is absolute. The
proof which he was to give consisted in demonstrating that there is
a Being of absolute existence, that has never been and never win
be without existence. This I will dearly prove (II. Introd. Prop. 20
and chap. i.).
God thus showed Moses the proofs by which His existence would
be frimly established among the wise men of His people.
Therefore the explanation of the name is followed by the words,"
Go, gather the elders of Israel," and by the assurance that the elders
would understand what God had shown to him, and would accept
it, as is stated in the words," And they will hearken to thy voice."
Then Moses replied as follows: They will accept the doctrine that
God exists convinced by these intelligible proofs. But, said Moses,
by what means shall I be able to show that this existing God has
sent me ? Thereupon God gave him the sign. We have thus shown
that the question," What is His name" means" Who is that Being,
which according to thy belief has sent thee ?" The sentence,"
What is his name" (instead of, Who is He), has here been used as
a tribute of praise and homage, as though it had been said, Nobody
can be ignorant of Thy essence and of Thy real existence; if,
nevertheless, I ask what is Thy name, I mean, What idea is to be
expressed by the name ? (Moses considered it inappropriate to say
to God that any person was ignorant of God's existence, and
therefore described the Israelites as ignorant of God's name, not as
ignorant of Him who was called by that name.) -- The name Jah
likewise implies eternal existence. Shadday, however, is derived
from day," enough: comp." for the stuff they had was sufficient"
(dayyam, Exod. xxxvi. 7) the shin is equal to asher," which," as in
she-kehar," which already" (Eccles. ii. 16). The name Shadday,
therefore, signifies" he who is sufficient" : that is to say, He does
not require any other being for effecting the existence of what He
created, or its conservation : His existence is sufficient for that. Ina
similar manner the name basin implies" strength"; comp." he was
strong (hason) as the oaks" (Amos ii. 9). The same is the case
with" rock," which is a homonym, as we have explained (chap.
xvi.). It is, therefore, clear that all these names of God are
appellatives, or are applied to God by way of homonymy, like zur
and others, the only exception being the tetragrammaton, the Shem
ha-meforash (the nomen proprium of God), which is not an
appellative: it does not denote any attribute of God, nor does it
imply anything except His existence. Absolute existence includes
the idea of eternity, i.e., the necessity of existence. Note well the
result at which we have arrived in this chapter.
CHAPTER LXIV
KNOW that in some instances by the phrase" the name of the
Lord," nothing but the name alone is to be understood; comp."
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (Exod.
xl. 7):" And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord" (Lev. xxiv.
16). This occurs in numerous other passages. In other instances it
means the essence and reality of God Himself, as in the phrase"
They shall say to me, What is his name" ? Sometimes it stands
for" the word of God," so that" the name of God,"" the word of
God," and" the command of God," are identical phrases; comp."
for my name is in him" (Exod. xxiii. 2 1), that is, My word or My
command is in him; i.e., he is the instrument of My desire and
will. 1 shall explain this fully in treating of the homonymity of the
term" angel" (II. chap. vi. and xxxiv.). -- The same is the case
with" The glory of the Lord." The phrase sometimes signifies" the
material light," which God caused to rest on a certain place in
order to show the distinction of that place, e.g, ," And the glory of
the Lord (kebod adonay) abode upon Mount Sinai and the cloud
covered it" (Exod. xxiv. 16) :" And the glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle" (ib. xl. 35). Sometimes the essence, the reality of God
is meant by that expression, as in the words of Moses," Show me
thy glory" (ib. xxxiii. 18), to which the reply was given," For no
man shall see me and live" (ib. xx.). This shows that the glory of
the Lord in this instance is the same as He Himself, and that" Thy
glory" has been substituted for" Thyself," as a tribute of homage;
an explanation which we also gave of the words," And they shall
say unto me, What is his name ?" Sometimes the term cc glory"
denotes the glorification of the Lord by man or by any other being.
For the true glorification of the Lord consists in the comprehension
of His greatness, and all who comprehend His greatness and
perfection, glorify Him according to their capacity, with this
difference, that man alone magnifies God in words, expressive of
what he has received in his mind, and what he desires to
communicate to others. Things not endowed with comprehension,
as e.g., minerals, may also be considered as glorifying the Lord, for
by their natural properties they testify to the omnipotence and
wisdom of their Creator, and cause him who examines them to
praise God, by means of speech or without the use of words, if the
power of speech be wanting. In Hebrew this licence has been
extended still further, and the use of the verb" to speak" has been
admitted as applicable in such a case: things which have no
comprehension are therefore said to give utterance to praise, e.g.,"
All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee (Ps. xxxv. 10).
Because a consideration of the properties of the bones leads to the
discovery of that truth, and it is through them that it became
known, they are represented as having uttered the divine praise:
and since this [cause of God's praise] is itself called" praise," it
has been said" the fulness of the whole earth is his praise" (Isa. vi.
3), in the same sense as" the earth is full of his praise (Hab. iii. 3).
As to kabod being employed in the sense of praise, comp. Give
praise (kabod) to the Lord your God" (Jer. xiii. 16): also" and in
his temple does every one speak of his praise (kabod)" (Ps. xxix.
g), etc. Consider well the homonymity of this term, and explain it
in each instance in accordance with the context: you will thus
escape great embarrassment.
CHAPTER LXV
AFTER YOU have advanced thus far, and truly comprehended that
God exists without having the attribute of existence, and that He is
One, without having the attribute of unity, I do not think that I
need explain to you the inadmissibility of the attribute of speech in
reference to God, especially since our people generally believe that
the Law, i.e., the word ascribed to Him, was created. Speech is
attributed to Him, in so far as the word which Moses heard, was
produced and brought to existence by God in the same manner as
He produced all His other works and creations. As we shall have to
speak more fully on prophecy, we shall here merely show that
speech is attributed to God in the same way as all other actions,
which are similar to our own. When we are told that God
addressed the Prophets and spoke to them, our minds are merely to
receive a notion that there is a Divine knowledge to which the
Prophets attain; we are to be impressed with the idea that the
things which the Prophets communicate to us come from the Lord,
and are not altogether the products of their own conceptions and
ideas. This subject, which we have already mentioned above, will
receive further explanation. It is the object of this chapter to show
that the words 11 speaking" and 'c saying" are synonymous terms
denoting (a)" Speech" : as, e.g.," Moses shall speak (yedabber)"
(Exod. xix. 19):" And Pharaoh said (va-yomer)" (ib. v. 5): (b)"
Thought" as formed in the mind without being expressed in
words; e.g.," And 1 thought (ve-amarti) in my heart" (Eccles. ii.
15):" And I thought (vedibbarti) in my heart" (ib.):" And thy
heart will imagine (yedabber)" (Prov. xxiii. 33):" Concerning
Thee my heart thought (amar)" (Ps. xxvii. 8):" And Esau thought
(Va-yomer) in his heart" (Gen. xxvii. 41): examples of this kind
are numerous; (c) Will; e.g.," And he said (va-yomer) to slay
David" (2 Sam. xxi. 16), that is to say, he wished or he intended to
slay him:" Dost thou desire (omer) to slay me" (Exod. ii. 14):"
And the whole congregation intended (va-yomeru) to stone them
(Num. xiv. 10). Instances of this kind are likewise numerous.
The two terms, when applied to God, can only have one of the two
lastmentioned significations, viz., he wills and he desires, or he
thinks, and there is no difference whether the divine thought
became known to man by means of an actual voice, or by one of
those kinds of inspiration which I shall explain further on (11.
chap. xxxviii.). We must not suppose that in speaking God
employed voice or sound. or that He has a soul in which the
thoughts reside, and that these thoughts are things superadded to
His essence; but we ascribe and attribute to Him thoughts in the
same manner as we ascribe to Him any other attributes. The use of
these words in the sense of will and desire, is based, as I have
explained, on the homonymity of these terms. In addition they are
figures borrowed from our common practices, as has been already
pointed out. For we cannot, at a first glance, see how anything can
be produced by a mere desire: we think that he who wishes to
produce a thing, must perform a certain act, or command some one
else to perform it. Therefore the command is figuratively ascribed
to God when that takes place which He wishes, and we then say
that He commanded that a certain thing should be accomplished.
All this has its origin in our comparing the acts of God to our own
acts, and also in the use of the term amar in the sense of" He
desired," as we have already explained. The words" And He said,"
occurring in the account of the creation, signify" He wished," or"
He desired." This has already been stated by other authors, and is
well known. A proof for this, namely that the phrase" God said,"
in the first chapter of Genesis, must be taken in a figurative sense"
He willed," and not in its literal meaning, is found in the
circumstance that a command can only be given to a being which
exists and is capable of receiving the command. Comp." By the
word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them
by the breath of his mouth" (Ps. xxxiii. 6)." His mouth," and" the
breath of his mouth," are undoubtedly figurative expressions, and
the same is the case with" His word" and" His speech." The
meaning of the verse is therefore that they [the heavens and all
their host] exist through His will and desire. All our eminent
authorities are cognisant of this; and, 1 need not explain that in
Hebrew amar and dibber have the same meaning, as is proved by
the passage," For it has heard all the words (imre) of the Lord
which he spake (dibber) unto us" (josh. xxiv. 27).
CHAPTER LXVI
AND the tables were the work of God" (Exod. xxxii. 1:6), that is
to say, they were the product of nature, not of art: for all natural
things are called 46 the work of the Lord," e.g.," These see the
works of the Lord" (Ps. cvii. 24): and the description of the several
things in nature, as plants, animals, winds, rain, etc., is followed by
the exclamation," 0 Lord, how manifold are thy works!" (Ps. civ.
24). Still more striking is the relation between God and His
creatures, as expressed in the phrase," The cedars of Lebanon,
which he hath planted" (ib. 16): the cedars being the product of
nature, and not of art, are described as having been planted by the
Lord. Similarly we explain," And the writing was the writing of
God" (Exod. xxxii. 16): the relation in which the writing stood to
God has already been defined in the words" written with the finger
of God" (ib. xxxi. 18), and the meaning of this phrase is the same
as that of" the work of thy fingers" (Ps. viii. 4). this being said of
the heavens: of the latter it has been stated distinctly that they were
made by a word; comp." By the word of the Lord were the
heavens made" (ib. xxxiii. 6). Hence you learn that in the Bible,
the creation of a thing is figuratively expressed by terms denoting"
word" and" speech" The same thing which according to one
passage has been made by the word, is represented in another
passage as made by the" finger of God." The phrase" written by
the finger of God" is therefore identical with" written by the word
of God" : and if the latter phrase had been used, it would have been
equal to" written by the will and desire of God?' Onkelos adopted
in this place a strange explanation, and rendered the words
literally" written by the finger of the Lord" : he thought that" the
finger" was a certain thing ascribed to God; so that" the finger of
the Lord" is to be interpreted in the same way as" the mountain of
God" (Exod. iii. 1)," the rod of God" (ib. iv. 20), that is, as being
an instrument created by Him, which by His will engraved the
writing on the tables. I cannot see why Onkelos preferred this
explanation. It would have been more reasonable to say" written
by the word of the Lord," in imitation of the verse" BY the word
of the Lord the heavens were made?' Or was the creation of the
writing on the tables more difficult than the creation of the stars in
the spheres ? As the latter were made by the direct will of God, not
by means of an instrument, the writing may also have been
produced by His direct will, not by means of an instrument. You
know what the Mishnah says,
Ten things were created on Friday in the twilight of the evening,
and" the writing" is one of the ten things. This shows how
generally it was assumed by our forefathers that the writing of the
tables was produced in the same manner as the rest of the creation,
as we have shown in our Commentary on the Mishnah (Abotb, v.
6).
CHAPTER LXVII
SINCE the verb" to say" has been figuratively used to express the
will of the Creator, and the phrase" And he said has repeatedly
been employed in the account of all the things created in the six
days of the beginning," the expression" to rest" has likewise been
figuratively applied to God in reference to the Sabbath-day, on
which there was no creation; it is therefore said," And he rested
(va-yishbot) on the seventh day" (Gen. ii. 2). For 46 to leave off
speaking" is, in Hebrew, likewise expressed by the same verb, as,
e.g., So these three men ceased (va-yishbetu) to answer job" (job
xxxii. I) also by nuah, as, in" They spake to Nabal according to all
those words in the name of David, and ceased (va-yanuhu)" (I
Sam. xxv. 9). In my opinion, (va-yanuhu) means" they ceased to
speak," and waited for the answer; for no allusion to exertion
whatever having previously been mentioned, the words," and they
rested," in its primary signification, would have been entirely out
of place in that narrative, even if the young men who spoke had
really used some exertion. The author relates that having delivered
that whole speech, which, as you find, consisted of gentle
expressions, they were silent, that is to say, they did not add any
word or act by which the reply of Nabal could be justified: it being
the object of the entire passage to represent Nabal's conduct as
extremely reprehensible. In that sense [viz.," to cease," or" to
leave off" ] the verb nuah is used in the phrase" And he left off
(va-yanah) on the seventh day."
Our Sages, and some of the Commentators, took, however, nuah in
its primary sense" to rest," but as a transitive form (hiphil),
explaining the phrase thus:" and he gave rest to the world on the
seventh day," i.e., no further act of creation took place on that day.
It is possible that the word va-yanah is derived either from yanah, a
verb of the class pe-yod, or nahoh, a verb of the class lamed-he,
and has this meaning :" he established" or" he governed" the
Universe in accordance with the properties it possessed on the
seventh day" : that is to say, while on each of the six days events
took place contrary to the natural laws now in operation
throughout the Universe, on the seventh day the Universe was
merely upheld and left in the condition in which it continues to
exist. Our explanation is not impaired by the fact that the form of
the word deviates from the rules of verbs of these two classes: for
there are frequent exceptions to the rules of conjugations, and
especially of the weak verbs: and any interpretation which removes
such a source of error must not be abandoned because of certain
grammatical rules. We know that we are ignorant of the sacred
language, and that grammatical rules only apply to the majority of
cases.The same root is also found as a verb ayin-vav in the sense"
to place" and" to set," as e.g.," and it shall be established and she
shall be placed (vehunnihah) there upon her own base" (Zech. v.
11), and" she suffered neither the birds of the air to settle (la-nuah)
on them" (2 Sam. xxi. 10). According to my opinion, the verb has
the same signification in Hab. in. 16," that 1 might remain firm
(anuah) in the day of trouble."
The word (va-yinnafash) is a verb derived from nefesh, the
homonymity of which we have already explained (chap. xls.),
namely, that it has the signification of intention or will:
(va-yinnafash) accordingly means :" that which he desired was
accomplished, and what he wished had come into existence."
CHAPTER LXVIII
You are acquainted with the well-known principle of the
philosophers that God is the intellectus, the ens intelligens, and the
ens intelligibile. These three things are in God one and the same,
and do not in any way constitute a plurality. We have also
mentioned it in our larger work," Mishneh Torah," and we have
explained there that it is a fundamental principle of our religion,
namely, that He is absolutely one, that nothing combines with
Him; that is to say, there is no Eternal thing besides Him. On that
account we say hai adonay," the Lord liveth" (Ruth iii. 13), and
not be adonay," the life of the Lord," for His life is not a thing
distinct from His essence, as wehave explained in treating of the
inadmissibility of the attributes. There is no doubt that he who has
not studied any works on mental philosophy, who has not
comprehended the nature of the mind, who has no knowledge of
its essence, and considers it in no other way than he would
consider the nature of whiteness and of blackness, will find this
subject extremely difficult, and to him our principle that the
intellectus, the intelligens, and the intelligibile, are in God one and
the same thing, will appear as unintelligible as if we said that the
whiteness, the whitening substance, and the material which is
whitened are one and the same thing. And, indeed, many ignorant
people refute at once our principle by using such comparisons,.
Even amongst those who imagine that they are wise, many find
this subject difficult, and are of opinion that it is impossible for the
mind to grasp the truth of this proposition, although it is a
demonstrated truth, as has been shown by Metaphysicians. I will
tell you now what has been proved. Man, before comprehending a
thing, comprehends it in potentia
We have thus shown that the identity of the intellect, the
intelligens and the intelligibile, is not only a fact as regards the
Creator, but as regards all intellect, when in action. There is,
however, this difference, that from time to time our intellect
passes over from mere potentiality to reality, and that the pure
intellect, i.e., the active intellect, finds sometimes obstacles,
though not in itself, but accidentally in some external cause. It is
not our present intention to explain this subject, but we will merely
show that God alone, and none besides Him, is an intellect
constantly in action, and there is, neither in Himself nor in
anything beside Him, any obstacle whereby His comprehension
would be hindered. Therefore He always includes the intelligens,
the intellectus, and the intelligibile, and His essence is at the same
time the intelligens, the intelligibile, and the intellectus, as is
necessarily the case with all intellect in action.
We have reiterated this idea in the present chapter because it is
exceedingly abstruse, and I do not apprehend that the reader will
confound intellectual comprehension with the representative
faculty-with the reproduction of the material image in our
imagination, since this work is de.. signed only for those who have
studied philosophy, and who know what has already been said on
the soul and its faculties.
CHAPTER LXIX
THE philosophers, as you know, call God the First Cause (in
Hebrew Tlah and sibbah) : but those who are known by the name
of Mutakallemim are very much opposed to the use of that name,
and call Him Agens, believing that there is a great difference
whether we say that God is the Cause or that He is the Agens. They
argue thus : If we say that God is the Cause, the coexistence of the
Cause with that which was produced by that Cause would
necessarily be implied: this again would involve the belief that the
Universe was eternal, and that it was inseparable from God. When,
however, we say that God is the 4gens, the co-existence of the
Jgens with its product is not implied: for the agens can exist
anterior to its product: we cannot even imagine how an agens can
be in action unless it existed before its own production. This is an
argument advanced by persons who do not distinguish between the
potential and the actual. You, however, should know that in this
case there is no difference whether you employ the term" cause"
or" agens" : for if you take the term" cause" in the sense of a
mere potentiality, it precedes its effect: but if you mean the cause
in action, then the effect must necessarily co-exist with the cause
in action. The same is the case with the agens: take it as an agens
in reality, the work must necessarily co-exist with its agens. For
the builder, before he builds the house, is not in reality a builder,
but has the faculty for building a house-in the same way as the
materials for the house before it is being built are merely in
potentia -- but when the house has been built, he is the builder in
reality, and his product must likewise be in actual existence.
Nothing is therefore gained by choosing the term" agens" and
rejecting the term" cause." My object here is to show that these
two terms are equal, and in the same manner as we call God an
Agens, although the work does not yet exist, only because there is
no hindrance or obstacle which might prevent Him from doing it
whenever He pleases, we may also call Him the Cause, although
the effect may not yet be in existence.
The reason why the philosophers called God the Cause, and did
not call Him the Agens, is not to be sought in their belief that the
universe is eternal, but in other motives, which I will briefly
describe to you. It has been shown in. the science of Physics that
everything, except the Primal Cause, owes its origin to the
following four causes :-the substance, the form, the agens, the final
cause. These are sometimes direct, sometimes indirect causes; but
each by itself is called" a cause." They also believe-and I do not
differ from their opinion-that God Himself is the agens, the form,
and the end: therefore they call God" the Cause," in order to
express that He unites in Himself these three causes, viz., that He
is the agens, the form, and the final cause of the universe. In the
present chapter I only wish to show you in what sense it may be
said of God that He is the agens, the form, and also the final cause
of the universe. You need not trouble yourself now with the
question whether the universe has been created by God, or
whether, as the philosophers have assumed, it is eternal,
co-existing with Him. You will find [in the pages of this treatise]
full and instructive information on the subject. Here I wish to show
that God is the" cause" of every event that takes place in the
world, just as He is the Creator of the whole universe as it now
exists. It has already been explained in the science of Physics, that
a cause must again be sought for each of the four divisions of
causes. When we have found for any existing thing those four
causes which are in immediate connexion with it, we find for these
again causes, and for these again other causes, and so on until we
arrive at the first causes. E.g., a certain production has its agens,
this agens again has its agens, and so on and on until at last we
arrive at a first agens, which is the true agens throughout all the
intervening links. If the letter aleph be moved by bet, bet by gimel,
gimel by dalet, and dalet by he - and as the series does not extend
to infinity, ler us stop at he -- there is no doubt that the hi moves
the letters aleph, bet, gimel, and dalet, and we say correctly that
the aleph is moved by hi. In that sense everything occurring in the
universe, although directly produced by certain nearer causes, is
ascribed to the Creator, as we shall explain. He is the Jgens, and
He is therefore the ultimate cause. We shall also find, after careful
examination, that every physical and transient form must be
preceded by another such form, by which the substance has been
fitted to receive the next form: the previous form again has been
preceded by another, and we arrive at length at that form which is
necessary for the existence of all intermediate forms, which are the
causes of the present form. That form to which the forms of all
existing things are traced is God. You must not imagine that when
we say that God is the first form of all forms existing in the
Universe, we refer to that first form which Aristotle, in the Book
of Metaphysics, describes as being without beginning and without
end, for he treats of a form which is a physical, and not a purely
intellectual one. When we call God the ultimate form of the
universe, we do not use this term in the sense of form connected
with substance, namely, as the form of that substance, as though
God were the form of a material being. It is not in this sense that
we use it, but in the following : Everything existing and endowed
with a form, is whatever it is through its form, and when that form
is destroyed its whole existence terminates and is obliterated. The
same is the case as regards the relation between God and all
distant causes of existing beings: it is through the existence of God
that all things exist, and it is He who maintains their existence by
that process which is called emanation (in Hebrew shepha'), as will
be explained in one of the chapters of the present work. If God did
not exist, suppose this were possible, the universe would not exist,
and there would be an end to the existence of the distant causes,
the final effects, and the intermediate causes. Consequently God
maintains the same relation to the world as the form has to a thing
endowed with a form: through the form it is what it is, and on it
the reality and essence of the thing depends. In this sense we may
say that God is the ultimate form, that He is the form of all forms:
that is to say, the existence and continuance of all forms in the last
instance depend on Him, the forms are maintained by Him, in the
same way as all things endowed with forms retain their existence
through their forms. On that account God is called, in the sacred
language, be ha-'olamim," the life of the Universe," as will be
explained (chap. lxxii.). The same argument holds good in
reference to all final causes. If you assign to a thing a certain
purpose, you can find for that purpose another purpose. We
mention, e.g., a (wooden) chair; its substance is wood, the joiner is
its agens, the square its form, and its purpose is that one should sit
upon it. You may then ask, For what purpose does one sit upon it ?
The answer will be that he who is sitting upon it desires to be high
above the ground. If again you ask, For what purpose does he
desire to be high above the ground, you will receive the answer
that he wishes to appear high in the eyes of those who see him. For
what purpose does he wish to appear higher in the eyes of those
who see 'him ? That the people may respect and fear him. What is
the good of his being feared ? His commands will be respected.
For what purpose are his commands to be respected ? That people
shall refrain from injuring each other. What is the object of this
precaution ? To maintain order amongst the people. In this way
one purpose necessitates the pre-existence of another, except the
final purpose, which is the execution of the will of God, according
to one of the opinions which have been propounded, as will be
explained (III. xiii. and xvii.), and the final answer will be," It is
the will of God." According to the view of others, which will
likewise be explained, the final purpose is the execution of the
decree of His wisdom, and the final answer will be," It has been
decreed by His wisdom." According to either opinion, the series of
the successive purposes terminates, as has been shown, in God's
wilt or wisdom, which, in our opinion, are identical with His
essence, and are not any thing separate from Himself or different
from His essence. Consequently, God is the final purpose of
everything. Again, it is the aim of everything to become, according
to its faculties, similar to God in perfection: this is meant by the
expression," His will, which is identical with His essence," as will
be shown below (ibid.). In this sense God is called the End of all
ends.
I have thus explained to you in what sense God is said to be the
Jgens, the Form, and the End. This is the reason why the
philosophers not only call Him" the Maker" but also the" Cause."
Some of the scholars belonging to the Mutakallemim
(Mohammedan theologians), went so far in their folly and in their
vainglory as to say that the non-existence of the Creator, if that
were possible, would not necessarily imply the non-existence of
the things created by Him, i.e., the Universe : for a production
need not necessarily cease to exist when the producer, after having
produced it, has ceased to exist. They would be right, if God were
only the maker of the Universe, and if its permanent existence
were not dependent on Him. The storehouse does not cease to exist
at the death of the builder; for he does not give permanent
existence to the building. God, however, is Himself the form of the
Universe, as we have already shown, and it is He who causes its
continuance and permanency. It is therefore wrong to say that a
thing can remain durable and permanent, after the being that
makes it durable and permanent has ceased to exist, since that
thing can possess no more durability and permanency than it has
received from that being. Now you understand the greatness of the
error into which they have fallen through their assumption that
God is only the 4gens, and not the End or the Form.
CHAPTER LXX
THE term rakab," to ride," is a synonym. In its primary
signification it is applied to man's riding on an animal, in the usual
way; e.g.," Now he was riding (rokeb) upon his ass" (Num. XXIi.
22). It has then been figuratively used to denote" dominion over a
thing" : because the rider governs and rules the animal he rides
upon; e.g.," He made him ride (Yarkihehu) on the high places of
the earth" (Deut. xxxii. 13):" and I will cause thee to ride
(ve-hirkabtika) upon the high places of the earth" (Isa. lviii. 14),
that is, you shall have dominion over the highest (people) on
earth;" I will make Ephraim to ride (arkib)" (Hos. x. 11), i.e., I
shall give him rule and dominion. In this same sense it is said of
God," who rideth (rokeb) upon the heaven in thy help" (Deut.
xxxiii. 26), that is, who rules the heaven; and" Him that rideth
(la-rokeb) upon the 'arabot" (Ps. lxviii. 4), i.e., who rules the
'arabot, the uppermost, all-encompassing sphere. It has also been
repeatedly stated by our Sages that there are seven reki im
(firmaments, heavens), and that the uppermost of them, the
all-surrounding, is called 'arabot. Do not object to the number
seven given by them, although there are more reki'im, for there are
spheres which contain several circles (gilgallim), and are counted
as one; this is clear to those who have studied that subject, and I
shall also explain it; here I wish merely to point out that our Sages
always assumed that 'arabot is the uppermost sphere. The 'arabot is
also referred to in the words," who rideth upon the heaven in thy
help." Thus we read in Talm. B. Hagigah, p. 12," The high and
exalted dwelleth on 'arabot, as it is said, 'Extol Him that rideth
upon 'arabot '" (Ps.lxviii.4). How is it proved that" heaven" and"
'arabot" are identical? The one passage has" who rideth on 'arabot,"
the other" who rideth upon the heaven." Hence it is clear that in all
these passages reference is made to the same all-surrounding
sphere, concerning which you will hereafter (11. xxiv.) receive
more information. Consider well that the expression" dwelling
over it," is used by them, and not" dwelling in it." The latter
expression would have implied that God occupies a place or is a
power in the sphere, as was in fact believed by the Sabeans, who
held that God was the soul of the sphere. By saying" dwelling over
it," they indicated that God was separate from the sphere, and was
not a power in it. Know also that the term" riding upon the
heavens," has figuratively been applied to God in order to show the
following excellent comparison. The rider is better than the animal
upon which he rides-the comparative is only used for the sake of
convenience, for the rider is not of the same class as the animal
upon which he rides-furthermore, the rider moves the animal and
leads it as he likes: it is as it were his instrument, which he uses
according to his will: he is separate from it, apart from it, not
connected with it. In like manner the uppermost sphere, by the
rotation of which everything moveable is set in motion, is moved
by God ` who is separate from the sphere, and is not a power in it.
In Beresbit Rabba we read that in commenting on the Divine
words," The eternal God is a refuge" (lit., a dwelling, Deut.
xxxiii. 27), our Sages said," He is the dwelling of His world, the
world is not His dwelling." This explanation is then followed by
the remark," The horse is secondary to the rider, the rider is not
subservient to the horse: this is meant by 'Thou wilt ride upon thy
horses'" (Hab. iii. 8). Consider and learn how they described the
relation of God to the sphere, asserting that the latter is His
instrument, by means of which He rules the universe. For
whenever you find our Sages saying that in a certain heaven are
certain things, they do not mean to say that in the heavens there are
any extraneous things, but that from a certain heaven the force
emanates which is required for the production of certain things,
and for their continuing in proper order. The proof for my
statement you may find in the following sayings of our Sages --"
The 'arabot, in which there are justice, charity, right, treasures of
life and peace, treasures of blessing, of the souls of the righteous,
of the souls and the spirits of those to be born, and of the dew by
which God will at some future time revive the dead, etc." It is clear
that the things enumerated here are not material, and do not
occupy a place -- for" dew" is not to be taken in its literal sense. --
Consider also that here the phrase" in which," meaning" in the
'arabot," is used, and not" over which," as if to say that all the
things existing in the universe derive their existence from powers
emanating from the 'arabot, which God made to be the origin and
the place of these powers. They are said to include" the treasures
of life" : a perfectly true and correct assertion ! For all existing life
originates in that treasure of life, as will be mentioned below
(chap. Ixii., and II. chap. x.). Reflect on the fact that the souls of
the righteous as well as the souls and the spirits of those to be born
are mentioned here ! How sublime is this idea to him who
understands it 1 for the soul that remains after the death of man, is
not the soul that lives in a man when he is born; the latter is a mere
faculty, while that which has a separate existence after death, is a
reality: again, the soul and the spirit of man during his life are two
different things: therefore the souls and the spirits are both named
as existing in man: but separate from the body only one of them
exists. We have already explained the homonymity of ruah (spirit)
in this work, and also at the end of Seler ha madda' (Mishneb torah
Hil. teshubah, viii. 3-4) we treated of the homonymity of these
expressions. Consider how these excellent and true ideas,
comprehended only by the greatest philosophers, are found
scattered in the Midrashim. When a student who disavows truth
reads them, he will at first sight deride them, as being contrary to
the real state of things. The cause of this is the circumstance, that
our Sages spoke of these subjects in metaphors: they are too
difficult for the common understanding of the people, as has been
noticed by us several times.
I will now return to the subject which I commenced to explain, in
order to bring it to a conclusion. Our Sages commenced to adduce
proofs from Scripture for their assertion that the things enumerated
above are contained in the 'arabot. As to justice and right they
quote" justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne" (Ps.
lxxxix. 18). In the same way they prove their assertion concerning
all things enumerated by them, by showing that they are described
as being related to God, as being near Him. Note this. In the Pirke
Rabbi Eliezer it is said - God created seven reki'im (heavens), and
out of all of them He selected the 'araboth for His royal throne:
comp." Exalt him who rideth upon the 'arabot" (Ps. lxviii. 4).
These are his (Rabbi Eliezer's) words. Note them likewise.
You must know that in Hebrew the collective noun denoting
animals used for riding is" mercabah." Instances of this noun are
not rare." And Joseph made ready his chariot" (merkabto) (Gen.
xivi. 29):" in the second chariot" (be-mirkebet) (ib. xli. 43):"
Pharaoh's chariots" (Markebot) (Exod. xv. 4). The following
passage especially proves that the Hebrew merkabah denotes a
collection of animals :" And a merkabah came up and went out of
Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for an hundred
and fifty" (I Kings X. 21). Hence we may learn that mercabah
denotes here four horses. Therefore I think that when it was stated,
according to the literal sense of the words, that four Hayyot
(beasts) carry the Throne of Glory, our Sages called this"
mercabah" on account of its similarity with the mercabah
consisting of four single animals. So far has the theme of this
chapter carried us, and we shall be compelled to make many
further remarks on this subject. Here, however, it is our object, and
the aim of all we have said, to show that" who rideth upon
heaven" (Deut. YX iii. 26) means" who sets the all-surrounding
sphere in motion, and turns it by His power and will." The same
sense is contained in the conclusion of that verse:" and in his
excellency the spheres," i.e., who in His excellency moves the
spheres (shehakim). In reference to the first sphere, the 'arahot, the
verb to ride" is used, in reference to the rest, the noun 6'
excellency," because through the motion of the uppermost sphere
in its daily circuit, all the spheres move, participating as parts in
the motion of the whole: and this being that great power that sets
everything in motion, it is called" excellency." Let this subject
constantly remain in your memory when you study what I am
going to say: for it -- i.e., the motion of the uppermost sphere is the
greatest proof for the existence of God, as I shall demonstrate.
Note this.
CHAPTER LXXI
KNOW that many branches of science relating to the correct
solution of these problems, were once cultivated by our
forefathers, but were in the course of time neglected, especially in
consequence of the tyranny which barbarous nations exercised
over us. Besides, speculative studies were not open to all men, as
we have already stated (Introd. P. 2, and 1. chap. xxxi.), only the
subjects taught in the Siriptures were accessible to all. Even the
traditional Law, as you are well aware, was not originally
committed to writing, in conformity with the rule to which our
nation generally adhered," Things which I have communicated to
you orally, you must not communicate to others in writing." With
reference to the Law, this rule was very opportune; for while it
remained in force it averted the evils which happened
subsequently, viz., great diversity of opinion, doubts as to the
meaning of written words, slips of the pen, dissensions among the
people, formation of new sects, and confused notions about
practical subjects. The traditional teaching was in fact, according
to the words of the Law, entrusted to the Great Tribunal, as we
have already stated in our works on the Talmud. (Introd. to
Mishneh Torah and Introd. to Commen. on the Mishnah).
Care having been taken, for the sake of obviating injurious
influences, that the Oral Law should not be recorded in a form
accessible to all, it was but natural that no portion of" the secrets
of the Law" (i.e., metaphysical problems) would be permitted to
be written down or divulged for the use of all men. These secrets,
as has been explained, were orally communicated by a few able
men to others who were equally distinguished. Hence the principle
applied by our teachers," The secrets of the Law can only be
entrusted to him who is a councillor, a cunning artificer, etc." The
natural effect of this practice was that our nation lost the
knowledge of those important disciplines. Nothing but a few
remarks and allusions are to be found in the Talmud and the
Midrashim, like a few kernels enveloped in such a quantity of
husk, that the reader is generally occupied with the husk, and
forgets that it encloses a kernel.
In addition you will find that in the few works composed by the
Geonim and the Karaites on the unity of God and on such matter
as is connected with this doctrine, they followed the lead of the
Mohammedan Mutakallemim, and what they wrote is insignificant
in comparison with the kindred works of the Mohammedans. It
also happened, that at the time when the Mohammedans adopted
this method of the Kalam, there arose among them a certain sect,
called Mu'tazilah, i.e., Separatists. In certain things our scholars
followed the theory and the method of these Mu'tazilah. Although
another sect, the Asha'ariyah, with their own peculiar views, was
subsequently established amongst the Mohammedans, you will not
find any of these views in the writings of our authors: not because
these authors preferred the opinions of the first-named sect to
those of the latter, but because they chanced first to become
acquainted with the theory of the Mu'tazilah, which they adopted
and treated as demonstrated truth. On the other hand our
Andalusian scholars followed the teachings of the philosophers,
from whom they accepted those opinions which were not opposed
to our own religious principles. You will find that they did not
adopt any of the methods of the Mutakallemim; in many respects
they approached the view expressed in the present treatise, as may
be noticed in the few works which were recently written by
authors of that school. You should also know that whatever the
Mohammedans, that is, the Mu'tazilah and the Ashaariyah, said on
those subjects, consists in nothing but theories founded on
propositions which are taken from the works of those Greek and
Syrian scholars who attempted to oppose the system of the
philosophers, and to refute their arguments. The following was the
cause of that opposition: At the time when the Christian Church
brought the Greeks and Syrians into its fold, and promulgated its
well-known dogmas, the opinions of the philosophers were current
amongst those nations: and whilst philosophy flourished, kings
became defenders of the Christian faith. The learned Greek and
Syrian Christians of the age, seeing that their dogmas were
unquestionably exposed to severe attacks from the existing
philosophical systems, laid the foundation for this science of
Dogmatics: they commenced by putting forth, such propositions as
would support their doctrines, and be useful for the refutation of
opinions opposed to the fundamental principles of the Christian
religion.
When the Mohammedans caused Arabic translations of the
writings of the Philosophers to be made, those criticisms were
likewise translated. When the opinions of John the Grammarian, of
Ibn Adi, and of kindred authors on those subjects were made
accessible to them, they adopted them, and imagined that they had
arrived at the solution of important problems. Moreover, they
selected from the opinions of the ancient philosophers whatever
seemed serviceable to their purposes, although later critics had
proved that those theories were false: as, e.g., the theories of atoms
and of a vacuum. They believed that the discussions of those
authors were of a general character, and contained propositions
useful for the defence of positive religion. At a subsequent period
the same theories were more fully developed, and presented an
aspect unknown to those Theologians of the Greeks and other
nations who were the immediate successors of the Philosophers.
At a later time, when the Mohammedans adopted certain peculiar
theological theories they were naturally obliged to defend them;
and when their new theories, again became the subject of
controversy among them, each party laid down such propositions
as suited their special doctrine.
Their arguments undoubtedly involved certain principles which
concerned the three communities-Jews, Christians, and
Mohammedans, such as the creatio ex nihilo, which afforded
support to the belief in miracles and to various other doctrines.
There are, however, other subjects of belief which the Christians
and Mohammedans have undertaken to defend, such as the
doctrine of the Trinity in the theological works of the former, and"
the Word" in the works of some Mohammedan sects; in order to
prove the dogmas which they thus desired to establish, they were
compelled to resort to certain hypotheses. It is not our object to
criticize things which are peculiar to either creed, or books which
were written exclusively in the interest of the one community or
the other. We merely maintain that the earlier Theologians, both of
the Greek Christians and of the Mohammedans, when they laid
down their propositions, did not investigate the real properties of
things: first of all they considered what must be the properties of
the things which should yield proof for or against a certain creed;
and when this was found they asserted that the thing must be
endowed with those properties: then they employed the same
assertion as a proof for the identical arguments which had led to
the assertion, and by which they either supported or refuted a
certain opinion. This course was followed by able men who
originated this method, and adopted it in their writings. They
professed to be free from preconceived opinions, and to have been
led to a stated result by actual research. Therefore when
philosophers of a subsequent date studied the same writings they
did not perceive the true character of the arguments; on the
contrary, they found in the ancient works strong proofs and a
valuable support for the acceptance or the rejection of certain
opinions, and thus thought that, so far as religious principles were
concerned, there was no necessity whatever to prove or refute any
of their propositions, and that the first Mutakallemim had
discussed those subjects with the sole object of defeating certain
views of the philosophers, and demonstrating the insufficiency of
their proofs. Persons who hold this opinion, do not suspect how
much they are mistaken; for the first Mutakallemirn tried to prove
a proposition when it was expedient to demonstrate its truth; and
to disprove it, when its rejection was desirable, and when it was
contrary to the opinion which they wished to uphold, although the
contradiction might only become obvious after the application of a
hundred successive propositions. In this manner the earlier
Mutakallemim effected a radical cure of the malady! I tell you,
however, as a general rule, that Themistius was right in saying that
the properties of things cannot adapt themselves to our opinions,
but our opinions must be adapted to the existing properties.
Having studied the works of these Mutakallemim, as far as I had
an opportunity, just as I had studied the writings of the
philosophers according to the best of my ability, I found that the
method of all Mutakallemim was the same in its general
characteristics, namely, they assume that the really existing form
of things proves nothing at all, because it is merely one of the
various phases of the things, the opposite of which is equally
admissible to our minds. In many instances these Theologians
were guided by their imagination, and thought that they were
following the dictates of the intellect. They set forth the
propositions which I shall describe to you, and demonstrated by
their peculiar mode of arguing that the Universe had a beginning.
The theory of the creatio ex nihilo being thus established, they
asserted, as a logical consequence, that undoubtedly there must be
a Maker who created the Universe. Next they showed that this
Maker is One, and from the Unity of the Creator they deduced His
Incorporeality. This method was adopted by every Mohammedan
Mutakallem in the discussion of this subject, and by those of our
co-religionists who imitated them and walked in their footsteps
Although the Mutakallemim disagree in the methods of their
proofs, and employ different propositions in demonstrating the act
of creation or in rejecting the eternity of the Universe, they
invariably begin with proving the creatio ex nihilo, and establish
on that proof the existence of God. I have examined this method,
and find it most objectionable. It must be rejected, because all the
proofs for the creation have weak points, and cannot be considered
as convincing except by those who do not know the difference
between a proof, a dialectical argument, and a sophism. Those
who understand the force of the different methods will clearly see
that all the proofs for the creation are questionable, because
propositions have been employed which have never been proved. I
think that the utmost that can be effected by believers in the truth
of Revelation is to expose the shortcomings in the proofs of
philosophers who hold that the Universe is eternal, and if forsooth
a man has effected this, he has accomplished a great deed ! For it
is well known to all clear and correct thinkers who do not wish to
deceive themselves, that this question, namely, whether the
Universe has been created or is eternal, cannot be answered with
mathematical certainty; here human intellect must pause. We shall
have occasion to speak more fully on this subject, but for the
present it may suffice to state that the philosophers have for the
last three thousand years been continually divided on that subject,
as far as we can learn from their works and the record of their
opinions.
Such being the nature of this theory, how can we employ it as an
axiom and establish on it the existence of the Creator ? In that case
the existence of God would be uncertain: if the universe had a
beginning, God does exist: if it be eternal, God does not exist; the
existence of God would therefore remain either an open question,
or we should have to declare that the creation had been proved,
and compel others by mere force to accept this doctrine, in order
thus to be enabled to declare that we have proved the existence of
God. Such a process is utterly inadmissible. The true method,
which is based on a logical and indubitable proof, consists,
according to my opinion, in demonstrating the existence of God,
His unity, and Ifis incorporeality by such philosophical arguments
as are founded on the theory of the eternity of the Universe. I do
not propose this method as though I believed in the eternity of the
Universe, for 1 do not follow the philosophers on this point, but
because by the aid of this method these three principles, viz., the
existence of God, His unity and His incorporeality can be fully
proved and verified, irrespectively of the question whether the
universe has had a beginning or not. After firmly establishing these
three principles by an exact proof, we shall treat of the problem of
creation and discuss it as fully as possible. You are at liberty to
content yourself with the declaration of the Mutakallemim, and to
believe that the act of creation has been demonstrated by proof:
nor can there be any harm if you consider it unproven that the
universe had a beginning, and accept this theory as supported by
the authority of the Prophets. Before you learn our opinion on
prophecy, which will be given in the present work, do not ask, how
could the belief in prophecy be justified, if it were assumed that
the universe was eternal, We will not now expatiate on that
subject. You should, however, know that some of the propositions,
started and proved by the Radicals, i.e., the Mutakallemim, in
order to prove the act of creation, imply an order of things contrary
to that which really exists, and involve a complete change in the
laws of nature: this fact will be pointed out to you, for it will be
necessary to mention their propositions and their argumentation.
My method, as far as I now can explain it in general terms, is as
follows. The universe is either eternal or has had a beginning: if it
had a beginning, there must necessarily exist a being which caused
the beginning; this is clear to common sense; for a thing that has
had a beginning, cannot be the cause of its own beginning, another
must have caused it. The universe was, therefore, created by God.
If on the other hand the universe were eternal, it could in various
ways be proved that apart from the things which constitute the
universe, there exists a being which is neither body nor a force in a
body, and which is one, eternal, not preceded by any cause, and
immutable. That being is God. You see that the proofs for the
Existence, the Unity and the Incorporeality of God must vary
according to the propositions admitted by us. Only in this way can
we succeed in obtaining a perfect proof, whether we assume the
eternity or the creation of the universe. For this reason you will
find in my works on the Talmud, whenever I have to speak of the
fundamental principles of our religion, or to prove the existence of
God, that 1 employ arguments which imply the eternity of the
universe. I do not believe in that eternity, but I wish to establish
the principle of the existence of God by an indisputable proof, and
should not like to see this most important principle founded on a
basis which every one could shake or attempt to demolish, and
which others might consider as not being established at all;
especially when 1 see that the proofs of the philosophers are based
on those visible properties of things, which can only be ignored by
persons possessing certain preconceived notions, while the
Mutakallemim establish their arguments on propositions which are
to such an extent contrary to the actual state of things as to compel
these arguers to deny altogether the existence of the laws of nature.
When I shall have to treat of the creation, I shall in a special
chapter prove my opinion to some extent, and shall attain the same
end which every one of the Mutakallemim had in view, yet 1 shall
not contradict the laws of nature, or reject any such part of the
Aristotelean theory as has been proved to be correct. Even the
most cogent of the Proofs offered by the Mutakallemim respecting
the act of creation, has only been obtained by reversing the whole
order of things and by rejecting everything fully demonstrated by
the philosophers. I, however, shall be able to give a similar proof
without ignoring the laws of nature and without being forced to
contradict facts which have been clearly perceived. I find it
necessary to mention to you the general propositions of the
Mutakallemim, by which they prove the act of creation, the
Existence of God, His Unity and His Incorporeality. I intend to
explain their method, and also to point out the inferences which
are to be drawn from each proposition. After this, I shall describe
those theories of the philosophers which are closely connected
with our subject, and I shall then explain their method.
Do not ask me to prove in this work the propositions of the
philosophers, which I shall briefly mention to you: they form the
principal part of Physics and Metaphysics. Nor must you expect
that I should repeat the arguments of the Mutakallemim in support
of their propositions, with which they wasted their time, with
which the time of future generations will likewise be wasted, and
on which numerous books have been written. Their propositions,
with few exceptions, are contradicted by the visible properties of
things, and beset with numerous objections. For this reason they
were obliged to write man books and controversial works in
defence of their theories, for the refutation of objections, and for
the reconciliation of all apparent contradictions, although in reality
this object cannot be attained by any sophistical contrivance. As to
the propositions of the philosophers which I shall briefly explain,
and which are indispensable for the demonstration of the three
principles-the Existence, the Unity, and the Incorporeality of God,
they will for the greater part be admitted by you as soon as you
shall hear them and understand their meaning; whilst in the
discussion of other parts reference must be made for their proofs to
works on Physics and Metaphysics, and if you direct your attention
to such passages as will be pointed out to you, you will find
everything verified that requires verification.
I have already told you that nothing exists except God and this
universe, and that there is no other evidence for His Existence but
this universe in its entirety and in its several parts. Consequently
the universe must be examined as it is: the propositions must be
derived from those properties of the universe which are clearly
perceived, and hence you must know its visible form and its
nature. Then only will you find in the universe evidence for the
existence of a being not included therein. I have considered it,
therefore, necessary to discuss first in a merely colloquial manner,
in the next chapter, the totality of existing things, and to confine
our remarks to such as have been fully proved and established
beyond all doubt. In subsequent chapters I shall treat of the
propositions of the Mutakallemim, and describe the method by
which they explain the four fundamental principles. In the chapters
which will follow, I propose to expound the propositions of the
philosophers and the methods applied by them in verifying those
principles. In the last place, I shall explain to you the method
applied by me in proving those four principles, as I have stated to
you.
CHAPTER LXXII
KNOW that this Universe, in its entirety, is nothing else but one
individual being: that is to say, the outermost heavenly sphere,
together with all included therein, is as regards individuality
beyond all question a single being like Said and Omar. The variety
of its substances -- I mean the substances of that sphere and all its
component parts-is like the variety of the substances of a human
being : just as, e.g., Said is one individual, consisting of various
solid substances, such as flesh, bones, sinews, of various humours,
and of various spiritual elements: in like manner this sphere in its
totality is composed of the celestial orbs, the four elements and
their combinations: there is no vacuum whatever therein, but the
whole space is filled up with matter. Its centre is occupied by the
earth, earth is surrounded by water, air encompasses the water, fire
envelopes the air, and this again is enveloped by the fifth
substance (quintessence). These substances form numerous
spheres, one being enclosed within another so that no intermediate
empty space, no vacuum, is left. One sphere surrounds and closely
joins the other. All the spheres revolve with constant uniformity,
without acceleration or retardation: that is to say, each sphere
retains its individual nature as regards its velocity and the
peculiarity of its motion: it does not move at one time quicker, at
another slower. Compared with each other, however, some of the
spheres move with less, others with greater velocity. The
outermost, all-encompassing sphere, revolves with the greatest
speed; it completes its revolution in one day, and causes
everything to participate in its motion, just as every particle of a
thing moves when the entire body is in motion: for existing beings
stand in the same relation to that sphere as a part of a thing stands
to the whole. These spheres have not a common centre: the centres
of some of them are identical with the centre of the Universe,
while those of the rest are different from it. Some of the spheres
have a motion independent of that of the whole Universe,
constantly revolving from East to West, while other spheres move
from West to East. The stars contained in those spheres are part of
their respective orbits: they are fixed in them, and have no motion
of their own, but participating in the motion of the sphere of which
they are a part, they appear themselves to move. The entire
substance of this revolving fifth element is unlike the substance of
those bodies which consist of the other four elements, and are
enclosed by the fifth element.
The number of these spheres encompassing the Universe cannot
possibly be less than eighteen: it may even be larger; but this is a
matter for further investigation. It also remains an open question
whether there are spheres which, without moving round the centre
of the Universe, have nevertheless a circular motion. Within that
sphere which is nearest to us, a substance is contained which is
different from the substance of the fifth element: it first received
four primary forms, and then became in these four forms, four
kinds of matter : earth, water, air, fire. Each of the four elements
occupies a certain position of its own assigned to it by nature: it is
not found in another place, so long as no other but its own natural
force acts upon it; it is a dead body; it has no life, no perception,
no spontaneous motion, and remains at rest in its natural place.
When moved from its place by some external force, it returns
towards its natural place as soon as that force ceases to operate.
For the elements have the property of moving back to their place in
a straight line, but they have no properties which would cause
them to remain where they are, or to move otherwise than in a
straight line. The rectilinear motions of these four elements when
returning to their original place are of two kinds, either centrifugal,
viz., the motion of the air and the fire; or centripetal, viz., the
motion of the earth, and the water; and when the elements have
reached their original place, they remain at rest.
The spherical bodies, on the other hand, have life, possess a soul
by which they move spontaneously; they have no properties by
which they could at any time come to a state of rest: in their
perpetual rotations they are not subject to any change, except that
of position. The question whether they are endowed with an
intellect, enabling them to comprehend, cannot be solved without
deep research. Through the constant revolution of the fifth
element, with all contained therein, the four elements are forced to
move and to change their respective positions, so that fire and air
are driven into the water, and again these three elements enter the
depth of the earth. Thus are the elements mixed together; and
when they return to their respective places, parts of the earth, in
quitting their places, move together with the water, the air and the
fire. In this whole process the elements act and react upon each
other. The elements intermixed, are then combined, and form at
first various kinds of vapours: afterwards the several kinds of
minerals, every species of plants, and many species of living
beings, according to the relative proportion of the constituent
parts. All transient beings have their origin in the elements, into
which again they resolve when their existence comes to an end.
The elements themselves are subject to being transformed from
one into another; for although one substance is common to all,
substance without form is in reality impossible, just as the physical
form of these transient beings cannot exist without substance. The
formation and the dissolution of the elements, together with the
things composed of them, and resolving into them, follow each
other in rotation. The changes of the finite substance, in
successively receiving one form after the other, may therefore be
compared to the revolution of the sphere in space, when each part
of the sphere periodically reappears in the same position.
As the human body consists both of principal organs and of other
members which depend on them and cannot exist without the
control of those organs, so does the universe consist both of
principal parts, viz., the quintessence, which encompasses the four
elements and of other parts which are subordinated and require a
leader, viz., the four elements and the things composed of them.
Again, the principal part in the human body, namely, the heart, is
in constant motion, and is the source of every motion noticed in
the body: it rules over the other members, and communicates to
them through its own pulsations the force required for their
functions. The outermost sphere by its motion rules in a similar
way over all other parts of the universe, and supplies all things
with their special properties. Every motion in the universe has thus
its origin in the motion of that sphere: and the soul of every
animated being derives its origin from the soul of that same
sphere.
The forces which according to this explanation are communicated
by the spheres to this sublunary world are four in number, viz., (a)
the force which effects the mixture and the composition of the
elements, and which undoubtedly suffices to form the minerals: (b)
the force which supplies every growing thing with its vegetative
functions: (c) the force which gives to each living being its vitality,
and (a) the force which endows rational beings with intellect. All
this is effected through the action of light and darkness, which are
regulated by the position and the motion of the spheres round the
earth.
When for one instant the beating of the heart is interrupted, man
dies, and all his motions and powers come to an end. In a like
manner would the whole universe perish, and everything therein
cease to exist if the spheres were to come to a standstill.
The living being as such is one through the action of its heart,
although some parts of the body are devoid of motion and
sensation, as, e.g., the bones, the cartilage, and similar parts. The
same is the case with the entire universe; although it includes
many beings without motion and without life, it is a single being
living through the motion of the sphere, which may be compared
to the heart of an animated being. You must therefore consider the
entire globe as one individual being which is endowed with life,
motion, and a soul. This mode of considering the universe is, as
will be explained, indispensable, that is to say, it is very useful for
demonstrating the unity of God; it also helps to elucidate the
principle that He who is One has created only one being.
Again, it is impossible that any of the members of a human body
should exist by themselves, not connected with the body, and at
the same time should actually be organic parts of that body, that is
to say, that the liver should exist by itself, the heart by itself, or the
flesh by itself. In like manner, it is impossible that one part of the
Universe should exist independently of the other parts in the
existing order of things as here considered, viz., that the fire
should exist without the co-existence of the earth, or the earth
without the heaven, or the heaven without the earth.
In man there is a certain force which unites the members of the
body, controls them, and gives to each of them what it requires for
the conservation of its condition, and for the repulsion of
injury-the physicians distinctly call it the leading force in the body
of the living being: sometimes they call it" nature." The Universe
likewise possesses a force which unites the several parts with each
other, protects the species from destruction, maintains the
individuals of each species as long as possible, and endows some
individual beings with permanent existence. Whether this force
operates through the medium of the sphere or otherwise remains
an open question.
Again, in the body of each individual there are parts which are
intended for a certain purpose, as the organs of nutrition for the
preservation of the individual, the organs of generation for the
preservation of the species, the hands and eyes for administering to
certain wants, as to food, etc.: there are also parts which, in
themselves, are not intended for any purpose, but are mere
accessories and adjuncts to the constitution of the other parts. The
peculiar constitution of the organs, indispensable for the
conservation of their particular forms and for the performance of
their primary functions, produces, whilst it serves its special
purpose, according to the nature of the substance, other things,
such as the hair and the complexion of the body. Being mere
accessories, they are not formed according to a fixed rule: some
are altogether absent in many individuals: and vary considerably in
others. This is not the case with the organs of the body. You never
find that the liver of one person is ten times larger than that of
another person, but you may find a person without a beard, or
without hair on certain parts of his body, or with a beard ten times
longer than that of another man. Instances of this phenomenon,
viz., great variation as regards hair and colour, are not rare. The
same differences occur in the constitution of the Universe. Some
species exist as an integral part of the whole system: these are
constant and follow a fixed law: though they vary as far as their
nature permits, this variation is insignificant in quantity and
quality. Other species do not serve any purpose: they are the mere
result of the general nature of transient things, as, e.g., the various
insects which are generated in dunghills, the animals generated in
rotten fruit, or in fetid liquids, and worms generated in the
intestines, etc. In short, everything devoid of the power of
generation belongs to this class. You will, therefore, find that these
things do not follow a fixed law, although their entire absence is
just as impossible as the absence of different complexions and of
different kinds of hair amongst human beings.
In man there are substances the individual existence of which is
permanent, and there are other substances which are only constant
in the species not in the individuals, as, e.g., the four humours. The
same is the case in the Universe: there are substances which are
constant in individuals, such as the fifth element, which is constant
in all its formations, and other substances which are constant in the
species, as, e.g., the four elements and all that is composed of
them.
The same forces which operate in the birth and the temporal
existence of the human being operate also in his destruction and
death. This truth holds good with regard to this whole transient
world. The causes of production are at the same time the causes of
destruction. This may be illustrated by the following example. If
the four forces which are present in every being sustained by food,
viz., attraction, retention, digestion, and secretion, were, like
intelligent forces, able to confine themselves to what is necessary,
and to act at the proper time and within the proper limits, man
would be exempt from those great sufferings and the numerous
diseases [to which he is exposed]. Since, however, such is not the
case, and since the forces perform their natural functions without
thought and intelligence, without any consciousness of their
action, they necessarily cause dangerous maladies and great pains,
although they are the direct cause of the birth and the temporal
existence of the human being. This fact is to be explained as
follows : if the attractive force would absorb nothing but that
which is absolutely beneficial, and nothing but the quantity which
is required, man would be free from many such sufferings and
disorders. But such is not the case: the attractive force absorbs any
humour that comes within the range of its action, although such
humour be ill-adapted in quality or in quantity. It is, therefore,
natural that sometimes a humour is absorbed which is too warm,
too cold, too thick, or too thin, or that too much humour is
absorbed, and thus the veins are choked, obstruction and decay
ensue, the quality of the humour is deteriorated, its quantities
altered, diseases are originated, such as scurvy, leprosy, abscess, or
a dangerous illness, such as cancer, elephantiasis, gangrene, and at
last the organ or organs are destroyed. The same is the case with
every one of the four forces, and with all existing beings. The same
force that originates all things, and causes them to exist for a
certain time, namely, the combination of the elements which are
moved and penetrated by the forces of the heavenly spheres, that
same cause becomes throughout the world a source of calamities,
such as devastating rain, showers, snow-storms, hail, hurricanes,
thunder, lightning, malaria, or other terrible catastrophes by which
a place or many places or an entire country may be laid waste,
such as landslips, earthquakes, meteoric showers and floods
issuing forth from the seas and from the interior of the earth.
Bear in mind, however, that in all that we have noticed about the
similarity between the Universe and the human being, nothing
would warrant us to assert that man is a microcosm; for although
the comparison in all its parts applies to the Universe and any
living being in its normal state, we never heard that any ancient
author called the ass or the horse a microcosm. This attribute has
been given to man alone on account of his peculiar faculty of
thinking, I mean the intellect, viz., the hylic intellect which
appertains to no other living being. This may be explained as
follows. An animal does not require for its sustenance any plan,
thought or scheme; each animal moves and acts by its nature, eats
as much as it can find of suitable things, it makes its resting-place
wherever it happens to be, cohabits with any mate it meets while
in heat in the periods of its sexual excitement. In this manner does
each individual conserve itself for a certain time, and perpetuates
the existence of its species without requiring for its maintenance
the assistance or support of any of its fellow creatures: for all the
things to which it has to attend it performs by itself. With man it is
different; if an individual had a solitary existence, and were, like
an animal, left without guidance, he would soon perish, he would
not endure even one day, unless it were by mere chance, unless he
happened to find something upon which he might feed. For the
food which man requires for his subsistence demands much work
and preparation, which can only be accomplished by reflection and
by plan; many vessels must be used, and many individuals, each in
his peculiar work, must be employed. It is therefore necessary that
one person should organize the work and direct men in such a
manner that they should properly cooperate, and that they should
assist each other. The protection from heat in summer and from
cold in winter, and shelter from rain, snow, and wind, require in
the same manner the preparation of many things, none of which
can properly be done without design and thought. For this reason
man has been endowed with intellectual faculties, which enable
him to think, consider, and act, and by various labours to prepare
and procure for himself food, dwelling and clothing, and to control
every organ of his body, causing both the principal and the
secondary organs to perform their respective functions.
Consequently, if a man, being deprived of his intellectual faculties,
only possessed vitality, he would in a short time be lost. The
intellect is the highest of all faculties of living creatures: it is very
difficult to comprehend, and its true character cannot be
understood as easily as man's other faculties.
There also exists in the Universe a certain force which controls the
whole, which sets in motion the chief and principal parts, and
gives them the motive power for governing the rest. Without that
force, the existence of this sphere, with its principal and secondary
parts, would be impossible. It is the source of the existence of the
Universe in all its parts. That force is God: blessed be His name ! It
is on account of this force that man is called microcosm: for he
likewise possesses a certain principle which governs all the forces
of the body, and on account of this comparison God is called" the
life of the Universe comp." and he swore by the life of the
Universe" (Dan. xii. 7).
You must understand that in the parallel which we have drawn
between the whole universe, on the one hand, and the individual
man, on the other, there is a complete harmony in all the points
which we mentioned above only in the following three points a
discrepancy may be noticed.
First, the principal organ of any living being which has a heart,
derives a benefit from the organs under the control of the heart,
and the benefits of the organs thus become the benefits of the
heart. This is not the case in the constitution of the universe. That
part which bestows authority or distributes power, does not receive
in return any benefit from the things under its control: whatever it
grants, is granted in the manner of a generous benefector, not from
any selfish motive, but from a natural generosity and kindliness;
only for the sake of imitating the ways of the Most High.
Secondly, living creatures endowed with a heart have it within the
body and in the midst thereof: there it is surrounded by organs
which it governs. Thus it derives a benefit from them, for they
guard and protect it, and they do not allow that any injury from
without should approach it. The reverse occurs in the case of the
Universe. The superior part encompasses the inferior parts, it
being certain that it cannot be affected by the action of any other
being; and even if it could be affected, there is nobody without it
that could affect it. While it influences all that is contained within,
it is not influenced by any act or force of any material being. There
is, however, some similarity [between the universe and man] in
this point. In the body of animals, the organs more distant from the
principal organ are of less importance than those nearer to it. Also
in the universe, the nearer the parts are to the centre, the greater is
their turbidness, their solidity, their inertness, their dimness and
darkness, because they are further away from the loftiest element,
from the source of light and brightness, which moves by itself and
the substance of which is the most rarefied and simplest : from the
outermost sphere. At the same ratio at which a body is nearer this
sphere, it derives properties from it, and rises above the spheres
below it.
Thirdly. The faculty of thinking is a force inherent in the body, and
is not separated from it, but God is not a force inherent in the body
of the universe, but is separate from all its parts. How God rules
the universe and provides for it is a complete mystery: man is
unable to solve it. For, on the one hand, it can be proved that God
is separate from the universe, and in no contact whatever with it;
but, on the other hand, His rule and providence can be proved to
exist in all parts of the universe, even in the smallest. Praised be
He whose perfection is above our comprehension.
It is true, we might have compared the relation between God and
the universe, to the relation between the absolute acquired intellect
and man; it is not a power inherent in the body, but a power which
is absolutely separate from the body, and is from without brought
into contact with the body. The rational faculty of man may be
further compared to the intelligence of the spheres, which are, as it
were, material bodies. But the intelligence of the spheres, purely
spiritual beings, as well as man's absolute and acquired intellect,
are subjects of deep study and research: the proof of their
existence, though correct, is abstruse, and includes arguments
which present doubts, are exposed to criticism, and can be easily
attacked by objectors. We have, therefore, preferred to illustrate
the relation of God to the universe by a simile which is clear, and
which will not be contradicted in any of the points which have
been laid down by us without any qualification. The opposition
can only emanate either from an ignorant man, who contradicts
truths even if they are perfectly obvious, just as a person
unacquainted with geometry rejects elementary propositions which
have been clearly demonstrated, or from the prejudiced man who
deceives himself. Those, however, who wish to study the subject
must persevere in their studies until they are convinced that all our
observations are true, and until they understand that our account of
this universe unquestionably agrees with the existing order of
things. If a man is willing to accept this theory from one who
understands how to prove things which can be proved, let him
accept it, and let him establish on it his arguments and proofs. If,
on the other hand, he refuses to accept without proof even the
foregoing principles, let him inquire for himself, and ultimately he
will find that they are correct." Lo this, we have searched it, so it
is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good" (Job v. 27).
After these preliminary remarks, we will treat of the subject which
we promised to introduce and to explain.
CHAPTER LXXIII
THERE are twelve propositions common to all Mutakallemim,
however different their individual opinions and methods may be;
the Mutakallemim require them in order to establish their views on
the four principles. I shall first enumerate these propositions, and
then discuss each separately, together with the inferences which
may be drawn from it.
PROPOSITION I. All things are composed of atoms.
PROPOSITION II. There is a vacuum.
PROPOSITION III. Time is composed of time-atoms.
PROPOSITION IV. Substance cannot exist without numerous
accidents.
PROPOSITION V. Each atom is completely furnished with the
accidents (which I will describe), and cannot exist without them.
PROPOSITION VI. Accidents do not continue in existence during
two timeatoms.
PROPOSITION VII. Both positive and negative properties have a
real existence, and are accidents which owe their existence to
some causa efficiens.
PROPOSITION VIII. All existing things, i.e., all creatures, consist
of substance and of accidents, and the physical form of a thing is
likewise an accident.
PROPOSITION IX. No accident can form the substratum for
another accident.
PROPOSITION X. The test for the possibility of an imagined
object does not consist in its conformity with the existing laws of
nature.
PROPOSITION XI. The idea of the infinite is equally
inadmissible, whether the infinite be actual, potential, or
accidental, i.e., there is no difference whether the infinite be
formed by a number of co-existing things, or by a series of things,
of which one part comes into existence when another has ceased to
exist, in which case it is called accidental infinite: in both cases the
infinite is rejected by the Mutakallemim as fallacious.
PROPOSITION XII. The senses mislead, and are in many cases
inefficient; their perceptions, therefore, cannot form the basis of
any law, or yield data for any proof.
FIRST PROPOSITION.
The Universe, that is, everything contained in it, is composed of
very small parts [atoms] which are indivisible on account of their
smallness; such an atom has no magnitude; but when several
atoms combine, the sum has a magnitude, and thus forms a body.''
If, therefore, two atoms were joined together, each atom would
become a body, and they would thus form two bodies, a theory
which in fact has been proposed by some Mutakellemim. All these
atoms are perfectly alike; they do not differ from each other in any
point. The Mutakallemim further assert, that it is impossible to
find a body that is not composed of such equal atoms which are
placed side by side. According to this view genesis and
composition are identical: destruction is the same as
decomposition. They do not use the term" destruction," for they
hold that" genesis" implies composition and decomposition,
motion and rest. These atoms, they believe, are not, as was
supposed by Epicurus and other Atomists numerically constant:
but are created anew whenever it pleases the Creator: their
annihilation is therefore not impossible. Now I will explain to you
their opinion concerning the vacuum.
SECOND PROPOSITION.
On the vacuum. The original Mutakallemim also believe that there
is a vacuum. i.e., one space, or several spaces which contain
nothing, which are not occupied by anything whatsoever, and
which are devoid of all substance. This proposition is to them an
indispensable sequel to the first. For, if the Universe were full of
such atoms, how could any of them move ? For it is impossible to
conceive that one atom should move into another. And yet the
composition, as well as the decomposition of things, can only be
effected by the motion of atoms! Thus the MutaLaflemim are
compelled to assume a vacuum, in order that the atoms may
combine, separate, and move in that vacuum which does not
contain any thing or any atom.
THIRD PROPOSITION.
Time is composed of time-atoms," i.e., of many parts, which on
account of their short duration cannot be divided. This proposition
also is a logical consequence of the first. The Mutakallemim
undoubtedly saw how Aristotle proved that time, space, and
locomotion are of the same nature, that is to say, they can be
divided into parts which stand in the same proportion to each other
: if one of them is divided, the other is divided in the same
proportion. They, therefore, knew that if time were continuous and
divisible ad infinitum, their assumed atom of space would of
necessity likewise be divisible. Similarly, if it were supposed that
space is continuous, it would necessarily follow, that the
time-element, which they considered to be indivisible, could also
be divided. This has been shown by Aristotle in the treatise called
1croasis. Hence they concluded that space was not continuous, but
was composed of elements that could not be divided; and that time
could likewise be reduced to time-elements, which were
indivisible. An hour is, e.g., divided into sixty minutes, the minute
into sixty seconds, the second into sixty parts, and so on: at last
after ten or more successive divisions by sixty, time-elements are
obtained, which are not subjected to division, and in fact are
indivisible, just as is the case with space. Time would thus be an
object of position and order.
The Mutakallemim did not at all understand the nature of time.
This is a matter of course: for if the greatest philosophers became
embarrassed when they investigated the nature of time, if some of
them were altogether unable to comprehend what time really was,
and if even Galenus declared time to be something divine and
incomprehensible, what can be expected of those who do not
regard the nature of things ?
Now, mark what conclusions were drawn from these three
propositions and were accepted by the Mutakallemim as true. They
held that locomotion consisted in the translation of each atom of a
body from one point to the next one: accordingly the velocity of
one body in motion cannot be greater than that of another body.
When, nevertheless, two bodies are observed to move during the
same time through different spaces, the cause of this difference is
not attributed by them to the fact that the body which has moved
through a larger distance had a greater velocity, but to the
circumstance that motion which in ordinary language is called
slow, has been interrupted by more moments of rest, while the
motion which ordinarily is called quick has been interrupted by
fewer moments of rest. When it is shown that the motion of an
arrow, which is shot from a powerful bow, is in contradiction to
their theory, they declare that in this case too the motion is
interrupted by moments of rest. They believe that it is the fault of
man's senses if he believes that the arrow moves continuously, for
there are many things which cannot be perceived by the senses, as
they assert in the twelfth proposition. But we ask them:" Have you
observed a complete revolution of a millstone ? Each point in the
extreme circumference of the stone describes a large circle in the
very same time in which a point nearer the centre describes a small
circle: the velocity of the outer circle is therefore greater than that
of the inner circle. You cannot say that the motion of the latter was
interrupted by more moments of rest; for the whole moving body,
i.e., the millstone, is one coherent body." They reply," During the
circular motion, the parts of the millstone separate from each
other, and the moments of rest interrupting the motion of the
portions nearer the centre are more than those which interrupt the
motion of the outer portions." We ask again," How is it that the
millstone, which we perceive as one body, and which cannot be
easily broken, even with a hammer, resolves into its atoms when it
moves, and becomes again one coherent body, returning to its
previous state as soon as it comes to rest, while no one is able to
notice the breaking up [of the stone] ?" Again their reply is based
on the twelfth proposition, which is to the effect that the
perception of the senses cannot be trusted, and thus only the
evidence of the intellect is admissible. Do not imagine that you
have seen in the foregoing example the most absurd of the
inferences which may be drawn from these three propositions : the
proposition relating to the existence of a vacuum leads to more
preposterous and extravagant conclusions. Nor must you suppose
that the aforegoing theory concerning motion is less irrational than
the proposition resulting from this theory, that the diagonal of a
square is equal to one of its sides, and some of the Mutakallemim
go so far as to declare that the square is not a thing of real
existence. In short, the adoption of the first proposition would be
tantamount to the rejection of all that has been proved in
Geometry. The propositions in Geometry would, in this respect, be
divided into two classes: some would be absolutely rejected: e.g.,
those which relate to properties of the incommensurability and the
commensurability of lines and planes, to rational and irrational
lines, and all other propositions contained in the tenth book of
Euclid, and in similar works. Other propositions would appear to
be only partially correct: e.g., the solution of the problem to divide
a line into two equal parts, if the line consists of an odd number of
atoms: according to the theory of the Mutakallemim such a line
cannot be bisected. Furthermore, in the wellknown book of
problems by the sons of Shakir are contained more than a hundred
problems, all solved and practically demonstrated: but if there
really were a vacuum, not one of these problems could be solved,
and many of the waterworks [described in that book] could not
have been constructed. The refutation of such propositions is a
mere waste of time. I will now proceed to treat of the other
propositions mentioned above.
FOURTH PROPOSITION.
The accidents of things have real existence: they are elements
superadded to the substance itself, and no material thing can be
without them." Had this proposition been left by the
Mutakallemim in this form it would have been correct, simple,
clear, and indisputable. They have, however, gone further,
asserting that a substance which has not the attribute of life, must
necessarily have that of death; for it must always have one of two
contrasting properties. According to their opinion, colour, taste,
motion or rest, combination or separation, etc., can be predicated
of all substances, and, if a substance have the attribute of life, it
must at the same time possess such other kinds of accidents, as
wisdom or folly, freewill or the reverse, power or weakness,
perception or any of its opposites, and, in short, the substance must
have the one or the other of all correlative accidents appertaining
to a living being.
FIFTH PROPOSITION.
The atom is fully provided with all these foregoing accidents, and
cannot exist if any be wanting." The meaning of the proposition is
this : The Mutakallemim say that each of the atoms created by God
must have accidents, such as colour, smell, motion, or rest, except
the accident of quantity : for according to their opinion an atom
has no magnitude; and they do not designate quantity as an
accident, nor do they apply to it the laws of accidents. In
accordance with this proposition, they do not say, when an
accident is noticed in a body, that it is peculiar to the body as such,
but that it exists in each of the atoms which form the constituent
elements of that body. E.g., take a heap of snow; the whiteness
does not exist in that heap as a whole, but each atom of the snow is
white, and therefore the aggregate of these atoms is likewise
white. Similarly they say that when a body moves each atom of it
moves, and thus the whole body is in motion. Life likewise exists,
according to their view, in each atom of a living body. The same is
the case according to their opinion with the senses: in each atom of
the aggregate they notice the faculty of perception. Life, sensation,
intellect and wisdom are considered by them as accidents, like
blackness and whiteness, as will be shown in the further discussion
of their theory.
Concerning the soul, they do not agree. The view most
predominant among them is the following :-- The soul is an
accident existing in one of the atoms of which, e.g., man is
composed; the aggregate is called a being endowed with a soul, in
so far as it includes that atom. Others are of opinion that the soul is
composed of ethereal atoms, which have a peculiar faculty by
virtue of which they constitute the soul, and that these atoms are
mixed with the atoms of the body. Consequently they maintain that
the soul is an accident.
As to the intellect, I found that all of them agreed in considering it
to be an accident joined to one of the atoms which constitute the
whole of the intelligent being. But there is a confusion among
them about knowledge: they are uncertain whether it is an accident
to each of the atoms which form the knowing aggregate, or
whether it belongs only to one atom. Both views can be disproved
by a reductio ad absurdum, when the following facts are pointed
out to them. Generally metals avid stones have a peculiar colour,
which is strongly pronounced, but disappears when they are
pulverised. Vitriol, which is intensely green, becomes white dust
when pounded; this shows that that accident exists only in the
aggregate, not in the atoms. This fact is more striking in the
following instance : when parts of a living being are cut off they
cease to live, a proof that the accident [of life] belongs to the
aggregate of the living being, not to each atom. In order to meet
this objection they say that the accident is of no duration, but is
constantly renewed. In discussing the next proposition I shall
explain their view on this subject.
SIXTH PROPOSITION.
" The accidents do not exist during two time-atoms." -- The sense
of the proposition is this: They believe that God creates a
substance, and simultaneously its accidents: that the Creator is
incapable of creating a substance devoid of an accident, for that is
impossible: that the essential characteristic of an accident is its
incapability of enduring for two periods, for two timeatoms: that
immediately after its creation it is utterly destroyed, and another
accident of the same kind is created: this again is destroyed and a
third accident of the same kind is created, and so on, so long as
God is pleased to preserve [in that substance] this kind of accident:
but He can at His will create in the same substance an accident of
a different kind, and if He were to discontinue the creation and not
produce a new accident, that substance would at once cease to
exist. This is one of the opinions held by the Mutakallemim: it has
been accepted by most of them, and it is the so-called" theory of
the creation of the accidents." Some of them, however, and they
belong to the sect of the Mu'tazilah, say that there are accidents
which endure for a certain period, and other accidents which do
not endure for two atoms of time; they do not follow a fixed
principle in deciding what class of accidents has and what class
has not a certain duration. The object of this proposition is to
oppose the theory that there exists a natural force from which each
body derives its peculiar properties. They prefer to assume that
God himself creates these properties without the intervention of a
natural force or of any other agency : a theory which implies that
no accident can have any duration. For suppose that certain
accidents could endure for a certain period and then cease to exist,
the question would naturally be asked, What is the cause of that
non-existence ? They would not be satisfied with the reply that
God by His will brought about this non-existence, and
non-existence does not at all require any agens whatever: for as
soon as the agens leaves off acting, the product of the agens ceases
likewise to exist. This is true to some extent. Having thus chosen
to establish the theory that there does not exist any natural force
upon which the existence or non-existence of a thing depends, they
were compelled to assume that the properties of things were
successively renewed. When God desires to deprive a thing of its
existence, He, according to some of the Mutakallemim,
discontinues the creation of its accidents, and eo ipso the body
ceases to exist. Others, however, say that if it pleased the Almighty
to destroy the world, He would create the accident of destruction,
which would be without any substratum. The destruction of the
Universe would be the correlative accident to that of existence. --
In accordance with this [sixth] proposition they say, that the cloth
which according to our belief we dyed red, has not been dyed by us
at all, but God created that colour in the cloth when it came into
contact with the red pigment: we believe that colour to have
penetrated into the cloth, but they assert that this is not the case.
They say that God generally acts in such a way, that, e.g., the black
colour is not created unless the cloth is brought into contact with
indigo; but this blackness, which God creates in the instant when
the cloth touches the black pigment is of no duration, and another
creation of blackness then takes place: they further say that after
the blackness is gone, He does not create a red or green colour, but
again a black colour.
According to this principle, the knowledge which we have of
certain things to-day, is not the same which we had of them
yesterday; that knowledge is gone, and another like it has been
created. They positively believe that this does take place,
knowledge being an accident. In like manner it would follow that
the soul, according to those who believe that it is an accident, is
renewed each moment in every animated being, say a hundred
thousand times; for, as you know, time is composed of time-atoms.
In accordance with this principle they assert that when man is
perceived to move a pen, it is not he who has really moved it; the
motion produced in the pen is an accident which God has created
in the pen; the apparent motion of the hand which moves the pen is
likewise an accident which God has created in the moving hand;
but the creative act of God is performed in such a manner that the
motion of the hand and the motion of the pen follow each other
closely; but the hand does not act, and is not the cause of the pen's
motion: for, as they say, an accident cannot pass from one thing to
another. Some of the Mutakallemim accordingly contend that this
white cloth, which is coloured when put into the vessel filled with
indigo, has not been blackened by the indigo: for blackness being
an attribute of indigo, does not pass from one object to another.
There does not exist any thing to which an action could be
ascribed: the real agens is God, and He has [in the foregoing
instance] created the blackness in the substance of the cloth when
it came into contact with the indigo, for this is the method adopted
by Him. In short, most of the Mutakallemim believe that it must
never be said that one thing is the cause of another; some of them
who assumed causality were blamed for doing so. As regards,
however, the acts of man their opinions are divided. Most of them,
especially the sect of the Asha'ariyah, assume that when the pen is
set in motion God has created four accidents, none of which is the
cause of any of the rest, they are only related to each other as
regards the time of their co-existence, and have no other relation to
each other. The first accident is man's will to move the pen, the
second is man's power to do so, the third is the bodily motion
itself, i.e., the motion of the hand, and the fourth is the motion of
the pen. They believe that when a man has the will to do a thing
and, as he believes, does it, the will has been created for him, then
the power to conform to the will, and lastly the act itself. The act is
not accomplished by the power created in man: for, in reality, no
act can be ascribed to that power. The Mu'tazilah contend that man
acts by virtue of the power which has been created in him. Some
of the Asha'ariyah assert that the power created in man participates
in the act, and is connected with it, an opinion which has been
rejected by the majority of them. The will and the power created in
man, according to the concurrent belief of the Mutakallemim,
together with the act created in him, according to some of them,
are accidents without duration. In the instance of the pen, God
continually creates one motion after the other so long as the pen is
in motion; it only then ceases to move when God has created in it
the accident of rest; and so long as the pen is at rest, God
continually renews in it that accident. Consequently in every one
of these moments, i.e., of the time-atoms, God creates some
accident in every existing individual, e.g., in the angels, in the
spheres and in other things: this creation takes place continually
and without interruption. Such is, according to their opinion, the
right interpretation of the creed that God is the causa efficiens. But
I, together with all rational persons, apply to those theories the
words," Will you mock at Him, as you mock at man ?" for their
words are indeed nothing but mockery.
SEVENTH PROPOSITION.
The absence of a property is itself a property that exists in the
body, a something superadded to its substance, an actual accident,
which is constantly renewed: as soon as it is destroyed it is
reproduced." The reason why they hold this opinion is this: they do
not understand that rest is the absence of motion; death the
absence of life; that blindness is the absence of sight, and that all
similar negative properties are the absence of the positive
correlatives. The relation between motion and rest is, according to
their theory, the same as the relation between heat and cold,
namely, as heat and cold are two accidents found in two objects
which have the properties of heat and cold, so motion is an
accident created in the thing which moves, and rest an accident
created in the thing which rests; it does not remain in existence
during two consecutive time-atoms, as we have stated in treating
of the previous proposition. Accordingly, when a body is at rest,
God has created the rest in each atom of that body, and so long as
the body remains at rest God continually renews that property. The
same, they believe, is the case with a man's wisdom and ignorance:
the latter is considered by them as an actual accident, which is
subject to the constant changes of destruction and creation, so long
as there remains a thing of which such a man is ignorant. Death
and life are likewise accidents, and as the Mutakallemim distinctly
state, life is constantly destroyed and renewed during the whole
existence of a living being; when God decrees its death, He creates
in it the accident of death after the accident of life, which does not
continue during two time-atoms, has ceased to exist. -All this they
state clearly.
The logical consequence of this proposition is that the accident of
death created by God instantly ceases to exist, and is replaced by
another death which again is created by God: otherwise death
could not continue. Death is thus continually created in the same
manner as life is renewed every moment. But I should wish to
know how long God continues to create death in a dead body.
Does He do so whilst the form remains, or whilst one of the atoms
exists ? For in each of the atoms of the body the accident of death
which God creates is produced, and there are to be found teeth of
persons who died thousands of years ago: we see that those teeth
have not been deprived of existence, and therefore the accident of
death has during all these thousands of years been renewed, and
according to the opinion prevailing amongst those theorists, death
was continually replaced by death. Some of the Mu'tazilah hold
that there are cases in which the absence of a physical property is
not a real property, that weariness is the absence of strength, and
ignorance the absence of knowledge; but this cannot be said in
every case of negative properties : it cannot be said that darkness is
the mere absence of light, or that rest is the absence of motion.
Some negative properties are thus considered by them as having a
real existence, while other negative properties are considered as
non-existing, just as suits their belief. Here they proceed in the
same manner as they proceed respecting the duration of accidents,
and they contend that some accidents exist a long time, and other
accidents do not last two time-atoms. Their sole object is to
fashion the Universe according to their peculiar opinions and
beliefs.
EIGHTH PROPOSITION.
There exists nothing but substance and accident, and the physical
form of things belong to the class of accidents." It is the object of
this proposition to show that all bodies are composed of similar
atoms, as we have pointed out in explaining the first proposition.
The difference of bodies from each other is caused by the
accidents, and by nothing else. Animality, humanity, sensibility,
and speech, are denoted as accidents like blackness, whiteness,
bitterness, and sweetness, and the difference between two
individuals of two classes is the same as the difference of two
individuals of the same class. Also the body of the heaven, the
body of the angels, the body of the Divine Thronesuch as it is
assumed to be-the body of anything creeping on the earth, and the
body of any plant, have one and the same substance; they only
differ in the peculiarity of the accidents, and in nothing else - the
substance of all things is made up of equal atoms.
NINTH PROPOSITION.
None of the accidents form the substratum of another accident: it
cannot be said, This is an accident to a thing which is itself an
accident to a substance. All accidents are directly connected with
the substance." The Mutakallemim deny the indirect relation of the
accident to the substance, because if such a relation were assumed
it would follow that the second accident could only exist in the
substance after another accident had preceded it, a conclusion to
which they would object even with regard to some special
accidents; they prefer to show that these accidents can exist in
every possible substance, although such substance is not
determined by any other accident; for they hold that all the
accidents collectively determine the thing. They advance also
another proof [in support of this proposition], namely : The
substratum which is the bearer of certain attributes must continue
to exist for a certain time: how, then, could the accident;
which-according to their opinion-does not remain in existence for
two moments, become the substratum of something else ?
TENTH PROPOSITION.
This proposition concerns the theory of" admissibility," which is
mentioned by the Mutakallemim, and forms the principal support
of their doctrine. Mark its purport: they observe that everything
conceived by the imagination is admitted by the intellect as
possible: e.g., that the terrestrial globe should become the
all-encompassing sphere, or that this sphere should become the
terrestrial globe: reason does not find here an impossibility: or that
the sphere of fire should move towards the centre, and the sphere
of earth towards the circumference. Human intellect does not
perceive any reason why a body should be in a certain place
instead of being in another. In the same manner they say that
reason admits the possibility that an existing being should be
larger or smaller than it really is, or that it should be different in
form and position from what it really is; e.g., a man might have the
height of a mountain, might have several heads, and fly in the air;
or an elephant might be as small as an insect, or an insect as huge
as an elephant. This method of admitting possibilities is applied to
the whole Universe. Whenever they affirm that a thing belongs to
this class of admitted possibilities, they say that it can have this
form. and that it is also possible that it be found differently, and
that the one form is not more possible than the other; but they do
not ask whether the reality confirms their assumption. They say
that the thing which exists with certain constant and permanent
forms, dimensions, and properties, only follows the direction of
habit, just as the king generally rides on horseback through the
streets of the city, and is never found departing from this habit; but
reason does not find it impossible that he should walk on foot
through the place: there is no doubt that he may do so, and this
possibility is fully admitted by the intellect. Similarly, earth moves
towards the centre, fire turns away from the centre; fire causes
heat, water causes cold, in accordance with a certain habit; but it is
logically not impossible that a deviation from this habit should
occur, namely, that fire should cause cold, move downward, and
still be fire; that the water should cause heat, move upward, and
still be water. On this foundation their whole fabric is constructed.
They admit, however, the impossibility of two opposite properties
coexisting at the same time in one substance. This is impossible;
reason would not admit this possibility. Again, reason does not
admit the possibility of---asubstance existing without an accident,
or an accident existing without a substance. a possibility admitted
by some of the Mutakallemim. It is also impossible that a
substance should become an accident, that an accident should
become a substance, or that one substance should penetrate
another. They admit that reason rejects all these things as
impossible. It is perfectly true that no notion whatever can be
formed of those things which they describe as impossible; whilst a
notion can be formed of those things which they consider as
possible. The philosophers object to this method. and say, You call
a thing impossible because it cannot be imagined, or possible
because it can be imagined: and thus you consider as possible that
which is found possible by imagination, not by the intellect,
consequently you determine that a thing is necessary, possible, or
impossible in some instances, by the aid of the imagination -- not
by the intellect --and in other instances by the ordinary common
sense. as Abu Nasr says in speaking of that which the
Mutakallemim call intellect. It is clear that they describe as
possible that which can be imagined, whether the reality
correspond to it or not, and as impossible that which cannot be
imagined. This proposition can only be established by the nine
aforementioned propositions, and no doubt these were exclusively
required for the support of this proposition. This you will see
clearly when I shall show and explain to you some important parts
of this theory, which I shall now introduce in the form of a
discussion supposed to have taken place between a Mutakallem
and a philosopher.
The Mutakallem said to the philosopher: What is the reason that
we find the substance of iron extremely hard and strong, with a
dark colour; the substance of cream, on the other hand, extremely
soft and white ? The philosopher replied as follows: All physical
bodies have two kinds of accidents : those which concern their
substance, as, e.g., the health and the illness of a man: and those
which concern their form, as, e.g., the astonishment and laughter
of a man. The substances of compound bodies differ very much in
their ultimate form, according to the difference of the forms
peculiar to each component substance. Hence the substance of iron
has become in its properties the opposite of the substance of
cream, and this difference is attended by the difference of
accidents. You notice, therefore, hardness in the one, and softness
in the other : two accidents, whose difference results from the
difference which exists in the forms of the substances: while the
darkness and the whiteness are accidents whose divergence
corresponds to that of the two substances in their ultimate
condition. The Mutakallern refuted this reply by means of his
propositions, as I am now going to state :-- There does not exist a
form which, as you believe, modifies the substance, and thus
causes substances to be different from each other: this difference is
exclusively effected by the accidents-according to the theory of the
Kallm, which we mentioned in explaining the eighth proposition.
He then continued thus : There is no difference between the
substance of iron and that of cream; all things are composed of the
same kind of atoms. -- We explained the view of the
Mutakallemim on this point in treating of the first proposition, the
logical consequences of which are, as we have shown, the second
and the third propositions: they further require the twelfth
proposition, in order to establish the theory of atoms. Nor do they
admit that any accidents determine the nature of a substance, or
predispose it to receive certain other accidents: for, according to
their opinion, an accident cannot be the substratum of another
accident, as we have shown in explaining the ninth proposition;
nor can it have any duration, according to the sixth proposition.
When the Mutakallemim have established all that they wish to
infer from these propositions, they arrive at the conclusion that the
component atoms of cream and of iron are alike. -The relation of
each atom to each of the accidents is the same; one atom is not
more adapted than another to receive a certain accident: and as a
certain atom is not more fitted to move than to rest, so one atom is
not more apt than another to receive the accident of life, of reason,
of sensation. It is here of no moment whether a thing contains a
larger or smaller quantity of atoms, for, according to the view of
the Mutakallemim, which we explained in treating of the fifth
proposition, every accident [of a thing] exists in each of its atoms.
All these propositions lead to the conclusion that a human being is
not better constituted to become wise than the bat, and establish
the theory of admissibility expressed in this [tenth] proposition.
Every effort was made to demonstrate this proposition, because it
is the best means for proving anything they like, as will be
explained.
NOTE. -- Mark, 0 reader, that if you know the nature of the soul
and its properties, and if you have a correct notion of everything
which concerns the soul, you will observe that most animals
possess imagination. As to the higher class of animals, that is,
those which have a heart, it is obvious that they have imagination.
Man's distinction does not consist in the possession of imagination,
and the action of imagination is not the same as the action of the
intellect, but the reverse of it. For the intellect analyses and divides
the component parts of things, it forms abstract ideas of them,
represents them in their true form as well as in their causal
relations, derives from one object a great many facts, which-for the
intellect-totally differ from each other, just as two human
individuals appear different to the imagination: it distinguishes
that which is the property of the genus from that which is peculiar
to the individual, -- and no proof is correct, unless founded on the
former; the intellect further determines whether certain qualities of
a thing are essential or non-essential. Imagination has none of
these functions. It only perceives the individual, the compound in
that aggregate condition in which it presents itself to the senses; or
it combines things which exist separately, joins some of them
together, and represents them all as one body or as a force of the
body. Hence it is that some imagine a man with a horse's head,
with wings, etc. This is called a fiction, a phantasm; it is a thing to
which nothing in the actual world corresponds. Nor can
imagination in any way obtain a purely immaterial image of an
object, however abstract the form of the image may be.
Imagination yields therefore no test for the reality of a thing.
Hear what profit we derive from the preliminary disciplines, and
how excellent the propositions are which we learn through them.
Know that there are certain things, which would appear
impossible, if tested by man's imagination, being as inconceivable
as the co-existence of two opposite properties in one object: yet the
existence of those same things, which cannot be represented by
imagination, is nevertheless established by proof, and attested by
their reality. E.g., Imagine a large globe, of any magnitude you
like, even as large as the all-encompassing sphere: further an axis
passing through the centre, and two persons standing on the two
extremities of the axis in such a manner that their feet are in the
same straight line with the axis, which may be either in the plane
of the horizon or not: in the first case both persons would fall, in
the second case one, namely the one who stands on the lower
extremity would fall, the other would remain standing, as far as
our imagination can perceive. It has however, already been proved
that the earth has the form of a globe, that it is inhabited on both
extremities of a certain diameter, that both the inhabitants have
their heads towards the heaven, and their legs towards each other,
and yet neither can possibly fall, nor can it be imagined; for it is
incorrect to say that the one extremity is above, the other below;
but the term" above" and" below" apply to both of them as
regards their relative position to each other. Similarly it has been
proved in the second chapter of the book on Conic Sections, that
two lines, which at first are at a certain distance from each other,
may approach each other in the same proportion as they are
produced further, and yet would never meet, even if they were
produced to infinity, although they are observed to be constantly
converging. This is a fact which cannot easily be conceived, and
which does not come within the scope of imagination. Of these
two lines the one is straight, the other curved, as stated in the
aforementioned book. It has consequently been proved that things
which cannot be perceived or imagined, and which would be found
impossible if tested solely by imagination, are nevertheless in real
existence. The non-existence of things which are represented by
imagination as possible has likewise been established by proof,
e.g., the corporeality of God, and His existence as a force residing
in a body. Imagination perceives nothing except bodies, or
properties inherent in bodies.
It has thus been clearly shown that in man exists a certain faculty
which is entirely distinct from imagination, and by which the
necessary, the possible, and the impossible can be distinguished
from each other. This inquiry is most useful. It is of the greatest
profit to him who desires to guard himself against the errors of
men guided by imagination I Do not think that the Mutakallemim
ignore this altogether: to some extent they do take it into
consideration; they know it, and call that which can be imagined
without having reality-as, e.g., the corporeality of God -- a
phantom and a fancy; they state frequently that such phantoms are
not real. It is for this reason that they advance the first nine
propositions and establish on them the proof of the tenth,
according to which all those imaginable things which they wish to
admit as possible are really possible, because of the similarity of
an atoms and the equality of all accidents as regards their
accidentality, as we have explained.
Consider, 0 reader, and bear in mind that this requires deep
research. For there are certain notions which some believe to be
founded on reason, while others regard them as mere fictions. In
such cases it would be necessary to find something that could
show the difference between conceptions of the intellect and mere
imaginary fancies. When the philosopher, in his way of expressing
himself, contends," Reality is my evidence; by its guidance I
examine whether a thing is necessary, possible, or impossible," the
religionist replies," This is exactly the difference between us: that
which actually exists, has, according to my view, been produced
by the will of the Creator, not by necessity; just as it has been
created with that special property, it might have been created with
any other property, unless the impossibility which you postulate be
proved by a logical demonstration."
About this admissibility (of imaginable things) I shall have to say
more, and I shall return to it in various parts of this treatise: for it
is not a subject which should be rejected in haste and on the spur
of the moment.
ELEVENTH PROPOSITION.
The existence of the infinite is in every respect impossible." The
following is an explanation of this proposition. The impossibility
of the existence of an infinite body has been dearly demonstrated;
the same can be said of an infinite number of bodies, though each
of them be finite, if these beings, infinite in number, exist at the
same time: equally impossible is the existence of an infinite series
of causes, namely, that a certain thing should be the cause of
another thing, but itself the effect of another cause, which again is
the result of another cause, and so on to infinity, or that things in
an infinite series, either bodies or ideals, should be in actual
existence, and in causal relation to each other. This causal relation
is the essential order of nature, in which, as has been fully proved,
the infinite is impossible. As regards the virtual and the accidental
existence of the infinite, it has been established in some cases; it
has been proved, e.g., that a body can virtually be divided ad
infinitum, also that time can be divided ad infinitum: in other cases
it is still an open question, as, e.g., the existence of the infinite in
succession, which is called the accidental infinite, i.e., a series of
things in which one thing comes forth when the other is gone, and
this again in its turn succeeded a thing which had ceased to exist,
and so on ad infinitum. This subject requires deep research.
Those who boast that they have proved the eternity of the Universe
say that time is infinite: an assertion which is not necessarily
erroneous: for only when one atom has ceased to exist, the other
follows. Nor is it absolutely wrong, when they assert, that the
accidents of the substance succeed each other in an infinite series,
for these accidents do not co-exist, but come in succession one
after the other, and the impossibility of the infinite in that case has
not been proved. The Mutakallemim, however, make no difference
between the existence of an infinite body and the divisibility of a
body or of time ad infinitum, between the co-existence of an
infinite number of things, as e.g., the individual human beings who
exist at present, and the infinite number of beings successively
existing, as, e.g., Reuben the son of Jacob, and Jacob the son of
Isaac, and Isaac the son of Abraham, and so on to infinity. This is
according to their opinion as inadmissible as the first case: they
believe these four forms of the infinite to be quite equal. Some of
the Mutakallemim endeavour to establish their proposition
concerning the last named form of the infinite, and to demonstrate
its impossibility by a method which I shall explain in this treatise;
others say that this impossibility is a self-evident axiom and
requires no further proof. But if it were undoubtedly wrong to
assume that an infinite number of things can exist in succession,
although that link of the series which exists at present is finite, the
inadmissibility of the eternity of the Universe would be equally
selfevident, and would not require for its proof any other
proposition. This, however, is not the place for investigating the
subject.
TWELFTH PROPOSITION.
The senses are not always to be trusted." For two reasons the
Mutakallemim find fault with the perception of the senses. First,
the senses are precluded from perceiving many objects, either on
account of the smallness of the objects -- this is the case with the
atoms, as we have already statedor on account of the remoteness of
the objects from the person who desires to perceive them; e.g., we
cannot see, hear, or smell at a distance of many miles; nor do we
perceive the motion of the heavens. Secondly, the senses
misapprehend the objects of their perception : a large object
appears small from a distance: a small object immersed in water
appears larger: a crooked thing appears straight when partly placed
in water, and partly out of it; things appear yellow to a person
suffering from jaundice; sweet things are bitter to him whose
tongue has imbibed red gall; and they mention many other things
of this kind. Therefore they say, we cannot trust our senses so far
as to establish any proof on their perceptions. You must not
believe that the Mutakallemim had no purpose in agreeing upon
this proposition, or as most of the later adherents of that school
affirm, that the first Mutakallemim had no ulterior object in
endeavouring to prove the existence of atoms. On the contrary,
every proposition here mentioned is indispensable; if one of these
be rejected, the whole theory falls to the ground. The
lastmentioned proposition is of particular importance; for when
our senses perceive things by which any of the foregoing
propositions are confuted, the Mutakallemim say that no notice
should be taken of the perception of the senses so long as the
proposition is supported by the testimony of the intellect, and
established (as they believe) by proof. Thus they say that the
continuous motion is interrupted by moments of rest; that the
millstone in its motion is broken into atoms; that the white colour
of a garment ceases to exist, and another whiteness comes in its
stead. All these theories are contrary to what the eye perceives, and
many inferences are drawn from the assumed existence of a
vacuum, all of which are contradicted by the senses. The
Mutakallemim, however, meet these objections by saying,
whenever they can do so, that the perception of these things is
withheld from the senses: in other instances they maintain that the
contradiction has its source in the deceptive character of the
senses. You know that this theory is very ancient, and was the
pride of the sophists, who asserted that they themselves were its
authors; this is stated by Galenus in his treatise on natural forces;
and you know well what he says of those who will not admit the
evidence of the senses.
Having discussed these propositions, I now proceed to explain the
theory of the Mutakallemim concerning the above-mentioned four
problems.
CHAPTER LXXIV
IN this chapter will be given an outline of the proofs by which the
Mutakallemim attempt to demonstrate that the universe is not
eternal. You must of course not expect that I shall quote their
lengthy arguments verbatim: I only intend to give an abstract of
each proof, to show in what way it helps to establish the theory of
the creatio ex nihilo or to confute the eternity of the universe, and
briefly to notice the propositions they employed in support of their
theory. If you were to read their well-known and voluminous
writings, you would not discover any arguments with which they
support their view left unnoticed in the present outline, but you
might find there greater copiousness of words combined with more
grace and elegance of style; frequently they employ rhyme,
rhythm, and poetical diction, and sometimes mysterious phrases
which perhaps are intended to startle persons listening to their
discourses, and to deter those who might otherwise criticize them.
You would also find many repetitions; questions propounded and,
as they believe, answered, and frequent attacks on those who differ
from their opinions.
The First Argument.
Some of the Mutakallemim thought that by proving the creation of
one thing, they demonstrated the creatio ex nihilo in reference to
the entire universe. E.g., Zaid, who from a small molecule had
gradually been brought to a state of perfection, has undoubtedly
not effected this change and development by his own efforts, but
owes it to an external agency. It is therefore clear that an agent is
required for such organization and successive transmutation. A
palm-tree or any other object might equally be selected to illustrate
this idea. The whole universe, they argue, is analogous to these
instances. Thus you see how they believe that a law discovered in
one thing may equally be applied to everything.
The Second 4rgument.
This argument is likewise based on the belief that the proof by
which the creation of one thing is demonstrated, holds good for the
creatio ex nihilo in reference to the whole universe. E.g., a certain
individual, called Zaid, who one time was not yet in existence,
subsequently came into existence; and if it be assumed that Amr,
his father, was the cause of his existence, Amr himself must
likewise have passed from non-existence into existence: suppose
then that Zaid's father unquestionably owed his origin to Khaled,
Zaid's grandfather, it would be found that Khaled himself did not
exist from eternity, and the series of causes could thus be carried
back to infinity. But such an infinite series of beings is
inadmissible according to the theory of the Mutakallemim, as we
have shown in our discussion of the eleventh proposition. In
continuing this species of reasoning, you come to a first man, who
had no parent, viz. Adam. Then you will of course ask, whence
came this first man ? If, e.g., the reply be given that he was made
out of earth, you will again inquire," Whence came that earth ?" "
Out of water."" Whence came the water ?" The inquiry would be
carried on, either ad infinitum, which is absurd, or until you meet
with a something that came into existence from absolute
non-existence: in this latter case you would arrive at the real truth:
here the series of inquiries ends. This result of the question proves,
according to the opinion of the Mutakallemim, that the whole
universe came into existence from absolute non-existence.
The Third Argument.
The atoms of things are necessarily either joined together or
separate, and even the same atoms may at one time be united at
another disunited. It is therefore evident that the nature of the
atoms does not necessitate either their combination or their
separation: for if they were separate by virtue of their nature they
would never join, and if they were joined by virtue of their nature,
they could never again be separated. Thus there is no reason why
atoms should rather be combined than separate, or vice versa, why
rather in a state of separation than of combination. Seeing that
some atoms are joined, others separate, and again others subject to
change, they being combined at one time and separated at another,
the fact may therefore be taken as a proof that the atoms cannot
combine or separate without an agent. This argument, according to
the opinion of the Mutakallemim, establishes the theory that the
universe has been created from nothing. You have already been
told, that those who employ this argument rely on the first
proposition of the Mutakallemim with its corollaries.
The Fourth Argument.
The whole Universe is composed of substance and accidents;
every substance must possess one accident or more, and since the
accidents are not eternal, the substance, the substratum of the
accidents, cannot be eternal: for that which is joined to transient
things and cannot exist without them is itself transient. Therefore
the whole Universe has had a beginning. To the objection, that the
substance may possibly be eternal while the accidents, though in
themselves transient, succeed each other in an infinite series, they
reply that, in this case, an infinite number of transient things would
be in existence, an eventuality which, according to their theory, is
impossible. This argument is considered by them the best and
safest, and has been accepted by many of them as a strict proof. Its
acceptance implies the admission of the following three
propositions, the object of which is well understood by
philosophers. (1) An infinite series of things, of which the one
succeeds when the other has ceased to exist, is impossible. (2) All
accidents have a beginning.-Our opponent, who defends the theory
of the eternity of the universe, can refute this proposition by
pointing to one particular accident, namely to the circular motion
of the sphere: for it is held by Aristotle that this circular motion is
eternal, and, therefore, the spheres which perform this motion are,
according to his opinion, likewise eternal. It is of no use to prove
that all other accidents have a beginning; for our opponent does
not deny this: he says that accidents may supervene an object
which has existed from eternity, and may follow each other in
rotation. He contents himself with maintaining that this particular
accident, viz., circular motion, the motion of the heavenly sphere,
is eternal, and does not belong to the class of transient accidents. It
is therefore necessary to examine this accident by itself, and to
prove that it is not eternal. (3) The next proposition which the
author of this argument accepts is as follows : Every material
object consists of substance and accidents, that is to say, of atoms
and accidents in the sense in which the Mutakallemim use the
term. But if a material object were held to be a combination of
matter and form, as has been proved by our opponent, it would be
necessary to demonstrate that the primal matter and the primal
form are transient, and only then the proof of the creatio ex nihilo
would be complete.
The Filth Argument.
This argument is based on the theory of Determination, and is
made much of by the Mutakallemim. It is the same as the theory
which I explained in discussing the tenth proposition. Namely,
when they treat either of the Universe in general, or of any of its
parts, they assume that it can have such properties and such
dimensions as it actually has; that it may receive such accidents as
in reality are noticed in it, and that it may exist in such a place and
at such a time as in fact is the case; but it may be larger or smaller,
may receive other properties and accidents, and come to existence
at an earlier or a later period, or in a different place. Consequently,
the fact that a thing has been determined in its composition, size,
place, accident and time -- a variation in all these points being
possible-is a proof that a being exists which freely chooses and
determines these divers relations: and the circumstance that the
Universe or a part of it requires a being able to make this selection,
proves that the Universe has been created ex nihilo. For there is no
difference which of the following expressions is used: to
determine, to make, to create, to produce, to originate, or to intend:
these verbs have all one and the same meaning. The
Mutakallemim give a great many examples, both of a general and
a special character. They say it is not more natural for earth to be
under water than to be above water; who then determined its
actual position ? Or, is it more natural that the sun is round than
that it should be square or triangular: for all qualities have the
same relation to a body capable of possessing them. Who then
determined one particular quality ? In a similar way they treat of
every individual being: when, e.g., they notice flowers of different
colours, they are unable to explain the phenomenon, and they take
it as a strong proof in favour of their theory: they say," Behold, the
earth is everywhere alike, the water is alike; why then is this
flower red and that one yellow ? Some being must have
determined the colour of each, and that being is God. A being must
therefore exist which determines everything, both as regards the
Universe generally, and each of its parts individually. All this is
the logical consequence of the tenth proposition. The theory of
determination is moreover adopted by some of those who assume
the eternity of the Universe, as will be explained below. In
conclusion, I consider this to be the best argument: and in another
part I shall more fully acquaint you with the opinion I have formed
concerning the theory of Determination.
The Sixth Argument.
One of the modern Mutakallemim thought that he had found a very
good argument, much better than any advanced hitherto, namely,
the argument based on the triumph of existence over
non-existence. He says that, according to the common belief, the
existence of the Universe is merely possible . for if it were
necessary, the Universe would be God-but he seems to forget that
we are at issue with those who, whilst they believe in the existence
of God, admit at the same time the eternity of the Universe. -- The
expression" A thing is possible" denotes that the thing may either
be in existence or not in existence, and that there is not more
reason why it should exist than why it should not exist. The fact
that a thing, the existence of which is possible, actually does
exist-although it bears the same relation to the state of existence as
to that of non-existence -- proves that there is a Being which gave
the preference to existence over non-existence. This argument is
very forcible; it is a modified form of the foregoing argument
which is based on the theory of determination. He only chose the
term" preference" instead of" determination," and instead of
applying it to the properties of the existing being he applies it to"
the existence of the being itself." He either had the intention to
mislead, or he misunderstood the proposition, that the existence of
the Universe is possible. Our opponent who assumes the eternity
of the Universe, employs the term" possible," and says," the
existence of the Universe is possible" in a sense different from
that in which the Mutakallem applies it, as will be explained
below. Moreover it may be doubted whether the conclusion, that
the Universe owes its origin to a being which is able to give
preference to existence over non-existence, is correct. For we may
apply the terms" preference" and" determination" to anything
capable of receiving either of two properties which are contrary or
opposed to each other: and when we find that the thing actually
possesses one property and not the other, we are convinced that
there exists a determining agent. E.g., you say that a piece of
copper could just as well be formed into a kettle as into a lamp:
when we find that it is a lamp or a kettle, we have no doubt that a
deciding and determining agent had advisedly chosen one of the
two possible forms: for it is clear that the substance of copper
existed, and that before the determination took place it had neither
of the two possible forms which have just been mentioned. When,
however, it is the question whether a certain existing object is
eternal, or whether it has passed from non-existence into existence,
this argument is inadmissible: for it cannot be asked who decided
in favour of the existence of a thing, and rejected its nonexistence,
except when it has been admitted that it has passed from
nonexistence into existence: in the present case this is just the
point under discussion. If we were to take the existence and the
non-existence of a thing as mere objects of imagination, we should
have to apply the tenth proposition which gives prominence to
imagination and fiction, and ignores the things which exist in
reality, or are conceived by the intellect. Our opponent, however,
who believes in the eternity of the Universe, will show that we can
imagine the non-existence of the universe as well as we can
imagine any other impossibility. It is not my intention to refute
their doctrine of the creatio ex nihilo : I only wish to show the
incorrectness of their belief that this argument differs from the one
which precedes: since in fact the two arguments are identical, and
are founded on the well-known principle of determination.
The Seventh Argument.
One of the modern Mutakallemim says that he is able to prove the
creation of the Universe from the theory put forth by the
philosophers concerning the immortality of the soul. He argues
thus: If the world were eternal the number of the dead would
necessarily be infinite, and consequently an infinite number of
souls would coexist, but it has long since been shown that the
coexistence of an infinite number of things is positively
impossible. This is indeed a strange argument! One difficulty is
explained by another which is still greater 1 Here the saying, well
known among the Arameans, may be applied:" Your guarantee
wants himself a guarantee." He rests his argument on the
immortality of the soul, as though he understood this immortality,
in what respect the soul is immortal, or what the thing is which is
immortal! If, however, he only meant to controvert the opinion of
his opponent, who believed in the eternity of the Universe, and
also in the immortality of the soul, he accomplished his task,
provided the opponent admitted the correctness of the idea which
that Mutakallem formed of the philosopher's view on the
immortality of the soul. Some of the later philosophers explained
this difficulty as follows: the immortal souls are not substances
which occupy a locality or a space, and their existence in an
infinite number is therefore not impossible. You must bear in mind
that those abstract beings which are neither bodies nor forces
dwelling in bodies, and which in fact are ideals-are altogether
incapable of being represented as a plurality unless some ideals be
the cause of the existence of others, and can be distinguished from
each other by the specific difference that some are the efficient
cause and others the effect: but that which remains of Zaid [after
his death] is neither the cause nor the effect of that which is left of
Amr, and therefore the souls of all the departed form only one
being as has been explained by Ibn Bekr Ibn AI-zaig, and others
who ventured to speak on these profound subjects. In short, such
intricate disciplines, which our mind can scarcely comprehend,
cannot furnish any principles for the explanation of other subjects.
-- It should be noted that whoever endeavours to prove or to
disprove the eternity of the Universe by these arguments of the
Mutakallemim, must necessarily rely on one of the two following
propositions, or on both of them; namely on the tenth proposition,
according to which the actual form of a thing is merely one of
many equally possible forms, and which implies that there must be
a being capable of making the special selection: or on the eleventh
proposition which rejects the existence of an infinite series of
things coming successively into existence. The last-named
proposition is demonstrated in various ways, e.g., they advert to a
class of transient individuals, and to a certain particular date. From
the theory which asserts the eternity of the Universe, it would
follow that the individuals of that class up to that particular date
are infinite in number; a thousand years later the individuals of
that class are likewise infinite in number; the last number must
exceed the previous one by the number of the individuals born in
those thousand years, and consequently one infinite number would
be larger than another. The same argument is applied to the
revolutions of the heavenly sphere, and in like manner it is shown
that one infinite number of revolutions would be larger than
another; the same result is obtained when revolutions of one
sphere are compared with those of another moving more -slowly;
the revolutions of both spheres [though unequal] would be infinite
in number. Similarly they proceed with all those accidents which
are subject to destruction and production; the individual accidents
that have passed into non-existence are counted and represented as
though they were still in existence, and as though they were things
with a definite beginning; this imaginary number is then either
increased or reduced. Yet all these things have no reality and are
mere fictions. Abunazar Alfarabi in criticizing this proposition, has
exposed all its weak points, as you will clearly perceive, when you
study his book on the changeable beings earnestly and
dispassionately. These are the principal arguments of the
Mutakallemim in seeking to establish the creatio ex nihilo. Having
thus proved that the Universe is not eternal, they necessarily infer
that there is an Agens who created it in accordance with His
intention, desire and will. They then proceed to prove the unity of
that Agens as I am going to point out in the next chapter.
CHAPTER LXXV
IN this chapter I shall explain to you how the Mutakallemim prove
the Unity of God. They contend that the Maker and Creator of the
Universe, the existence of whom is testified by all nature, is One.
Two propositions are employed by them in demonstrating the
Unity of God, viz., two deities or more would neutralize each
other, and if several deities existed they would be distinguished
from each other by a specific difference.
First Argument.
The first argument is that of mutual neutralization, and is
employed by the majority of the Mutakallemim. It is to the
following effect: -- If the Universe had two Gods, it would
necessarily occur that the atom -- subject to a combination with
one or two opposite qualities-either remained without either of
them, and that is impossible, or, though being only one atom,
included both qualities at the same time, and that is likewise
impossible. E.g., whilst one of the two deities determined that one
atom or more should be warm, the other deity might determine
that the same should be cold: the consequence of the mutual
neutralization of the two divine beings would thus be that the
atoms would be neither warm nor cold -- a contingency which is
impossible, because all bodies must combine with one of two
opposites; or they would be at the same time both warm and cold.
Similarly, it might occur that whilst one of the deities desired that
a body be in motion, the other might desire that it be at rest; the
body would then be either without motion and rest, or would both
move and rest at the same time. Proofs of this kind are founded on
the atomic theory contained in the first proposition of the
Mutakallemim, on the proposition which refers to the creation of
the accidents, and on the proposition that negatives are properties
of actual existence and require for their production an agens. For if
it were assumed that the substance of this world which, according
to the philosophers is subject to successive production and
destruction, is different from the substance of the world above,
viz., from the substance of the spheres -- a fact established by
proof-and that as the Dualists assert, there are two divine beings,
one of whom rules this world without influencing the spheres,
whilst the other governs the world above without interfering with
this world -- such theory would not involve the mutual
neutralization of the two deities. If it were then objected, that the
existence of two deities would necessitate an imperfection in both
of them, in so far as one deity would be unable to influence the
province of the other, the objection would be met by the reply that
this inability need not be considered a defect in either of them: for
that which is not included within the sphere of action of a being
can of course not be performed by that being, and an agens is not
deficient in power, if it is unable to perform what is intrinsically
impossible. Thus we, Monotheists, do not consider it a defect in
God, that He does not combine two opposites in one object, nor do
we test His omnipotence by the accomplishment of any similar
impossibility. When the Mutakallemim noticed the weakness of
their argument, for which they had some apparent support, they
had recourse to another argument.
Second Argument.
If there were two Gods, there would necessarily be some element
common to both, whilst some element present in the one would be
absent in the other, and constitute the specific difference between
them. This is a philosophic and sound argument for those who are
able to examine it, and to obtain a clear insight into its premises,
which will be further explained, in our exposition of the view of
the philosophers on this point. But it cannot be accepted by those
who admit the existence of divine attributes. For according to their
opinion, the Primal Cause includes many different elements. They
represent its wisdom and its omnipotence as two different things,
and again the omnipotence as different from the will.
Consequently it would not be impossible that either of the two
divine beings possessed several properties, some of which would
be common to both, and some peculiar to only one of them.
Third Argument.
This argument is likewise based on one of the Propositions of the
Kalarn. For some of the Mutakallemim belonging to the old school
assume, that when the Creator wills a thing, the will is not an
element superadded to the essence of God: it is a will without a
substratum. In accordance with the propositions which we have
mentioned, and of which, as you will see, it is difficult to form a
true conception, they say that one will, which is independent of
any substratum, cannot be ascribed to two beings: for, as they
assert, one cause cannot be the source of two laws for two
essences. This is, as I told you, the method of explaining one
difficulty by means of another and still greater difficulty. For as
they define the Will, it is inconceivable, and some have, therefore,
considered it to be a mere non-entity: others who admit its
existence, meet with many insuperable difficulties. The
Mutakallemim, nevertheless, establish on its existence one of the
proofs for the unity of God.
Fourth Argument.
The existence of an action is necessarily positive evidence of the
existence of an agens, but does not prove the existence of more
than one agens. There is no difference whether the existence of
one God be assumed or the existence of two, or three, or twenty, or
any number. This is plain and clear. But the argument does not
seem to prove the non-existence of a multitude of deities; it only
shows that their number is unknown; the deity may be one sole
being, but may also include several divine beings. The following
supplemental argument has therefore been advanced: possibility is
inapplicable to the existence of God, which is absolute: the
possibility of the existence of more than one God must therefore
be denied. This is the whole essence of the proof, and its fallacy is
self-evident; for although the notion of possibility cannot be
applied to the existence of God, it can be applied to our knowledge
of God: for an alternative in our knowledge of a thing does not
involve an alternative in the actual existence of the thing, and
perhaps there is neither a tripartite deity as the Christians believe,
nor an undivided Unity as we believe. This is clear to those who
have been taught to notice the conclusions implied in given
premises.
Fifth Argument.
One of the modern Mutakallemim thought that he found a proof of
the Unity of God in the idea of requisiteness. Suppose there were
two divine beings; if one of them were able to create the universe,
the second God would be superfluous, and there would be no need
for his existence. If, on the other hand, the entire universe could
not be created or governed except by both of them, each of them.
would be imperfect in to far as he would require the co-operation
of another being, and would thus be limited in power. This
argument is, in fact, only a variation of" the mutual neutralization
of two deities." There is this difficulty in such proofs, that a certain
degree of imperfection is ascribed to a Being which does not
accomplish tasks beyond its sphere. We do not call a person weak
because he cannot move a thousand hundredweights, and we do
not say that God is imperfect because He cannot transform
Himself into a body, or cannot create another being like Himself,
or make a square whose diagonal should be equal to one of its
sides. In the same manner we should not consider it an
imperfection in God, if He were not the only Creator, and if it were
absolutely necessary that there should be two Creators; not
because the one God required the assistance of the other, but
because the existence of both of them was equally necessary, and
because it was impossible that it should be otherwise. Further we
do not say that the Almighty is imperfect, because He does not,
according to the opinion of the Mutakallemim, produce a body
otherwise than by the creation of atoms, and by their combination
with accidents created in them. That inability is not called want or
imperfection, since another process is impossible. In like manner
the Dualist might say, that it is impossible for one Being to act
alone, and that this circumstance constitutes no imperfection in
either of the Deities, because the absolute existence of one Deity
necessitates the coexistence of the other. Some of the
Mutakallemim, weary of these arguments, declared that the Unity
of God is a doctrine which must be received as a matter of faith,
but most of them rejected this theory, and reviled its authors. I,
however, hold, that those who accept this theory are right-minded,
and shrink from admitting an erroneous opinion; when they do not
perceive any cogency in the arguments, and find that the proofs
advanced in favour of the doctrine are inconclusive, they prefer to
assume that it could only be received as a matter of faith. For the
Mutakallemim do not hold that the Universe has any defined
properties on which a true proof could be founded, or that man's
intellect is endowed with any such faculty as would enable him to
form correct conclusions. It is, however, not without a motive that
they defend this theory: they wish to assume such a form of the
Universe, as could be employed to support a doctrine for which
otherwise no proof could be found, and would lead us to neglect
the investigation of that which in fact can be proved. We can only
appeal to the Almighty and to those intelligent persons who
confess their error when they discover it.
CHAPTER LXXVI
THE reasonings and arguments of the Mutakallemim to
demonstrate the Incorporeality of God are very weak., and indeed
inferior to their arguments for the Unity of God. They treat the
doctrine of the Incorporeality of God as if it were the logical
sequence of the theory of His Unity, and they say that the attribute"
one" cannot be applied to a corporeal object. Those who maintain
that God is incorporeal because a corporeal object consists of
substance and form -- a combination known to be impossible in
the Divine Being, are not in my opinion Mutakallemim, and such
an argument is not founded on the propositions of the Kalim; on
the contrary, it is a logical proof based on the theory of substance
and form, and on a right conception of their properties. It has the
character of a philosophical argument, and I shall fully explain it
when treating of the arguments of the philosophers. Here we only
propose to discuss the arguments by which the Mutakallemim
desire to prove the Incorporeality of God in accordance with their
propositions and the method of their reasoning.
First Argument.
If God were corporeal, His true essence would necessarily either
exist entirely in every part of the body, that is to say, in each of its
atoms, or would be confined to one of the atoms. In the latter
alternative the other atoms would be superfluous, and the
existence of the corporeal being [with the exception of the one
atom] would be of no purpose. If, on the other hand, each atom
fully represented the Divine Being, the whole body would not be
one deity, but a complex of deities, and this would be contrary to
the doctrine adopted by the kalam that God is one. An examination
of this argument shows that it is based on the first and fifth
propositions. But there is room for the following objection:" God
does not consist of atoms, that is to say, He is not, as you assert,
composed of a number of elements created by Himself, but is one
continuous body, and indivisible except in man's imagination,
which affords no test; for in man's imagination the substance of the
heavens may be torn or rent asunder. The philosopher holds that
such a possibility results from assuming a similarity and an
analogy between the visible, i.e., the bodies which exist among us,
and the invisible."
Second Argument.
This argument, they believe, is of great importance. Its main
support is the impossibility of comparison, i.e., the belief that God
cannot be compared to any of His creatures; and that He would be
comparable to other corporeal objects if He were corporeal. They
put great stress on this argument, and say as follows:" If it were
asserted that God is corporeal, but that His substance is not like
that of other corporeal beings, it would be self-contradictory: for
all bodies are alike as regards their substance, and are
distinguished from each other by other things, viz., the accidents."
They also argue that if God were corporeal it would follow that He
has created another being like Himself. This argument is refuted in
two ways. First, the objector does not admit the impossibility of
comparison; he asks how it could be proved that God cannot be
compared to any of His creatures. No doubt that, in support of
their view, that a comparison between the Almighty and any other
being is inadmissible, they would have to cite the words of the
Prophets, and thus accept this doctrine by the authority of
tradition, not by the authority of reason. The argument that God, if
comparable to any of His creatures, would be found to have
created beings like Himself, is refuted by the objector in the
following way:" The created things are not like Him in every
respect; for I do not deny that God has many properties and
peculiarities." For he who admits the corporeality of God does not
deny the existence of properties in the divine Being. Another and
more forcible argument is this: All who have studied philosophy,
and have made themselves thoroughly acquainted with
philosophical theories, assume as demonstrated facts, first that the
term substance, when applied to the spheres above and to the
corporeal objects here on earth is a perfect homonym, for the
substance of the one is not the substance of the other: and secondly
that the forms of the things on this earth are different from the
forms of the spheres; the terms substance and form when applied
both to things below and to the spheres above are homonyms;
although there is no doubt that the spheres have [like the things
below, three] dimensions, they are corporeal because they consist
of substance and form, not because they have dimensions. If this
explanation is admitted with reference to the spheres, how much
more is he who believes that God is corporeal justified in saying
that God is a corporeal being which has dimensions, but which in
its substance, its true nature and properties is very different from
all created bodies, and that the term" substance" is applied to Him
and to His creatures homonymously, in the same manner as the
true believers, who have a correct conception of the divine idea,
apply the term" existence" homonymously to Him and to His
creatures. The Corporealists do not admit that all bodies consist of
similar atoms: they believe that God created all things, and that
these differ from each other both in their substances and in their
constituent properties: and just as the substance of dung differs
from the substance of the sun, so does, according to this theory, the
substance of the spheres and the star$ differ from the substance of
the created light, i.e., the Divine Glory (Shechinah), and again the
substance of the Divine Glory, or the pillar of cloud created [for
the purpose], differ from the substance of the Most High; for the
substance of the latter is sublime, perfect, simple, constant and
immutable. His absolute existence remains always the same, and
He creates all things according to His will and desire. How could
this argument, though it be weak, be refuted by these strange
methods of the Mutakallemim, which I pointed out to you ?
Third Argument.
If God were corporeal, He would be finite, and so far this
argument is correct; if He were finite, He would have certain
dimensions and a certain form; this is also a correct conclusion.
But they continue thus: Attribute to God any magnitude or form
whatever: He might be either larger or smaller, and might also
have a different form. The fact that He has one special magnitude
and one special form presupposes the existence of a determining
agens. I have heard that they attach great importance to this
argument, but in truth it is the weakest of all the arguments
mentioned above. It is founded on the tenth proposition, the
feebleness of which in ignoring the actual properties of things, we
have dearly shown in regard to ordinary beings and must be much
more evident in regard to the Creator. There is no difference
between this argument and their assertion that the fact of the
existence of the Universe having been preferred to its
non-existence proves the existence of an agens that preferred the
existence of the Universe to its non-existence at a time when both
were equally possible. If it were asked why this argument should
not be applied to God-viz., that His mere existence proved the
existence of an agens which determined His existence and rejected
His non-existence -- they would undoubtedly answer that this
admission would only lead to a repetition of the same argument
until at length a being be found whose existence is not merely
potential but necessary, and which does not require a causa
efficiens. But this same answer can also be applied to dimensions
and to form. It can only be said in reference to all other forms and
magnitudes, the existence of which is possible, that is to say which
came into existence after a state of non-existence, that they might
have been larger or smaller than they actually are, or that they
might have had a form different from that which they actually
possess, and require for this reason some determining agens. But
the forms and dimensions of God (who is above all imperfection
and similitude)! did not come into existence according to the
opinion of the Corporealist after a state of non-existence, and
therefore no determining agens was necessary: His substance with
its dimensions and forms has a necessary existence; no agens was
required to decide upon His existence, and to reject His
non-existence, since nonexistence is altogether inadmissible in
God. In like manner there was no force required to determine His
magnitude and form, they were absolutely inseparable from His
existence.
If you wish to go in search of truth, to cast aside your passions,
your tradition, and your fondness of things you have been
accustomed to cherish, if you wish to guard yourself against error:
then consider the fate of these speculators and the result of their
labours: observe how they rushed, as it were, from the ashes into
the fire. They denied the nature of the existing things,
misrepresented the properties of heaven and earth, and thought
that they were able, by their propositions, to prove the creation of
the world, but in fact they were far from proving the creatio ex
nihilo, and have weakened the arguments for the existence, the
unity, and the incorporeality of God. The proofs of all these
doctrines must be based on the well-known nature of the existing
things, as perceived by the senses and the intellect.
Having thus discussed the arguments of the Mutakallemim, we
shall now proceed to consider the propositions of the philosophers
and their arguments for the existence of God, His Unity and His
Incorporeality, and we shall for the present assume the Eternity of
the Universe without finally accepting it. Next to this we shall
develop our own method, which is the result of deep study, in
demonstrating these three principles, and we shall then examine
the theory of the Eternity of the Universe as assumed by the
philosophers.
----------------------
PART TWO
INTRODUCTION
TWENTY-FIVE of the propositions which are employed in the
proof for the existence of God, or in the arguments demonstrating
that God is neither corporeal nor a force connected with a material
being, or that He is One, have been fully established, and their
correctness is beyond doubt. Aristotle and the Peripatetics who
followed him have proved each of these propositions. There is,
however, one proposition which we do not accept-namely, the
proposition which affirms the Eternity of the Universe, but we will
admit it for the present, because by doing so we shall be enabled
clearly to demonstrate our own theory.
PROPOSITION I.
The existence of an infinite magnitude is impossible.
PROPOSITION II.
The co-existence of an infinite number of finite magnitudes is
impossible.
PROPOSITION III.
The existence of an infinite number of causes and effects is
impossible, even if these were not magnitudes: if, e.g., one
Intelligence were the cause of a second, the second the cause of a
third, the third the cause of a fourth, and so on, the series could not
be continued ad infinitum.
PROPOSITION IV.
Four categories are subject to change :
(a.) Substance. -- Changes which affect the substance of a thing are
called genesis and destruction.
(b.) Quantity. -- Changes in reference to quantity are increase and
decrease.
(c.) Quality. -- Changes in the qualities of things are
transformations.
(d.) Place. -- Change of place is called motion.
The term" motion" is properly applied to change of place, but is
also used in a general sense of all kinds of changes.
PROPOSITION V.
Motion implies change and transition from potentiality to
actuality.
PROPOSITION VI.
The motion of a thing is either essential or accidental: or it is due
to an external force, or to the participation of the thing in the
motion of another thing. This latter kind of motion is similar to the
accidental one. An instance of essential motion may be found in
the translation of a thing from one place to another. The accident
of a thing, as, e.g., its black colour, is said to move when the thing
itself changes its place. The upward motion of a stone, owing to a
force applied to it in that direction, is an instance of a motion due
to an external force. The motion of a nail in a boat may serve to
illustrate motion due to the participation of a thing in the motion
of another thing; for when the boat moves, the nail is said to move
likewise. The same is the case with everything composed of
several parts: when the thing itself moves, every part of it is
likewise said to move.
PROPOSITION VII.
Things which are changeable are, at the same time, divisible.
Hence everything that moves is divisible, and consequently
corporeal; but that which is indivisible cannot move, and cannot
therefore be corporeal.
PROPOSITION VIII.
A thing that moves accidentally must come to rest, because it does
not move of its own accord: hence accidental motion cannot
continue for ever.
PROPOSITION IX.
A corporeal thing that sets another corporeal thing in motion can
only effect this by setting itself in motion at the time it causes the
other thing to move.
PROPOSITION X.
A thing which is said to be contained in a corporeal object must
satisfy either of the two following conditions : it either exists
through that object, as is the case with accidents, or it is the cause
of the existence of that object: such is, e.g., its essential property.
In both cases it is a force existing in a corporeal object.
PROPOSITION XI.
Among the things which exist through a material object, there are
some which participate in the division of that object, and are
therefore accidentally divisible, as, e.g., its colour, and all other
qualities that spread throughout its parts. On the other hand,
among the things which form the essential elements of an object,
there are some which cannot be divided in any way, as, e.g., the
soul and the intellect.
PROPOSITION XII.
A force which occupies all parts of a corporeal object is finite, that
object itself being finite.
PROPOSITION XIII.
None of the several kinds of change can be continuous, except
motion from place to place, provided it be circular.
PROPOSITION XIV.
Locomotion is in the natural order of the several kinds of motion
the first and foremost. For genesis and corruption are preceded by
transformation, which, in its turn, is preceded by the approach of
the transforming agent to the object which is to be transformed.
Also, increase and decrease are impossible without previous
genesis and corruption.
PROPOSITION XV.
Time is an accident that is related and joined to motion in such a
manner that the one is never found without the other. Motion is
only possible in time, and the idea of time cannot be conceived
otherwise than in connexion with motion; things which do not
move have no relation to time.
PROPOSITION XVI.
Incorporeal bodies can only be numbered when they are forces
situated in a body; the several forces must then be counted
together with substances or objects in which they exist. Hence
purely spiritual beings, which are neither corporeal nor forces
situated in corporeal objects, cannot be counted, except when
considered as causes and effects.
PROPOSITION XVII.
When an object moves, there must be some agent that moves it,
from without, as, e.g., in the case of a stone set in motion by the
hand: or from within, e.g., when the body of a living being moves.
Living beings include in themselves, at the same time, the moving
agent and the thing moved: when, therefore, a living being dies,
and the moving agent, the soul, has left the body, i.e., the thing
moved, the body remains for some time in the same condition as
before, and yet cannot move in the manner it has moved
previously. The moving agent, when included in the thing moved,
is hidden from, and imperceptible to, the senses. This
circumstance gave rise to the belief that the body of an animal
moves without the aid of a moving agent. When we therefore
affirm, concerning a thing in motion, that it is its own moving
agent, or, as is generally said, that it moves of its own accord, we
mean to say that the force which really sets the body in motion
exists in that body itself.
PROPOSITION XVIII.
Everything that passes over from a state of potentiality to that of
actuality, is caused to do so by some external agent: because if that
agent existed in the thing itself, and no obstacle prevented the
transition, the thing would never be in a state of potentiality, but
always in that of actuality. If, on the other hand, while the thing
itself contained that agent, some obstacle existed, and at a certain
time that obstacle was removed, the same cause which removed
the obstacle would undoubtedly be described as the cause of the
transition from potentiality to actuality, [and not the force situated
within the body]. Note this.
PROPOSITION XIX.
A thing which owes its existence to certain causes has in itself
merely the possibility of existence: for only if these causes exist,
the thing likewise exists. It does not exist if the causes do not exist
at all, or if they have ceased to exist, or if there has been a change
in the relation which implies the existence of that thing as a
necessary consequence of those causes.
PROPOSITION XX.
A thing which has in itself the necessity of existence cannot have
for its existence any cause whatever.
PROPOSITION XXI.
A thing composed of two elements has necessarily their
composition as the cause of its present existence. Its existence is
therefore not necessitated by its own essence; it depends on the
existence of its two component parts and their combination.
PROPOSITION XXII.
Material objects are always composed of two elements [at least],
and are without exception subject to accidents. The two
component elements of all bodies are substance and form. The
accidents attributed to material objects are quantity, geometrical
form, and position.
PROPOSITION XXIII.
Everything that exists potentially and whose essence includes a
certain state of possibility, may at some time be without actual
existence.
PROPOSITION XXIV.
That which is potentially a certain thing is necessarily material, for
the state of possibility is always connected with matter.
PROPOSITION XXV.
Each compound substance consists of matter and form, and
requires an agent for its existence, viz., a force which sets the
substance in motion, and thereby enables it to receive a certain
form. The force which thus prepares the substance of a certain
individual being, is called the immediate motor.
Here the necessity arises of investigating into the properties of
motion, the moving agent and the thing moved. But this has
already been explained sufficiently; and the opinion of Aristotle
may be expressed in the following proposition: Matter does not
move of its own accord-an important proposition that led to the
investigation of the Prime Motor (the first moving agent).
Of these foregoing twenty-five propositions some may be verified
by means of a little reflection and the application of a few
propositions capable of proof, or of axioms or theorems of almost
the same force, such as have been explained by me. Others require
many arguments and propositions, all of which, however, have
been established by conclusive proofs partly in the Physics and its
commentaries, and partly in the Metaphysics and its commentary. I
have already stated that in this work it is not my intention to copy
the books of the philosophers or to explain difficult problems, but
simply to mention those propositions which are closely connected
with our subject, and which we want for our purpose.
To the above propositions one must be added which enunciates
that the universe is eternal, and which is held by Aristotle to be
true, and even more acceptable than any other theory. For the
present we admit it, as a hypothesis, only for the purpose of
demonstrating our theory. It is the following proposition :
PROPOSITION XXVI
Time and motion are eternal, constant, and in actual existence.
In accordance with this proposition, Aristotle is compelled to
assume that there exists actually a body with constant motion, viz.,
the fifth element. He therefore says that the heavens are not
subject to genesis or destruction, because motion cannot be
generated nor destroyed. He also holds that every motion must
necessarily be preceded by another motion, either of the same or of
a different kind. The belief that the locomotion of an animal is not
preceded by another motion, is not true: for the animal is caused to
move, after it had been in rest, by the intention to obtain those very
things which bring about that locomotion. A change in its state of
health, or some image, or some new idea can produce a desire to
seek that which is conducive to its welfare and to avoid that which
is contrary. Each of these three causes sets the living being in
motion, and each of them is produced by various kinds of motion.
Aristotle likewise asserts that everything which is created must,
before its actual creation, have existed in potentia. By inferences
drawn from this assertion he seeks to establish his proposition,
viz., The thing that moves is finite, and its path finite; but it
repeats the motion in its path an infinite number of times. This can
only take place when the motion is circular, as has been stated in
Proposition XIII. Hence follows also the existence of an infinite
number of things which do not co-exist but follow one after the
other.
Aristotle frequently attempts to establish this proposition; but I
believe that he did not consider his proofs to be conclusive. It
appeared to him to be the most probable and acceptable
proposition. His followers, however, and the commentators of his
books, contend that it contains not only a probable but a
demonstrative proof, and that it has, in fact, been fully established.
On the other hand, the Mutakallemirn try to prove that the
proposition cannot be true, as, according to their opinion, it is
impossible to conceive how an infinite number of things could
even come into existence successively. They assume this
impossibility as an axiom. I, however, think that this proposition is
admissible, but neither demonstrative, as the commentators of
Aristotle assert, nor, on the other hand, impossible, as the
Mutakallemim say. We have no intention to explain here the
proofs given by Aristotle, or to show our doubts concerning them,
or to set forth our opinions on the creation of the universe. I here
simply desire to mention those propositions which we shall require
for the proof of the three principles stated above. Having thus
quoted and admitted these propositions, I will now proceed to
explain what may be inferred from them.
CHAPTER I
ACCORDING to Proposition XXV., a moving agent must exist
which has moved the substance of all existing transient things and
enabled it to receive Form. The cause of the motion of that agent is
found in the existence of another motor of the same or of a
different class, the term" motion," in a general sense, being
common to four categories (Prop. IV.). This series of motions is
not infinite (Prop. III.); we find that it can only be continued till
the motion of the fifth element is arrived at, and then it ends. The
motion of the fifth element is the source of every force that moves
and prepares any substance on earth for its combination with a
certain form, and is connected with that force by a chain of
intermediate motions. The celestial sphere [or the fifth element)
performs the act of locomotion which is the first of the several
kinds of motion (Prop. XIV.), and all locomotion is found to be the
indirect effect of the motion of this sphere: e.g., a stone is set in
motion by a stick, the stick by a man's hand, the hand by the
sinews, the sinews by the muscles, the rnuscles by the nerves, the
nerves by the natural heat of the body, and the heat of the body by
its form. This is undoubtedly the immediate motive cause, but the
action of this immediate cause is due to a certain design, e.g., to
bring a stone into a hole by striking against it with a stick in order
to prevent the draught from coming through the crevice. The
motion of the air that causes the draught is the effect of the motion
of the celestial sphere. Similarly it may be shown that the ultimate
cause of all genesis and destruction can be traced to the motion of
the sphere. But the motion of the sphere must likewise have been
effected by an agent (Prop. XVII.) residing either without the
sphere or within it; a third case being impossible. In the first case,
if the motor is without the sphere, it must either be corporeal or
incorporeal: if incorporeal, it cannot be said that the agent is
without the sphere: it can only be described as separate from it:
because an incorporeal object can only be said metaphorically to
reside without a certain corporeal object. In the second case, if the
agent resides within the sphere, it must be either a force distributed
throughout the whole sphere so that each part of the sphere
includes a part of the force, as is the case with the heat of fire: or it
is an indivisible force, e.g., the soul and the intellect (Props. X.
and XL). The agent which sets the sphere in motion must
consequently be one of the following four things: a corporeal
object without the sphere: an incorporeal object separate from it: a
force spread throughout the whole of the sphere; or an indivisible
force [within the sphere].
The first case, viz., that the moving agent of the sphere is a
corporeal object without the sphere, is impossible, as will be
explained. Since the moving agent is corporeal, it must itself move
while setting another object in motion (Prop. IX.), and as the sixth
element would likewise move when imparting motion to another
body, it would be set in motion by a seventh element, which must
also move. An infinite number of bodies would thus be required
before the sphere could be set in motion. This is contrary to
Proposition II.
The third case, viz., that the moving object be a force distributed
throughout the whole body, is likewise impossible. For the sphere
is corporeal, and must therefore be finite (Prop. I.): also the force it
contains must be finite (Prop. XII.), since each part of the sphere
contains part of the force (Prop. XI.): the latter can consequently
not produce an infinite motion, such as we assumed according to
Proposition XXVI., which we admitted for the present.
The fourth case is likewise impossible, viz., that the sphere is set
in motion by an indivisible force residing in the sphere in the same
manner as the soul resides in the body of man. For this force,
though indivisible, could not be the cause of infinite motion by
itself alone: because if that were the case the prime motor would
have an accidental motion (Prop.VI.). But things that move
accidentally must come to rest (Prop. VIII.), and then the thing
comes also to rest which is set in motion. (The following may
serve as a further illustration of the nature of accidental motion.
When man is moved by the soul, i.e., by his form, to go from the
basement of the house to the upper storey, his body moves directly,
while the soul, the. really efficient cause of that motion,
participates in it accidentally. For through the translation of the
body from the basement to the upper storey, the soul has likewise
changed its place, and when no fresh impulse for the motion of the
body is given by the soul, the body which has been set in motion
by such impulse comes to rest, and the accidental motion of the
soul is discontinued). Consequently the motion of that supposed
first motor must be due to some cause which does not form part of
things composed of two elements, viz., a moving agent and an
object moved: if such a cause is present the motor in that
compound sets the other element in motion; in the absence of such
a cause no motion takes place. Living beings do therefore not
move continually, although each of them possesses an indivisible
motive element; because this element is not constantly in motion,
as it would be if it produced motion of its own accord. On the
contrary, the things to which the action is due are separate from
the motor. The action is caused either by desire for that which is
agreeable, or by aversion from that which is disagreeable, or by
some image, or by some ideal when the moving being has the
capacity of conceiving it. When any of these causes are present
then the motor acts: its motion is accidental, and must therefore
come to an end (Prop. VIII.). If the motor of the sphere were of
this kind the sphere could not move ad infinitum. Our opponent,
however, holds that the spheres move continually ad infinitum: if
this were the case, and it is in fact possible (Prop. XIII.), the
efficient cause of the motion of the sphere must, according to the
above division, be of the second kind, viz., something incorporeal
and separate from the sphere.
It may thus be considered as proved that the efficient cause of the
motion of the sphere, if that motion be eternal, is neither itself
corporeal nor does it reside in a corporeal object; it must move
neither of its own accord nor accidentally; it must be indivisible
and unchangeable (Prop. VII. and Prop. V.). This Prime Motor of
the sphere is God, praised be His name !
The hypothesis that there exist two Gods is inadmissible, because
absolutely incorporeal beings cannot be counted (Prop. XVI.),
except as cause and effect; the relation of time is not applicable to
God (Prop. XV.), because motion cannot be predicated of Him.
The result of the above argument is consequently this: the sphere
cannot move ad infinitum of its own accord; the Prime Motor is
not corporeal, nor a force residing within a body; it is One,
unchangeable, and in its existence independent of time. Three of
our postulates are thus proved by the principal philosophers.
The philosophers employ besides another argument, based on the
following proposition of Aristotle. If there be a thing composed of
two elements, and the one of them is known to exist also by itself,
apart from that thing, then the other element is likewise found in
existence by itself separate from that compound. For if the nature
of the two elements were such that they could only exist
together-as, e.g., matter and form-then neither of them could in
any way exist separate from the other. The fact that the one
component is found also in a separate existence proves that the
two elements are not indissolubly connected, and that the same
must therefore be the case with the other component. Thus we
infer from the existence of honey-vinegar and of honey by itself,
that there exists also vinegar by itself. After having explained this
proposition Aristotle continues thus : We notice many objects
consisting of a motor and a motum, i.e., objects which set other
things in motion, and whilst doing so are themselves set in motion
by other things; such is dearly the case as regards all the middle
members of a series of things in motion. We also see a thing that is
moved, but does not itself move anything, viz., the last member of
the series: consequently a motor must exist without being at the
same time a motum, and that is the Prime Motor, which, not being
subject to motion, is indivisible, incorporeal, and independent of
time, as has been shown in the preceding argument.
Third Philosophical Argument. -- This is taken from the words of
Aristotle, though he gives it in a different form. It runs as follows:
There is no doubt that many things actually exist, as, e.g., things
perceived with the senses. Now there are only three cases
conceivable, viz., either all these things are without beginning and
without end, or all of them have beginning and end, or some are
with and some without beginning and end. The first of these three
cases is altogether inadmissible, since we dearly perceive objects
which come into existence and are subsequently destroyed. The
second case is likewise inadmissible, for if everything had but a
temporary existence all things might be destroyed, and that which
is enunciated of a whole class of things as possible is necessarily
actual. All things must therefore come to an end, and then nothing
would ever be in existence, for there would not exist any being to
produce anything. Consequently nothing whatever would exist [if
all things were transient]; but as we see things existing, and find
ourselves in existence we conclude as follows :-Since there are
undoubtedly beings of a temporary existence, there must also be an
eternal being that is not subject to destruction, and whose
existence is real, not merely possible.
It has been further argued that the existence of this being is
necessary, either on account of itself alone or on account of some
external force. In the latter case its existence and non-existence
would be equally possible, because of its own properties, but its
existence would be necessary on account of the external force.
That force would then be the being that possesses absolute
existence (Prop. XIX). It is therefore certain that there must be a
being which has absolutely independent existence, and is the
source of the existence of all things, whether transient or
permanent, if, as Aristotle assumes. there is in existence such a
thing, which is the effect of an eternal cause, and must therefore
itself be eternal. This is a proof the correctness of which is not
doubted, disputed, or rejected, except by those who have no
knowledge of the method of proof. We further say that the
existence of anything that has independent existence is not due to
any cause (Prop. X.), and that such a being does not include any
plurality whatever (Prop. XXI.); consequently it cannot be a body,
nor a force residing in a body (Prop. XXIL). It is now clear that
there must be a being with absolutely independent existence, a
being whose existence cannot be attributed to any external cause,
and which does not include different elements; it cannot therefore
be corporeal, or a force residing in 4 corporeal object; this being is
God.
It can easily be proved that absolutely independent existence
cannot be attributed to two beings. For, if that were the case,
absolutely independent existence would be a property added to the
substance of both; neither of them would be absolutely
independent on account of their essence, but only through a certain
property, viz., that of this independent existence, which is common
to both. It can besides be shown in many ways that independent
existence cannot be reconciled with the principle of dualism by
any means. It would make no difference, whether we imagine two
beings of similar or of different properties. The reason for all this
is to be sought in the absolute simplicity and in the utmost
perfection of the essence of this being, which is the only member
of its species, and does not depend on any cause whatever this
being has therefore nothing in common with other beings.
Fourth Argument. -- This is likewise a well-known philosophical
argument. We constantly see things passing from a state of
potentiality to that of actuality, but in every such case there is for
that transition of a thing an agent separate from it (Prop. XVIII). It
is likewise clear that the agent has also passed from potentiality to
actuality. It has at first been potential, because it could not be
actual, owing to some obstacle contained in itself, or on account of
the absence of a certain relation between itself and the object of its
action: it became an actual agent as soon as that relation was
present. Whichever cause be assumed, an agent is again necessary
to remove the obstacle or to create the relation. The same can be
argued respecting this last-mentioned agent that creates the
relation or removes the obstacle. This series of causes cannot go
on ad infinitum: we must at last arrive at a cause of the transition
of an object from the state of potentiality to that of actuality,
which is constant, and admits of no potentiality whatever. In the
essence of this cause nothing exists potentially, for if its essence
included any possibility of existence it would not exist at all (Prop.
XXIII.): it cannot be corporeal, but it must be spiritual (Prop.
XXIV.); and the immaterial being that includes no possibility
whatever, but exists actually by its own essence, is God. Since He
is incorporeal, as has been demonstrated, it follows that He is One
(Prop. XVI).
Even if we were to admit the Eternity of the Universe, we could by
any of these methods prove the existence of God; that He is One
and incorporeal, and that He does not reside as a force in a
corporeal object.
The following is likewise a correct method to prove the
Incorporeality and the Unity of God: If there were two Gods, they
would necessarily have one element in common by virtue of which
they were Gods, and another element by which they were
distinguished from each other and existed as two Gods; the
distinguishing element would either be in both different from the
property common to both-in that case both of them would consist
of different elements, and neither of them would be the First
Cause, or have absolutely independent existence; but their
existence would depend on certain causes (Prop. XIX.) -- or the
distinguishing element would only in one of them be different
from the element common to both : then that being could not have
absolute independence.
Another proof of the Unity of God. -- It has been demonstrated by
proof that the whole existing world is one organic body, all parts
of which are connected together; also, that the influences of the
spheres above pervade the earthly substance and prepare it for its
forms. Hence it is impossible to assume that one deity be engaged
in forming one part, and another deity in forming another part of
that organic body of which all parts are closely connected together.
A duality could only be imagined in this way, either that at one
time the one deity is active, the other at another time, or that both
act simultaneously, nothing being done except by both together.
The first alternative is certainly absurd for many reasons: if at the
time the one deity be active the other could also be active, there is
no reason why the one deity should then act and the other not; if,
on the other hand, it be impossible for the one deity to act when
the other is at work, there must be some other cause [besides these
deities] which [at a certain time] enables the one to act and
disables the other. [Such difference would not be caused by time],
since time is without change, and the object of the action likewise
remains one and the same organic whole. Besides, if two deities
existed in this way, both would be subject to the relations of time,
since their actions would depend on time; they would also in the
moment of acting pass from potentiality to actuality, and require
an agent for such transition: their essence would besides include
possibility [of existence]. It is equally absurd to assume that both
together produce everything in existence, and that neither of them
does anything alone; for when a number of forces must be united
for a certain result, none of these forces acts of its own accord, and
none is by itself the immediate cause of that result, but their union
is the immediate cause. It has, furthermore, been proved that the
action of the absolute cannot be due to an [external] cause. The
union is also an act which presupposes a cause effecting that
union, and if that cause be one, it is undoubtedly God: but if it also
consists of a number of separate forces, a cause is required for the
combination of these forces, as in the first case. Finally, one
simple being must be arrived at, that is the cause of the existence
of the Universe, which is one whole; it would make no difference
whether we assumed that the First Cause had produced the
Universe by creatio ex nihilo, or whether the Universe co-existed
with the First Cause. It is thus clear how we can prove the Unity of
God from the fact that this Universe is one whole.
Anotber argument concerning the Incorporeality of God. -- Every
corporeal object is composed of matter and form (Prop. XXII.):
every compound of these two elements requires an agent for
effecting their combination. Besides, it is evident that a body is
divisible and has dimensions: a body is thus undoubtedly subject to
accidents. Consequently nothing corporeal can be a unity, either
because everything corporeal is divisible or because it is a
compound; that is to say, it can logically be analysed into two
elements; because a body can only be said to be a certain body
when the distinguishing element is added to the corporeal
substratum, and must therefore include two elements: but it has
been proved that the Absolute admits of no dualism whatever.
Now that we have discussed these proofs, we will expound our
own method in accordance with our promise.
CHAPTER II
THE fifth essence, i.e., the heavenly spheres, must either be
transient, and in this case motion would likewise be temporary, or,
as our opponent assumes, it must be eternal. If the spheres are
transient, then God is their Creator: for if anything comes into
existence after a period of non-existence, it is selfevident that an
agent exists which has effected this result. It would be absurd to
contend that the thing itself effected it. If, on the other hand, the
heavenly spheres be eternal, with a regular perpetual motion, the
cause of this perpetual motion, according to the Propositions
enumerated in the Introduction, must be something that is neither a
body, nor a force residing in a body, and that is God, praised be
His name! We have thus shown that whether we believe in the
Creatio ex Nihilo, or in the Eternity of the Universe, we can prove
by demonstrative arguments the existence of God, i.e., an absolute
Being, whose existence cannot be attributed to any cause, or admit
in itself any potentiality. The theory that God is One and
Incorporeal has likewise been established by proof without any
reference to the theory of the Creation or the Eternity of the
Universe. This has been explained by us in the third philosophical
argument [in support of the Existence of God], and also in our
subsequent description of the methods of the philosophers in
proving the Incorporeality and the Unity of God.
We deem it now convenient to continue with the theory of the
philosophers, and to give their proofs for the existence of
Intelligences. We will then show that their theory in this regard is
in harmony with the teaching of Scripture concerning the existence
of angels. After the full treatment of angels this subject we shall
return to our task and discuss the theory of creatio ex nihilo. For
the best arguments in favour of this theory cannot be fully
comprehended unless the theory of the existence of Intelligences
be well understood, and also the method which I adopt in proving
their existence. We must, however, first give the following note,
which will introduce you into the secrets of this whole subject,
both of that which we have already given and of what will yet be
given.
Note. -- It was not my intention when writing this treatise to
expound natural science or discuss metaphysical systems; it was
not my object to prove truths which have already been
demonstrated, or describe the number and the properties of the
spheres : for the books written on these subjects serve their
purpose, and if in some points they are not satisfactory, 1 do not
think that what I could say would be better than what has already
been explained by others. But my intention was, as has been stated
in the Introduction, to expound Biblical passages which have been
impugned, and to elucidate their hidden and true sense, which is
above the comprehension of the multitude. When you therefore
notice that I prove the existence and number of Intelligences or the
number of the spheres, with the causes of their motion, or discuss
the true relation of matter and form, the meaning of Divine
manifestation, or similar subjects, you must not think that I intend
merely to establish a certain philosophical proposition; for these
subjects have been discussed in many books, and most of them
have been demonstrated by proof. I only desire to mention that
which might, when well understood, serve as a means of removing
some of the doubts concerning anything taught in Scripture: and
indeed many difficulties will disappear when that which I am
about to explain is taken into consideration. From the Introduction
to this treatise you may learn that its principal object is to
expound, as far as can be done, the account of the Creation (Gen.
i.-iii.), and of the Divine Chariot (Ezek. i.), and to answer
questions raised in respect to Prophecy and to the knowledge of
God. You will sometimes notice that I am rather explicit on truths
already ascertained: some of them Natural Philosophy has
established as facts: others Metaphysics has either fully
demonstrated, or at least shown to be worthy of belief: others
Mathematics have made plain. But you will invariably find that my
exposition includes the key for the understanding of some
allegorical passage of Holy Writ and its esoteric interpretation, and
that I have mentioned, explained, and demonstrated the subject
only because it furthers the knowledge of the" Divine Chariot,"
or" the Creation," or explains some principle with respect to
Prophecy, or to the belief in any of the truths taught in Scripture.
Now, having made this statement, we return to the subject of
which we began to treat.
CHAPTER III
THE theory of Aristotle in respect to the causes of the motion of
the spheres led him to assume the existence of Intelligences.
Although this theory consists of assertions which cannot be
proved, yet it is the least open to doubt, and is more systematic
than any other, as has been stated by Alexander in the book called
The Origin of the Universe. It includes maxims which are identical
with those taught in Scripture, and it is to a still greater extent in
harmony with doctrines contained in well-known genuine
Midrashim, as will be explained by me. For this reason I will cite
his views and his proofs, and collect from them what coincides
with the teachings of Scripture, and agrees with the doctrine held
by our Sages.
CHAPTER IV
THE enunciation that the heavenly sphere is endowed with a soul
will appear reasonable to all who sufficiently reflect on it: but at
first thought they may find it unintelligible or even objectionable;
because they wrongly assume that when we ascribe a soul to the
heavenly spheres we mean something like the soul of man, or that
of an ass, or ox. We merely intend to say that the locomotion of
the sphere undoubtedly leads us to assume some inherent principle
by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul. For it
would be absurd to assume that the principle of the circular motion
of the spheres was like that of the rectilinear motion of a stone
downward or of fire upwards, for the cause of the latter motion is a
natural property and not a soul; a thing set in motion by a natural
property moves only as long as it is away from the proper place of
its element, but when it has again arrived there, it comes to rest;
whilst the sphere continues its circular motion in its own place. It
is, however, not because the sphere has a soul, that it moves in this
manner; for animate beings move either by instinct or by reason.
By" instinct" I mean the intention of an animal to approach
something agreeable, or to retreat from something disagreeable;
e.g., to approach the water it seeks because of thirst, or to retreat
from the sun because of its heat. It makes no difference whether
that thing really exists or is merely imaginary, since the
imagination of something agreeable or of something disagreeable
likewise causes the animal to move. The heavenly sphere does not
move for the purpose of withdrawing from what is bad or
approaching what is good. For in the first instance it moves toward
the same point from which it has moved away, and vice versa it
moves away from the same point towards which it has moved.
Secondly, if this were the object of the motion, we should expect
that the sphere would move towards a certain point, and would
then rest; for if it moved for the purpose of avoiding something,
and never obtained that object, the motion would be in vain. The
circular motion of the sphere is consequently due to the action of
some idea which produces this particular kind of motion; but as
ideas are only possible in intellectual beings, the heavenly sphere
is an intellectual being. But even a being that is endowed with the
faculty of forming an idea, and possesses a soul with the faculty of
moving, does not change its place on each occasion that it forms
an idea: for an idea alone does not produce motion, as has been
explained in [Aristotle's] Metaphysics. We can easily understand
this, when we consider how often we form ideas of certain things,
yet do not move towards them, though we are able to do so; it is
only when a desire arises for the thing imagined, that we move in
order to obtain it. We have thus shown that both the soul, the
principle of motion, and the intellect, the source of the ideas,
would not produce motion without the existence of a desire for the
object of which an idea has been formed. It follows that the
heavenly sphere must have a desire for the ideal which it has
comprehended, and that ideal, for which it has a desire, is God,
exalted be His name! When we say that God moves the spheres,
we mean it in the following sense: the spheres have a desire to
become similar to the ideal comprehended by them. This ideal,
however, is simple in the strictest sense of the word, and not
subject to any change or alteration, but constant in producing
everything good, whilst the spheres are corporeal: the latter can
therefore not be like this ideal in any other way, except in the
production of circular motion: for this is the only action of
corporeal beings that can be perpetual; it is the most simple
motion of a body; there is no change in the essence of the sphere,
nor in the beneficial results of its motion.
When Aristotle had arrived at this result, he further investigated
the subject, and found, by proof, that there were many spheres, and
that all moved in circles, but each with its peculiar motion as
regards velocity and direction. He naturally argued that the ideal
comprehended by the one sphere, which completes its circuit in
one day, is different from that of another sphere which completes
its circuit in thirty years: he thus arrived at the conclusion that
there were as many ideals as there were spheres: each sphere has a
desire for that ideal which is the source of its existence, and that
desire is the cause of its individual motion, so that in fact the ideal
sets the sphere in motion. Aristotle does not say, nor does any
other authority, that there are ten or a hundred ideals: he simply
states that their number agrees with that of the spheres. When,
therefore, some of his contemporaries held that the number of
spheres was fifty, he said, if that was true, the number of ideals
must likewise be fifty. For the scholars in his time were few and
possessed but imperfect learning; they thought that there must be a
separate sphere for each movement, because they did not know
that what appear to be several distinct movements can be
explained as resulting from the inclination of one sphere as is, e.g.,
the case with the change in the longitude of a star, its declination
and the places of its rising and setting noticed in the circle of the
horizon. This point, however, does not concern us at present: let us
therefore return to our subject.
The later philosophers assumed ten Intelligences, because they
counted the spheres containing stars and the all-encompassing
sphere, although some of the spheres included several distinct
orbits. There are altogether nine spheres, viz., the
all-encompassing sphere, that of the fixed stars, and those of the
seven planets: nine Intelligences correspond to the nine spheres:
the tenth Intelligence is the Active Intellect. The existence of the
latter is proved by the transition of our intellect from a state of
potentiality to that of actuality, and by the same transition in the
case of the forms of all transient beings. For whatever passes from
potentiality into actuality, requires for that transition an external
agent of the same kind as itself. Thus the builder does not build the
storehouse in his capacity of workman, but in that of a person that
has the form of the storehouse in his mind; and that form of the
building which exists in the mind of the builder caused the
transition of the potential form of the storehouse into actuality, and
impressed it on the material of the building. As that which gives
form to matter must itself be pure form, so the source of intellect
must itself be pure intellect, and this source is the Active Intellect.
The relation of the latter to the elements and their compounds is
the same as that of the Intelligences to their respective spheres:
and our intellect in action, which originates in the Active Intellect,
and enables us to comprehend that intellect, finds a parallel in the
intellect of each of the spheres which originates in the Intelligence
corresponding to that sphere, and enables the sphere to
comprehend that Intelligence, to form an idea of it, and to move in
seeking to become similar to it.
Aristotle further infers, what has already been explained, that God
does not act by means of direct contact. When, e.g., He destroys
anything with fire, the fire is set in motion through the movement
of the spheres, and the spheres by the Intelligences: the latter,
which are identical with" the angels," and act by direct influence,
are consequently, each in its turn, the cause of the motion of the
spheres; as however, purely spiritual beings do not differ in their
essence, and are by no means discrete quantities, he (Aristotle)
came to the following conclusion: God created the first
Intelligence, the motive agent of the first sphere; the Intelligence
which causes the second sphere to move has its source and origin
in the first Intelligence, and so on: the Intelligence which sets the
sphere nearest to the earth in motion is the source and origin of the
Active Intellect, the last in the series of purely spiritual beings.
The series of material bodies similarly begins with the uppermost
sphere, and ends with the elements and their compounds. The
Intelligence which moves the uppermost sphere cannot be the
Absolute Being, for there is an element common to all
Intelligences, namely, the property of being the motive agent of a
sphere, and there is another element by which each of them is
distinguished from the rest; each of the ten Intelligences includes,
therefore, two elements, and consequently another being must be
the First Cause.
This is the theory, and opinion of Aristotle on these questions, and
his proofs, where proof is possible, are given in various works of
the Aristotelian school. In short, he believes that the spheres are
animated and intellectual beings, capable of fully comprehending
the principia of their existence: that there exist purely spiritual
beings (Intelligences), which do not reside in corporeal objects,
and which derive existence from God; and that these form the
intermediate element between God and this material world.
In the chapters which follow I will show how far the teaching of
Scripture is in harmony with these views, and how far it differs
from them. CHAPTER V
SCRIPTURE supports the theory that the spheres are animate and
intellectual, i.e., capable of comprehending things: that they are
not, as ignorant persons believe, inanimate masses like fire and
earth, but are, as the philosophers assert, endowed with life, and
serve their Lord, whom they mightily praise and glorify; comp."
The heavens declare the glory of God," etc. (Ps. xix. 2). It is a great
error to think that this is a mere figure of speech: for the verbs" to
declare" and" to relate," when joined together, are, in Hebrew,
only used of intellectual beings. That the Psalmist really means to
describe the heavens' own doing, in other words, what the spheres
actually do, and not what man thinks of them, may be best inferred
from the words," There is no speech, nor language, their voice is
not heard" (ver. 4). Here he dearly shows that he describes the
heavens themselves as in reality praising God, and declaring His
wonders without words of lip and tongue. When man praises God
in words actually uttered, he only relates the ideas which he has
conceived, but these ideas form the real praise. The reason why he
gives expression to these ideas is to be found in his desire to
communicate them to others, or to make himself sure that he has
truly conceived them. Therefore it is said," Commune with your
own heart upon your bed, and be still" (Ps. iv. 5). Only ignorant or
obstinate persons would refuse to admit this proof taken from
Scripture.
As to the opinion of our Sages, 1 do not see any necessity for
expounding or demonstrating it. Consider only the form they gave
to the blessing recited on seeing the new moon, the ideas
repeatedly occurring in the prayers and the remarks in the Midrash
on the following and similar passages:-- And the host of heaven
worshippeth thee" (Neh. ix. 6):" When the morning stars sang
together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (job -viii. 7). In
Bereshit Rabba, on the passage --" And the earth was empty and
formless" (Gen. i. 2), our Sages remark as follows :" The words
tohu and bohu mean mourning and crying; the earth mourned and
cried on account of her evil lot, saying, ' I and the heavens were
created together, and yet the beings above live for ever, and we are
mortal."' Our Sages, by this remark, indicate their belief that the
spheres are animated beings, and not inanimate matter like the
elements.
The opinion of Aristotle, that the spheres are capable of
comprehension and conception, is in accordance with the words of
our prophets and our theologians or Sages. The philosophers
further agree that this world below is governed by influences
emanating from the spheres, and that the latter comprehend and
have knowledge of the things which they influence. This theory is
also met with in Scripture: comp. [the stars and all the host of
heaven]" which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations"
(Deut. iv. 19), that is to say, the stars, which God appointed to be
the means of governing His creatures, and not the objects of man's
worship. It has therefore been stated clearly:" And to rule over the
day and over the night" (Gen. i. 18). The term" ruling" here
refers to the power which the spheres possess of governing the
earth, in addition to the property of giving light and darkness. The
latter property is the direct cause of genesis and destruction it is
described in the words," And to divide the light from the darkness
(ibid.). It is impossible to assume that those who rule a thing are
ignorant of that very thing which they rule, if we take" to rule" in
its proper sense. We will add another chapter on this subject.
CHAPTER VI
As for the existence of angels, there is no necessity to cite any
proof from Scripture, where the fact is frequently mentioned. The
term elohim signifies" judges" : comp." The cause of both parties
shall come before the 'judges" ' (ha-elohim; Exod. xxii. 8). It has
been figuratively applied to angels, and to the Creator as being
judge over the angels. When God says," I am the Lord your God,"
the pronoun" your" refers to all mankind; but in the phrase elohe
ha-elohim, He is described as the God of the angels, and in adone
ha-adonim, as the Lord of the spheres and the stars, which are the
masters of the rest of the corporeal creation. The nouns elohim and
adonim in these phrases do not refer to human judges or masters,
because these are in rank inferior to the heavenly bodies: much
less do they refer to mankind in general, including masters and
servants, or to objects of stone and wood worshipped by some as
gods; for it is no honour or greatness to God to be superior to
stone, wood, or a piece of metal. The phrases therefore admit of no
other meaning than this: God is the judge over the judges; i.e., over
the angels, and the Lord over the spheres.
We have already stated above that the angels are incorporeal. This
agrees with the opinion of Aristotle: there is only this difference in
the names employed -- he uses the term" Intelligences," and we
say instead" angels." His theory is that the Intelligences are
intermediate beings between the Prime Cause and existing things,
and that they effect the motion of the spheres, on which motion the
existence of all things depends. This is also the view we meet with
in all parts of Scripture: every act of God is described as being
performed by angels. But" angel" means" messenger" : hence
every one that is intrusted with a certain mission is an angel. Even
the movements of the brute creation are sometimes due to the
action of an angel, when such movements serve the purpose of the
Creator, who endowed it with the power of performing that
movement; e.g.," God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions'
mouths that they have not hurt me" (Dan. vi. 22). Another
instance may be seen in the movements of Balaarn's ass, described
as caused by an angel. The elements are also called angels. Comp."
Who maketh winds His angels, flaming fire His ministers" (Ps.
civ. 4). There is no doubt that the word" angel" is used of a
messenger sent by man; e.g.," And Jacob sent angels" (Gen. xxxii.
4): of a prophet, e.g.," And an angel of the Lord came up from
Gilgal to Bochim" (judges ii. I):" And He sent an angel, and hath
brought us forth out of Egypt" (Num. xx. 16). It is also used of
ideals, perceived by prophets in prophetic visions, and of man's
animal powers, as will be explained in another place.
When we assert that Scripture teaches that God rules this world
through angels, we mean such angels as are identical with the
Intelligences. In some passages the plural is used of God, e.g.," Let
us make man in our image" (Gen. i. 26)" Go to, let us go down,
and there confound their language" (ibid. xi. 7). Our Sages explain
this in the following manner: God, as it were, does nothing without
contemplating the host above. I wonder at the expression"
contemplating," which is the very expression used by Plato . God,
as it were," contemplates the world of ideals, and thus produces
the existing beings." In other passages our Sages expressed it more
decidedly :" God does nothing without consulting the host above"
(the word familia, used in the original, is a Greek noun, and
signifies" host" ). On the words," what they have already made"
(Eccles. ii. 12), the following remark is made in Bereshit Rabba
and in Midrash Koheleth:" It is not said 'what He has made,' but
'what they have made'; hence we infer that He, as it were, with His
court, have agreed upon the form of each of the limbs of man
before placing it in its position, as it is said, ' He hath made thee
and established thee '" (Dent. xxxii. 6). In Bereshit Rabba (chap.
li.) it is also stated, that wherever the term" and the Lord"
occurred in Scripture, the Lord with His court is to be understood.
These passages do not convey the idea that God spoke, thought,
reflected, or that He consulted and employed the opinion of other
beings, as ignorant persons have believed. How could the Creator
be assisted by those whom He created! They only show that all
parts of the Universe, even the limbs of animals in their actual
form, are produced through angels: for natural forces and angels
are identical. How bad and injurious is the blindness of ignorance!
Say to a person who is believed to belong to the wise men of Israel
that the Almighty sends His angel to enter the womb of a woman
and to form there the foetus, he will be satisfied with the account:
he will believe it, and even find in it a description of the greatness
of God's might and wisdom; although he believes that the angel
consists of burning fire, and is as big as a third part of the
Universe, yet he considers it possible as a divine miracle. But tell
him that God gave the seed a formative power which produces and
shapes the limbs, and that this power is called" angel," or that all
forms are the result of the influence of the Active Intellect, and
that the latter is the angel, the Prince of the world, frequently
mentioned by our Sages, and he will turn away; because he cannot
comprehend the true greatness and power of creating forces that
act in a body without being perceived by our senses. Our Sages
have already stated-for him who has understanding-that all forces
that reside in a body are angels, much more the forces that are
active in the Universe. The theory that each force acts only in one
particular way, is expressed in Bereskit Rabba (chap. l.) as
follows:" One angel does not perform two things, and two angels
do not perform one thing" : this is exactly the property of all
forces. We may find a confirmation of the opinion that the natural
and psychical forces of an individual are called angels in a
statement of our Sages which is frequently quoted, and occurs
originally in Bereshit Rabba (chap. lxxviii.):" Every day God
creates a legion of angels; they sing before Him, and disappear."
When, in opposition to this statement, other statements were
quoted to the effect that angels are eternal-and, in fact, it has
repeatedly been shown that they live permanently-the reply has
been given that some angels live permanently, others perish; and
this is really the case: for individual forces are transient, whilst the
genera are permanent and imperishable. Again, we read (in
Bereshit Rabba, chap. lxxxv.), in reference to the relation between
Judah and Tamar:" R. Jochanan said that Judah was about to pass
by [without noticing Tamar], but God caused the angel of lust, i.e.,
the libidinous disposition, to present himself to him." Man's
disposition is here called an angel. Likewise we frequently meet
with the phrase" the angel set over a certain thing.'' In
Midrash-Koheleth (on Eccles. x. 7) the following passage occurs:"
When man sleeps, his soul speaks to the angel, the angel to the
cherub." The intelligent reader will find here a clear statement that
man's imaginative faculty is also called" angel," and that" cherub"
is used for man's intellectual faculty. How beautiful must this
appear to him who understands it; how absurd to the ignorant!
We have already stated that the forms in which angels appear form
part of the prophetic vision. Some prophets see angels in the form
of man, e.g.," And behold three men stood by him" (Gen. xviii.
2): others perceive an angel as a fearful and terrible being, e.g.,"
And his countenance was as the countenance of an angel of God,
very terrible" (judges xiii. 6): others see them as fire, e.g.," And
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire" (Exod.
iii. 2). In Bereshit Rabba (chap. l.) the following remark occurs:"
To Abraham, whose prophetic power was great, the angels
appeared in the form of men; to Lot, whose power was weak, they
appeared as angels." This is an important principle as regards
Prophecy; it will be fully discussed when we treat of that subject
(chap. xxxii. sqq.). Another passage in Bereshit Rabba (ibid.) runs
thus:" Before the angels have accomplished their task they are
called men, when they have accomplished it they are angels."
Consider how clearly they say that the term" angel" signifies
nothing but a certain action, and that every appearance of an angel
is part of a prophetic vision, depending on the capacity of the
person that perceives it.
There is nothing in the opinion of Aristotle on this subject contrary
to the teaching of Scripture. The whole difference between him
and ourselves is this : he believes all these beings to be eternal,
co-existing with the First Cause as its necessary effect; but we
believe that they have had a beginning, that God created the
Intelligences, and gave the spheres the capacity of seeking to
become like them: that in creating the Intelligences and the
spheres, He endowed them with their governing powers. In this
point we differ from him.
In the course of this treatise we shall give his theory as well as the
theory of Creatio ex nihilo taught in Scripture.
CHAPTER VII
WE have already explained that the term" angel" is a homonym,
and is used of the intellectual beings, the spheres, and the
elements: for all these are engaged in performing a divine
command. But do not imagine that the Intelligences and the
spheres are like other forces which reside in bodies and act by the
laws of nature without being conscious of what they do. The
spheres and the Intelligences are conscious of their actions, and
select by their own free will the objects of their influence,
although not in the same manner as we exercise free will and rule
over other things, which only concern temporary beings. I have
been led to adopt this theory by certain passages in Scripture: e.g.,
an angel says to Lot :" For I cannot do anything," etc. (Gen. XiX.
21): and telling him to deliver himself, the angel says :" Behold I
have accepted thee concerning this thing" (ver. 21).
Again:" Take heed before him, and listen to his voice," etc. (Exod.
xxiii. 21). These passages show that angels are conscious of what
they do, and have free will in the sphere of action intrusted to
them, just as we have free will within our province, and in
accordance with the power given to us with our very existence.
The difference is that what we do is the lowest stage of excellence,
and that our influence and actions are preceded by nonaction;
whilst the Intelligences and the spheres always perform that which
is good, they contain nothing except what is good and perfect, as
will be shown further on, and they have continually been active
from the beginning.
CHAPTER VIII
IT is one of the ancient beliefs, both among the philosophers and
other people, that the motions of the spheres produced mighty and
fearful sounds. They observed how little objects produced by rapid
motion a loud, shrilling, and terrifying noise, and concluded that
this must to a far higher degree be the case with the bodies of the
sun, the moon and the stars, considering their greatness and their
velocity. The Pythagoreans believed that the sounds were pleasant,
and, though loud, had the same proportions to each other as the
musical notes. They also explained why these mighty and
tremendous sounds are not heard by us. This belief is also
widespread in our nation. Thus our Sages describe the greatness of
the sound produced by the sun in the daily circuit in its orbit. The
same description could be given of all heavenly bodies. Aristotle,
however, rejects this, and holds that they produce no sounds. You
will find his opinion in the book The Heavens and the World (De
Coelo). You must not find it strange that Aristotle differs here
from the opinion of our Sages. The theory of the music of the
spheres is connected with the theory of the motion of the stars in a
fixed sphere, and our Sages have, in this astronomical question,
abandoned their own theory in favour of the theory of others. Thus,
it is distinctly stated," The wise men of other nations have
defeated the wise men of IsraeM' It is quite right that our Sages
have abandoned their own theory: for speculative matters every
one treats according to the results of his own study, and every one
accepts that which appears to him established by proof.
CHAPTER IX
WE have stated above that in the age of Aristotle the number of
spheres was not accurately known: and that those who at present
count nine spheres consider a sphere containing several rotating
circles as one, a fact well known to all who have a knowledge of
astronomy. We need, therefore, not reject the opinion of those who
assume two spheres in accordance with the words of Scripture :"
Behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens are the Lord's"
(Dent. x. 14). They reckon all the spheres with stars, i.e., with all
the circles in which the stars move, as one: the all-encompassing
sphere in which there are no stars, is regarded by them as the
second: hence they maintain that there are two spheres.
I will here introduce an explanation which is necessary for the
understanding of our view on the present subject. There is a
difference among ancient astronomers whether the spheres of
Mercury and Venus are above or below the sun, because no proof
can be given for the position of these two spheres. At first it was
generally assumed that they were above the sunnote this well; later
on Ptolemy maintained that they were below the sun; because he
believed that in this manner the whole arrangement of the spheres
would be most reasonable: the sun would be in the middle, having
three stars below and three above itself. More recently some
Andalusian scholars concluded, from certain principles laid down
by Ptolemy, that Venus and Mercury were above the sun. Ibn
Aflah of Seville, with whose son I was acquainted, has written a
famous book on the subject: also the excellent philosopher
Abu-Bekr ibn-Alzaig, one of whose pupils was my fellow-student,
has treated of this subject and offered certain proofs-which we
have copied --of the improbability of Venus and Mercury being
above the sun. The proofs given by Abu-Bekr show only the
improbability, not the impossibility. In short, whether it be so or
not, the ancients placed Venus and Mercury above the sun, and
had, therefore, the following five spheres : that of the moon, which
is undoubtedly the nearest to us; that of the sun, which is, of
course, above the former: then that of the five planets, the sphere
of the fixed stars, and the outermost sphere, which does not
contain any star. Consequently there are four spheres containing
figures, i.e., stars, which were called figures by the ancients in
their well-known works-viz., the spheres of the fixed stars, of the
five planets, of the sun, and of the moon: above these there is one
sphere which is empty, without any star. This number is for me of
great importance in respect to an idea which none of the
philosophers clearly stated, though I was led to it by various
utterances of the philosophers and of our Sages. I will now state
the idea and expound it.
CHAPTER X
IT is a well-known fact that the philosophers, when they discuss in
their works the order of the Universe, assume that the existing
order of things in this sublunary world of transient beings depends
on forces which emanate from the spheres. We have mentioned
this several times. In like manner our Sages say," There is no
single herb below without its corresponding star above, that beats
upon it and commands it to grow." Comp." Knowest thou the
ordinances of heaven ? Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the
earth ?" (Job xxxviii. 33). The term mazzal, literally meaning a
constellation in the Zodiac, is also used of every star, as may be
inferred from the following passage in the beginning of Bereshit
Rahha (chap. x.) :" While one star (mazzal) completes its circuit
in thirty days, another completes it in thirty years." They have thus
clearly expressed it, that even each individual being in this world
has its corresponding star. Although the influences of the spheres
extend over all beings, there is besides the influence of a particular
star directed to each particular species: a fact noticed also in
reference to the several forces in one organic body; for the whole
Universe is like one organic body, as we have stated above. Thus
the philosophers speak of the peculiar influence of the moon on
the particular element water. That this is the case is proved by the
increase and decrease of the water in the seas and rivers according
to the increase and decrease of the moon; also by the rising and the
falling of the seas according to the advance or return of the moon,
i.e., her ascending and her descending in the several quarters of her
course. This is clear to every one who has directed his attention to
these phenomena. The influence of the sun's rays upon fire may
easily be noticed in the increase of heat or cold on earth, according
as the sun approaches the earth or recedes or is concealed from it.
All this is so clear that I need not explain it further. Now it
occurred to my mind that the four spheres which contain stars
exercise influence upon all beings on earth that come into
existence, and, in fact, are the cause of their existence: but each of
the four spheres is the exclusive source of the properties of one
only of the four elements, and becomes by its own motion the
cause of the motion and changes of that element. Thus water is set
in motion by the moon-sphere, fire by the sun-sphere, air by the
other planets, which move in many and different courses with
retrogressions, progressions, and stations, and therefore produce
the various forms of the air with its frequent changes, contractions,
and expansions: the sphere of the other stars, namely, the fixed
stars, sets earth in motion; and it may be that on this account, viz.,
on account of the slow motion of the fixed stars, earth is but
slowly set in motion to change and to combine with other
elements. The particular influence which the fixed stars exercise
upon earth is implied in the saying of our Sages, that the number
of the species of plants is the same as that of the individuals
included in the general term" stars."
The arrangement of the Universe may therefore be assumed to be
as follows: there are four spheres, four elements set in motion by
them, and also four principal properties which earthly beings
derive from them, as has been stated above. Furthermore, there are
four causes of the motion of every sphere, namely, the following
four essential elements in the sphere: its spherical shape, its soul,
its intellect, by which the sphere is capable of forming ideas, and
the Intelligence, which the sphere desires to imitate. Note this
well. The explanation of what I said is this : the sphere could not
have been continuously in motion, had it not this peculiar form;
continuity of motion is only possible when the motion is circular.
Rectilinear motion, even if frequently repeated in the same
moment, cannot be continuous: for when a body moves
successively in two opposite directions, it must pass through a
moment of rest, as has been demonstrated in its proper place. The
necessity of a continuous motion constantly repeated in the same
path implies the necessity of a circular form. The spheres must
have a soul; for only animate beings can move freely. There must
be some cause for the motion, and as it does not consist in the fear
of that which is injurious, or the desire of that which is profitable,
it must be found in the notion which the spheres form of a certain
being, and in the desire to approach that being. This formation of a
notion demands, in the first place, that the spheres possess
intellect; it demands further that something exists which
corresponds to that notion, and which the spheres desire to
approach. These are the four causes of the motion of the spheres.
The following are the four principal forces directly derived from
the spheres: the nature of minerals, the properties peculiar to
plants, the animal faculties, and the intellect. An examination of
these forces shows that they have two functions, namely, to
produce things and to perpetuate them; that is to say, to preserve
the species perpetually, and the individuals in each species for a
certain time. These are also the functions ascribed to Nature,
which is said to be wise, to govern the Universe, to provide, as it
were, by plan for the production of living beings, and to provide
also for their preservation and perpetuation. Nature creates
formative faculties, which are the cause of the production of living
beings, and nutritive faculties as the source of their temporal
existence and preservation. It may be that by Nature the Divine
Will is meant, which is the origin of these two kinds of faculties
through the medium of the spheres.
As to the number four, it is strange, and demands our attention. In
Midrash Tanhuma the following passage occurs:" How many steps
were in Jacob's ladder ?-Four." The question refers to the verse,"
And behold a ladder set upon the earth," etc. (Gen. xxviii. 12). In
all the Midrashim it is stated that there were four hosts of angels:
this statement is frequently repeated. Some read in the above
passage:" How many steps were in the ladder ?-Seven." But all
readings and all Midrashim unanimously express that the angels
whom Jacob saw ascending the ladder, and descending, were only
four; two of whom were going up and two coming down. These
four angels, the two that went up and the two that came down,
occupied one step of the ladder, standing in one line. Hence it has
been inferred that the breadth of the ladder in this vision was
four-thirds of the world. For the breadth of an angel in a prophetic
vision is equal to one-third of the world: comp." And his body was
like tarshish (two-sixths)" (Dan. x. 6): the four angels therefore
occupied four-thirds of the world.-Zechariah, in describing the
allegorical vision of" the four chariots that came out from
between two mountains, which mountains were mountains of
brass" (Zech. vi. 1), adds the explanation," These are the four
spirits of the heavens which go forth from standing before the Lord
of all the earth" (ibid. ver. 5). By these four spirits the causes are
meant which produce all changes in the Universe. The term"
brass" (nehoshet), employed here, and the phrase" burnished
brass" (nehoshet kalal), used by Ezekiel (i. 7), are to some extent
homonymous, and will be discussed further on.
The saying of our Sages, that the angel is as broad as the third part
of the Universe, or, in the words of Bereshit Rabba (chap. x.), that
the angel is the third part of the world, is quite clear; we have
already explained it in our large work on the Holy Law. The whole
creation consists of three parts, (1) the pure intelligences, or
angels: (2) the bodies of the spheres: and (3) the materia prima, or
the bodies which are below the spheres, and are subject to constant
change.
In this manner may those understand the dark sayings of the
prophets who desire to understand them, who awake from the
sleep of forgetfulness, deliver themselves from the sea of
ignorance, and raise themselves upward nearer the higher beings.
But those who prefer to swim in the waters of their ignorance, and
to" go down very low," need not exert the body or heart; they need
only cease to move, and they will go down by the law of nature.
Note and consider well all we have said.
CHAPTER XI
WHEN a simple mathematician reads and studies these
astronomical discussions, he believes that the form and the number
of the spheres are facts established by proof. But this is not the
case: for the science of astronomy does not aim at demonstrating
them, although it includes subjects that can be proved; e.g., it has
been proved that the path of the sun is inclined against the equator:
this cannot be doubted. But it has not yet been decided whether the
sphere of the sun is excentric or contains a revolving epicycle, and
the astronomer does not take notice of this uncertainty, for his
object is simply to find an hypothesis that would lead to a uniform
and circular motion of the stars without acceleration, retardation,
or change, and which is in its effects in accordance with
observation. He will, besides, endeavour to find such an hypothesis
which would require the least complicated motion and the least
number of spheres: he will therefore prefer an hypothesis which
would explain all the phenomena of the stars by means of three
spheres to an hypothesis which would require four spheres. From
this reason we adopt, in reference to the circuit of the sun, the
theory of excentricity, and reject the epicyclic revolution assumed
by Ptolemy. When we therefore perceive that all fixed stars move
in the same way uniformly, without the least difference, we
conclude that they are all in one sphere. It is, however, not
impossible that the stars should have each its own sphere, with a
separate centre, and yet move in the same way. If this theory be
accepted, a number of Intelligences must be assumed, equal to that
of the stars, and therefore Scripture says in reference to them," Is
there any number of his armies ?" (job xxv. 3): for the
Intelligences, the heavenly bodies, and the natural forces, are
called the armies of God. Nevertheless the species of the stars can
be numbered, and therefore we would still be justified in counting
the spheres of the fixed stars collectively as one, just as the five
spheres of the planets, together with the numerous spheres they
contain, are regarded by us as one. Our object in adopting this
number is, as you have noticed, to divide the influences which we
can trace in the Universe according to their general character,
without desiring to fix the number of the Intelligences and the
spheres. All we wish to point out is this : in the first place, that the
whole Creation is divided into three parts, viz. (1) the pure
Intelligences; (2) the bodies of the spheres endowed with
permanent forms -- (the forms of these bodies do not pass from
one substratum to another, nor do their substrata undergo any
change whatever): and (3) the transient earthly beings, all of which
consist of the same substance. Furthermore, we desire to show that
the ruling power emanates from the Creator, and is received by the
Intelligences according to their order: from the Intelligences part
of the good and the light bestowed upon them is communicated to
the spheres, and the latter, being in possession of the abundance
obtained of the Intelligences, transmit forces and properties unto
the beings of this transient world. We must, however, add that the
part which benefits the part below it in the order described does
not exist for the sole purpose of producing that benefit. For if this
were the case it would lead to the paradox that the higher, better,
and nobler beings existed for the sake of beings lower in rank,
whilst in reality the object should be of greater importance than
the means applied for attaining it. No intelligent person will admit
that this is possible. The nature of the influence which one part of
the Creation exercises upon another must be explained as follows:
A thing perfect in a certain way is either perfect only in itself,
without being able to communicate that perfection to another
being, or it is so perfect that it is capable of imparting perfection to
another being. A person may possess wealth sufficient for his own
wants without being able to spare anything for another, or he may
have wealth enough to benefit also other people, or even to enrich
them to such an extent as would enable them to give part of their
property to others. In the same manner the creative act of the
Almighty in giving existence to pure Intelligences endows the first
of them with the power of giving existence to another, and so on,
down to the Active Intellect, the lowest of the purely spiritual
beings. Besides producing other Intelligences, each Intelligence
gives existence to one of the spheres, from the highest down to the
lowest, which is the sphere of the moon. After the latter follows
this transient world, i.e., the materia prima, and all that has been
formed of it. In this manner the elements receive certain properties
from each sphere, and a succession of genesis and destruction is
produced.
We have already mentioned that these theories are not opposed to
anything taught by our Prophets or by our Sages. Our nation is
wise and perfect, as has been declared by the Most High, through
Moses, who made us perfect :" Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people" (Deut. iv. 6). But when wicked
barbarians have deprived us of our possessions, put an end to our
science and literature, and killed our wise men, we have become
ignorant; this has been foretold by the prophets, when they
pronounced the punishment for our sins:" The wisdom of their
wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men
shall be hid" (Isa. xxix. 14). We are mixed up with other nations;
we have learnt their opinions, and followed their ways and acts.
The Psalmist, deploring this imitation of the actions of other
nations, says," They were mingled among the nations, and learned
their works" (Ps. cvi. 35). Isaiah likewise complains that the
Israelites adopted the opinions of their neighbours., and says," And
they please themselves in the children of strangers" (Isa. ii. 6): or,
according to the Aramaic version of Jonathan, son of Uzziel," And
they walk in the ways of the nations." Having been brought up
among persons untrained in philosophy, we are inclined to
consider these philosophical opinions as foreign to our religion,
just as uneducated persons find them foreign to their own notions.
But, in fact, it is not so.
Since we have repeatedly spoken of the influence emanating from
God and the Intelligences, we will now proceed to explain what is
the true meaning of this influence, and after that I will discuss the
theory of the Creation.
CHAPTER XII
IT is dear that whenever a thing is produced, an efficient cause
must exist for the production of the thing that has not existed
previously. This immediate efficient cause is either corporeal or
incorporeal: if corporeal, it is not the efficient cause on account of
its corporeality, but on account of its being an individual corporeal
object, and therefore by means of its form. I will speak of this
subject later on. The immediate efficient cause of a thing may
again be the effect of some cause, and so on, but not ad infinitum.
The series of causes for a certain product must necessarily
conclude with a First Cause, which is the true cause of that
product, and whose existence is not due to another cause. The
question remains, Why has this thing been produced now and not
long before, since the cause has always been in existence ? The
answer is, that a certain relation between cause and product has
been absent, if the cause be corporeal: or, that the substance has
not been sufficiently prepared, if the cause be incorporeal. All this
is in accordance with the teachings of natural science. We ignore
for the present the question whether to assume the Eternity of the
Universe, or the Creatio ex nihilo. We do not intend to discuss the
question here.
In Physics it has been shown that a body in acting upon another
body must either directly be in contact with it, or indirectly
through the medium of other bodies. E.g., a body that has been
heated has been in contact with fire, or the air that surrounds the
body has been heated by the fire, and has communicated the heat
to the body; the immediate cause of the heat in this body is the
corporeal substance of the heated air. The magnet attracts iron
from a distance through a certain force communicated to the air
round the iron. The magnet does therefore not act at all distances,
just as fire does not act at every distance, but only as long as the
air between the fire and the object is affected by the fire. When the
air is no longer affected by the fire which is under a piece of wax,
the latter does not melt. The same is the case with magnetism.
When an object that has previously not been warm has now
become warm, the cause of its heat must now have been created:
either some fire has been produced, or the distance of the fire from
the object has been changed, and the altered relation between the
fire and the object is the cause now created. In a similar manner
we find the causes of all changes in the Universe to be changes in
the combination of the elements that act upon each other when one
body approaches another or separates from it. There are, however,
changes which are not connected with the combination of the
elements, but concern only the forms of the things; they require
likewise an efficient cause: there must exist a force that produces
the various forms. This cause is incorporeal, for that which
produces form must itself be abstract form, as has been shown in
its proper place. I have also indicated the proof of this theorem in
previous chapters. The following may, in addition, serve to
illustrate it : All combinations of the elements are subject to
increase and decrease, and this change takes place gradually. It is
different with forms: they do not change gradually, and are
therefore without motion: they appear and disappear
instantaneously, and are consequently not the result of the
combination of corporeal elements. This combination merely
prepares matter for receiving a certain form. The efficient cause
which produces the form is indivisible, because it is of the same
kind as the thing produced. Hence it may be concluded that the
agent that has produced a certain form, or given it to a certain
substance, must itself be an abstract form. The action of this
incorporeal agent cannot depend on a certain relation to the
corporeal product: being incorporeal, it cannot approach a body, or
recede from it: nor can a body approach the incorporeal agent, or
recede from it, because there is no relation of distance between
corporeal and incorporeal beings. The reason why the action has
not taken place before must be sought in the circumstance that the
substance has not been prepared for the action of the abstract form.
It is now clear that the action of bodies upon each other, according
to their forms, prepares the substance for receiving the action of an
incorporeal being, or Form. The existence of actions of purely
incorporeal beings, in every case of change that does not originate
in the mere combination of elements, is now firmly established.
These actions do not depend on impact, or on a certain distance.
They are termed" influence" (or" emanation" ), on account of
their similarity to a water-spring. The latter sends forth water in all
directions, has no peculiar side for receiving or spending its
contents: it springs forth on all sides, and continually waters both
neighbouring and distant places. In a similar manner incorporeal
beings, in receiving power and imparting it to others, are not
limited to a particular side, distance, or time. They act continually;
and whenever an object is sufficiently prepared, it receives the
effect of that continuous action, called" influence" (or"
emanation" ). God being incorporeal, and everything being the
work of Him as the efficient cause, we say that the Universe has
been created by the Divine influence, and that all changes in the
Universe emanate from Him. In the same sense we say that He
caused wisdom to emanate from Him and to come upon the
prophets. In all such cases we merely wish to express that an
incorporeal Being, whose action we call" influence," has produced
a certain effect. The term" influence" has been considered
applicable to the Creator on account of the similarity between His
actions and those of a spring. There is no better way of describing
the action of an incorporeal being than by this analogy; and no
term can be found that would accurately describe it. For it is as
difficult to form an idea of that action as to form an idea of the
incorporeal being itself. As we imagine only bodies or forces
residing in bodies, so we only imagine actions possible when the
agent is near, at a certain distance, and on a particular side. There
are therefore persons who, on learning that God is incorporeal, or
that He does not approach the object of His action, believe that He
gives commands to angels, and that the latter carry them out by
approach or direct contact, as is the case when we produce
something. These persons thus imagine also the angels as bodies.
Some of them, further, believe that God commands an action in
words consisting, like ours, of letters and sound, and that thereby
the action is done. All this is the work of the imagination, which
is, in fact, identical with" evil inclination." For all our defects in
speech or in character are either the direct or the indirect work of
imagination. This is not the subject of the present chapter, in
which we only intended to explain the term" influence" in so far
as it is applied to incorporeal beings, namely, to God and to the
Intelligences or angels. But the term is also applied to the forces of
the spheres in their effects upon the earth: and we speak of the"
influence" of the spheres, although the spheres are corporeal, and
the stars, being corporeal, only act at certain distances, i.e., at a
smaller or a greater distance from the centre, or at a definite
distance from each other, a circumstance which led to Astrology.
As to our assertion that Scripture applies the notion of" influence"
to God, compare" They have forsaken me, the fountain of living
waters" (Jer. ii. 13), i.e., the Divine influence that gives life or
existence, for the two are undoubtedly identical. Further," For
with Thee is the fountain of life" (Ps. xxxvi. 10), i.e., the Divine
influence that gives existence. The concluding words of this
verse," in Thy light we see light," express exactly what we said,
namely, that by the influence of the intellect which emanates from
God we become wise, by it we are guided and enabled to
comprehend the Active Intellect. Note this.
CHAPTER XIII
AMONG those who believe in the existence of God, there are
found three different theories as regards the question whether the
Universe is eternal or not.
First Theory. -- Those who follow the Law of Moses, our Teacher,
hold that the whole Universe, i.e., everything except God, has been
brought by Him into existence out of non-existence. In the
beginning God alone existed, and nothing else; neither angels, nor
spheres, nor the things that are contained within the spheres
existed. He then produced from nothing all existing things such as
they are, by Hiswill and desire. Even time itself is among the
things created; for time depends on motion, i.e., on an accident in
things which move, and the things upon whose motion time
depends are themselves created beings, which have passed from
non-existence into existence. We say that God existed before the
creation of the Universe, although the verb existed appears to
imply the notion of time; we also believe that He existed an
infinite space of time before the Universe was created; but in these
cases we do not mean time in its true sense. We only use the term
to signify something analogous or similar to time. For time is
undoubtedly an accident, and, according to our opinion, one of the
created accidents, like blackness and whiteness: it is not a quality,
but an accident connected with motion. This must be clear to all
who understand what Aristotle has said on time and its real
existence.
The following remark does not form an essential part of our
present research; it will nevertheless be found useful in the course
of this discussion. Many scholars do not know what time really is,
and men like Galen were so perplexed about it that they asked
whether time has a real existence or not; the reason for this
uncertainty is to be found in the circumstance that time is an
accident of an accident. Accidents which are directly connected
with material bodies, e.g., colour and taste, are easily understood,
and correct notions are formed of them. There are, however,
accidents which are connected with other accidents, e.g., the
splendour of colour, or the inclination and the curvature of a line:
of these it is very difficult to form a correct notion, especially
when the accident which forms the substratum for the other
accident is not constant but variable. Both difficulties are present
in the notion of time: it is an accident of motion, which is itself an
accident of a moving object: besides, it is not a fixed property: on
the contrary, its true and essential condition is, not to remain in the
same state for two consecutive moments. This is the source of
ignorance about the nature of time.
We consider time a thing created: it comes into existence in the
same manner as other accidents, and the substances which form
the substratum for the accidents. For this reason, viz., because time
belongs to the things created, it cannot be said that God produced
the Universe in the beginning.
Consider this well; for he who does not understand it is unable to
refute forcible objections raised against the theory of Creatio ex
nihilo. If you admit the existence of time before the Creation, you
will be compelled to accept the theory of the Eternity of the
Universe. For time is an accident and requires a substratum. You
will therefore have to assume that something [beside God] existed
before this Universe was created, an assumption which it is our
duty to oppose.
This is the first theory, and it is undoubtedly a fundamental
principle of the Law of our teacher Moses; it is next in importance
to the principle of God's unity. Do not follow any other theory.
Abraham, our father, was the first that taught it, after he had
established it by philosophical research. He proclaimed,
therefore," the name of the Lord the God of the Universe" (Gen.
xxi. 33): and he had previously expressed this theory in the words,"
The Possessor of heaven and earth" (ibid. xiv. 22).
Second Theory. -- The theory of all Philosophers whose opinions
and works are known to us is this: It is impossible to assume that
God produced anything from nothing, or that He reduces anything
to nothing; that is to say, it is impossible that an object consisting
of matter and form should be produced when that matter is
absolutely absent, or that it should be destroyed in such a manner
that that matter be absolutely no longer in existence. To say of God
that He can produce a thing from nothing or reduce a thing to
nothing is, according to the opinion of these philosophers, the
same as if we were to say that He could cause one substance to
have at the same time two opposite properties, or produce another
being like Himself, or change Himself into a body, or produce a
square the diagonal of which be equal to its side, or similar
impossibilities. The philosophers thus believe that it is no defect in
the Supreme Being that He does not produce impossibilities, for
the nature of that which is impossible is constant-it does not
depend on the action of an agent, and for this reason it cannot be
changed, Similarly there is, according to them, no defect in the
greatness of God, when He is unable to produce a thing from
nothing, because they consider this as one of the impossibilities.
They therefore assume that a certain substance has coexisted with
God from eternity in such a manner that neither God existed
without that substance nor the latter without God. But they do not
hold that the existence of that substance equals in rank that of God:
for God is the cause of that existence, and the substance is in the
same relation to God as the clay is to the potter, or the iron to the
smith: God can do with it what He pleases; at one time He forms
of it heaven and earth, at another time He forms some other thing.
Those who hold this view also assume that the heavens are
transient, that they came into existence, though not from nothing,
and may cease to exist, although they cannot be reduced to
nothing. They are transient in the same manner as the individuals
among living beings which are produced from some existing
substance, and are again reduced to some substance that remains in
existence. The process of genesis and destruction is, in the case of
the heavens, the same as in that of earthly beings.
The followers of this theory are divided into different schools,
whose opinions and principles it is useless to discuss here: but
what I have mentioned is common to all of them. Plato holds the
same opinion. Aristotle says in his Physics, that according to Plato
the heavens are transient. This view is also stated in Plato's
Timaeus. His opinion, however, does not agree with our belief:
only superficial and careless persons wrongly assume that Plato
has the same belief as we have. For whilst we hold that the
heavens have been created from absolutely nothing, Plato believes
that they have been formed out of something. -- This is the second
theory.
Third Theory. -- viz., that of Aristotle, his followers, and
commentators. Aristotle maintains, like the adherents of the
second theory, that a corporeal object cannot be produced without
a corporeal substance. He goes, however, farther, and contends
that the heavens are indestructible. For he holds that the Universe
in its totality has never been different, nor will it ever change: the
heavens, which form the permanent element in the Universe, and
are not subject to genesis and destruction, have always been so;
time and motion are eternal, permanent, and have neither
beginning nor end; the sublunary world, which includes the
transient elements, has always been the same, because the materia
prima is itself eternal, and merely combines successively with
different forms; when one form is removed, another is assumed.
This whole arrangement, therefore, both above and here below, is
never disturbed or interrupted, and nothing is produced contrary to
the laws or the ordinary course of Nature. He further says-though
not in the same terms-that he considers it impossible for God to
change His will or conceive a new desire; that God produced this
Universe in its totality by His will, but not from nothing. Aristotle
finds it as impossible to assume that God changes His will or
conceives a new desire, as to believe that He is nonexisting, or that
His essence is changeable. Hence it follows that this Universe has
always been the same in the past, and will be the same eternally.
This is a full account of the opinions of those who consider that
the existence of God, the First Cause of the Universe, has been
established by proof. But it would be quite useless to mention the
opinions of those who do not recognize the existence of God, but
believe that the existing state of things is the result of accidental
combination and separation of the elements, and that the Universe
has no Ruler or Governor. Such is the theory of Epicurus and his
school, and similar philosophers, as stated by Alexander
[Aphrodisiensis]; it would be superfluous to repeat their views,
since the existence of God has been demonstrated whilst their
theory is built upon a basis proved to be untenable. It is likewise
useless to prove the correctness of the followers of the second
theory in asserting that the heavens are transient, because they at
the same time believe in the Eternity of the Universe, and so long
as this theory is adopted, it makes no difference to us whether it is
believed that the heavens are transient, and that only their
substance is eternal, or the heavens are held to be indestructible, in
accordance with the view of Aristotle. All who follow the Law of
Moses, our Teacher, and Abraham, our Father, and all who adopt
similar theories, assume that nothing is eternal except God, and
that the theory of Creatio ex nihilo includes nothing that is
impossible, whilst some thinkers even regard it as an established
truth.
After having described the different theories, I will now proceed to
show how Aristotle proved his theory, and what induced him to
adopt it.
CHAPTER XIV
IT is not necessary to repeat in every chapter that I write this
treatise with the full knowledge of what you have studied: that I
therefore need not quote the exact words of the philosophers: it
will suffice to give an abstract of their views. I will, however,
point out the methods which they employ, in the same manner as I
have done when I discussed the theories of the Mutakallemim. No
notice will be taken of the opinion of any philosopher but that of
Aristotle: his opinions alone deserve to be criticized, and if our
objections or doubts with regard to any of these be well founded,
this must be the case in a far higher degree in respect to all other
opponents of our fundamental principles.
I now proceed to describe the methods of the philosophers.
First Method. -- According to Aristotle, motion, that is to say,
motion par excellence, is eternal. For if the motion had a
beginning, there must already have been some motion when it
came into existence, for transition from potentiality into actuality,
and from non-existence into existence, always implies motion;
then that previous motion, the cause of the motion which follows,
must be eternal, or else the series would have to be carried back ad
infinitum. On the same principle he maintains that time is eternal,
for time is related to and connected with motion : there is no
motion except in time, and time can only be perceived by motion,
as has been demonstrated by proof. By this argument Aristotle
proves the eternity of the Universe.
Second Method. -- The First Substance common to the four
elements is eternal. For if it had a beginning it would have come
into existence from another substance; it would further be
endowed with a form, as coming into existence is nothing but
receiving Form. But we mean by" First Substance" a formless
substance; it can therefore not have come into existence from
another substance, and must be without beginning and without
end: hence it is concluded that the Universe is eternal.
Third Method. -- The substance of the spheres contains no
opposite elements: for circular motion includes no such opposite
directions as are found in rectilinear motion. Whatever is
destroyed, owes its destruction to the opposite elements it
contains. The spheres contain no opposite elements; they are
therefore indestructible, and because they are indestructible they
are also without beginning. Aristotle thus assumes the axiom that
everything that has had a beginning is destructible, and that
everything destructible has had a beginning; that things without
beginning are indestructible, and indestructible things are without
beginning. Hence follows the Eternity of the Universe.
Fourth Method. -- The actual production of a thing is preceded in
time by its possibility. The actual change of a thing is likewise
preceded in time by its possibility. From this proposition Aristotle
derives the eternity of the circular motion of the spheres. The
Aristotelians in more recent time employ this proposition in
demonstrating the Eternity of the Universe. They argue thus: When
the Universe did not yet exist, its existence was either possible or
necessary, or impossible. If it was necessary, the Universe could
never have been non-existing; if impossible, the Universe could
never have been in existence; if possible, the question arises, What
was the substratum of that possibility ? for there must be in
existence something of which that possibility can be predicated.
This is a forcible argument in favour of the Eternity of the
Universe. Some of the later schools of the Mutakallemim
imagined that they could confute this argument by objecting that
the possibility rests with the agent, and not with the production.
But this objection is of no force whatever: for there are two
distinct possibilities, viz., the thing produced has had the
possibility of being produced before this actually took place: and
the agent has had the possibility of producing it before he actually
did so. There are, therefore, undoubtedly two possibilities -- that of
the substance to receive a certain form, and that of the agent to
perform a certain act.
These are the principal methods, based on the properties of the
Universe, by which Aristotle proves the Eternity of the Universe.
There are, however, other methods of proving the Eternity of the
Universe. They are based on the notions formed of God, and
philosophers after Aristotle derived them from his philosophy.
Some of them employed the following argument :
Fifth Method. -- If God produced the Universe from nothing, He
must have been a potential agent before He was an actual one, and
must have passed from a state of potentiality into that of actuality
-- a process that is merely possible, and requires an agent for
effecting it. This argument is likewise a source of great doubts,
and every intelligent person must examine it in order to refute it
and to expose its character.
Sixth Method. -- An agent is active at one time and inactive at
another, according as favourable or unfavourable circumstances
arise. The unfavourable circumstances cause the abandonment of
an intended action. The favourable ones, on the other hand, even
produce a desire for an action for which there has not been a desire
previously. As, however, God is not subject to accidents which
could bring about a change in His will, and is not affected by
obstacles and hindrances that might appear or disappear, it is
impossible, they argue, to imagine that God is active at one time
and inactive at another. He is, on the contrary, always active in the
same manner as He is always in actual existence.
Seventh Method. -- The actions of God are perfect; they are in no
way defective, nor do they contain anything useless or superfluous.
In similar terms Adstotle frequently praises Him, when he says that
Nature is wise and does nothing in vain, but makes everything as
perfect as possible. The philosophers therefore contend that this
existing Universe is so perfect that it cannot be improved, and
must be permanent; for it is the result of God's wisdom, which is
not only always present in His essence, but is identical with it.
All arguments in favour of the Eternity of the Universe are based
on the above methods, and can be traced to one or other of them.
The following objection is also raised against Creatio ex nihilo :
How could God ever have been inactive without producing or
creating anything in the infinite past ? How could He have passed
the long infinite period which preceded the Creation without
producing anything, so as to commence, as it were, only yesterday,
the Creation of the Universe ? For even if you said, e.g., that God
created previously as many successive worlds as the outermost
sphere could contain grains of mustard, and that each of these
worlds existed as many years: considering the infinite existence of
God, it would be the same as if He had only yesterday commenced
the Creation. For when we once admit the beginning of the
existence of things after their non-existence, it makes no
difference whether thousands of centuries have passed since the
beginning, or only a short time. Those who defend the Eternity of
the Universe find both assumptions equally improbable.
Eighth Method. -- The following method is based on the
circumstance that the theory implies a belief which is so common
to all peoples and ages, and so universal, that it appears to express
a real fact and not merely an hypothesis. Aristotle says that all
people have evidently believed in the permanency and stability of
the heavens; and thinking that these were eternal, they declared
them to be the habitation of God and of the spiritual beings or
angels. By thus attributing the heavens to God, they expressed their
belief that the heavens are indestructible. Several other arguments
of the same kind are employed by Aristotle in treating of this
subject in order to support the results of his philosophical
speculation by common sense.
CHAPTER XV
IN this chapter I intend to show that Aristotle was well aware that
he had not proved the Eternity of the Universe. He was not
mistaken in this respect. He knew that he could not prove his
theory, and that his arguments and proofs were only apparent and
plausible. They are the least objectionable, according to
Alexander; but, according to the same authority, Aristotle could
not have considered them conclusive, after having himself taught
us the rules of logic, and the means by which arguments can be
refuted or confirmed.
The reason why I have introduced this subject is this : Later
philosophers, disciples of Aristotle, assume that he has proved the
Eternity of the Universe, and most of those who believe that they
are philosophers blindly follow him in this point, and accept all his
arguments as conclusive and absolute proofs. They consider it
wrong to differ from Aristotle, or to think that he was ignorant or
mistaken in anything. For this reason, taking their standpoint, I
show that Aristotle himself did not claim to have proved the
Eternity of the Universe. He says in his book Physics (viii., chap.
i.) as follows :" All the Physicists before us believed that motion is
eternal, except Plato, who holds that motion is transient; according
to his opinion the heavens are likewise transient." Now if Aristotle
had conclusive proofs for his theory, he would not have considered
it necessary to support it by citing the opinions of preceding
Physicists, nor would he have found it necessary to point out the
folly and absurdity of his opponents. For a truth, once established
by proof, does neither gain force nor certainty by the consent of all
scholars, nor lose by the general dissent. We further find that
Aristotle, in the book The Heavens and the World, introduces his
theory of the Eternity of the Universe in the following manner:"
Let us inquire into the nature of the heavens, and see whether they
are the product of something or not, destructible or not." After this
statement of the problem, he proceeds to cite the views of those
who hold that the heavens have had a beginning, and continues
thus :" By doing this, our theory will be most plausible and
acceptable in the opinion of profound thinkers; and it will be the
more so, when, as we propose, the arguments of our opponents are
first heard. For if we were to state our opinion and our arguments
without mentioning those of our opponents, our words would be
received less favourably. He who desires to be just must not show
himself hostile to his opponent; he must have sympathy with him,
and readily acknowledge any truth contained in his words; he must
admit the correctness of such of his opponent's arguments as he
would admit if they were in his own favour!' This is the contents of
the words of Aristotle. Now, I ask you, men of intelligence, can we
have any complaint against him after this frank statement ? Or can
any one now imagine that a real proof has been given for the
Eternity of the Universe ? Or can Aristotle, or any one else, believe
that a theorem, though fully proved, would not be acceptable
unless the arguments of the opponents were fully refuted ? We
must also take into consideration that Aristotle describes this
theory as his opinion, and his proofs as arguments. Is Aristotle
ignorant of the difference between argument and proof? between
opinions, which may be received more or less favourably, and
truths capable of demonstration ? or would rhetorical appeal to the
impartiality of opponents have been required for the support of his
theory if a real proof had been given ? Certainly not. Aristotle only
desires to show that his theory is better than those of his
opponents, who hold that philosophical speculation leads to the
conviction that the heavens are transient, but have never been
entirely without existence: or that the heavens have had a
beginning, but are indestructible; or to defend any of the other
views mentioned by him. In this he is undoubtedly right; for his
opinion is nearer the truth than theirs, so far as a proof can be
taken from the nature of existing things: we differ from him, as
will be explained. Passion, that exercises great influence in most
of the different sects, must have influenced even the philosophers
who wished to affirm that Aristotle demonstrated his theory by
proof. Perhaps they really believe it, and assume that Aristotle
himself was not aware of it, as it was only discovered after his
death ! My conviction is, that what Aristotle says on the Eternity of
the Universe, the cause of the variety in the motion of the spheres
and the order of the Intelligences, cannot be proved, and that
Aristotle never intended to prove these things. I agree with him
that the ways of proving this theory have their gates closed before
us, there being no foundation on which to build up the proof. His
words on this subject are well known. He says," There are things
concerning which we are unable to reason, or which we find too
high for us: to say why these things have a certain property is as
difficult as to decide whether the Universe is eternal or not." So far
Aristotle. The interpretation which Abu-nasr offers of this parallel
is well known. He denies that Aristotle had any doubt about the
Eternity of the Universe, and is very severe upon Galen, who
maintains that this theory is still doubtful, and that no proof has
been offered. According to Abu-nasr, it is clear and demonstrable
by proof that the heavens are eternal, but all that is enclosed within
the heavens is transient. We hold, that by none of the methods
mentioned in this chapter can a theory be established, refuted, or
shaken.
We have mentioned these things only because we know that the
majority of those who consider themselves wise, although they
know nothing of science, accept the theory of the Eternity of the
Universe on the authority of famous scholars. They reject the
words of the prophets, because the latter do not employ any
scientific method by which only a few persons would be instructed
who are intellectually well prepared, but simply communicate the
truth as received by Divine inspiration.
In the chapters which follow we will expound the theory of the
Creation in accordance with the teaching of Scripture.
CHAPTER XVI
IN this chapter I will first expound my view on this question, and
then support it by argument-not by such arguments as those of the
Mutakallemim, who believe that they have proved the Crtatio ex
nihilo. I will not deceive myself, and consider dialectical methods
as proofs: and the fact that a certain proposition has been proved
by a dialectical argument win never induce me to accept that
proposition, but, on the contrary, will weaken my faith in it, and
cause me to doubt it. For when we understand the fallacy of a
proof, our faith in the proposition itself is shaken. It is therefore
better that a proposition which cannot be demonstrated be received
as an axiom, or that one of the two opposite solutions of the
problem be accepted on authority. The methods by which the
Mutakallemirn proved the Crtatio ex nihilo have already been
described by me, and I have exposed their weak points. As to the
proofs of Aristotle and his followers for the Eternity of the
Universe, they are, according to my opinion, not conclusive; they
are open to strong objections, as will be explained. I intend to
show that the theory of the Creation, as taught in Scripture,
contains nothing that is impossible; and that all those
philosophical arguments which seem to disprove our view contain
weak points which make them inconclusive, and render the attacks
on our view untenable. Since I am convinced of the correctness of
my method, and consider either of the two theories-viz., the
Eternity of the Universe, and the Creation-as admissible, I accept
the latter on the authority of Prophecy, which can teach things
beyond the reach of philosophical speculation. For the belief in
prophecy is, as will be shown in the course of this treatise,
consistent even with the belief in the Eternity of the Universe.
When I have established the admissibility of our theory, I will, by
philosophical reasoning, show that our theory of the Creation is
more acceptable than that of the Eternity of the Universe; and
although our theory includes points open to criticism, I will show
that there are much stronger reasons for the rejection of the theory
of our opponents.
I will now proceed to expound the method by which the proofs
given for the Eternity of the Universe can be refuted.
CHAPTER XVII
EVERYTHING produced comes into existence from
non-existence; even when the substance of a thing has been in
existence, and has only changed its form, the thing itself, which
has gone through the process of genesis and development, and has
arrived at its final state, has now different properties from those
which it possessed at the commencement of the transition from
potentiality to reality, or before that time. Take, e.g., the human
ovum as contained in the female's blood when still included in its
vessels: its nature is different from what it was in the moment of
conception, when it is met by the semen of the male and begins to
develop: the properties of the semen in that moment are different
from the properties of the living being after its birth when fully
developed. It is therefore quite impossible to infer from the nature
which a thing possesses after having passed through all stages of
its development, what the condition of the thing has been in the
moment when this process commenced: nor does the condition of
a thing in this moment show what its previous condition has been.
If you make this mistake, and attempt to prove the nature of a
thing in potential existence by its properties when actually
existing, you will fall into great confusion: you win reject evident
truths and admit false opinions. Let us assume, in our above
instance, that a man born without defect had after his birth been
nursed by his mother only a few months; the mother then died, and
the father alone brought him up in a lonely island, till he grew up,
became wise, and acquired knowledge. Suppose this man has
never seen a woman or any female being: he asks some person
how man has come into existence, and how he has developed, and
receives the following answer:" Man begins his existence in the
womb of an individual of his own class, namely, in the womb of a
female, which has a certain form. While in the womb he is very
small; yet he has life, moves, receives nourishment, and gradually
grows, till he arrives at a certain stage of development. He then
leaves the womb and continues to grow till he is in the condition in
which you see him." The orphan will naturally ask :" Did this
person, when he lived, moved, and grew in the womb, eat and
drink, and breathe with his mouth and his nostrils ? Did he excrete
any substance ?" The answer will be," No." Undoubtedly he will
then attempt to refute the statements of that person, and to prove
their impossibility, by referring to the properties of a fully
developed person, in the following manner:" When any one of us
is deprived of breath for a short time he dies, and cannot move any
longer: how then can we imagine that any one of us has been
inclosed in a bag in the midst of a body for several months and
remained alive, able to move ? If any one of us would swallow a
living bird, the bird would die immediately when it reached the
stomach, much more so when it came to the lower part of the
belly; if we should not take food or drink with our mouth, in a few
days we should undoubtedly be dead: how then can man remain
alive for months without taking food ? If any person would take
food and would not be able to excrete it, great pains and death
would follow in a short time, and yet I am to believe that man has
lived for months without that function! Suppose by accident a hole
were formed in the belly of a person, it would prove fatal, and yet
we are to believe that the navel of the foetus has been open! Why
should the foetus not open the eyes, spread forth the bands and
stretch out the legs, if, as you think, the limbs are all whole and
perfect." This mode of reasoning would lead to the conclusion that
man cannot come into existence and develop in the manner
described.
If philosophers would consider this example well and reflect on it,
they would find that it represents exactly the dispute between
Aristotle and ourselves. We, the followers of Moses, our Teacher,
and of Abraham, our Father, believe that the Universe has been
produced and has developed in a certain manner, and that it has
been created in a certain order. The Aristotelians oppose us, and
found their objections on the properties which the things in the
Universe possess when in actual existence and fully developed.
We admit the existence of these properties, but hold that they are
by no means the same as those which the things possessed in the
moment of their production; and we hold that these properties
themselves have come into existence from absolute non-existence.
Their arguments are therefore no objection whatever to our theory:
they have demonstrative force only against those who hold that the
nature of things as at present in existence proves the Creation. But
this is not my opinion.
I will now return to our theme, viz., to the description of the
principal proofs of Aristotle, and show that they prove nothing
whatever against us, since we hold that God brought the entire
Universe into existence from absolute non-existence, and that He
caused it to develop into the present state. Aristotle says that the
materia prima is eternal, and by referring to the properties of
transient beings he attempts to prove this statement, and to show
that the materia prima could not possibly have been produced. He
is right; we do not maintain that the materia prima has been
produced in the same manner as man is produced from the ovum,
and that it can be destroyed in the same manner as man is reduced
to dust. But we believe that God created it from nothing, and that
since its creation it has its own properties, viz., that all things are
produced of it and again reduced to it, when they cease to exist;
that it does not exist without Form; and that it is the source of all
genesis and destruction. Its genesis is not like that of the things
produced from it, nor its destruction like theirs: for it has been
created from nothing, and if it should please the Creator, He might
reduce it to absolutely nothing. The same applies to motion.
Aristotle founds some of his proofs on the fact that motion is not
subject to genesis or destruction. This is correct: if we consider
motion as it exists at present, we cannot imagine that in its totality
it should be subject, like individual motions, to genesis and
destruction. In like manner Aristotle is correct in saying that
circular motion is without beginning, in so far as seeing the
rotating spherical body in actual existence, we cannot conceive the
idea that that rotation has ever been absent. The same argument we
employ as regards the law that a state of potentiality precedes all
actual genesis. This law applies to the Universe as it exists at
present, when everything produced originates in another thing: but
nothing perceived with our senses or comprehended in our mind
can prove that a thing created from nothing must have been
previously in a state of potentiality. Again, as regards the theory
that the heavens contain no opposites [and are therefore
indestructible], we admit its correctness: but we do not maintain
that the production of the heavens has taken place in the same way
as that of a horse or ass, and we do not say that they are Eke plants
and animals, which are destructible on account of the opposite
elements they contain. In short, the properties of things when fully
developed contain no clue as to what have been the properties of
the things before their perfection. We therefore do not reject as
impossible the opinion of those who say that the heavens were
produced before the earth, or the reverse, or that the heavens have
existed without stars, or that certain species of animals have been
in existence, and others not. For the state of the whole Universe
when it came into existence may be compared with that of animals
when their existence begins: the heart evidently precedes the
testicles, the veins are in existence before the bones: although,
when the animal is fully developed, none of the parts is missing
which is essential to its existence. This remark is not superfluous,
if the Scriptural account of the Creation be taken literally; in
reality, it cannot be taken literally, as will be shown when we shall
treat of this subject.
The principle laid down in the foregoing must be well understood;
it is a high rampart erected round the Law, and able to resist all
missiles directed against it. Aristotle, or rather his followers, may
perhaps ask us how we know that the Universe has been created:
and that other forces than those it has at present were acting in its
Creation, since we hold that the properties of the Universe, as it
exists at present, prove nothing as regards its creation ? We reply,
there is no necessity for this according to our plan; for we do not
desire to prove the Creation, but only its possibility: and this
possibility is not refuted by arguments based on the nature of the
present Universe, which we do not dispute. When we have
established the admissibility of our theory, we shall then show its
superiority. In attempting to prove the inadmissibility of Creatio ex
nihilo, the Aristotelians can therefore not derive any support from
the nature of the Universe: they must resort to the notion our mind
has formed of God. Their proofs include the three methods which I
have mentioned above, and which are based on the notion
conceived of God. In the next chapter I will expose the weak
points of these arguments, and show that they really prove nothing.
CHAPTER XVIII
THiz first method employed by the philosophers is this: they
assume that a transition from potentiality to actuality would take
place in the Deity itself, if He produced a thing only at a certain
fixed time. The refutation of this argument is very easy. The
argument applies only to bodies composed of substance-the
element that possesses the possibility [of change] -- and form; for
when such a body does not act for some time, and then acts by
virtue of its form, it must undoubtedly have possessed something
in potentia that hath now become actual, and the transition can
only have been effected by some external agent. As far as
corporeal bodies are concerned, this has been fully proved. But
that which is incorporeal and without substance does not include
anything merely possible; everything it contains is always in
existence. The above argument does not apply to it, and it is not
impossible that such a being acts at one time and does not act at
another. This does not imply a change in the incorporeal being
itself nor a transition from potentiality to actuality. The Active
Intellect may be taken as an illustration. According to Aristotle
and his school, the Active Intellect, an incorporeal being, acts at
one time and does not act at another, as has been shown by
Abu-nasr in his treatise on the Intellect. He says there quite
correctly as follows :" It is an evident fact that the Active Intellect
does not act continually, but only at times." And yet he does not
say that the Active Intellect is changeable, or passes from a state of
potentiality to that of actuality, although it produces at one time
something which it has not produced before. For there is no
relation or comparison whatever between corporeal and
incorporeal beings, neither in the moment of action nor in that of
inaction. It is only by homonymity that the term" action" is used
in reference to the forms residing in bodies, and also in reference
to absolutely spiritual beings. The circumstance that a purely
spiritual being does not effect at one time that which it effects at
another, does not necessitate a transition from potentiality to
actuality: such a transition is necessary in the case of forces
connected with bodies. It might, perhaps, be objected that our
argument is, to some extent, a fallacy; since it is not due to
anything contained in the Active Intellect itself, but to the absence
of substances sufficiently prepared for its action, that at times it
does not act: it does act always when substances sufficiently
prepared are present, and, when the action does not continue, it is
owing to the absence of substance sufficiently prepared, and not to
any change in the Intellect. I answer that it is not our intention to
state the reason why God created at one time and not at another:
and, in referring to the Active Intellect as a parallel, we do not
mean to assert that God acts at one time and not at another, in the
same manner as the Active Intellect, an absolutely spiritual being,
acts intermittently. We do not make this assertion, and, if we did,
the conclusion would be fallacious. What we infer, and what we
are justified in inferring, is this: the Active Intellect is neither a
corporeal object nor a force residing in a body: it acts
intermittently, and yet whatever the cause may be why it does not
always act, we do not say that the Active Intellect has passed from
a state of potentiality to that of actuality: or that it implies the
possibility [of change], or that an agent must exist that causes the
transition from potentiality to actuality. We have thus refuted the
strong objection raised by those who believe in the Eternity of the
Universe: since we believe that God is neither a corporeal body nor
a force residing in a body, we need not assume that the Creation,
after a period of inaction, is clue to a change in the Creator
Himself.
The second method employed in proving the Eternity of the
Universe is based on the theory that all wants, changes, and
obstacles are absent from the Essence of God. Our refutation of
this proof, which is both difficult and profound, is this. Every
being that is endowed with free will and performs certain acts in
reference to another being, necessarily interrupts those acts at one
time or another, in consequence of some obstacles or changes.
E.g., a person desires to have a house, but he does not build one,
because he meets with some obstacles: he has not the material, or
he has the material, but it is not prepared for the purpose on
account of the absence of proper instruments; or he has material
and instruments, and yet does not build a house, because he does
not desire to build it: since he feels no want for a refuge. When
changed circumstances, as heat or cold, impel him to seek a
refuge, then he desires to build a house. Thus changed
circumstances change his will, and the will, when it meets with
obstacles, is not carried into effect. This, however, is only the case
when the causes of the actions are external: but when the action
has no other purpose whatever than to fulfil the will, then the will
does not depend on the existence of favourable circumstances. The
being endowed with this will need not act continually even in the
absence of all obstacles, because there does not exist anything for
the sake of which it acts, and which, in the absence of all
obstacles, would necessitate the action: the act simply follows the
will. But, some might ask, even if we admit the correctness of all
this, is not change imputed in the fact that the will of the being
exists at one time and not at another ? I reply thus : The true
essence of the will of a being is simply the faculty of conceiving a
desire at one time and not conceiving it at another. In the case of
corporeal beings, the will which aims at a certain external object
changes according to obstacles and circumstances. But the will of
an absolutely spiritual being which does not depend on external
causes is unchangeable, and the fact that the being desires one
thing one day and another thing another day, does not imply a
change in the essence of that being, or necessitate the existence of
an external cause [for this change in the desire]. Similarly it has
been shown by us that if a being acted at one time and did not act
at another, this would not involve a change in the being itself. It is
now clear that the term" will" is homonymously used of man's
will and of the will of God, there being no comparison whatever
between God's will and that of man. The objection is refuted, and
our theory is not shaken by it. This is all we desire to establish.
The third method employed in proving the Eternity of the Universe
is this : whatever the wisdom of God finds necessary to produce is
produced eo ipso: but this wisdom, being His Essence, is eternal,
and that which results from His wisdom must be eternal. This is a
very weak argument. As we do not understand why the wisdom of
God produced nine spheres, neither more nor less, or why He fixed
the number and size of the stars exactly as they are; so we cannot
understand why His wisdom at a certain time caused the Universe
to exist, whilst a short time before it had not been in existence. All
things owe their existence to His eternal and constant wisdom, but
we are utterly ignorant of the ways and methods of that wisdom,
since, according to our opinion [that God has no attributes], His
will is identical with His wisdom, and all His attributes are one
and the same thing, namely, His Essence or Wisdom. More will be
said on this question in the section on Providence. Thus this
objection to our theory falls likewise to the ground.
There is no evidence for the theory of the Eternity of the Universe,
neither in the fact cited by Aristotle of the general consent of the
ancient peoples when they describe the heavens as the habitation
of the angels and of God, nor in the apparent concurrence of
Scriptural texts with this belief. These facts merely prove that the
heavens lead us to believe in the existence of the Intelligences, i.e.,
ideals and angels, and that these lead us to believe in the existence
of God; for He sets them in motion, and rules them. We will
explain and show that there is no better evidence for the existence
of a Creator, as we believe, than that furnished by the heavens: but
also according to the opinion of the philosophers, as has been
mentioned by us, they give evidence that a being exists that sets
them in motion, and that this being is neither a corporeal body nor
a force residing in a body.
Having proved that our theory is admissible, and not impossible, as
those who defend the Eternity of the Universe assert, I will, in the
chapters which follow, show that our theory is preferable from a
philosophical point of view, and expose the absurdities implied in
the theory of Aristotle.
CHAPTER XIX
IT has been shown that according to Aristotle, and according to all
that defend his theory, the Universe is inseparable from God; He is
the cause, and the Universe the effect; and this effect is a
necessary one: and as it cannot be explained why or how God
exists in this particular manner, namely, being One and
incorporeal, so it cannot be asked concerning the whole Universe
why or how it exists in this particular way. For it is necessary that
the whole, the cause as well as the effect, exist in this particular
manner, it is impossible for them not to exist, or to be different
from what they actually arc. This leads to the conclusion that the
nature of everything remains constant, that nothing changes its
nature in any way, and that such a change is impossible in any
existing thing. It would also follow that the Universe is not the
result of design, choice, and desire; for if this were the case, they
would have been non-existing before the design had been
conceived.
We, however, hold that all things in the Universe are the result of
design, and not merely of necessity; He who designed them may
change them when He changes His design. But not every design is
subject to change; for there are things which are impossible, and
their nature cannot be altered, as will be explained. Here, in this
chapter, I merely wish to show by arguments almost as forcible as
real proofs, that the Universe gives evidence of design: but I will
not fall into the error in which the Mutakallemim have so much
distinguished themselves, namely, of ignoring the existing nature
of things or assuming the existence of atoms, or the successive
creation of accidents, or any of their propositions which I have
tried to explain, and which are intended to establish the principle
of Divine selection. You must not, however, think that they
understood the principle in the same sense as we do, although they
undoubtedly aimed at the same thing, and mentioned the same
things which we also will mention, when they treated of Divine
Selection. For they do not distinguish between selection in the case
of a plant to make it red and not white, or sweet and not bitter, and
determination in the case of the heavens which gave them their
peculiar geometrical form and did not give them a triangular or
quadrilateral shape. The Mutakal lemim established the principle
of determination by means of their propositions, which have been
enumerated above (Part I., chap. lxxiii.). I will establish this
principle only as far as necessary, and only by philosophical
propositions based on the nature of things. But before I begin my
argument, I will state the following facts: Matter is common to
things different from each other; there must be either one external
cause which endows this matter partly with one property, partly
with another, or there must be as many different causes as there
are different forms of the matter common to all things. This is
admitted by those who assume the Eternity of the Universe. After
having premised this proposition, I will proceed with the
discussion of our theme from an Aristotelian point of view, in
form of a dialogue.
We.--You have proved that all things in the sublunary world have
one common substance; why then do the species of things vary ?
why are the individuals in each species different from each other ?
Aristotelian. -- Because the composition of the things formed of
that substance varies. For the common substance at first received
four different forms, and each form was endowed with two
qualities, and through these four qualities the substance was turned
into the elements of which all things are formed. The composition
of the elements takes place in the following manner :-First they are
mixed in consequence of the motion of the spheres, and then they
combine together; a cause for variation arises then in the variation
of the degree of heat, cold, moisture, and dryness of the elements
which form the constituent parts of the things. By these different
combinations things are variously predisposed to receive different
forms: and these in their turn are again prepared to receive other
forms, and so on. Each generic form finds a wide sphere in its
substance both as regards quality and quantity: and the individuals
of the classes vary accordingly. This is fully explained in Natural
Science. It is quite correct and clear to every one that readily
acknowledges the truth, and does not wish to deceive himself.
We. -- Since the combination of the elements prepares substances
and enables them to receive different forms, what has prepared the
first substance and caused one part of it to receive the form of fire,
another part the form of earth, and the parts between these two the
forms of water and of air, since one substance is common to all ?
Through what has the substance of earth become more fit for the
form of earth, and the substance of fire more fit for that of fire ?
Ar. -- The difference of the elements was caused by their different
position for the different places prepared the same substance
differently, in the following way : the portion nearest the
surrounding sphere became more rarified and swifter in motion,
and thus approaching the nature of that sphere, it received by this
preparation the form of fire. The farther the substance is away
from the surrounding sphere towards the centre, the denser, the
more solid, and the less luminous it is; it becomes earth; the same
is the cause of the formation of water and air. This is necessarily
so: for it would be absurd to deny that each part of the substance is
in a certain place: or to assume that the surface is identical with
the centre, or the centre with the surface. This difference in place
determined the different forms, i.e., predisposed the substance to
receive different forms.
We. -- Is the substance of the surrounding sphere, i.e., the heavens,
the same as that of the elements ?
Ar. -- No; the substance is different, and the forms are different.
The term" body" is homonymously used of these bodies below
and of the heavens, as has been shown by modern philosophers.
All this has been demonstrated by proof.
But let now the reader of this treatise hear what I have to say.
Aristotle bass proved that the difference of forms becomes evident
by the difference of actions. Since, therefore, the motion of the
elements is rectilinear, and that of the spheres circular, we infer
that the substances are different. This inference is supported by
Natural Science. When we further notice that substances with
rectilinear motion differ in their directions, that some move
upward, some downward, and that substances which move in the
same direction have different velocities, we infer that their forms
must be different. Thus we learn that there are four elements. In
the same way we come to the conclusion that the substance of all
the spheres is the same, since they all have circular motion. Their
forms, however, are different, since one sphere moves from cast to
west, and another from west to east; and their motions have also
different velocities. We can now put the following question to
Aristotle: There is one substance common to all spheres: each one
has its own peculiar form. Who thus determined and predisposed
these spheres to receive different forms ? Is there above the
spheres any being capable of determining this except God ? I will
show the profundity and the extraordinary acumen which Aristotle
displayed when this question troubled him. He strove very hard to
meet this objection with arguments, which, however, were not
borne out by facts. Although he does not mention this objection, it
is clear from his words that he endeavours to show the nature of
the spheres, as he has shown that of the things in the sublunary
world. Everything is, according to him, the result of a law of
Nature, and not the result of the design of a being that designs as it
likes, or the determination of a being that determines as it pleases.
He has not carried out the idea consistently, and it will never be
done. He tries indeed to find the cause why the sphere moves from
east and not from west; why some spheres move with greater
velocity, others with less velocity, and he finds the cause of these
differences in their different positions in reference to the
uppermost sphere. He further attempts to show why there are
several spheres for each of the seven planets, while there is only
one sphere for the large number of fixed stars. For all this he
endeavours to state the reason, so as to show that the whole order
is the necessary result of the laws of Nature. He has not attained
his object. For as regards the things in the sublunary world, his
explanations are in accordance with facts, and the relation between
cause and effect is clearly shown. It can therefore be assumed that
everything is the necessary result of the motions and influences of
the spheres. But when he treats of the properties of the spheres, he
does not clearly show the causal relation, nor does he explain the
phenomena in that systematic way which the hypothesis of natural
laws would demand. For let us consider the spheres : in one cage a
sphere with greater velocity is above a sphere with less velocity, in
another case we notice the reverse: in a third case there are two
spheres with equal velocities, one above the other. There are,
besides, other phenomena which speak strongly against the
hypothesis that all is regulated by the laws of Nature, and I will
devote a special chapter to the discussion of these phenomena. In
short, there is no doubt that Aristotle knew the weakness of his
arguments in tracing and describing the cause of all these things,
and therefore he prefaces his researches on these things as
follows:-" We will now thoroughly investigate two problems,
which it is our proper duty to investigate and to discuss according
to our capacity, wisdom, and opinion. This our attempt must not be
attributed to presumption and pride, but to our extraordinary zeal
in the study of philosophy; when we attempt the highest and
grandest problems, and endeavour to offer some proper solution,
every one that hears it should rejoice and be pleased." So far
Aristotle. This shows that he undoubtedly knew the weakness of
his theory. How much weaker must it appear when we bear in
mind that the science of Astronomy was not yet fully developed,
and that in the days of Aristotle the motions of the spheres were
not known so well as they are at present. I think that it was the
object of Aristotle in attributing in his Metaphysics one
Intelligence to every sphere, to assume the existence of something
capable of determining the peculiar course of each sphere. Later
on I will show that he has not gained anything thereby; but now 1
will explain the words," according to our capacity, wisdom, and
opinion," occurring in the passage which we quoted. I have not
noticed that any of the commentators explain them. The term" our
opinion" refers to the principle that everything is the result of
natural laws, or to the theory of the Eternity of the Universe. By"
our wisdom" he meant the knowledge of that which is clear and
generally accepted, viz., that the existence of every one of these
things is due to a certain cause, and not to chance. By" our
capacity" he meant the insufficiency of our intellect to find the
causes of all these things. He only intended to trace the causes for
a few of them; and so he did. For he gives an excellent reason why
the sphere of the fixed stars moves slowly, while the other spheres
move with greater velocity, namely, because its motion is in a
different direction [from the uppermost sphere]. He further says
that the more distant a sphere is from the eighth sphere the greater
is its velocity. But this rule does not hold good in all cases, as I
have already explained
According to our theory of the Creation, all this can easily be
explained; for we say that there is a being that determines the
direction and the velocity of the motion of each sphere: but we do
not know the reason why the wisdom of that being gave to each
sphere its peculiar property. If Aristotle had been able to state the
cause of the difference in the motion of the spheres, and show that
it corresponded as he thought to their relative positions, this would
have been excellent, and the variety in their motions would be
explained in the same way as the variety of the elements, by their
relative position between the centre and the surface: but this is not
the case, as I said before.
There is a phenomenon in the spheres which more dearly shows
the existence of voluntary determination; it cannot be explained
otherwise than by assuming that some being designed it: this
phenomenon is the existence of the stars. The fact that the sphere
is constantly in motion, while the stars remain stationary, indicates
that the substance of the stars is different from that of the spheres.
Abu-nasr has already mentioned the fact in his additions to the
Physics of Aristotle. He says :" There is a difference between the
stars and the spheres: for the spheres are transparent, the stars are
opaque: and the cause of this is that there is a difference, however
small it may be, between their substances and forms." So far
Abu-nasr. But I do not say that there is a small difference, but a
very great difference: because I do not infer it from the
transparency of the spheres, but from their motions. I am
convinced that there are three different kinds of substance, with
three different forms, namely:--(1) Bodies which never move of
their own accord; such are the bodies of the stars: (2) bodies which
always move, such are the bodies of the spheres: (3) bodies which
both move and rest, such are the elements. Now, I ask, what has
united these two bodies, which, according to my opinion, differ
very much from each other, though, according to Abu-nasr, only a
little ? Who has prepared the bodies for this union ? In short, it
would be strange that, without the existence of design, one of two
different bodies should be joined to the other in such a manner that
it is fixed to it in a certain place but does not combine with it. It is
still more difficult to explain the existence of the numerous stars in
the eighth sphere: they are all spherical; some of them are large,
some small; here we notice two stars apparently distant from each
other one cubit: there a group of ten close together; whilst in
another place there is a large space without any star. What
determined that the one small part should have ten stars, and the
other portion should be without any star ? and the whole body of
the sphere being uniform throughout, why should a particular star
occupy the one place and not another? The answer to these and
similar questions is very difficult, and almost impossible, if we
assume that all emanates from God as the necessary result of
certain permanent laws, as Aristotle holds. But if we assume that
all this is the result of design, there is nothing strange or
improbable: and the only question to be asked is this : What is the
cause of this design ? The answer to this question is that all this
has been made for a certain purpose, though we do not know it;
there is nothing that is done in vain, or by chance. It is well known
that the veins and nerves of an individual dog or ass are not the
result of chance: their magnitude is not determined by chance: nor
is it by chance, but for a certain purpose, that one vein is thick,
another thin: that one nerve has many branches, another has none:
that one goes down straight, whilst another is bent; it is well
known that all this must be just as it is. How, then, can any
reasonable person imagine that the position, magnitude, and
number of the stars, or the various courses of their spheres, are
purposeless, or the result of chance ? There is no doubt that every
one of these things is necessary and in accordance with a certain
design: and it is extremely improbable that these things should be
the necessary result of natural laws, and not that of design.
The best proof for design in the Universe I find in the different
motions of the spheres, and in the fixed position of the stars in the
spheres. For this reason you find all the prophets point to the
spheres and stars when they want to prove that there must exist a
Divine Being. Thus Abraham reflected on the stars, as is well
known: Isaiah (Xl. 26) exhorts to learn from them the existence of
God, and says," Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath
created these things ?" Jeremiah [calls God]" The Maker of the
heavens" : Abraham calls Him" The God of the heavens" (Gen.
xxiv. 7): [Moses], the chief of the Prophets, uses the phrase
explained by us (Part L, chap. lxx.)," He who rideth on the
heavens" (Dent. xxxiii. 26). The proof taken from the heavens is
convincing: for the variety of things in the sublunary world, though
their substance is one and the same, can be explained as the work
of the influences of the spheres, or the result of the variety in the
position of the substance in relation to the spheres, as has been
shown by Aristotle. But who has determined the variety in the
spheres and the stars, if not the Will of God ? To say that the
Intelligences have determined it is of no use whatever: for the
Intelligences are not corporeal, and have no local relation to the
spheres. Why then should the one sphere in its desire to approach
the Intelligence, move eastward, and another westward ? Is the one
Intelligence in the east, the other in the west ? or why does one
move with great velocity, another slowly ? This difference is not in
accordance with their distances from each other, as is well known.
We must then say that the nature and essence of each sphere
necessitated its motion in a certain direction, and in a certain
manner, as the consequence of its desire to approach its
Intelligence. Aristotle clearly expresses this opinion. We thus have
returned to the part from which we started: and we ask, Since the
substance of all things is the same, what made the nature of one
portion different from another ? Why has this sphere a desire
which produces a motion different from that which the desire of
another sphere produces ? This must have been done by an agent
capable of determining. We have thus been brought to examine
two questions :-- (1) Is it necessary to assume that the variety of
the things in the Universe is the result of Design, and not of fixed
laws of Nature, or is it not necessary ? (2) Assuming that all this is
the result of Design, does it follow that it has been created after
not having existed, or does Creatio ex nihilo not follow, and has
the Being which has determined all this done always so ? Some of
those who believe in the Eternity of the Universe hold the last
opinion. I will now begin the examination of these two questions,
and explain them as much as necessary in the following chapters.
CHAPTER XX
ACCORDING to Aristotle, none of the products of Nature are due
to chance. His proof is this : That which is due to chance does not
reappear constantly nor frequently, but all products of Nature
reappear either constantly or at least frequently. The heavens, with
all that they contain, are constant: they never change, as has been
explained, neither as regards their essence nor as regards their
place. But in the sublunary world we find both things which are
constant and things which reappear frequently [though not
constantly]. Thus, e.g., the heat of fire and the downward tendency
of a stone are constant properties, whilst the form and life of the
individuals in each species are the same in most cases. All this is
clear. If the parts of the Universe are not accidental, how can the
whole Universe be considered as the result of chance ? Therefore
the existence of the Universe is not due to chance. The following
is, in short, the objection which Aristotle raises against one of the
earlier philosophers who assumed that the Universe is the result of
chance, and that it came into existence by itself, without any cause
Some assume that the heavens and the whole Universe came into
existence spontaneously, as well as the rotation and motion [of the
spheres], which has produced the variety of things and established
their present order. This opinion implies a great adsurdity. They
admit that animals and plants do not owe their existence or
production to chance, but to a certain cause, be that cause Nature,
or reason, or the like: e.g., they do not assume that everything
might be formed by chance of a certain seed or semen, but that of
a certain seed only an olive-tree is produced, and of a certain
semen only a human being is developed. And yet they think that
the heavens, and those bodies which appear divine among the rest
of bodies, came into existence spontaneously, without the action of
any such cause as produces plants and animals. Having thus
examined this theory, Aristotle then proceeds to refute it at greater
length. It is therefore clear that Aristotle believes and proves that
things in real existence are not accidental: they cannot be
accidental, because they are essential, i.e., there is a cause which
necessitates that they should be in their actual condition, and on
account of that cause they are just as they in reality are. This has
been proved, and it is the opinion of Aristotle. But I do not think
that, according to Aristotle, the rejection of the spontaneous origin
of things implies the admission of Design and Will. For as it is
impossible to reconcile two opposites, so it is impossible to
reconcile the two theories, that of necessary existence by causality,
and that of Creation by the desire and will of a Creator. For the
necessary existence assumed by Aristotle must be understood in
this sense, that for everything that is not the product of work there
must be a certain cause that produces it with its properties: for this
cause there is another cause, and for the second a third, and so on.
The series of causes ends with the Prime Cause, from which
everything derives existence, since it is impossible that the series
should continue ad infinitum. He nevertheless does not mean to
say that the existence of the Universe is the necessary product of
the Creator, i.e., the Prime Cause, in the same manner as the
shadow is caused by a body, or heat by fire, or light by the sun.
Only those who do not comprehend his words attribute such ideas
to him. He uses here the term necessary in the same sense as we
use the term when we say that the existence of the intellectus
necessarily implies that of the intellectum, for the former is the
efficient cause of the latter in so far as intellectum. Even Aristotle
holds that the Prime Cause is the highest and most perfect
Intellect; he therefore says that the First Cause is pleased, satisfied,
and delighted with that which necessarily derives existence from
Him, and it is impossible that He should wish it to be different.
But we do not call this" design," and it has nothing in common
with design. E.g., man is pleased, satisfied, and delighted that he is
endowed with eyes and hands, and it is impossible that he should
desire it to be otherwise, and yet the eyes and hands which a man
has are not the result of his design, and it is not by his own
determination that he has certain properties and is able to perform
certain actions. The notion of design and determination applies
only to things not yet in existence, when there is still the
possibility of their being in accordance with the design or not. I do
not know whether the modern Aristotelians understood his words
to imply that the existence of the Universe presupposes some
cause in the sense of design and determination, or whether, in
opposition to him, they assumed design and determination, in the
belief that this does not conflict with the theory of the Eternity of
the Universe.
Having explained this, I will now proceed to examine the opinions
of the modern philosophers.
CHAPTER XXI
SOME of the recent philosophers who adhere to the theory of the
Eternity of the Universe hold that God produces the Universe, that
He by His will designs and determines its existence and form: they
reject, however, the theory that this act took place at one certain
time, and assume that this always has been the case, and will
always be so. The circumstance that we cannot imagine an agent
otherwise than preceding the result of its action, they explain by
the fact that this is invariably the case in all that we produce:
because for agents of the same kind as we are, there are some
moments in which they are not active, and are only agents in
potentia: they become agents when they act. But as regards God
there are no moments of nonaction, or of potentiality in any
respect; He is not before His work, He is always an actual agent.
And as there is a great difference between His essence and ours, so
is also a great difference between the relation of His work to Him
and the relation of our work to us. They apply the same argument
to will and determination; for there is no difference in this respect
whether we say He acts, wills, designs, or determines. They further
assume that change in His action or will is inadmissible. It is
therefore clear that these philosophers abandoned the term"
necessary result," but retained the theory of it: they perhaps sought
to use a better expression, or to remove an objectionable term. For
it is the same thing, whether we say in accordance with the view of
Aristotle that the Universe is the result of the Prime Cause, and
must be eternal as that Cause is eternal, or in accordance with
these philosophers that the Universe is the result of the act, design,
will, selection, and determination of God, but it has always been
so, and will always be so; in the same manner as the rising of the
sun undoubtedly produces the day, and yet it does not precede it.
But when we speak of design we do not mean it in this sense: we
mean to express by it that the Universe is not the" necessary
result" of God's existence, as the effect is the necessary result of
the efficient cause: in the latter case the effect cannot be separated
from the cause: it cannot change unless the cause changes entirely,
or at least in some respect. If we accept this explanation we easily
see how absurd it is to say that the Universe is in the same relation
to God as the effect is to the efficient cause, and to assume at the
same time that the Universe is the result of the action and
determination of God.
Having fully explained this subject, we come to the question
whether the cause, which must be assumed for the variety of
properties noticed in the heavenly beings, is merely an efficient
cause, that must necessarily produce that variety as its effect, or
whether that variety is due to a determining agent, such as we
believe, in accordance with the theory of Moses our Teacher.
Before I discuss this question I will first explain fully what
Aristotle means by" necessary result" : after that I will show by
such philosophical arguments as are free from every fallacy why I
prefer the theory of Creatio ex nihilo. It is dear that when he says
that the first Intelligence is the necessary result of the existence of
God, the second Intelligence the result of the existence of the first,
the third of the second [and so on], and that the spheres are the
necessary result of the existence of the Intelligences, and so forth,
in the well-known order which you learnt from passages dealing
with it, and of which we have given a resume in this part (ch. iv.)
-- he does not mean that the one thing was first in existence, and
then the second came as the necessary result of the first: he denies
that any one of these beings has had a beginning. By" necessary
result" he merely refers to the causal relation: he means to say that
the first Intelligence is the cause of the existence of the second: the
second of the third, and so on to the last of the Intelligences: and
the same is also the case as regards the spheres and the materia
prima: none of these preceded another, or has been in existence
without the existence of that other. We say, e.g., that the necessary
result of the primary qualities are roughness [and] smoothness,
hardness [and] softness, porosity and solidity: and no person
doubts that heat, cold, moisture, and dryness are the causes of
smoothness and roughness, of hardness and softness, porosity and
solidity, and similar qualities, and that the latter are the necessary
result of those four primary qualities. And yet it is impossible that
a body should exist with the primary qualities without the
secondary ones: for the relation between the two sets of qualities is
that of causality, not that of agent and its product. just in the same
way the term" necessary result" is used by Aristotle in reference
to the whole Universe, when he says that one portion is the result
of the other, and continues the series up to the First Cause as he
calls it, or first Intellect, if you prefer this term. For we all mean
the same, only with this difference, that according to Aristotle
everything besides that Being is the necessary result of the latter,
as I have already mentioned: whilst, according to our opinion, that
Being created the whole Universe with design and will, so that the
Universe which had not been in existence before, has by His will
come into existence. I will now begin in the following chapters my
proofs for the superiority of our theory, that of Creatio ex nihilo.
CHAPTER XXII
ARISTOTLE and all philosophers assume as an axiom that a
simple element can only produce one simple thing, whilst a
compound can produce as many things as it contains simple
elements; e.g., fire combines in itself two properties, heat and
dryness: it gives heat by the one property, and produces dryness by
the other: an object composed of matter and form produces certain
things on account of its matter, and others on account of its form,
if [both matter and form] consist of several elements. In
accordance with this axiom, Aristotle holds that the direct
emanation from God must be one simple Intelligence, and nothing
else.
A second axiom assumed by him is this: Things are not produced
by other things at random; there must be some relation between
cause and effect. Thus accidents are not produced by accidents
promiscuously; quality cannot be the origin of quantity, nor
quantity that of quality; a form cannot emanate from matter, nor
matter from form.
A third axiom is this : A single agent that acts with design and
will, and not merely by the force of the laws of Nature, can
produce different objects.
A fourth axiom is as follows: An object, whose several elements
are only connected by juxtaposition, is more properly a compound
than an object whose different elements have entirely combined:
e.g., bone, flesh, veins, or nerves, are more simple than the hand or
the foot, that are a combination of bone, flesh, veins, and nerves.
This is very clear, and requires no further explanation. Having
premised these axioms, I ask the following question: Aristotle
holds that the first Intelligence is the cause of the second, the
second of the third, and so on, till the thousandth, if we assume a
series of that number. Now the first Intellect is undoubtedly
simple. How then can the compound form of existing things come
from such an Intellect by fixed laws of Nature, as Aristotle
assumes ? We admit all he said concerning the Intelligences, that
the further they are away from the first, the greater is the variety of
their compounds, in consequence of the larger number of the
objects comprehensible by the Intelligences: but even after
admitting this, the question remains, By what law of Nature did the
spheres emanate from the Intelligences ? What relation is there
between material and immaterial beings ? Suppose we admit that
each sphere emanates from an Intelligence of the form mentioned;
that the Intelligence, including, as it were, two elements, in so far
as it comprehends itself and another thing, produces the next
Intelligence by the one element, and a sphere by the other; but the
question would then be, how the one simple element could
produce the sphere, that contains two substances and two forms,
namely, the substance and the form of the sphere, and also the
substance and the form of the star fixed in that sphere. For,
according to the laws of Nature, the compound can only emanate
from a compound. There must therefore be one element, from
which the body of the sphere emanates, and another element, from
which the body of the star emanates. This would be necessary even
if the substance of all stars were the same; but it is possible that
the luminous stars have not the same substance as the
non-luminous stars; it is besides well known that each body has its
own matter and its own form. It must now be clear that this
emanation could not have taken place by the force of the laws of
Nature, as Aristotle contends. Nor does the difference of the
motions of the spheres follow the order of their positions: and
therefore it cannot be said that this difference is the result of
certain laws of Nature. We have already mentioned this (ch. xix.).
There is in the properties of the spheres another circumstance that
is opposed to the assumed laws of Nature; namely, if the substance
of all spheres is the same, why does it not occur that the form of
one sphere combines with the substance of another sphere, as is
the case with things on earth, simply because their substance is fit
[for such changes] ? If the substance of all spheres is the same, if it
is not assumed that each of them has a peculiar substance, and if,
contrary to all principles, the peculiar motion of each sphere is no
evidence for the special character of its substance, why then
should a certain form constantly remain united with a certain
substance ? Again, if the stars have all one substance, by what are
they distinguished from each other ? is it by forms ? or by
accidents ? Whichever be the case, the forms or the accidents
would interchange, so that they would successively unite with
every one of the stars, so long as their substance [being the same]
admits the combinations [with every one of the forms or the
accidents]. This shows that the term substance, when used of the
spheres or the stars, does not mean the same as it signifies when
used of the substance of earthly things, but is applied to the two
synonymously. It further shows that every one of the bodies of the
spheres has its own peculiar form of existence different from that
of all other beings. Why then is circular motion common to all
spheres, and why is the fixed position of the stars in their
respective spheres common to all stars ? If we, however, assume
design and determination of a Creator, in accordance with His
incomprehensible wisdom, all these difficulties disappear. They
must arise when we consider the whole Universe, not as the result
of free will, but as the result of fixed laws of Nature: a theory
which, on the one hand, is not in harmony with the existing order
of things, and does not offer for it a sufficient reason or argument;
and, on the other hand, implies many and great improbabilities.
For, according to this theory God, whose perfection in every
respect is recognised by all thinking persons, is in such relation to
the Universe that He cannot change anything; if He wished to
make the wing of a fly longer, or to reduce the number of the legs
of a worm by one, He could not accomplish it. According to
Aristotle, He does not try such a thing, and it is wholly impossible
for Him to desire any change in the existing order of things: if He
could, it would not increase His perfection: it might, on the
contrary, from some point of view, diminish it.
Although I know that many partial critics will ascribe my opinion
concerning the theory of Aristotle to insufficient understanding, or
to intentional opposition, I will not refrain from stating in short the
results of my researches, however poor my capacities may be. I
hold that the theory of Aristotle is undoubtedly correct as far as the
things are concerned which exist between the sphere of the moon
and the centre of the earth. Only an ignorant person rejects it, or a
person with preconceived opinions of his own, which he desires to
maintain and to defend, and which lead him to ignore clear facts.
But what Aristotle says concerning things above the sphere of the
moon is, with few exceptions, mere imagination and opinion; to a
still greater extent this applies to his system of Intelligences, and to
some of his metaphysical views: they include great
improbabilities, [promote] ideas which all nations consider as
evidently corrupt, and cause views to spread which cannot be
proved.
It may perhaps be asked why I have enumerated all the doubts
which can be raised against the theory of Aristotle: whether by
mere doubts a theory can be overthrown, or its opposite
established ? This is certainly not the case. But we treat this
philosopher exactly as his followers tell us to do. For Alexander
stated that when a theory cannot be established by proof, the two
most opposite views should be compared as to the doubts
entertained concerning each of them, and that view which admits
of fewer doubts should be accepted. Alexander further says that
this rule applies to all those opinions of Aristotle in Metaphysics
for which he offered no proof. For those that followed Aristotle
believed that his opinions are far less subject to doubt than any
other opinion. We follow the same rule. Being convinced that the
question whether the heavens are eternal or not cannot be decided
by proof, neither in the affirmative nor in the negative, we have
enumerated the objections raised to either view, and shown how
the theory of the Eternity of the Universe is subject to stronger
objections, and is more apt to corrupt the notions concerning God
[than the other]. Another argument can be drawn from the fact that
the theory of the Creation was held by our Father Abraham, and by
our Teacher Moses.
Having mentioned the method of testing the two theories by the
objections raised against them, I find it necessary to give some
further explanation of the subject.
CHAPTER XXIII
IN comparing the objections raised against one theory with those
raised against the opposite theory, in order to decide in favour of
the least objectionable, we must not consider the number of the
objections, but the degree of improbability and of deviation from
real facts [pointed out by the objections]: for one objection may
sometimes have more weight than a thousand others. But the
comparison cannot be trustworthy unless the two theories be
considered with the same interest, and if you are predisposed in
favour of one of them, be it on account of your training or because
of some advantage, you are too blind to see the truth. For that
which can be demonstrated you cannot reject, however much you
maybe inclined against it; but in questions like those under
consideration you are apt to dispute [in consequence of your
inclination). You will, however, be able to decide the question, as
far as necessary, if you free yourself from passions, ignore
customs, and follow only your reason. But many are the conditions
which must be fulfilled. First you must know your mental
capacities and your natural talents: you will find this out when you
study all mathematical sciences, and are well acquainted with
Logic. Secondly, you must have a thorough knowledge of Natural
Science, that you may be able to understand the nature of the
objections. Thirdly, you must be morally good. For if a person is
voluptuous or passionate, and, loosening the reins, allows his
anger to pass the just limits, it makes no difference whether he is
so from nature or from habit, he will blunder and stumble in his
way, he will seek the theory which is in accordance with his
inclinations. I mention this lest you be deceived; for a person
might some day, by some objection which he raises, shake your
belief in the theory of the Creation, and then easily mislead you:
you would then adopt the theory [of the Eternity of the Universe)
which is contrary to the fundamental principles of our religion, and
leads to" speaking words that turn away from God." You must
rather have suspicion against your own reason, and accept the
theory taught by two prophets who have laid the foundation for the
existing order in the religious and social relations of mankind.
Only demonstrative proof should be able to make you abandon the
theory of the Creation: but such a proof does not exist in Nature.
You will not find it strange that I introduce into this discussion
historical matter in support of the theory of the Creation, seeing
that Aristotle, the greatest philosopher, in his principal works,
introduces histories in support of the theory of the Eternity of the
Universe. In this regard we may justly quote the saying:" Should
not our perfect Law be as good as their gossip ?" (B. T. Baba
batra, 115 b). When he supports his view by quoting Sabean
stories, why should we not support our view by that which Moses
and Abraham said, and that which follows from their words ?
I have before promised to describe in a separate chapter the strong
objections which must occur to him who thinks that human
wisdom comprehends fully the nature of the spheres and their
motions: that these are subject to fixed laws, and capable of being
comprehended as regards order and relation. I will now explain
this.
CHAPTER XXIV
You know of Astronomy as much as you have studied with me,
and learnt from the book Almagest; we had not sufficient time to
go beyond this. The theory that [the spheres] move regularly, and
that the assumed courses of the stars are in harmony with
observation, depends, as you are aware, on two hypotheses : we
must assume either epicycles, or excentric spheres, or a
combination of both. Now I will show that each of these two
hypotheses is irregular, and totally contrary to the results of
Natural Science. Let us first consider an epicycle, such as has been
assumed in the spheres of the moon and the five planets, rotating
on a sphere, but not round the centre of the sphere that carries it.
This arrangement would necessarily produce a revolving motion;
the epicycle would then revolve, and entirely change its place: but
that anything in the spheres should change its place is exactly what
Aristotle considers impossible. For that reason Abu-bekr
ibn-Alzaig, in an astronomical treatise which he wrote, rejects the
existence of epicycles. Besides this impossibility, he mentions
others, showing that the theory of epicycles implies other absurd
notions. I will here explain them :-- (1) It is absurd to assume that
the revolution of a cycle has not the centre of the Universe for its
centre: for it is a fundamental principle in the order of the
Universe that there are only three kinds of motion-from the centre,
towards the centre, and round the centre: but an epicycle does not
move away from the centre, nor towards it, nor round it. (2) Again,
according to what Aristotle explains in Natural Science, there must
be something fixed round which the motion takes place: this is the
reason why the earth remains stationary. But the epicycle would
move round a centre which is not stationary. I have heard that
Abu-bekr discovered a system in which no epicycles occur; but
excentric spheres are not excluded by him. I have not heard it from
his pupils: and even if it be correct that he discovered such a
system, he has not gained much by it: for excentricity is likewise
as contrary as possible to the principles laid down by Aristotle. For
it seems to me that an excentric sphere does not move round the
centre of the Universe, but round an imaginary point distant from
the centre, and therefore round a point which is not fixed. A person
ignorant of astronomy might think that the motion of the excentric
spheres may still be considered as taking place round something
fixed, since their centre is apparently within the sphere of the
moon. I would admit this if the centre were situated in the region
of fire or air, although the spheres would not move round a stable
point. But 1 will show that the amount of excentricity has, in a
certain way, been described in the Almagest; and later scholars
have calculated the exact amount of excentricity in terms of radii
of the earth, and have proved the result. The same measure has
been used in astronomy in describing all distances and magnitudes.
It has thu been shown that the point round which the sun moves
lies undoubtedly beyond the sphere of the moon, and below the
superficies of the sphere of Mercury. The centre for the circuit of
Mars, that is, the centre of the excentric sphere of Mars, is beyond
the sphere of Mercury, and below the sphere of Venus. The centre
of Jupiter has the same distance: it lies between the sphere of
Venus and that of Mercury, whilst the centre of Saturn lies
between the spheres of Mars and Jupiter. Now, consider how
improbable all this appears according to the laws of Natural
Science. You will find it out when you consider the known
distances and magnitudes of each sphere and each star, all
expressed in terms of the radii of the earth. There is a uniform
measure for all, and the excentricity of each sphere is not
determined by units proportionate to its own magnitude.
It is still more improbable and more objectionable to assume that
there are two spheres, the one within the other; that these are
closely joined from all sides, and have, nevertheless, different
centres. For in this case the smaller sphere might move whilst the
larger be at rest; but the smaller cannot be at rest when the larger
moves, and must move with the larger when the latter rotates
round any other axis than that which passes through the two
centres. Now we have this proposition which can be proved; and,
further, the established theory that there is no vacuum, and also the
assumed excentricity of the spheres; from all this it follows that in
every two spheres the motion of the upper one should cause the
lower sphere to move in the same way, and round the same centre.
But this is not the case: the outer and the inner spheres do not
move in the same way, and not round the same centre or the same
axis: each of them has its peculiar motion. For this reason it has
been assumed that between every two spheres there are substances
different from those of the spheres. It may be very much doubted
whether this is the case: for where should the centres of these
intermediate substances be placed ? have these substances likewise
their own peculiar motion ? Thabith has explained the
above-mentioned theory in one of his treatises, and proved that we
must assume a substance of a spherical form intermediate between
one sphere and the other. All this is part of that which I have not
explained to you when you studied with me, for I was afraid you
might become confused and would not understand even those
things which I wished to show you. But as to the inclination and
the deviation assumed in respect to the latitude of the paths of
Venus and Mercury, I have already dearly shown you viva voce
that it is impossible to imagine material beings under such
conditions. You have seen that Ptolemy has already pointed out
this difficulty. He says as follows:" Let no one think that these and
similar principles are improbable. If any one considers what we
have here expounded in the same light as he considers things
produced by skill and subtle work, he will find it improbable; but
it is not right to compare human things to divine things." This is, as
you know, what Ptolemy says, and I have already pointed out to
you the passages by which you can verify all I said, except what I
stated about the position of the centres of the excentric: spheres:
for I have not heard that any one has paid attention to this
question. But you will understand it when you know the length of
the diameter of each sphere, and the extent of its excentricity in
terms of radii of the earth, according to the facts which Kabici has
established in his treatise on the distances. When you notice these
distances you will confirm my words.
Consider, therefore, how many difficulties arise if we accept the
theory which Aristotle expounds in Physics. For, according to that
theory, there are no epicycles, and no excentric spheres, but all
spheres rotate round the centre of the earth ! How then can the
different courses of the stars be explained ? how is it possible to
assume a uniform perfect rotation with the phenomena which we
perceive, except by admitting one of the two hypotheses or both of
them ? The difficulty is still more apparent when we find that
admitting what Ptolemy said as regards the epicycle of the moon,
and its inclination towards a point different both from the centre of
the Universe and from its own centre, the calculations according to
these hypotheses are perfectly correct, within one minute: that
their correctness is confirmed by the most accurate calculation of
the time, duration, and extent of the eclipses, which is always
based on these hypotheses. Furthermore, how can we reconcile,
without assuming the existence of epicycles, the apparent
retrogression of a star with its other motions ? How can rotation or
motion take place round a point which is not fixed ? These are real
difficulties.
I have explained to you already viva voce, that these difficulties do
not concern the astronomer: for he does not profess to tell us the
existing properties of the spheres, but to suggest, whether correctly
or not, a theory in which the motion of the stars is circular and
uniform, and yet in agreement with our observation. You know
that Abu-bekr al-Zaig, in his treatise on Physics, expresses a doubt
whether Aristotle knew the excentricity of the sun but ignored it,
and only discussed the effect of the inclination, because he saw
that the effect of the excentricity was identical with that of the
inclination; or whether he did not perceive it. The truth is that he
did not notice it or hear of it: the science was not perfect in his
age. If he had heard of it, he would have strongly opposed it; if he
had been convinced of its correctness, he would have been greatly
embarrassed as regards all that he said on the question. What I said
before (ch. xxii.) 1 will repeat now, namely, that the theory of
Aristotle, in explaining the phenomena in the sublunary world, is
in accordance with logical inference: here we know the causal
relation between one phenomenon and another; we see how far
science can investigate them, and the management of nature is
clear and intelligible. But of the things in the heavens man knows
nothing except a few mathematical calculations, and you see how
far these go. I say in the words of the poet," The heavens are the
Lord's, but the earth He hath given to the sons of man" (Ps. cxv.
16): that is to say, God alone has a perfect and true knowledge of
the heavens, their nature, their essence, their form, their motions,
and their causes; but He gave man power to know the things which
are under the heavens: here is man's world, here is his home, into
which he has been placed, and of which he is himself a portion.
This is in reality the truth. For the facts which we require in
proving the existence of heavenly beings are withheld from us: the
heavens are too far from us, and too exalted in place and rank.
Man's faculties are too deficient to comprehend even the general
proof the heavens contain for the existence of Him who sets them
in motion. It is in fact ignorance or a kind of madness to weary our
minds with finding out things which are beyond our reach. without
having the means of approaching them. We must content ourselves
with that which is within our reach, and that which cannot be
approached by logical inference let us leave to him who has been
endowed with that great and divine influence, expressed in the
words:" Mouth to mouth do I speak with Him" (Num. xii. 8).
This is all I can say on this question; another person may perhaps
be able to establish by proof what appears doubtful to me. It is on
account of my great love of truth that I have shown my
embarrassment in these matters and I have not heard, nor do I
know that any of these theories have been established by proof.
CHAPTER XXV
WE do not reject the Eternity of the Universe, because certain
passages in Scripture confirm the Creation; for such passages are
not more numerous than those in which God is represented as a
corporeal being; nor is it impossible or difficult to find for them a
suitable interpretation. We might have explained them in the same
manner as we did in respect to the Incorporeality of God. We
should perhaps have had an easier task in showing that the
Scriptural passages referred to are in harmony with the theory of
the Eternity of the Universe if we accepted the latter, than we had
in explaining the anthropomorphisms in the Bible when we
rejected the idea that God is corporeal. For two reasons, however,
we have not done so, and have not accepted the Eternity of the
Universe. First, the Incorporeality of God has been demonstrated
by proof: those passages in the Bible, which in their literal sense
contain statements that can be refuted by proof, must and can be
interpreted otherwise. But the Eternity of the Universe has not
been proved; a mere argument in favour of a certain theory is not
sufficient reason for rejecting the literal meaning of a Biblical text,
and explaining it figuratively, when the opposite theory can be
supported by an equally good argument.
Secondly, our belief in the Incorporeality of God is not contrary to
any of the fundamental principles of our religion: it is not contrary
to the words of any prophet. Only ignorant people believe that it is
contrary to the teaching of Scripture: but we have shown that this
is not the case: on the contrary, Scripture teaches the
Incorporeality of God. If we were to accept the Eternity of the
Universe as taught by Aristotle, that everything in the Universe is
the result of fixed laws, that Nature does not change, and that there
is nothing supernatural, we should necessarily be in opposition to
the foundation of our religion, we should disbelieve all miracles
and signs, and certainly reject all hopes and fears derived from
Scripture, unless the miracles are also explained figuratively. The
Allegorists amongst the Mohammedans have done this, and have
thereby arrived at absurd conclusions. If, however, we accepted the
Eternity of the Universe in accordance with the second of the
theories which we have expounded above (ch. xxiii.), and
assumed, with Plato, that the heavens are likewise transient, we
should not be in opposition to the fundamental principles of our
religion: this theory would not imply the rejection of miracles, but,
on the contrary, would admit them as possible. The Scriptural text
might have been explained accordingly, and many expressions
might have been found in the Bible and in other writings that
would confirm and support this theory. But there is no necessity
for this expedient, so long as the theory has not been proved. As
there is no proof sufficient to convince us, this theory need not be
taken into consideration, nor the other one: we take the text of the
Bible literally, and say that it teaches us a truth which we cannot
prove: and the miracles are evidence for the correctness of our
view.
Accepting the Creation, we find that miracles are possible, that
Revelation is possible, and that every difficulty in this question is
removed. We might be asked, Why has God inspired a certain
person and not another ? Why has He revealed the Law to one
particular nation, and at one particular time? why has He
commanded this, and forbidden that ? why has He shown through
a prophet certain particular miracles ? what is the object of these
laws ? and Why has He not made the commandments and the
prohibitions part of our nature, if it was His object that we should
live in accordance with them ? We answer to all these questions:
He willed it so; or, His wisdom decided so. just as He created the
world according to His will, at a certain time, in a certain form,
and as we do not understand why His will or His wisdom decided
upon that peculiar form, and upon that peculiar time, so we do not
know why His will or wisdom determined any of the things
mentioned in the preceding questions. But if we assume that the
Universe has the present form as the result of fixed laws, there is
occasion for the above questions: and these could only be
answered in an objectionable way, implying denial and rejection of
the Biblical texts, the correctness of which no intelligent person
doubts. Owing to the absence of all proof, we reject the theory of
the Eternity of the Universe: and it is for this very reason that the
noblest minds spent and will spend their days in research. For if
the Creation had been demonstrated by proof, even if only
according to the Platonic hypothesis, all arguments of the
philosophers against us would be of no avail. If, on the other hand,
Aristotle had a proof for his theory, the whole teaching of
Scripture would be rejected, and we should be forced to other
opinions. I have thus shown that all depends on this question. Note
it.
CHAPTER XXVI
IN the famous chapters known as the Chapters of Rabbi Eliezer, 1
find R. Eliezer the Great saying something more extraordinary
than 1 have ever seen in the utterances of any believer in the Law
of Moses. 1 mean the following passage:" Whence were the
heavens created ? He took part of the light of His garment,
stretched it like a cloth, and thus the heavens were extending
continually, as it is said : He covereth Himself with light as with a
garment, He stretcheth the heavens like a curtain" (Ps. civ. 2)."
Whence was the earth created ? He took of the snow under the
throne of glory, and threw it; according to the words: He saith to
the snow, Be thou earth" (job xxxvii. 6). These are the words
given there; and I, in my surprise, ask, What was the belief of this
sage ? did he think that nothing can be produced from nothing, and
that a substance must have existed of which the things were
formed ? and did he for this reason ask whence were the heavens
and the earth created ? What has he gained by the answer ? We
might ask him, Whence was the light of His garment created ? or
the snow under the throne of His glory ? or the throne of glory
itself ? If the terms" the light of His garment" and" the throne of
glory" mean something eternal, they must be rejected; the words
would imply an admission of the Eternity of the Universe, though
only in the form taught by Plato. The creation of the throne of
glory is mentioned by our Sages, though in a strange way: for they
say that it has been created before the creation of the Universe.
Scripture, however, does not mention the creation of the throne,
except in the words of David," The Lord hath established his
throne in the heavens" (Ps. ciii. 19), which words admit of
figurative interpretation; but the eternity of the throne is distinctly
described," Thou, 0 Lord, dwellest for ever, thy throne for ever
and ever" (Lam. v. 19). Now, if R. Eliezer had believed that the
throne was eternal, so that the word" throne" expressed an
attribute of God, and not something created, how could anything
be produced of a mere attribute ? Stranger still is his expression"
of the light of His garment."
In short, it is a passage that greatly confuses the notions of all
intelligent and religious persons. I am unable to explain it
sufficiently. I quoted it in order that you may not be misled by it.
One important thing R. Eliezer taught us here, that the substance
of the heavens is different from that of the earth: that there are two
different substances : the one is described as belonging to God,
being the light of His garment, on account of its superiority; and
the other, the earthly substance, which is distant from His
splendour and light, as being the snow under the throne of His
glory. This led me to explain the words," And under his feet as the
work of the whiteness of the sapphire" (Exod. xxiv. 10), as
expressing that the nobles of the children of Israel comprehended
in a prophetical vision the nature of the earthly materia prima. For,
according to Onkelos, the pronoun in the phrase," His feet," refers
to" throne," as I have shown: this indicates that the whiteness
under the throne signifies the earthly substance. R. Eliczer has thus
repeated the same idea, and told us that there are two substancesa
higher one, and a lower one; and that there is not one substance
common to all things. This is an important subject, and we must
not think light of the opinion which the wisest men in Israel have
held on this point. It concerns an important point in explaining the
existence of the Universe, and one of the mysteries of the Law. In
Bereshit Rabba (chap. xii.) the following passage occurs:" R.
Eliezer says, The things in the heavens have been created of the
heavens, the things on earth of the earth." Consider how
ingeniously this sage stated that all things on earth have one
common substance: the heavens and the things in them have one
substance, different from the first. He also explains in the Chapters
[of R. Eliezer), in addition to the preceding things, the superiority
of the heavenly substance, and its proximity to God; and, on the
other hand, the inferiority of the earthly substance and its position.
Note it.
CHAPTER XXVII
WE have already stated that the belief in the Creation is a
fundamental principle of our religion: but we do not consider it a
principle of our faith that the Universe will again be reduced to
nothing. It is not contrary to the tenets of our religion to assume
that the Universe will continue to exist for ever. It might be
objected that everything produced is subject to destruction, as has
been shown: consequently the Universe, having had a beginning,
must come to an end. This axiom cannot be applied according to
our views. We do not hold that the Universe came into existence,
like all things in Nature, as the result of the laws of Nature. For
whatever owes its existence to the action of physical laws is,
according to the same laws, subject to destruction : the same law
which caused the existence of a thing after a period of
non-existence, is also the cause that the thing is not permanent:
since the previous non-existence proves that the nature of that
thing does not necessitate its permanent existence. According to
our theory, taught in Scripture, the existence or non-existence of
things depends solely on the will of God and not on fixed laws,
and, therefore, it does not follow that God must destroy the
Universe after having created it from nothing. It depends on His
will. He may, according to His desire, or according to the decree of
His wisdom, either destroy it, or allow it to exist, and it is therefore
possible that He will preserve the Universe for ever, and let it exist
permanently as He Himself exists. It is well known that our Sages
never said that the throne of glory will perish, although they
assumed that it has been created. No prophet or sage ever
maintained that the throne of glory will be destroyed or
annihilated: but, on the contrary, the Scriptural passages speak of
its permanent existence. We are of opinion that the souls of the
pious have been created, and at the same time we believe that they
are immortal. Some hold, in accordance with the literal meaning
of the Midrashim, that the bodies of the pious will also enjoy
everlasting happiness. Their notion is like the well-known belief of
certain people, that there are bodily enjoyments in Paradise. In
short, reasoning leads to the conclusion that the destruction of the
Universe is not a certain fact. There remains only the question as
to what the prophets and our Sages say on this point; whether they
affirm that the world will certainly come to an end, or not. Most
people amongst us believe that such statements have been made,
and that the world will at one time be destroyed. I will show you
that this is not the case: and that, on the contrary, many passages in
the Bible speak of the permanent existence of the Universe. Those
passages which, in the literal sense, would indicate the destruction
of the Universe, are undoubtedly to be understood in a figurative
sense, as will be shown. If, however, those who follow the literal
sense of the Scriptural texts reject our view, and assume that the
ultimate certain destruction of the Universe is part of their faith,
they are at liberty to do so. But we must tell them that the belief in
the destruction is not necessarily implied in the belief in the
Creation; they believe it because they trust the writer, who used a
figurative expression, which they take literally. Their faith,
however, does not suffer by it.
CHAPTER XXVIII
MANY of our coreligionists thought that King Solomon believed
in the Eternity of the Universe. This is very strange. How can we
suppose that any one that adheres to the Law of Moses, our
Teacher, should accept that theory ? if we were to assume that
Solomon has on this point, God forbid, deviated from the Law of
Moses, the question would be asked, Why did most of the Prophets
and of the Sages accept it of him ? Why have they not opposed
him, or blamed him for holding that opinion, as he has been
blamed for having married strange women, and for other things ?
The reason why this has been imputed to him is to be found in the
following passage :" They desired to suppress the book Koheleth,
because its words incline towards scepticism." It is undoubtedly
true that certain passages in this book include, when taken
literally, opinions different from those taught in the Law, and they
must therefore be explained figuratively. But the theory of the
Eternity of the Universe is not among those opinions, the book
does not even contain any passage that implies this theory; much
less a passage in which it is clearly set forth. There are, however,
in the book, some passages which imply the indestructibility of the
Universe, a doctrine that is true: and from the fact that the
indestructibility of the Universe is taught in this book, some
persons wrongly inferred that the author believed in the Eternity of
the Universe. The following are the words that refer to the
indestructibility of the Universe:" And the earth remaineth for
ever." And those who do not agree with me as regards the above
distinction [between the indestructibility and the Eternity of the
Universe], are compelled to explain the term le-'olam Qit.," for
ever" ), to mean 11 the time fixed for the existence of the earth."
Similarly they explain the words of God," Yet all the days of the
earth" (Gen. Viii. 22) to signify the days fixed for its existence.
But I wonder how they would explain the words of David :" He
laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved for
ever" (Ps. civ. 5). If they maintain here also that the term le-'olam
va-'ed (lit." for ever" ) does not imply perpetuity, they must come
to the conclusion that God exists only for a fixed period, since the
same term is employed in describing the perpetuity of God," The
Lord will reign (le-'olam) for ever" (Exod. xv. 18, or Ps. x. 16).
We must, however, bear in mind that olam only signifies
perpetuity when it is combined with ad: it makes no difference
whether 'ad follows, as in 'olam va-'ed, or whether it precedes, as
in 'ad 'olam. The words of Solomon which only contain the word
le-'olam, have therefore less force than the words of David, who
uses the term olam va-'ed. David has also in other passages clearly
spoken of the incorruptibility of the heavens, the perpetuity and
immutability of their laws, and of all the heavenly beings. He
says," Praise ye the Lord from the heavens, etc. For He
commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them
for ever and ever; he hath made a decree which shall not pass" (Ps.
cxlviii. 1-6): that is to say, there will never be a change in the
decrees which God made, or in the sources of the properties of the
heavens and the earth, which the Psalmist has mentioned before.
But he distinctly states that they have been created. For he says,"
He hath commanded, and they were created." Jeremiah (xxxi. 35)
likewise says," He giveth the sun for a light by day, and the
ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night," etc."
If these ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the
seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for
ever." He thus declares, that these decrees will never be removed,
although they had a beginning. We therefore find this idea, when
we search for it, expressed not only by Solomon but also by others.
Solomon himself has stated that these works of God, the Universe,
and all that is contained in it, remain with their properties for ever,
although they have been created. For he says," Whatsoever God
doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything
taken away from it" (Eccles. iii. 14). He declares in these words
that the world has been created by God and remains for ever. He
adds the reason for it by saying," Nothing can be put to it, nor
anything taken from it:" for this is the reason for the perpetuity, as
if he meant to say that things are changed in order to supply that
which is wanting, or in order to take away what is superfluous. The
works of God being most perfect, admitting no addition or
deduction, must remain the same for ever. It is impossible that
anything should exist that could cause a change in them. In the
conclusion of the verse, Solomon, as it were describes the purpose
of exceptions from the laws of Nature, or an excuse for changes in
them, when he says," And God doeth it (viz., He performs
miracles) that men should fear before him." The words which
follow," That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath
already been, and God seeketh that which is pursued," contain the
idea that God desires the perpetuity and continuity of the Universe.
The fact that the works of God are perfect, admitting of no
addition or diminution, has already been mentioned by Moses, the
wisest of all men, in the words:" The rock, His work is perfect"
(Deut. xxxii. 14). All His works or creations are most perfect,
containing no defect whatever, nothing superfluous, nor anything
unnecessary. Also whatever God decrees for those created things,
and whatever He effects through them, is perfectly just, and is the
result of His wisdom, as will be explained in some chapters of this
treatise.
CHAPTER XXIX
IF we hear a person speaking whose language we do not
understand, we undoubtedly know that he speaks, but do not know
what his words mean; it may even happen that we hear some
words which mean one thing in the tongue of the speaker, and
exactly the reverse in our language, and taking the words in the
sense which they have in our language, we imagine that the
speaker employed them in that sense. Suppose, e.g., an Arab hears
of a Hebrew the word abah, he thinks that the Hebrew relates how
a man despised and refused a certain thing, whilst the Hebrew in
reality says that the man was pleased and satisfied with it. The
very same thing happens to the ordinary reader of the Prophets:
some of their words he does not understand at all, like those to
whom the prophet says (Isa. xxix. 11)," the vision of all is become
unto you as the words of a book that is sealed" : in other passages
he finds the opposite or the reverse of what the prophet meant; to
this case reference is made in the words," Ye have perverted the
words of the living God" (Jer. xxiii. 36). Besides, it must be borne
in mind that every prophet has his own peculiar diction, which is,
as it were, his language, and it is in that language that the prophecy
addressed to him is communicated to those who understand it.
After this preliminary remark you will understand the metaphor
frequently employed by Isaiah, and less frequently by other
prophets, when they describe the ruin of a kingdom or the
destruction of a great nation in phrases like the following :-" The
stars have fallen,"" The heavens are overthrown,"" The sun is
darkened,"" The earth is waste, and trembles," and similar
metaphors. The Arabs likewise say of a person who has met with a
serious accident," His heavens, together with his earth, have been
covered" : and when they speak of the approach of a nation's
prosperity, they say," The light of the sun and moon has
increased,"" A new heaven and a new earth has been created," or
they use similar phrases. So also the prophets, in referring to the
ruin of a person, of a nation, or of a country, describe it as the
result of God's great anger and wrath, whilst the prosperity of a
nation is the result of God's pleasure and satisfaction. In the former
case the prophets employ such phrases as" He came forth,"" came
down,"" roared,"" thundered," or" caused his voice to be heard" :
also" He commanded,"" said,"" did,"" made," and the like, as
will be shown. Sometimes the prophets use the term" mankind"
instead of" the people of a certain place," whose destruction they
predict: e.g., Isaiah speaking of the destruction of Israel says," And
the Lord will remove man far away" (Isa. vi. 12). So also
Zephaniah (i. 3, 4)," And I will cut off man from off the earth. I
will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah." Note this likewise.
Having spoken of the language of the prophets in general, I will
now verify and prove my statement. When Isaiah received the
divine mission to prophesy the destruction of the Babylonian
empire, the death of Sermacherib and that of Nebuchadnezzar,
who rose after the overthrow of Sennacherib, he commences in the
following manner to describe their fall and the end of their
dominion, their defeat, and such evils as are endured by all who
are vanquished and compelled to flee before the victorious sword
[of the enemy] :" For the stars of heaven, and the constellations
thereof, shall not give their light: the sun is darkened in his going
forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine" (xiii. 10):
again," Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall
remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in
the day of his fierce anger" (xiii. 13). I do not think that any
person is so foolish and blind, and so much in favour of the literal
sense of figurative and oratorical phrases, as to assume that at the
fall of the Babylonian kingdom a change took place in the nature
of the stars of heaven, or in the light of the sun and moon, or that
the earth moved away from its centre. For all this is merely the
description of a country that has been defeated: the inhabitants
undoubtedly find all light dark, and all sweet things bitter : the
whole earth appears too narrow for them, and the heavens are
changed in their eyes. He speaks in a similar manner when he
describes the poverty and humiliation of the people of Israel, their
captivity and their defeat, the continuous misfortunes caused by
the wicked Sennacherib when he ruled over all the fortified places
of Judah, or the loss of the entire land of Israel when it came into
the possession of Sermacherib. He says (xxiv. 17):" Fear, and the
pit, and the snare, are upon thee, 0 inhabitant of the earth. And it
shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear
shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh out of the midst of the pit
shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open,
and the foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly
broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved
exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard." At the
end of the same prophecy, when Isaiah describes how God will
punish Sennacherib, destroy his mighty empire, and reduce him to
disgrace, he uses the following figure (xxiv. 23):" Then the moon
shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts
shall reign," etc. This verse is beautifully explained by Jonathan,
the son of Uzziel; he says that when Sermacherib will meet with
his fate because of Jerusalem, the idolaters will understand that
this is the work of God; they will faint and be confounded. He
therefore translates the verse thus:" Those who worship the moon
will be ashamed, and those who bow down to the sun will be
humbled, when the kingdom of God shall reveal itself," etc. The
prophet then pictures the peace of the children of Israel after the
death of Sennacherib, the fertility and the cultivation of their land,
and the increasing power of their kingdom through Hezekiali. He
employs here the figure of the increase of the light of the sun and
moon. When speaking of the defeated, he says that for them the
light of the sun and moon will be diminished and darkened: in the
same sense their light is said to increase for the victorious. We can
frequently notice the correctness of this figure of speech. When
great troubles befall us, our eyes become dim, and we cannot see
clearly because the spiritus visus is made turbid by the prevailing
vapours, and is weakened and diminished by great anxiety and
straits of the soul: whilst in a state of gladness and comfort of the
soul the spiritus visus becomes dear, and man feels as if the light
had increased. Thus the good tidings that the people shall dwell in
Zion, and in Jerusalem, and shall weep no more, etc., conclude in
the following manner :" Moreover, the light of the moon shall be
as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold,
as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up -the
breaches of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound" (Isa.
xxx. 19, 26): that is to say, when God will raise them up again after
they had fallen through the wicked Sennacherib. The, phrase" as
the light of seven days" signifies, according to the commentators,"
very great light" : for in this same sense the number" seven" is
frequently used in Hebrew. I think that reference is made by this
phrase to the seven days of the dedication of the temple in the
reign of Solomon; for there was never a nation so great,
prosperous, and happy in every respect, as Israel was at that time,
and therefore the prophet says, that Israel's greatness and happiness
will be the same as it was in those seven days. Speaking of wicked
Edom, Israel's oppressor, Isaiah says :" Their slain also shall be
cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the
mountains shall be melted with their blood. And all the host of
heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together
as a scroll : and all their host shall fall down, as a leaf falleth off
from the vine, and as a fig falleth from the fig-tree. For my sword
shall be bathed in heaven; behold, I shall come down upon
Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment," etc. (Isa.
xxxiv. 3-5). Will any person who has eyes to see find in these
verses any expression that is obscure, or that might lead him to
think that they contain an account of what will befall the heavens ?
or anything but a figurative description of the ruin of the Edomites,
the withdrawal of God's protection from them, their decline, and
the sudden and rapid fall of their nobles ? The prophet means to
say that the individuals, who were like stars as regards their
permanent, high, and undisturbed position, will quickly come
down, as a leaf falleth from the vine, and as a fig falling from the
fig-tree. This is self-evident; and there would be no need to
mention it, much less to speak on it at length, had it not become
necessary, owing to the fact that the common people, and even
persons who are considered as distinguished scholars, quote this
passage without regarding its context or its purpose, [in support of
their view of the future destruction of the heavens]. They believe
that Scripture describes here what will, in future, happen to the
heavens, in the same manner as it informs us how the heavens
have come into existence. Again, when Isaiah told the Israelites
what afterwards became a well-known fact-that Sennacherib, with
his allied nations and kings, would perish, and that the Israelites
would be helped by God alone, he employed figurative language,
and said:" See how the heavens decay and the earth withers away,
and all beings on the earth die, and you are saved" : that is to say,
those who have filled the earth, and have been considered, to use
an hyperbole, as permanent and stable as the heavens, will quickly
perish and disappear like smoke: and their famous power, that has
been as stable as the earth, will be destroyed like a garment. The
passage to which I refer begins:" For the Lord hath comforted
Zion: He hath comforted all her waste places," etc." Hearken unto
me, my people," etc." My righteousness is near : my salvation is
gone forth," etc. It continues thus :" Lift up your eyes to the
heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall
vanish like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and
they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; for my salvation
shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished"
(Isa. li. 3-6). The restoration of the kingdom of Israel, its stability
and permanence, is described as a creation of heaven and earth.
For Isaiah frequently speaks of the land of a king as if it were the
whole Universe, as if heaven and earth belonged to him. He
therefore comforts Israel and says: be hungry," etc. (ver. 13); (8)
and moral improvement of our nation to such a degree that we
shall be a blessing on the earth, and the previous troubles will be
forgotten:" And he shall call his servants by another name: that he
who blesseth himself in the earth, shall bless himself in the God of
truth; and he that sweareth in the earth, shall swear by the God of
truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they
are hid from mine eyes. For, behold, I create new heavens, and a
new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into
mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create :
for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people," etc. (lxv.
15-19). The whole subject must now be clear and evident; for the
words," I create new heavens, and a new earth," etc., are followed
by the explanation," I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people
a joy," etc. The prophet then adds that the seed and name of Israel
will be as permanent as their faith and as the rejoicing in it, which
God promised to create and to spread over the whole earth: for
faith in God and rejoicing in it are two possessions which, once
obtained, are never lost or changed. This is expressed in the
words:" For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will
make, remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and
your name remain" (lxvi. 22). But of other nations, in some
instances, the seed remains, whilst the name has perished; so, e.g.,
many people are of the seed of the Persians or Greeks, without
being known by that special name; they bear the names of other
nations, of which they form part. According to my opinion, we
have here a prophecy that our religion, which gives us our special
name, will remain permanently.
As these figures are frequent in Isaiah, I explained an of them. But
we meet with them also in the words of other prophets. Jeremiah,
in describing the destruction of Jerusalem in consequence of our
sins, says (iv. 23) :" I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without
form, and void," etc. Ezekiel (xxxii. 7, 8) foretells the destruction
of the kingdom of Egypt, and the death of Pharaoh, through
Nebuchadnezzar, in the following words :" And when I shall put
thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I
will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her
light. All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee,
and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord." Joel, the son of
Pethuel (ii. 10), describes the multitude of locusts that came in his
days as follows :" The earth shall quake before them: the heavens
shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars
shall withdraw their shining." Amos (viii. 9, 10), speaking of the
destruction of Samaria, says:" I will cause the sun to go down at
noon, and I will darken the earth in the dear day; and I win turn
your feasts," etc. Micah (i. 3, 4), in relating the fall of Samaria,
uses the following well-known rhetorical figures:" For, behold, the
Lord cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread
upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be
molten," etc. Similarly Haggai (ii. 6, 7), in describing the
destruction of the kingdom of the Medes and Persians :" I will
shake the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land: and
I will shake all nations," etc. When [David] (Ps. lx. 4) describes
how, during the expedition of Joab against the Edomites, the
nation was low and weak, and how he prayed to God for His
assistance, he says:" Thou hast made the earth to tremble: thou hast
broken it : heal the breaches thereof: for it shaketh." In another
instance he expresses the idea that we need not fear when we see
other nations die and perish, because we rely on God's support, and
not on our sword and strength, in accordance with the words :" A
people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help" (Deut. xxxiii. 29):
he says (Ps. xlvi. 2) :" Therefore will we not fear, though the earth
be removed, and though the mountains be shaken in the midst of
the sea."
The following figurative language is employed in Scripture in
referring to the death of the Egyptians in the Red Sea :" The
waters saw thee; they were afraid : the depths also were troubled,
etc. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings
lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook" (Ps. lxxvii.
17-19)." Was the Lord displeased against the rivers ?" etc. (Hab.
iii. 8)." There went up a smoke out of his nostrils," etc. (Ps. xviii.
9)." The earth trembled," etc. (judges v. 4, in the Song of
Deborah). There are many other instances; but those which I have
not quoted can be explained in accordance with those which I have
cited.
Let us now consider the words of Joel (iii. 3-5):" And I will show
wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars
of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. And it
shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall be delivered, for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall
be deliverance," etc. I refer them to the defeat of Sennacherib near
Jerusalem; but they may be taken as an account of the defeat of
Gog and Magog near Jerusalem in the days of the Messiah, if this
appears preferable, although nothing is mentioned in this passage
but great slaughter, destruction, fire, and the diminution of the
light of the two luminaries. You may perhaps object: How can the
day of the fall of Sennacherib, according to our explanation, be
called" the great and the terrible day of the Lord ?" But you must
know that a day of great salvation or of great distress is called" the
great and terrible day of the Lord." Thus Joel (ii.11) says of the day
on which the locusts came over the land," For the day of the Lord
is great and terrible, and who can abide it ?"
Our opinion, in support of which we have quoted these passages, is
clearly established, namely, that no prophet or sage has ever
announced the destruction of the Universe, or a change of its
present condition, or a permanent change of any of its properties.
When our Sages say," The world remains six thousand years, and
one thousand years it will be waste," they do not mean a complete
cessation of existing things; the phrase" one thousand years it will
be waste" distinctly shows that time will continue: besides, this is
the individual opinion of one Rabbi, and in accordance with one
particular theory. But on the other hand the words," There is
nothing new under the sun" (Eccles. i. 9), in the sense that no new
creation takes place in any way and under any circumstances,
express the general opinion of our Sages, and include a principle
which every one of the doctors of the Mishnah and the Talmud
recognises and makes use of in his arguments. Even those who
understand the words" new heavens and a new earth" in their
literal sense hold that the heavens, which will in future be formed,
have already been created and arc in existence, and that for this
reason the present tense 46 remain" is used, and not the future"
will remain." They support their view by citing the text," There is
nothing new under the sun." Do not imagine that this is opposed to
our opinion. They mean, perhaps, to say that the natural laws, by
which the promised future condition of Israel will be effected,
have been in existence since the days of the Creation, and in that
they are perfectly correct. When 1, however, said that no prophet
ever announced" a permanent change of any of its properties," I
intended to except miracles. For although the rod was turned into a
serpent, the water into blood, the pure and noble hand into a
leprous one, without the existence of any natural cause that could
effect these or similar phenomena, these changes were -not
permanent, they have not become a physical property. On the
contrary, the Universe since continues its regular course. This is
my opinion; this should be our belief. Our Sages, however, said
very strange things as regards miracles: they are found in Bereshit
Rabba, and in Midrash Koheleth, namely, that the miracles are to
some extent also natural: for they say, when God created the
Universe with its present physical properties, He made it part of
these properties, that they should produce certain miracles at
certain times, and the sign of a prophet consisted in the fact that
God told him to declare when a certain thing will take place, but
the thing itself was effected according to the fixed laws of Nature.
If this is really the meaning of the passage referred to, it testifies to
the greatness of the author, and shows that he held it to be
impossible that there should be a change in the laws of Nature, or
a change in the will of God [as regards the physical properties of
things] after they have once been established. He therefore
assumes, e.g., that God gave the waters the property of joining
together, and of flowing in a downward direction, and of
separating only at the time when the Egyptians were drowned, and
only in a particular place. I have already pointed out to you the
source of this passage, and it only tends to oppose the hypothesis
of a new creation. It is said there : R. Jonathan said, God made an
agreement with the sea that it should divide before the Israelites:
thus it is said," And the sea returned to its strength when the
morning appeared" (Exod. xiv. 27). R. Jeremiah, son of Elazar,
said: Not only with the sea, but with all that has been created in the
six days of the beginning [was the agreement made]: this is
referred to in the words," 1, even my hands have stretched out the
heavens, and all their host have I commanded" (Isa. xlv. 12): i.e., I
have commanded the sea to divide, the fire not to hurt Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah, the lions not to harm Daniel, and the fish to
spit out Jonah. The same is the case with the rest of the miracles.
We have thus clearly stated and explained our opinion, that we
agree with Aristotle in one half of his theory. For we believe that
this Universe remains perpetually with the same properties with
which the Creator has endowed it, and that none of these will ever
be changed except by way of miracle in some individual instances,
although the Creator has the power to change the whole Universe,
to annihilate it, or to remove any of its properties. The Universe,
had, however, a beginning and commencement, for when nothing
was as yet in existence except God, His wisdom decreed that the
Universe be brought into existence at a certain time, that it should
not be annihilated or changed as regards any of its properties,
except in some instances: some of these are known to us, whilst
others belong to the future, and are therefore unknown to us. This
is our opinion and the basis of our religion. The opinion of
Aristotle is that the Universe, being permanent and indestructible,
is also eternal and without beginning. We have already shown that
this theory is based on the hypothesis that the Universe is the
necessary result of causal relation, and that this hypothesis
includes a certain amount of blasphemy. Having come thus far we
will make in the next chapter a few remarks on passages in the
first chapters of Genesis. For the primary object in this treatise has
been to expound as much as possible of the Scriptural account of
the Creation (ma'aseh bereshit), and the description of the
heavenly chariot (ma'aseh mercabah). But let us premise two
general observations.
First, the account given in Scripture of the Creation is not, as is
generally believed, intended to be in all its parts literal. For if this
were the case, wise men would not have kept its explanation
secret, and our Sages would not have employed figurative speech
[in treating of the Creation] in order to hide its true meaning, nor
would they have objected to discuss it in the presence of the
common people. The literal meaning of the words might lead us to
conceive corrupt ideas and to form false opinions about God, or
even entirely to abandon and reject the principles of our Faith. It is
therefore right to abstain and refrain from examining this subject
superficially and unscientifically. We must blame the practice of
some ignorant preachers and expounders of the Bible, who think
that wisdom consists in knowing the explanation of words, and
that greater perfection is attained by employing more words and
longer speech. It is, however, right that we should examine the
Scriptural texts by the intellect, after having acquired a knowledge
of demonstrative science, and of the true hidden meaning of
prophecies. But if one has obtained some knowledge in this matter
he must not preach on it, as I stated in my Commentary on the
Mishnah (Fiagigah, ii. 7), and our Sages said distinctly : From the
beginning of the book to this place - after the account of the sixth
clay of the Creation-it is" the glory of God to conceal a thing"
(Prov. XXV. 2).
We have thus dearly stated our opinion. It is, however, part of the
Divine plan that every one who has obtained some perfection
transmit it to some other persons, as will be shown in the chapter
on Prophecy. It is, therefore, impossible for a scholar to possess
knowledge of these problems, whether it be through his own
researches or through his master's teaching, without
communicating part of that knowledge to others; it cannot be done
in dear words; it must be done sparingly byway of hints. We find
in the words of some of our Sages numerous hints and notes of this
kind, but mixed up with the words of others and with other
subjects. In treating of these mysteries, as a rule, I quote as much
as contains the principal idea, and leave the rest for those who are
worthy of it.
Secondly, the prophets employ homonymous terms and use words
which are not meant to be understood in their ordinary
signification, but are only used because of some other meaning
which they admit, e.g.," a rod of an almond-tree (shaked),"
because of the words which follow," for I will hasten (shaked)"
(Jer. i. I 1, 12), as will be shown in the chapter on Prophecy.
According to the same principle Ezekiel in the account of the
Divine Chariot employs, as we have stated the term hashmal
(Ezek. i. 4): also regel egel (v. 7), nehoshet kalal (v. 7), and similar
terms: Zechariah (vi. 1) likewise adopts this method, and says And
the mountains were mountains of nehoshet (brass)," anti the like.
After these two remarks I will proceed to the chapter which I have
promised.
CHAPTER XXX
THERE is a difference between first and beginning (or principle).
The latter exists in the thing of which it is the beginning, or
co-exists with it: it need not precede it: e.g., the heart is the
beginning of the living being; the element is the beginning of that
of which it is the basis. The term" first" is likewise applied to
things of this kind; but is also employed in cases where precedence
in time alone is to be expressed, and the thing which precedes is
not the beginning (or the cause) of the thing that follows. E.g., we
say A. was the first inhabitant of this house, after him came B: this
does not imply that A is the cause of B inhabiting the house. In
Hebrew, tehillah is used in the sense of" first" : e.g., when God
first (tehillat) spake to Hosea (Hos. i. 1), and the" beginning" is
expressed by reshith, derived from rosh," head," the principal part
of the living being as regards position. The Universe has not been
created out of an element that preceded it in time, since time itself
formed part of the Creation. For this reason Scripture employs the
term" bereshit" (in a principle), in which the beth is a preposition
denoting" in." The true explanation of the first verse of Genesis is
as follows:" In [creating] a principle God created the beings above
and the things below." This explanation is in accordance with the
theory of the Creation. We find that some of our Sages are
reported to have held the opinion that time existed before the
Creation. But this report is very doubtful, because the theory that
time cannot be imagined with a beginning, has been taught by
Aristotle, as I showed you, and is objectionable. Those who have
made this assertion have been led to it by a saying of one of our
Sages in reference to the terms" one day .. .. a second day." Taking
these terms literally, the author of that saying asked, What
determined" the first day," since there was no rotating sphere, and
no sun ? and continues as follows : Scripture uses the term" one
day" : R. Jehudah, son of R. Simon, said:" Hence we learn that the
divisions of time have existed previously." R. Abahu said," Hence
we learn that God built worlds and again destroyed them." This
latter exposition is still worse than the former. Consider the
difficulty which these two Rabbis found in the statement that time
existed before the creation of the sun. We shall undoubtedly soon
remove this difficulty, unless these two Rabbis intended to infer
from the Scriptural text that the divisions of time must have
existed before the Creation, and thus adopted the theory of the
Eternity of the Universe. But every religious man rejects this. The
above saying is, in my opinion, certainly of the same character as
that of R. Eliezer," Whence were the heavens created," etc., (chap.
xxvi.). In short, in these questions, do not take notice of the
utterances of any person. I told you that the foundation of our faith
is the belief that God created the Universe from nothing; that time
did not exist previously, but was created: for it depends on the
motion of the sphere, and the sphere has been created.
You must know that the particle et in the phrase et ha-shamayim
ve-et ha-arez (" the heavens and the earth" ) signifies" together
with" : our Sages have explained the word in the same sense in
many instances. Accordingly they assume that God created with
the heavens everything that the heavens contain, and with the earth
everything the earth includes. They further say that the
simultaneous Creation of the heavens and the earth is implied in
the words," I call unto them, they stand up together" (Ps. xlviii.).
Consequently, all things were created together, but were separated
from each other successively. Our Sages illustrated this by the
following simile : We sow various seeds at the same time; some
spring forth after one day, some after two, and some after three
days, although all have been sown at the same time. According to
this interpretation, which is undoubtedly correct, the difficulty is
removed, which led R. jehudah, son of R. Simon, to utter the
above saying, and consisted in the doubt as to the thing by which
the first day, the second, and the third were determined. In
Bereshit Rabba, our Sages, speaking of the light created on the
first day according to the Scriptural account, say as follows: these
lights [of the luminaries mentioned in the Creation of the fourth
day] are the same that were created on the first day, but were only
fixed in their places on the fourth day. The meaning [of the first
verse] has thus been clearly stated.
We must further consider that the term erez is a homonym, and is
used in a general and a particular sense. It has a more general
signification when used of everything within the sphere of the
moon, i.e., of all the four elements; and is used in particular of one
of them, of the lowest, viz., earth. This is evident from the passage
:" And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was on
the surface of the deep. And the wind of God moved upon the face
of the waters." The term" earth" [mentioned here, and in the first
verse] includes all the four elements, whilst further on it is said,"
And God called the dry land Earth" (Gen. i. 10).
It is also important to notice that the words," And God called a
certain thing a certain name," are invariably intended to
distinguish one thing from others which are called by the same
common noun. I explain, therefore, the first verse in Genesis thus :
In creating the principle God created the things above and those
below. Erez in this verse denotes" the things below," or 11 the
four elements," and in the verse," And God called the dry land
Earth" (erez), it signifies the element earth. This subject is now
made clear.
The four elements indicated, according to our explanation, in the
term erez" earth," in the first verse, are mentioned first after the
heavens: for there are named erez (earth), ruah (air), mayim
(water), and hoshek (fire). By hoshek the element fire is meant,
nothing else; comp." And thou heardest his words out of the midst
of the fire" (Deut. iv. 36): and," When ye heard the voice out of
the midst of the hosbek" (darkness) (ibid. V. 2): again," All
hosbek (darkness) shall be hid in his secret places : a fire not
blown shall consume him" (job XX. 26). The element fire is
called hosbek because it is not luminous, it is only transparent; for
if it were luminous we should see at night the whole atmosphere in
flames. The order of the four elements, according to the natural
position is here described: namely, first earth, above it water, air
close to water, and fire above air; for by placing air over water,
hoshek (fire), which is" upon the face of the deep," is undoubtedly
above air. It was here necessary to use the term ruah elohim,
because air is described here as in motion (merahelet), and the
motion of the air is, as a rule, ascribed to God; comp." And there
went forth a wind from the Lord" (Num. xi- 31);" Thou didst
blow with thy wind" (Exod * xv. 10):" And the Lord turned a
mighty strong west wind" (ibid. x. 19), and the like. As the first
hoshek, which denotes the element fire, is different from the
hoshek mentioned further on in the sense of" darkness," the latter
is explained and distinguished from the former, according to our
explanation, in the words," And darkness he called Night." This is
now dear.
The phrase," And he divided between the waters," etc., does not
describe a division in space, as if the one part were merely above
the other, whilst the nature of both remained the same, but a
distinction as regards their nature or form. One portion of that
which was first called water was made one thing by certain
properties it received, and another portion received a different
form, and this latter portion is that which is commonly called
water and of this it is said," And the gathering of the waters he
called Seas." Scripture even indicates that the first mayim ('I
water" ) in the phrase," On the face of the waters," does not refer
to the waters which form the seas and that part of the element"
water," having received a particular form, and being above the air,
is distinguished from the other part which has received the form of
ordinary water. For the words," And he divided between the waters
which are beneath the firmament and the waters which are above
the firmament are similar in meaning to the phrase," And God
divided between the light and the darkness," and refer to a
distinction by a separate form. The firmament itself was formed of
water; and in the words of our Sages (Bereshit Rabba: cap. iv.),"
The middle drop congealed and formed the heavens."
Here likewise Scripture says, in accordance with what I said
above,
"And God called the firmament Heaven" (Gen. i. 8), in order to
explain the homonymity of the term shamayim (heaven), and to
show that shamayim in the first verse is not the firmament which is
also called shamayim (heaven). The difference is more clearly
expressed in the words," In the open firmament of heaven" (ibid.
i. 20): here it is shown that" firmament" (raki'a) and" heaven"
(shamayim), are two different things. In consequence of this
homonymity of the term shamayim the term raki'a (firmament) is
also used of the true heaven, just as the real firmament is
sometimes called shamayim (heaven); comp." And God set them
in the raki'a (firmament) of the heaven" (ibid. i. 17).
This verse shows clearly that the stars, the sun, and the moon are
not, as people believe, on the surface of the spheres, but they are
fixed in the spheres, and this has been proved satisfactorily, there
being no vacuum in the Universe: for it is said," in the firmament
of the heaven," and not" upon the firmament of the heaven?'
It is therefore clear that there has been one common element called
water, which has been afterwards distinguished by three different
forms: one part forms the seas, another the firmament, and a third
part is over the firmament, and all this is separate from the earth.
The Scriptural text follows here a peculiar method in order to
indicate some extraordinary mysteries. It has also been declared by
our Sages that the portion above the firmament is only water by
name, not in reality, for they say (Babyl. Talmud, Hagigah 14b)"
Four entered the paradise," etc. R. Akiba said to them," When you
come to the stores of pure marble, do not say, Water, water, for it
is written, ' He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight '" (Ps. ci.
7). Consider, if you belong to the class of thinking men, how
clearly and distinctly this passage explains the subject for those
who reflect on it! Understand that which has been proved by
Aristotle in his book. On Meteorology, and note whatever men of
science have said on meteorological matters.
It is necessary to inquire into the reason why the declaration" that
it was good" is not found in the account of the second day of the
Creation. The various Midrashic sayings of our Sages on this point
are well known: the best of them is the explanation that the
creation of the water was not completed on that day. According to
my opinion the reason is likewise clear, and is as follows : When
the creation of any part of the Universe is described that is
permanent, regular, and in a settled order, the phrase" that it is
good" is used. But the account of the firmament, with that which
is above it and is called water, is, as you see, of a very mysterious
character. For if taken literally the firmament would appear at first
thought to be merely an imaginary thing, as there is no other
substance but the elements between us and the lowest of the
heavenly spheres, and there is no water above the air: and if the
firmament, with that which is over it, be supposed to be above the
heavens, it would a fortiori seem to be unreal and
uncomprehensible. But if the account be understood in a figurative
sense and according to its true meaning, it is still more mysterious,
since it was considered necessary to make this one of the most
hidden secrets, in order to prevent the multitude from knowing it.
This being the case, how could it be said [of the creation of the
second day]" that it was good" ? This phrase would tell us that it
is perfectly dear what share the thing to which it refers takes in the
permanent existence of the Universe. But what good can people
find in a thing whose real nature is hidden, and whose apparent
nature is not real ? Why, therefore, should it be said in reference to
it," that it was good" ? I must, however, give the following
additional explanation. Although the result of the second day's
creation forms an important element among the existing things, the
firmament was not its primary object in the organization of the
Universe, and therefore it could not be said" that it was good" : it
was only the means for the uncovering of the earth. Note this. Our
Sages have already explained that the herbs and trees, which God
caused to spring forth from the ground, were caused by God to
grow, after He had sent down rain upon them; and the passage
beginning," And there went up a mist from the earth" (ii. 6), refers
to that which took place before the creative act, related in the
words," Let the earth bring forth grass," etc. (i. ii.). Therefore
Onkelos translates it:" And there had gone up a mist from the
earth?' It is also evident from the text itself, where it is distinctly
said," And every plant in the field before it was in the earth," etc.
(ii. 5). This question is now explained.
It is well known to every philosopher that the principal causes of
production and destruction, after the influence of the spheres, are
light and darkness, in so far as these are accompanied by heat and
cold. For by the motion of the spheres the elements intermix, and
by light and darkness their constitution changes. The first change
consists in the formation of two kinds of mist; these are the first
causes of meteorological phenomena, such as rain: they also
caused the formation of minerals, of plants, of animals, and at last
of man. It is likewise known that darkness is the natural property
of all things on earth; in them light is accidental, coming from an
external cause, and therefore everything remains in a state of rest
in the absence of light. The Scriptural account of the Creation
follows in every respect exactly the same order, without any
deviation.
Note also the saying of our Sages:" When the Universe was
created, all things were created with size, intellect, and beauty
fully developed, i.e., everything was created perfect in magnitude
and form, and endowed with the most suitable properties: the word
zibyonam (their beauty) used here has the same meaning as zebi, '
glory '" (Ezek. xx. 6). Note this likewise, for it includes a principle
fully established.
The following point now claims our attention. The account of the
six days of creation contains, in reference to the creation of man,
the statement :" Male and female created he them" (i. 27), and
concludes with the words:" Thus the heavens and the earth were
finished, and all the host of them" (ii. 1), and yet the portion
which follows describes the creation of Eve from Adam, the tree
of life, and the tree of knowledge, the history of the serpent and
the events connected therewith, and all this as having taken place
after Adam had been placed in the Garden of Eden. All our Sages
agree that this took place on the sixth day, and that nothing new
was created after the close of the six days. None of the things
mentioned above is therefore impossible, because the laws of
Nature were then not yet permanently fixed. There are, however,
some utterances of our Sages on this subject [which apparently
imply a different view]. I will gather them from their different
sources and place them before you, and I will refer also to certain
things by mere hints, just as has been done by the Sages. I You
must know that their words, which I am about to quote, are most
perfect, most accurate, and clear to those for whom they were said.
I will therefore not add long explanations, lest I make their
statements plain, and I might thus become" a revealer of secrets,"
but I will give them in a certain order, accompanied with a few
remarks, which will suffice for readers like you.
One of these utterances is this :" Adam and Eve were at first
created as one being, having their backs united: they were then
separated, and one half was removed and brought before Adam as
Eve." The term mizal'otav (lit." of his ribs" ) signifies" of his
sides." The meaning of the word is proved by referring to :peba,"
the side" of the tabernacle (Exod. XXVi. 20), which Onkelos
renders setar (" side" ), and so also mi-zal'otav is rendered by him"
mi-sitrohi" (of his sides). Note also how clearly it has been stated
that Adam and Eve were two in some respects, and yet they
remained one, according to the words," Bone of my bones, and
flesh of my flesh" (Gen. ii. 23). The unity of the two is proved by
the fact that both have the same name, for she is called ishshah
(woman), because she was taken out of ish (man), also by the
words," And shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one
flesh" (ii. 24). How great is the ignorance of those who do not see
that all this necessarily includes some [other] idea [besides the
literal meaning of the words]. This is now clear.
Another noteworthy Midrashic remark of our Sages is the
following:
The serpent had a rider, the rider was as big as a camel, and it was
the rider that enticed Eve: this rider was Samael." Samael is the
name generally applied by our Sages to Satan. Thus they say in
several places that Satan desired to entice Abraham to sin, and to
abstain from binding Isaac, and he desired also to persuade Isaac
not to obey his father. At the same time they also say, in reference
to the same subject, viz., the Akedah (" the binding of Isaac"), that
Samael came to Abraham and said to him," What! hast thou, being
an old man, lost thy senses ?" etc. This shows that Samael and
Satan are identical. There is a meaning in this name [Samael]), as
there is also in the name nahash (" serpent" ). In describing how
the serpent came to entice Eve, our sages say:" Samad was riding
on it, and God was laughing at both the camel and its rider." It is
especially of importance to notice that the serpent did not
approach or address Adam, but all his attempts were directed
against Eve, and it was through her that the serpent caused injury
and death to Adam. The greatest hatred exists between the serpent
and Eve, and between his seed and her seed; her seed being
undoubtedly also the seed of man. More remarkable still is the way
in which the serpent is joined to Eve, or rather his seed to her seed;
the head of the one touches the heel of the other. Eve defeats the
serpent by crushing its head, whilst the serpent defeats her by
wounding her heel. This is likewise dear.
The following is also a remarkable passage, most absurd in its
literal sense; but as an allegory it contains wonderful wisdom, and
fully agrees with real facts, as will be found by those who
understand all the chapters of this treatise. When the serpent came
to Eve he infected her with poison; the Israelites, who stood at
Mount Sinai, removed that poison; idolaters, who did not stand at
Mount Sinai, have not got rid of it. Note this likewise. Again they
said :" The tree of life extends over an area of five hundred years'
journey, and it is from beneath it that all the waters of the creation
sprang forth" : and they added the explanation that this measure
referred to the thickness of its body, and not to the extent of its
branches, for they continue thus :" Not the extent of the branches
thereof, but the stem thereof [korato, lit., ' its beam,' signifying
here ' its stem') has a thickness of five hundred years' journey."
This is now sufficiently clear. Again:" God has never shown the
tree of knowledge [of good and evil] to man, nor will He ever
show it." This is correct, for it must be so according to the nature
of the Universe. Another noteworthy saying is this:" And the Lord
God took the man, i.e., raised him, and placed him in the Garden
of Eden," i.e., He gave him rest. The words" He took him,"" He
gave him," have no reference to position in space, but they indicate
his position in rank among transient beings, and the prominent
character of his existence. Remarkable and noteworthy is the great
wisdom contained in the names of Adam, Cain, and Abel, and in
the fact that it was Cain who slew Abel in the field, that both of
them perished, although the murderer had some respite, and that
the existence of mankind is due to Seth alone. Comp." For God
has appointed me another seed" (iv. 25). This has proved true.
It is also necessary to understand and consider the words," And
Adam gave names" (ii. 20): here it is indicated that languages are
conventional, and that they are not natural, as has been assumed by
some. We must also consider the four different terms employed in
expressing the relations of the heavens to God, bore (Creator),
'oseb (Maker), koneb (Possessor), and el (God). Comp." God
created the heaven and the earth" (i. 1):" In the day that God
-made the earth and the heavens" (ii. 4):" Possessor of heaven and
earth" (xiv. 19):" God of the Universe" (xxi, 31):" The God of
heaven and the God of the earth" (xxiv. 3). As to the verbs,
konen," he established," tafah," he spanned," and natab," he
stretched out," occurring in the following passages," Which thou
hast established" (Ps. viii. 4)," My right hand hath spanned the
heavens" (Isa. xviii. 13)," Who stretchest out the heavens" (PS.
civ. 2), they are included in the term asah (" he made" ): the verb
yazar," he formed," does not occur in reference to the heavens.
According to my opinion the verb yazar denotes to make a form, a
shape, or any other accident (for form and shape are likewise
accidents). It is therefore said, yozer or," Who formeth the light"
(Isa. xiv. 7), light being an accident; yozer harim," That formeth
the mountains" (Amos iv, 13), i.e., that gave them their shape. In
the same sense the verb is used in the passage," And the Lord God
formed (va-yizer) all the beasts," etc. (Gen. ii, 7). But in reference
to the Universe, viz., the heavens and the earth, which comprises
the totality of the Creation, Scripture employs the verb bara, which
we explain as denoting he produced something from nothing; also
'asah (" he made" ) on account of the general forms or natural
properties of the things which were given to them; kanah," he
possessed," because God rules over them like a master over his
servants. For this reason He is also called," The Lord of the whole
earth" (Jos. iii. 11-13): ha-adon," the Lord" (Exod. xx., iii. 17).
But although none can be a master unless there exists something
that is in his possession, this attribute cannot be considered to
imply the belief in the eternal existence of a materia prima, since
the verbs bara," he created," and 'asah," he made," are also
employed in reference to the heavens. The Creator is called the
God of the heavens and the God of the Universe, on account of the
relations between Him and the heavens; He governs, and they are
governed; the word elohim does not signify" master" in the sense
of" owner" : it expresses the relation between His position in the
totality of existing beings, and the position of the heavens or the
Universe; He is God, not they, i.e., not the heavens. Note this.
This, together with those explanations which we have given, and
which we intend to give, in reference to this subject, may suffice,
considering the object of this treatise and the capacity of the
reader.
CHAPTER XXXI
IT is perhaps dear why the laws concerning Sabbath are so severe,
that their transgression is visited with death by stoning, and that
the greatest of the prophets put a person to death for breaking the
Sabbath. The commandment of the Sabbath is the third from the
commandment concerning the existence and the unity of God. For
the commandment not to worship any other being is merely an
explanation of the first. You know already from what I have said,
that no opinions retain their vitality except those which are
confirmed, published, and by certain actions constantly revived
among the people. Therefore we are told in the Law to honour this
day; in order to confirm thereby the principle of Creation which
will spread in the world, when all peoples keep Sabbath on the
same day. For when the question is asked, why this is done, the
answer is given:" For in six days the Lord hath made," etc. (Exod.
xx. 11). Two different reasons are given for this commandment,
because of two different objects. In the Decalogue in Exodus, the
following reason is given for distinguishing the Sabbath:" For in
six days," etc. But in Deuteronomy (chap. v. 15) the reason is
given:" And thou shalt remember that thou hast been a slave in the
land of Egypt, etc., therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee,"
etc. This difference can easily be explained. In the former, the
cause of the honour and distinction of the day is given; comp."
Therefore the Lord hath blessed the day of the Sabbath and
sanctified it" (Exod. xx. 10), and the cause for this is," For in six
days," etc. But the fact that God has given us the law of the
Sabbath and commanded us to keep it, is the consequence of our
having been slaves; for then our work did not depend on our will,
nor could we choose the time for it; and we could not rest. Thus
God commanded us to abstain from work on the Sabbath, and to
rest, for two purposes; namely, (1) That we might confirm the true
theory, that of the Creation, which at once and clearly leads to the
theory of the existence of God. (2) That we might remember how
kind God has been in freeing us from the burden of the Egyptians.
-- The Sabbath is therefore a double blessing : it gives us correct
notions, and also promotes the well-being of our bodies.
CHAPTER XNXII
THERE are as many different opinions concerning Prophecy as
concerning the Eternity or Non-Eternity of the Universe. For we
have shown that those who assume the existence of God as proved
may be divided into three classes, according to the view they take
of the question, whether the Universe is eternal or not. Similarly
there are three different opinions on Prophecy. I will not notice the
view of the Atheist: he does not believe in the Existence of God,
much less in Prophecy; but I will content myself with discussing
the various opinions [on Prophecy] held by those who believe in
God.
1. Among those who believe in Prophecy, and even among our
coreligionists, there are some ignorant people who think as
follows: God selects any person He pleases, inspires him with the
spirit of Prophecy, and entrusts him with a mission. It makes no
difference whether that person be wise or stupid, old or young;
provided he be, to some extent, morally good. For these people
have not yet gone so far as to maintain that God might also inspire
a wicked person with His spirit. They admit that this is impossible,
unless God has previously caused him to improve his ways.
2. The philosophers hold that prophecy is a certain faculty of man
in a state of perfection, which can only be obtained by study.
Although the faculty is common to the whole race, yet it is not
fully developed in each individual, either on account of the
individual's defective constitution, or on account of some other
external cause. This is the case with every faculty common to a
class. It is only brought to a state of perfection in some individuals,
and not in all; but it is impossible that it should not be perfect in
some individual of the class: and if the perfection is of such a
nature that it can only be produced by an agent, such an agent must
exist. Accordingly, it is impossible that an ignorant person should
be a prophet: or that a person being no prophet in the evening,
should, unexpectedly on the following morning, find himself a
prophet, as if prophecy were a thing that could be found
unintentionally. But if a person, perfect in his intellectual and
moral faculties, and also perfect, as far as possible, in his
imaginative faculty, prepares himself in the manner which will be
described, he must become a prophet; for prophecy is a natural
faculty of man. It is impossible that a man who has the capacity for
prophecy should prepare himself for it without attaining it , just as
it is impossible that a person with a healthy constitution should be
fed well, and yet not properly assimilate his food; and the like.
3. The third view is that which is taught in Scripture, and which
forms one of the principles of our religion. It coincides with the
opinion of the philosophers in all points except one. For we
believe that, even if one has the capacity for prophecy, and has
duly prepared himself, it may yet happen that he does not actually
prophesy. It is in that case the will of God [that withholds from
him the use of the faculty]. According to my opinion, this fact is as
exceptional as any other miracle, and acts in the same way. For the
laws of Nature demand that every one should be a prophet, who
has a proper physical constitution, and has been duly prepared as
regards education and training. If such a person is not a prophet, he
is in the same position as a person who, like Jeroboam (I Kings
xiii.
), is deprived of the use of his hand, or of his eyes, as was the case
with the army of Syria, in the history of Elisha (2 Kings vi. 18). As
for the principle which I laid down, that preparation and perfection
of moral and rational faculties are the sine qua non, our Sages say
exactly the same:" The spirit of prophecy only rests upon persons
who are wise, strong, and rich." We have explained these words in
our Commentary on the Mishnah, and in our large work. We stated
there that the Sons of the Prophets were constantly engaged in
preparation. That those who have prepared themselves may still be
prevented from being prophets, may be inferred from the history of
Baruch, the son of Nerijah: for he followed Jeremiah, who
prepared and instructed him; and yet he hoped in vain for
prophecy; comp.," I am weary with my sighing, and rest have I not
found." He was then told through Jeremiah," Thus saith the Lord,
Thus shalt thou say to him, Thou seekest for thee great things, do
not seek" (Jer. xlv. 5). It may perhaps be assumed that prophecy is
here described as a thing" too great" for Baruch. So also the fact
that" her prophets did not find visions from the Lord" (Lam. ii. 4),
may be considered as the result of the exile of her prophets, as will
be explained (chap. xxxvi.). There are, however, numerous
passages in Scripture as well as in the writings of our Sages, which
support the principle that it depends chiefly on the will of God
who is to prophesy, and at what time; and that He only selects the
best and the wisest. We hold that fools and ignorant people are
unfit for this distinction. It is as impossible for any one of these to
prophesy as it is for an ass or a frog; for prophecy is impossible
without study and training; when these have created the possibility,
then it depends on the will of God whether the possibility is to be
turned into reality. We must not be misled by the words of
Jeremiah (i. 5)," Before I formed thee in the womb I knew thee,
and before thou camest forth from the womb I have sanctified
thee" : for this is the case with all prophets: there must be a
physical preparation from the beginning of their existence, as will
be explained. As to the words," For I am young" (ibid. ver. 6), it
is well known that the pious Joseph, when he was thirty years old,
is called by the Hebrew" young" (na-ar): also Joshua, when he
was nearly sixty years old. For the statement," and his minister
Joshua, the son of Nun, was young," occurs in the account of the
Golden Calf (Exod. xxxiii. 11). Moses was then eighty-one years
old, he lived one hundred and twenty years; Joshua, who survived
him fourteen years, lived one hundred and ten years and must
consequently have been at least fifty-seven years old at the time
when the Golden Calf was made, and yet he is called na'ar,"
young." Nor must we be misled by prophecies like the following:"
I will pour out my spirit over an flesh, and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy" : since it is distinctly stated what is
meant by" prophesy" in this place, viz.," Your old men will dream
dreams, your young men shall see visions." For we call also
prophets all those who reveal something unknown by surmises, or
conjectures, or correct inferences. Thus" prophets of Baal" and"
of Ashirah" are mentioned in Scripture. And God says," If there
arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams," etc. (Deut.
xiii. 1). As to the revelation on Mount Sinai, all saw the great fire,
and heard the fearful thunderings, that caused such an
extraordinary terror; but only those of them who were duly
qualified were prophetically inspired, each one according to his
capacities. Therefore it is said," Come up unto the Lord, thou and
Aaron, Nadab and Abihu." Moses rose to the highest degree of
prophecy, according to the words," And Moses alone shall come
near the Lord." Aaron was below him, Nadab and Abihu below
Aaron, and the seventy elders below Nadab and Abihu, and the rest
below the latter, each one according to his degree of perfection.
Similarly our Sages wrote: Moses bad his own place and Aaron his
own. Since we have touched upon the revelation on Mount Sinai,
we will point out in a separate chapter what may be inferred as
regards the nature of that event, both from the Scriptural text, in
accordance with reasonable interpretation, and from the words of
our Sages.
CHAPTER XXXIII
IT is clear to me that what Moses experienced at the revelation on
Mount Sinai was different from that which was experienced by all
the other Israelites, for Moses alone was addressed by God, and for
this reason the second person singular is used in the Ten
Commandments; Moses then went down to the foot of the mount
and told his fellow-men what he had heard. Comp.," I stood
between the Lord and you at that time to tell you the word of the
Lord" (Dent. v. 5). Again, Moses spake, and God answered him
with a loud voice" (Exod. xix. 19). In the Mechilta our Sages say
distinctly that he brought to them every word as he had heard it.
Furthermore, the words," In order that the people hear when I
speak with thee" (Exod. xix. 9), show that God spoke to Moses,
and the people only heard the mighty sound, not distinct words. It
is to the perception of this mighty sound that Scripture refers in the
passage," When ye hear the sound" (Dent. v. 20); again it is
stated," You heard a sound of words" (ibid. iv. 12), and it is not
said" You heard words"; and even where the hearing of the words
is mentioned, only the perception of the sound is meant. It was
only Moses that heard the words, and he reported them to the
people. This is apparent from Scripture, and from the utterances of
our Sages in general. There is, however, an opinion of our Sages
frequently expressed in the Midrashim, and found also in the
Talmud, to this effect: The Israelites heard the first and the second
commandments from God, i.e., they learnt the truth of the
principles contained in these two commandments in the same
manner as Moses, and not through Moses. For these two
principles, the existence of God and His Unity, can be arrived at by
means of reasoning, and whatever can be established by proof is
known by the prophet in the same way as by any other person; he
has no advantage in this respect. These two principles were not
known through prophecy alone. Comp.," Thou hast been shown to
know that," etc. (Deut. iv. 34). But the rest of the commandments
are of an ethical and authoritative character, and do not contain
[truths] perceived by the intellect. Notwithstanding all that has
been said by our Sages on this subject, we infer from Scripture as
well as from the words of our Sages, that the Israelites heard on
that occasion a certain sound which Moses understood to proclaim
the first two commandments, and through Moses all other
Israelites learnt them when he in intelligible sounds repeated them
to the people. Our Sages mention this view, and support it by the
verse," God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this" (Ps. Ixii.
11). They state distinctly, in the beginning of Midrash Hazita, that
the Israelites did not hear any other command directly from G0d;
comp." A loud voice, and it was not heard again" (Deut. v. 19). It
was after this first sound was heard that the people were seized
with the fear and terror described in Scripture, and that they said,"
Behold the Lord our God has shown us, etc., and now why shall we
die, etc. Come thou near," etc. Then Moses, the most distinguished
of all mankind, came the second time, received successively the
other commandments, and came down to the foot of the mountain
to proclaim them to the people, whilst the mighty phenomena
continued; they saw the fire, they heard the sounds, which were
those of thunder and lightning during a storm, and the loud sound
of the shofar: and all that is said of the many sounds heard at that
time, e.g., in the verse," and all the people perceived the sounds,"
etc., refers to the sound of the shofar, thunder, and similar sounds.
But the voice of the Lord, that is, the voice created for that
purpose, which was understood to include the diverse
commandments, was only heard once, as is declared in the Law,
and has been clearly stated by our Sages in the places which I have
indicated to you. When the people heard this voice their soul left
them; and in this voice they perceived the first two
commandments. It must, however, be noticed that the people did
not understand the voice in the same degree as Moses did. I will
point out to you this important fact, and show you that it was a
matter of tradition with the nation, and well known by our Sages.
For, as a rule, Onkelos renders the word va-yedabber by u-mallel ("
and God spake '): this is also the case with this word in the
beginning of the twentieth chapter of Exodus, but the words ve-al
yedabber immanu elohim," let not God speak to us" (Exod. xx.
19), addressed by the people to Moses, is rendered vela yitmallel
immanu min kodam adonai (" Let not aught be spoken to us by the
Lord" ). Onkelos makes thus the same distinction which we made.
You know that according to the Talmud Onkelos received all these
excellent interpretations directly from R. Eliezer and R. Joshua,
the wisest men in Israel. Note it, and remember it, for it is
impossible for any person to expound the revelation on Mount
Sinai more fully than our Sages have done, since it is one of the
secrets of the Law. It is very difficult to have a true conception of
the events, for there has never been before, nor will there ever be
again, anything like it. Note it.
CHAPTER XXXIV
THE meaning of the Scriptural passage," Behold I will send an
angel before thee," etc. (Exod. xxiii. 20), is identical with the
parallel passage in Deuteronomy which God is represented to have
addressed to Moses at the revelation on Mount Sinai, namely," I
will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren," etc.
(Deut. xviii. 18). The words," Beware of him, and obey his voice,"
etc., said in reference to the angel, prove [that this passage speaks
of a prophet]. For there is no doubt that the commandment is given
to the ordinary people, to whom angels do not appear with
commandments and exhortations, and it is therefore unnecessary
to tell them not to disobey him. The meaning of the passage
quoted above is this: God informs the Israelites that He will raise
up for them a prophet, to whom an angel will appear in order to
speak to him, to command him, and to exhort him; he therefore
cautions them not to rebel against this angel, whose word the
prophet will communicate to them. Therefore it is expressly said
in Deuteronomy," Unto him ye shall hearken" (Deut. xviii. 15):"
And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall not hearken unto
my words which he shall speak in my name," etc. (ibid. 19). This
is the explanation of the words," for my name is in him" (Exod.
xxiv. 22). The object of all this is to say to the Israelites, This great
sight witnessed by you, the revelation on Mount Sinai, will not
continue for ever, nor will it ever be repeated. Fire and cloud will
not continually rest over the tabernacle, as they are resting now on
it: but the towns will be conquered for you, peace will be secured
for you in the land, and you will be informed of what you have to
do, by an angel whom I will send to your prophets; he will thus
teach you what to do, and what not to do. Here a principle is laid
clown which I have constantly expounded, viz., that all prophets
except Moses receive the prophecy through an angel. Note it.
CHAPTER XXXV
I HAVE already described the four points in which the prophecy of
Moses our Teacher was distinguished from that of other prophets,
in books accessible to every one, in the Commentary on the
Mishnah (Sanhedrin x. I) and in Mishneh-torah (S. Madd'a I. vii.
6); 1 have also adduced evidence for my explanation, and shown
the correctness thereof. I need not repeat the subject here, nor is it
included in the theme of this work. For I must tell you that
whatever I say here of prophecy refers exclusively to the form of
the prophecy of all prophets before and after
Moses. But as to the prophecy of Moses I will not discuss it in this
work with one single word, whether directly or indirectly, because,
in my opinion, the term prophet is applied to Moses and other men
homonymously. A similar distinction, I think, must be made
between the miracles wrought by Moses and those wrought by
other prophets, for his signs are not of the same class as the
miracles of other prophets. That his prophecy was distinguished
from that of all his predecessors is proved by the passage," And I
appeared to Abraham, etc., but by my name, the Lord, I was not
known unto them" (Exod. vi. 3). We thus learn that his prophetic
perception was different from that of the Patriarchs, and excelled
it; a fortiori it must have excelled that of other prophets before
Moses. As to the distinction of Moses' prophecy from that of
succeeding prophets, it is stated as a fact," And there arose not a
prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face
to face" (Deut.xxxiv. 10). It is thus clear that his prophetic
perception was above that of later prophets in Israel, who are" a
kingdom of priests and a holy nation," and" in whose midst is the
Lord" : much more is it above that of prophets among other
nations.
The general distinction between the wonders of Moses and those
of other prophets is this: The wonders wrought by prophets, or for
them, are witnessed by a few individuals, e.g., the wonders
wrought by Elijah and Elisha; the king of Israel is therefore
surprised, and asked Gehazi to describe to him the miracles
wrought by Elisha :" Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that
Elisha hath done. And it came to pass as he was telling, etc. And
Gehazi said: 'My lord, 0 king, this is the woman, and this is her
son, whom Elisha restored to life '" (2 Kings viii. 4, 5). The same
is the case with the signs of every other prophet, except Moses our
Teacher. Scripture, therefore, declares that no prophet will ever,
like Moses, do signs publicly in the presence of friend and enemy,
of his followers and his opponents; this is the meaning of the
words:" And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto
Moses, etc., in all the signs and the wonders, etc., in the sight of all
Israel." Two things are here mentioned together; namely, that there
will not arise a prophet that will perceive as Moses perceived, or a
prophet that will do as he did; then it is pointed out that the signs
were made in the presence of Pharaoh, all his servants and all his
land, the opponents of Moses, and also in the presence of all the
Israelites, his followers. Comp." In the sight of all Israel." This is
a distinction not possessed by any prophet before Moses; nor, as is
correctly foretold, will it ever be possessed by another prophet. We
must not be misled by the account that the light of the sun stood
still certain hours for Joshua, when" he said in the sight of Israel,"
etc. (josh. x. 12): for it is not said there" in the sight of all Israel,"
as is said in reference to Moses. So also the miracle of Elijah, at
Mount Carmel, was witnessed only by a few people. When I said
above that the sun stood still certain hours, I explain the words"
ka-jom tamim" to mean" the longest possible day," because
tamim means" perfect," and indicates that that day appeared to the
people at Gibeon as their longest day in the summer. Your mind
must comprehend the distinction of the prophecy and the wonders
of Moses, and understand that his greatness in prophetic
perception was the same as his power of producing miracles. If
you further assume that we are unable fully to comprehend the
nature of this greatness, you will understand that when I speak, in
the chapters which follow this, on prophecy and the different
classes of prophets, I only refer to the prophets which have not
attained the high degree that Moses attained. This is what I desired
to explain in this chapter.
CHAPTER XXXVI
PROPHECY is, in truth and reality, an emanation sent forth by the
Divine Being through the medium of the Active Intellect, in the
first instance to man's rational faculty, and then to his imaginative
faculty; it is the highest degree and greatest perfection man can
attain: it consists in the most Perfect development of the
imaginative faculty. Prophecy is a faculty that cannot in any way
be found in a person, or acquired by man, through a culture of his
mental and moral faculties: for even if these latter were as good
and perfect as possible, they would be of no avail, unless they were
combined with the highest natural excellence of the imaginative
faculty. You know that the full development of any faculty of the
body, such as the imagination, depends on the condition of the
organ, by means of which the faculty acts. This must be the best
possible as regards its temperament and its size, and also as
regards the purity of its substance. Any defect in this respect
cannot in any way be supplied or remedied by training. For when
any organ is defective in its temperament, proper training can in
the best case restore a healthy condition to some extent, but cannot
make such an organ perfect. But if the organ is defective as regards
size, position, or as regards the substance and the matter of which
the organ is formed, there is no remedy. You know all this, and I
need not explain it to you at length.
Part of the functions of the imaginative faculty is, as you well
know, to retain impressions by the senses, to combine them, and
chiefly to form images. The principal and highest function is
performed when the senses are at rest and pause in their action, for
then it receives, to some extent, divine inspiration in the measure
as it is predisposed for this influence. This is the nature of those
dreams which prove true, and also of prophecy, the difference
being one of quantity, not of quality. Thus our Sages say, that
dream is the sixtieth part of prophecy: and no such comparison
could be made between two things of different kinds, for we
cannot say the perfection of man is so many times the perfection of
a horse. In Bereshit Rabba (sect. xvii.) the following saying of our
Sages occurs," Dream is the nobelet (the unripe fruit) of
prophecy." This is an excellent comparison, for the unripe fruit
(nohelet) is really the fruit to some extent, only it has fallen from
the tree before it was fully developed and ripe. In a similar manner
the action of the imaginative faculty during sleep is the same as at
the time when it receives a prophecy, only in the first case it is not
fully developed, and has not yet reached its highest degree. But
why need I quote the words of our Sages, when I can refer to the
following passage of Scripture :" If there be among you a prophet,
I, the Lord, will make myself known unto him in a vision, in a
dream will I speak to him" (Num. xii. 6). Here the Lord tells us
what the real essence of prophecy is, that it is a perfection acquired
in a dream or in a vision (the original mareh is a noun derived
from the verb raah): the imaginative faculty acquires such an
efficiency in its action that it sees the thing as if it came from
without, and perceives it as if through the medium of bodily
senses. These two modes of prophecy, vision and dream, include
all its different degrees. It is a well-known fact that the thing
which engages greatly and earnestly man's attention whilst he is
awake and in the full possession of his senses forms during his
sleep the object of the action of his imaginative faculty.
Imagination is then only influenced by the intellect in so far as it is
predisposed for such influence. It would be quite useless to
illustrate this by a simile, or to explain it fully, as it is clear, and
every one knows it. It is like the action of the senses, the existence
of which no person with common sense would ever deny. After
these introductory remarks you will understand that a person must
satisfy the following conditions before he can become a prophet:
The substance of the brain must from the very beginning be in the
most perfect condition as regards purity of matter, composition of
its different parts, size and position: no part of his body must suffer
from ill-health; he must in addition have studied and acquired
wisdom, so that his rational faculty passes from a state of
potentiality to that of actuality; his intellect must be as developed
and perfect as human intellect can be; his passions pure and
equally balanced; all his desires must aim at obtaining a
knowledge of the hidden laws and causes that are in force in the
Universe; his thoughts must be engaged in lofty matters: his
attention directed to the knowledge of God, the consideration of
His works, and of that which he must believe in this respect. There
must be an absence of the lower desires and appetites, of the
seeking after pleasure in eating, drinking, and cohabitation: and, in
short, every pleasure connected with the sense of touch. (Aristotle
correctly says that this sense is a disgrace to us, since we possess it
only in virtue of our being animals; and it does not include any
specifically human element, whilst enjoyments connected with
other senses, as smell, hearing, and sight, though likewise of a
material nature, may sometimes include [intellectual] pleasure,
appealing to man as man, according to Aristotle. This remark,
although forming no part of our subject, is not superfluous, for the
thoughts of the most renowned wise men are to a great extent
affected by the pleasures of this sense, and filled with a desire for
them. And yet people are surprised that these scholars do not
prophesy, if prophesying be nothing but a certain degree in the
natural development of man.) It is further necessary to suppress
every thought or desire for unreal power and dominion; that is to
say, for victory, increase of followers, acquisition of honour, and
service from the people without any ulterior object. On the
contrary, the multitude must be considered according to their true
worth; some of them are undoubtedly like domesticated cattle, and
others like wild beasts, and these only engage the mind of the
perfect and distinguished man in so far as he desires to guard
himself from injury, in case of contact with them, and to derive
some benefit from them when necessary. A man who satisfies
these conditions, whilst his fully developed imagination is in
action, influenced by the Active Intellect according to his mental
training, -- such a person will undoubtedly perceive nothing but
things very extraordinary and divine, and see nothing but God and
His angels. His knowledge will only include that which is real
knowledge, and his thought will only he directed to such general
principles as would tend to improve the social relations between
man and man.
We have thus described three kinds of perfection: mental
perfection acquired by training, perfection of the natural
constitution of the imaginative faculty, and moral perfection
produced by the suppression of every thought of bodily pleasures,
and of every kind of foolish or evil ambition. These qualities are,
as is well known, possessed by the wise men in different degrees,
and the degrees of prophetic faculty vary in accordance with this
difference. Faculties of the body are, as you know, at one time
weak, wearied, and corrupted, at others in a healthy state.
Imagination is certainly one of the faculties of the body. You find,
therefore, that prophets are deprived of the faculty of prophesying
when they mourn, are angry, or are similarly affected. Our Sages
say, Inspiration does not come upon a prophet when he is sad or
languid. This is the reason why Jacob did not receive any
revelation during the period of his mourning, when his imagination
was engaged with the loss of Joseph. The same was the case with
Moses, when he was in a state of depression through the multitude
of his troubles, which lasted from the murmurings of the Israelites
in consequence of the evil report of the spies, till the death of the
warriors of that generation. He received no message of God, as he
used to do, even though he did not receive prophetic inspiration
through the medium of the imaginative faculty, but directly
through the intellect. We have mentioned it several times that
Moses did not, like other prophets, speak in similes. This will be
further explained (chap. xlv.), but it is not the subject of the
present chapter. There were also persons who prophesied for a
certain time and then left off altogether, something occurring that
caused them to discontinue prophesying. The same circumstance,
prevalence of sadness and dulness, was undoubtedly the direct
cause of the interruption of prophecy during the exile: for can there
be any greater misfortune for man than this : to be a slave bought
for money in the service of ignorant and voluptuous masters, and
powerless against them as they unite in themselves the absence of
true knowledge and the force of all animal desires ? Such an evil
state has been prophesied to us in the words," They shall run to
and fro to seek the word of God, but shall not find it" (Amos viii.
12):" Her king and her princes are among the nations, the law is
no more, her prophets also find no vision from the Lord" (Lam. ii.
9). This is a real fact, and the cause is evident; the pre-requisites
[of prophecy] have been lost. In the Messianic period-may it soon
commence-prophecy will therefore again be in our midst, as has
been promised by God.
CHAPTER XXXVII
IT is necessary to consider the nature of the divine influence,
which enables us to think, and gives us the various degrees of
intelligence. For this influence may reach a person only in a small
measure, and in exactly the same proportion would then be his
intellectual condition, whilst it may reach another person in such a
measure that, in addition to his own perfection, he can be the
means of perfection for others. The same relation may be observed
throughout the whole Universe. There are some beings so perfect
that they can govern other beings, but there are also beings that are
only perfect in so far as they can govern themselves and cannot
influence other beings. In some cases the influence of the [Active]
Intellect reaches only the logical and not the imaginative faculty;
either on account of the insufficiency of that influence, or on
account of a defect in the constitution of the imaginative faculty,
and the consequent inability of the latter to receive that influence :
this is the condition of wise men or philosophers. If, however, the
imaginative faculty is naturally in the most perfect condition, this
influence may, as has been explained by us and by other
philosophers, reach both his logical and his imaginative faculties:
this is the case with prophets. But it happens sometimes that the
influence only reaches the imaginative faculty on account of the
insufficiency of the logical faculty, arising either from a natural
defect, or from a neglect in training. This is the case with
statesmen, lawgivers, diviners, charmers, and men that have true
dreams, or do wonderful things by strange means and secret arts,
though they are not wise men; all these belong to the third class. It
is further necessary to understand that some persons belonging to
the third class perceive scenes, dreams, and confused images,
when awake, in the form of a prophetic vision. They then believe
that they are prophets; they wonder that they perceive visions, and
think that they have acquired wisdom without training. They fall
into grave errors as regards important philosophical principles, and
see a strange mixture of true and imaginary things. All this is the
consequence of the strength of their imaginative faculty, and the
weakness of their logical faculty, which has not developed, and
has not passed from potentiality to actuality.
It is well known that the members of each class differ greatly from
each other. Each of the first two classes is again subdivided, and
contains two sections, namely, those who receive the influence
only as far as is necessary for their own perfection, and those who
receive it in so great a measure that it suffices for their own
perfection and that of others. A member of the first class, the wise
men, may have his mind influenced either only so far, that he is
enabled to search, to understand, to know, and to discern, without
attempting to be a teacher or an author, having neither the desire
nor the capacity; but he may also be influenced to such a degree
that he becomes a teacher and an author. The same is the case with
the second class. A person may receive a prophecy enabling him to
perfect himself but not others; but he may also receive such a
prophecy as would compel him to address his fellowmen, teach
them, and benefit them through his perfection. It is dear that,
without this second degree of perfection, no books would have
been written, nor would any prophets have persuaded others to
know the truth. For a scholar does not write a book with the object
to teach himself what he already knows. But the characteristic of
the intellect is this : what the intellect of one receives is
transmitted to another, and so on, till a person is reached that can
only himself be perfected by such an influence, but is unable to
communicate it to others, as has been explained in some chapters
of this treatise (chap. xi.). It is further the nature of this element in
man that he who possesses an additional degree of that influence is
compelled to address his fellowmen, under all circumstances,
whether he is listened to or not, even if he injures himself thereby.
Thus we find prophets that did not leave off speaking to the people
until they were slain; it is this divine influence that moves them,
that does not allow them to rest in any way, though they might
bring upon themselves great evils by their action. E.g., when
Jeremiah was despised, like other teachers and scholars of his age,
he could not, though he desired it, withhold his prophecy, or cease
from reminding the people of the truths which they rejected.
Comp." For the Word of the Lord was unto me a reproach and a
mocking all day, and I said, I will not mention it, nor will I again
speak in His name; but it was in mine heart as a burning fire,
enclosed in my bones, and I was wearied to keep it, and did not
prevail" (jer. xx. 8, g). This is also the meaning of the words of
another prophet," The Lord God hath spoken, who shall not
prophesy ?" (Amos iii. 8) Note it.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
EVERY man possesses a certain amount of courage, otherwise he
would not stir to remove anything that might injure him. This
psychical force seems to me analogous to the physical force of
repulsion. Energy varies like all other forces, being great in one
case and small in another. There are, therefore, people who attack
a lion, whilst others run away at the sight of a mouse. One attacks
a whole army and fights, another is frightened and terrified by the
threat of a woman. This courage requires that there be in a man's
constitution a certain disposition for it. If man, in accordance with
a certain view, employs it more frequently, it develops and
increases, but, on the other hand, if it is employed, in accordance
with the opposite view, more rarely, it will diminish. From our
own youth we remember that there are different degrees of energy
among boys.
The same is the case with the intuitive faculty; all possess it, but in
different degrees. Man's intuitive power is especially strong in
things which he has well comprehended, and in which his mind is
much engaged. Thus you may yourself guess correctly that a
certain person said or did a certain thing in a certain matter. Some
persons are so strong and sound in their imagination and intuitive
faculty that, when they assume a thing to be in existence, the
reality either entirely or partly confirms their assumption.
Although the causes of this assumption are numerous, and include
many preceding, succeeding, and present circumstances, by means
of the intuitive faculty the intellect can pass over all these causes,
and draw inferences from them very quickly, almost
instantaneously. This same faculty enables some persons to
foretell important coming events. The prophets must have had
these two forces, courage and intuition, highly developed, and
these were still more strengthened when they were under the
influence of the Active Intellect. Their courage was so great that,
e.g., Moses, with only a staff in his hand, dared to address a great
king in his desire to deliver a nation from his service. He was not
frightened or terrified, because he had been told," I will be with
thee" (Exod. iii. 12). The prophets have not all the same degree of
courage, but none of them have been entirely without it. Thus
Jeremiah is told:" Be not afraid of them," etc. (jer. i. 8), and
Ezekiel is exhorted," Do not fear them or their word" (Ezek. ii.
6). In the same manner, you find that all prophets possessed great
courage. Again, through the excellence of their intuitive faculty,
they could quickly foretell the future, but this excellence, as is well
known, likewise admits of different degrees.
The true prophets undoubtedly conceive ideas that result from
premisses which human reason could not comprehend by itself;
thus they tell things which men could not tell by reason and
ordinary imagination alone; for [the action of the prophets' mental
capacities is influenced by] the same agent that causes the
perfection of the imaginative faculty, and that enables the prophet
thereby to foretell a future event with such clearness as if it was a
thing already perceived with the senses, and only through them
conveyed to his imagination. This agent perfects the prophet's
mind, and influences it in such a manner that he conceives ideas
which are confirmed by reality, and are so dear to him as if he
deduced them by means of syllogisms.
This should be the belief of all who choose to accept the truth. For
[all things are in a certain relation to each other, and] what is
noticed in one thing may be used as evidence for the existence of
certain properties in another, and the knowledge of one thing leads
us to the knowledge of other things But [what we said of the
extraordinary powers of our imaginative faculty] applies with
special force to our intellect, which is directly influenced by the
Active Intellect, and caused by it to pass from potentiality to
actuality. It is through the intellect that the influence reaches the
imaginative faculty. How then could the latter be so perfect as to
be able to represent things not previously perceived by the senses,
if the same degree of perfection were withheld from the intellect,
and the latter could not comprehend things otherwise than in the
usual manner, namely, by means of premiss, conclusion, and
inference ? This is the true characteristic of prophecy, and of the
disciplines to which the preparation for prophecy must exclusively
be devoted. I spoke here of true prophets in order to exclude the
third class, namely, those persons whose logical faculties are not
fully developed, and who do not possess any wisdom, but are only
endowed with imaginative and inventive powers. It may be that
things perceived by these persons are nothing but ideas which they
had before, and of which impressions were left in their
imaginations together with those of other things: but whilst the
impressions of other images are effaced and have disappeared,
certain images alone remain, are seen and considered as new and
objective, coming from without. The process is analogous to the
following case: A person has with him in the house a thousand
living individuals; all except one of them leave the house: when
the person finds himself alone with that individual, he imagines
that the latter has entered the house now, contrary to the fact that
he has only not left the house. This is one of the many phenomena
open to gross =interpretations and dangerous errors, and many of
those who believed that they were wise perished thereby.
There were, therefore, men who supported their opinion by a
dream which they had, thinking that the vision during sleep was
independent of what they had previously believed or heard when
awake. Persons whose mental capacities are not fully developed,
and who have not attained intellectual perfection, must not take
any notice of these [dreams]. Those who reach that perfection
may, through the influence of the divine intellect, obtain
knowledge independent of that possessed by them when awake.
They are true prophets, as is distinctly stated in Scripture, ve-nabi
lebab hokmah (Ps. xc. 12)," And the true prophet possesseth a
heart of wisdom." This must likewise he noticed.
CHAPTER XXXIX
WE have given the definition of prophecy, stated its true
characteristics, and shown that the prophecy of Moses our Teacher
was distinguished from that of other prophets; we will now explain
that this distinction alone qualified him for the office of
proclaiming the Law, a mission without a parallel in the history
from Adam to Moses, or among the prophets who came after him;
it is a principle in our faith that there will never be revealed
another Law. Consequently we hold that there has never been, nor
will there ever be, any other divine Law but that of Moses our
Teacher. According to what is written in Scripture and handed
down by tradition, the fact may be explained in the following way:
There were prophets before Moses, as the patriarchs Shem, Eber,
Noah, Methushelah, and Enoch, but of these none said to any
portion of mankind that God sent him to them and commanded
him to convey to them a certain message or to prohibit or to
command a certain thing. Such a thing is not related in Scripture,
or in authentic tradition. Divine prophecy reached them as we have
explained. Men like Abraham, who received a large measure of
prophetic inspiration, called their fellow-men together and led
them by training and instruction to the truth which they had
perceived. Thus Abraham taught, and showed by philosophical
arguments that there is one God, that He has created everything
that exists beside Him, and that neither the constellations nor
anything in the air ought to be worshipped; he trained his
fellow-men in this belief, and won their attention by pleasant
words as well as by acts of kindness. Abraham did not tell the
people that God had sent him to them with the command
concerning certain things which should or should not be done.
Even when it was commanded that he, his sons, and his servants
should be circumcised, he fulfilled that commandment, but he did
not address his fellow-men prophetically on this subject. That
Abraham induced his fellow-men to do what is right, telling them
only his own will [and not that of God], may be learnt from the
following passage of Scripture:" For I know him, because he
commands his sons and his house after him, to practise
righteousness and judgment" (Gen. xix. 19). Also Isaac, Jacob,
Levi, Kohath, and Amrarn influenced their fellow-men in the same
way. Our Sages, when speaking of prophets before Moses, used
expressions like the following: The bet-din (court of justice) of
Eber, the bet-din of Methushelah, and in the college of
Methushelah; although all these were prophets, yet they taught
their fellow-men in the manner of preachers, teachers, and
pedagogues, but did not use such phrases as the following:" And
God said to me, Speak to certain people so and so." This was the
state of prophecy before Moses. But as regards Moses, you know
what [God] said to him, what he said [to the people], and the
words addressed to him by the whole nation :" This day we have
seen that God doth talk with man, and that he liveth"(Deut.V.21).
The history of all our prophets that lived after Moses is well
known to you; they performed, as it were, the function of warning
the people and exhorting them to keep the Law of Moses,
threatening evil to those who would neglect it, and announcing
blessings to those who would submit to its guidance. This we
believe will always be the case. Comp." It is not in the heavens
that one might say," etc. (ibid. xxx. 12):" For us and for our
children for ever" (ibid. xxix. 28). It is but natural that it should be
so. For if one individual of a class has reached the highest
perfection possible in that class, every other individual must
necessarily be less perfect, and deviate from the perfect measure
either by surplus or deficiency. Take, e.g., the normal constitution
of a being, it is the most proper composition possible in that class:
any constitution that deviates from that norm contains something
too much or too little. The same is the case with the Law. It is
clear that the Law is normal in this sense: for it contains" just
statutes and judgments" (Deut. iv. 8): but" just" is here identical
with" equibalanced." The statutes of the Law do not impose
burdens or excesses as are implied in the service of a hermit or
pilgrim, and the like: but, on the other hand, they are not so
deficient as to lead to gluttony or lewdness, or to prevent, as the
religious laws of the heathen nations do, the development of man's
moral and intellectual faculties. We intend to discuss in this
treatise the reasons of the commandments, and we shall then show,
as far as necessary, the justice and wisdom of the Law, on account
of which it is said:" The Law of God is perfect, refreshing the
heart" (Ps. xix. 8). There are persons who believe that the Law
commands much exertion and great pain, but due consideration
will show them their error. Later on I will show how easy it is for
the perfect to obey the Law. Comp." What does the Lord thy God
ask of thee ?" etc. (Dent. x. 12):" Have I been a wilderness to
Israel ?" (Jer. ii. 31). But this applies only to the noble ones;
whilst wicked, violent, and pugnacious persons find it most
injurious and hard that there should be any divine authority tending
to subdue their passion. To low-minded, wanton, and passionate
persons it appears most cruel that there should be an obstacle in
their way to satisfy their carnal appetite, or that a punishment
should be inflicted for their doings. Similarly every godless person
imagines that it is too hard to abstain from the evil he has chosen
in accordance with his inclination. We must not consider the Law
easy or hard according as it appears to any wicked, lowminded,
and immoral person, but as it appears to the judgment of the most
perfect, who, according to the Law, are fit to be the example for all
mankind. This Law alone is called divine; other laws, such as the
political legislations among the Greeks, or the follies of the
Sabcans, are the works of human leaders, but not of prophets, as I
have explained several times.
CHAPTER XL
IT has already been fully explained that man is naturally a social
being, that by virtue of his nature he seeks to form communities:
man is therefore different from other living beings that are not
compelled to combine into communities. He is, as you know, the
highest form in the creation, and he therefore includes the largest
number of constituent elements: this is the reason why the human
race contains such a great variety of individuals, that we cannot
discover two persons exactly alike in any moral quality, or in
external appearance. The cause of this is the variety in man's
temperament, and in accidents dependent on his form: for with
every physical form there are connected certain special accidents
different from those which are connected with the substance. Such
a variety among the individuals of a class does not exist in any
other class of living beings; for the variety in any other species is
limited; only man forms an exception; two persons maybe so
different from each other in every respect that they appear to
belong to two different classes. Whilst one person is so cruel that
he kills his youngest child in his anger, another is too delicate and
faint-hearted to kill even a fly or worm. The same is the case with
most of the accidents. This great variety and the necessity of social
life are essential elements in man's nature. But the well-being of
society demands that there should be a leader able to regulate the
actions of man; he must complete every shortcoming, remove
every excess, and prescribe for the conduct of all, so that the
natural variety should be counterbalanced by the uniformity of
legislation, and the order of society be well established. I therefore
maintain that the Law, though not a product of Nature, is
nevertheless not entirely foreign to Nature. It being the will of God
that our race should exist and be permanently established, He in
His wisdom gave it such properties that men can acquire the
capacity of ruling others. Some persons are therefore inspired with
theories of legislation, such as prophets and lawgivers: others
possess the power of enforcing the dictates of the former, and of
compelling people to obey them, and to act accordingly. Such are
kings, who accept the code of lawgivers, and [rulers] who pretend
to be prophets, and accept, either entirely or partly, the teaching of
the prophets. They accept one part while rejecting another part,
either because this course appears to them more convenient, or out
of ambition, because it might lead people to believe that the rulers
themselves had been prophetically inspired with these laws, and
did not copy them from others. For when we like a certain
perfection, find pleasure in it, and wish to possess it, we
sometimes desire to make others believe that we possess that
virtue, although we are fully aware that we do not possess it. Thus
people, e.g., adorn themselves with the poems of others, and
publish them as their own productions. It also occurs in the works
of wise men on the various branches of Science, that an ambitious,
lazy person sees an opinion expressed by another person,
appropriates it, and boasts that he himself originated it. The same
[ambition] occurs also with regard to the faculty of prophecy.
There were men who, like Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah (I
Kings xxii. ii, 24) boasted that they received a prophecy, and
declared things which have never been prophesied. Others, like
Hananiah, son of Azzur (Jer. xxviii. 1-5), claim the capacity of
prophecy, and proclaim things which, no doubt, have been said by
God, that is to say, that have been the subject of a divine
inspiration, but not to them. They nevertheless say that they are
prophets, and adorn themselves with the prophecies of others. All
this can easily be ascertained and recognized. I will, however, fully
explain this to you, so that no doubt be left to you on this question,
and that you may have a test by which you may distinguish
between the guidance of human legislation, of the divine law, and
of teachings stolen from prophets. As regards those who declare
that the laws proclaimed by them are their own ideas, no further
test is required: the confession of the defendant makes the
evidence of the witness superfluous. I only wish to instruct you
about laws which are proclaimed as prophetic. Some of these are
truly prophetic, originating in divine inspiration, some are of
non-prophetic character, and some, though prophetic originally,
are the result of plagiarism. You will find that the sole object of
certain laws, in accordance with the intention of their author, who
well considered their effect, is to establish the good order of the
state and its affairs, to free it from all mischief and wrong: these
laws do not deal with philosophic problems, contain no teaching
for the perfecting of our logical faculties, and are not concerned
about the existence of sound or unsound opinions. Their sole
object is to arrange, under all circumstances, the relations of men
to each other, and to secure their well-being, in accordance with
the view of the author of these laws. These laws are political, and
their author belongs, as has been stated above, to the third class,
viz., to those who only distinguish themselves by the perfection of
their imaginative faculties. You will also find laws which, in all
their rules, aim, as the law just mentioned, at the improvement of
the material interests of the people: but, besides, tend to improve
the state of the faith of man, to create first correct notions of God,
and of angels, and to lead then the people, by instruction and
education, to an accurate knowledge of the Universe : this
education comes from God; these laws are divine. The question
which now remains to be settled is this: Is the person who
proclaimed these laws the same perfect man that received them by
prophetic inspiration, or a plagiarist, who has stolen these ideas
from a true prophet ? In order to be enabled to answer this
question, we must examine the merits of the person, obtain an
accurate account of his actions, and consider his character. The
best test is the rejection, abstention, and contempt of bodily
pleasures: for this is the first condition of men, and a fortiori of
prophets: they must especially disregard pleasures of the sense of
touch, which, according to Aristotle, is a disgrace to us: and, above
all, restrain from the pollution of sensual intercourse. Thus God
exposes thereby false prophets to public shame, in order that those
who really seek the truth may find it, and not err or go astray; e.g.,
Zedekiah, son of Maasiah, and Ahab, son of Kolaiah, boasted that
they had received a prophecy. They persuaded the people to follow
them, by proclaiming utterances of other prophets: but all the time
they continued to seek the low pleasures of sensual intercourse,
committing even adultery with the wives of their companions and
followers. God exposed their falsehood as He has exposed that of
other false prophets. The king of Babylon burnt them, as Jeremiah
distinctly states:" And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the
captivity of Judah, which are in Babylon, saying, The Lord make
thee like Zedekiah, and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon
roasted in the fire. Because they have committed villany in Israel,
and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and
have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not
commanded them" (Jer. xxix. 22, 23). Note what is meant by
these words.
CHAPTER XLI
I NEED not explain what a dream is, but I will explain the
meaning of the term mareh," vision," which occurs in the
passage:" In a vision (be-mareh) do I make myself known unto
him" (Num. xii. 6). The term signifies that which is also called
mareh ha-nebuah," prophetic vision," yad ha-shem," the hand of
God," and mahazeb," a vision." It is something terrible and fearful
which the prophet feels while awake, as is distinctly stated by
Daniel:" And I saw this great vision, and there remained no
strength in me, for my comeliness was turned in me into
corruption, and I retained no strength" (Dan, x. 8). He afterwards
continues," Thus was I in deep sleep on my face, and my face
toward the ground" (ibid. ver. 9). But it was in a prophetic vision
that the angel spoke to him and" set him upon his knees." Under
such circumstances the senses cease to act, and the [Active
Intellect] influences the rational faculties, and through them the
imaginative faculties, which become perfect and active.
Sometimes the prophecy begins with a prophetic vision, the
prophet greatly trembles, and is much affected in consequence of
the perfect action of the imaginative faculty: and after that the
prophecy follows. This was the case with Abraham. The
commencement of the prophecy is," The word of the Lord came to
Abraham in a vision" (Gen. xv. 1): after this," a deep sleep fell
upon Abraham" : and at last," he said unto Abraham," etc. When
prophets speak of the fact that they received a prophecy, they say
that they received it from an angel, or from God; but even in the
latter case it was likewise received through an angel. Our Sages,
therefore, explain the words," And the Lord said unto her" that He
spake through an angel. You must know that whenever Scripture
relates that the Lord or an angel spoke to a person, this took place
in a dream or in a prophetic vision.
There are four different ways in which Scripture relates the fact
that a divine communication was made to the prophet. (1) The
prophet relates that he heard the words of an angel in a dream or
vision; (2) He reports the words of the angel without mentioning
that they were perceived in a dream or vision, assuming that it is
well known that prophecy can only originate in one of the two
ways," In a vision I will make myself known unto him, in a dream
I will speak unto him" (Num. xii. 6). (3) The prophet does not
mention the angel at all; he says that God spoke to him, but he
states that he received the message in a dream or a vision. (4) He
introduces his prophecy by stating that God spoke to him, or told
him to do a certain thing, or speak certain words, but he does not
explain that he received the message in a dream or vision, because
he assumes that it is well known, and has been established as a
principle that no prophecy or revelation originates otherwise than
in a dream or vision, and through an angel. Instances of the first
form are the following:-" And the angel of the Lord said unto me
in a dream, Jacob" (Gen. xxxi. 11):" And an angel said unto Israel
in a vision of night" (ibid. xlvi. 2):" And an angel came to Balaam
by night" :" And an angel said unto Balaam" (Num. xxii. 20-72).
Instances of the second form are these:" And Elohim (an angel),
said unto Jacob, Rise, go up to Bethel" (Gen. xxxv. 1); And
Elohim. said unto him, Thy name is Jacob," etc. (ibid. xxxv. 10);
And an angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the
second time" (ibid. xxii. 15):" And Elohim said unto Noah" (ibid.
vi. 13). The following is an instance of the third form:" The word
of the Lord came unto Abraham in a vision" (ibid. xv. 1).
Instances of the fourth form are :" And the Lord said unto
Abraham" (ibid. xviii. 13);" And the Lord said unto Jacob,
Return," etc. (ibid. xxxi. 3):" And the Lord said unto Joshua"
(josh. v. 9):" And the Lord said unto Gideon" (judges vii. 2). Most
of the prophets speak in a similar manner:" And the Lord said unto
me" (Deut. ii. 2):" And the word of the Lord came unto me"
(Ezek. xxx. 1):" And the word of the Lord came" (2 Sam. xxiv. 11)
" And behold, the word of the Lord came unto him" (I Kings xix.
9):" And the word of the Lord came expressly" (Ezek. i. 3):" The
beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea" (Hos. i. 2):" The
hand of the Lord was upon me" (Ezek. xxxvii. 1). There are a
great many instances of this class Every passage in Scripture
introduced by any of these four forms is a prophecy proclaimed by
a prophet; but the phrase," And Elohim (an angel) came to a
certain person in the dream of night," does not indicate a prophecy,
and the person mentioned in that phrase is not a prophet; the
phrase only informs us that the attention of the person was called
by God to a certain thing, and at the same time that this happened
at night. For just as God may cause a person to move in order to
save or kill another person, so He may cause, according to His
will, certain things to rise in man's mind in a dream by night. We
have no doubt that the Syrian Laban was a perfectly wicked man,
and an idolater; likewise Abimelech, though a good man among
his people, is told by Abraham concerning his land [Gerar] and his
kingdom," Surely there is no fear of God in this place" (Gen. xx.
11) And yet concerning both of them, viz., Laban and Abimelech,
it is said [that an angel appeared to them in a dream]. Comp." And
Elohirn (an angel) came to Abimelech in a dream by night" (ibid.
ver. 3): and also," And Elohim came to the Syrian Laban in the
dream of the night" (ibid. XXXi. 24). Note and consider the
distinction between the phrases," And Elohim came," and"
Elohim. said," between" in a dream by night," and" in a vision by
night." In reference to Jacob it is said," And an angel said to Israel
in the visions by night" (Gen. xlvi. 2), but in reference to Laban
and Abimelech," And Elohim. came," etc. Onkelos makes the
distinction dear; he translates, in the last two instances, ata memar
min kodam adonai," a word came from the Lord," and not
ve-itgeli," and the Lord appeared." The phrase," And the Lord
said to a certain person," is employed even when this person was
not really addressed by the Lord, and did not receive any prophecy,
but was informed of a certain thing through a prophet. E.g.," And
she went to inquire of the Lord" (Gen. XXV. 22): that is,
according to the explanation of our Sages, she went to the college
of Eber, and the latter gave her the answer; and this is expressed
by the words," And the Lord said unto her" (ibid. ver. 23). These
words have also been explained thus, God spoke to her through an
angel; and by" angel" Eber is meant here, for a prophet is
sometimes called" angel," as will be explained; or the angel that
appeared to Eber in this vision is referred to, or the object of the
Midrash explanation is merely to express that wherever God is
introduced as directly speaking to a person, i.e., to any of the
ordinary prophets, He speaks through an angel, as has been set
forth by us (chap. xxxiv.).
CHAPTER XLII
WE have already shown that the appearance or speech of an angel
mentioned in Scripture took place in a vision or dream; it makes
no difference whether this is expressly stated or not, as we have
explained above. This is a point of considerable importance. In
some cases the account begins by stating that the prophet saw an
angel; in others, the account apparently introduces a human being,
who ultimately is shown to be an angel; but it makes no difference,
for if the fact that an angel has been heard is only mentioned at the
end, you may rest satisfied that the whole account from the
beginning describes a prophetic vision. In such visions, a prophet
either sees God who speaks to him, as will be explained by us, or
he sees an angel who speaks to him, or he hears some one
speaking to him without seeing the speaker, or he sees a man who
speaks to him, and learns afterwards that the speaker was an angel.
In this latter kind of prophecies, the prophet relates that he saw a
man who was doing or saying something, and that he learnt
afterwards that it was an angel.
This important principle was adopted by one of our Sages, one of
the most distinguished among them, R. Hiya the Great (Berrshit
Rabba, xlviii.), in the exposition of the Scriptural passage
commencing," And the Lord appeared unto him in the plain of
Mamre" (Gen. xviii.). The general statement that the Lord
appeared to Abraham is followed by the description in what
manner that appearance of the Lord took place; namely, Abraham
saw first three men; he ran and spoke to them. R. Hiya, the author
of the explanation, holds that the words of Abraham," My Lord, if
now I have found grace in thy sight, do not, I pray thee, pass from
thy servant," were spoken by him in a prophetic vision to one of
the men; for he says that Abraham addressed these words to the
chief of these men. Note this well, for it is one of the great
mysteries [of the Law]. The same, I hold, is the case when it is said
in reference to Jacob," And a man wrestled with him" (Gen. xxxii.
25): this took place in a prophetic vision, since it is expressly
stated in the end (ver. 31) that it was an angel. The circumstances
are here exactly the same as those in the vision of Abraham, where
the general statement," And the Lord appeared to him," etc., is
followed by a detailed description. Similarly the account of the
vision of Jacob begins," And the angels of God met him" (Gen.
xxxii. 2): then follows a detailed description how it came to pass
that they met him; namely, Jacob sent messengers, and after
having prepared and done certain things," he was left alone," etc.,"
and a man wrestled with him" (ibid. ver. 24). By this term" man"
[one of] the angels of God is meant, mentioned in the phrase,"
And angels of God met him" : the wrestling and speaking was
entirely a prophetic vision. That which happened to Balaam on the
way, and the speaking of the ass, took place in a prophetic vision,
since further on, in the same account, an angel of God is
introduced as speaking to Balaam. I also think that what Joshua
perceived, when" he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold a man
stood before him" (josh. v. 13) was a prophetic vision, since it is
stated afterwards (ver. 114) that it was" the prince of the host of
the Lord." But in the passages," And an angel of the Lord came up
from Gilgal" (judges ii. 1):" And it came to pass that the angel of
the Lord spake these words to all Israel" (ibid. ver. 2): the" angel"
is, according to the explanation of our Sages, Phineas. They say,
The angel is Phineas, for, when the Divine Glory rested upon him,
he was" like an angel." We have already shown (chap. vi.) that the
term" angel" is homonymous, and denotes also" prophet," as is
the case in the following passages:-" And He sent an angel, and He
hath brought us up out of Egypt" (Num. xx. 16):" Then spake
Haggai, the angel of the Lord, in the Lords message" (Hagg. i.
13):" But they mocked the angels of God" (2 Chron. xxxvi. 16).
Comp. also the words of Daniel," And the man Gabriel, whom I
had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly,
touched me about the time of the evening oblation" (Dan. ix. 11).
All this passed in a prophetic vision. Do not imagine that an angel
is seen or his word heard otherwise than in a prophetic vision or
prophetic dream, according to the principle laid down:-" I make
myself known unto him in a vision, and speak unto him in a
dream" (Num. xii. 6). The instances quoted may serve as an
illustration of those passages which I do not mention. From the
rule laid down by us that prophecy requires preparation, and from
our interpretation of the homonym" angel," you will infer that
Hagar, the Egyptian woman, was not a prophetess; also Manoah
and his wife were no prophets: for the speech they heard, or
imagined they heard, was like the bat-kol (prophetic echo), which
is so frequently mentioned by our Sages, and is something that
may be experienced by men not prepared for prophecy. The
homonymity of the word" angel" misleads in this matter. This is
the principal method by which most of the difficult passages in the
Bible can be explained. Consider the words," And an angel of the
Lord found her by the well of water" (Gen. xvi. 7), which are
similar to the words referring to Joseph-" And a man found him,
and behold, he was erring in the field" (ibid. xxxvii. 15). All the
Midrashim assume that by man in this passage an angel is meant.
CHAPTER XLIII
WE have already shown in our work that the prophets sometimes
prophesy in allegories; they use a term allegorically, and in the
same prophecy the meaning of the allegory is given. In our dreams,
we sometimes believe that we are awake, and relate a dream to
another person, who explains the meaning, and all this goes on
while we dream. Our Sages call this" a dream interpreted in a
dream." In other cases we learn the meaning of the dream after
waking from sleep. The same is the case with prophetic allegories.
Some are interpreted in the prophetic vision. Thus it is related in
Zechariah, after the description of the allegorical vision --" And
the angel that talked with me came again and waked me as a man
that is awakened from his sleep. And he said unto me, 'What dost
thou see etc. (Zech. iv. 1-2), and then the allegory is explained
(ver. 6, sqq.).
Another instance we find in Daniel. It is first stated there:" Daniel
had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed" (Dan. vii. 1).
The whole allegory is then given, and Daniel is described as
sighing that he did not know its interpretation. He asks the angel
for an explanation, and he received it in a prophetic vision. He
relates as follows:" I came near unto one of those that stood by,
and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me
know the interpretation of the things" (ibid. ver. 16). The whole
scene is called hazon (vision), although it was stated that Daniel
had a dream, because an angel explained the dream to him in the
same manner as is mentioned in reference to a prophetic dream. I
refer to the verse:" A vision appeared to me Daniel, after that
which appeared to me at the first" (ibid. viii. 1). This is dear, for
hazon (vision) is derived from haza," to see," and mareb," vision,"
from raah," to see" ; and haza and raah are synonymous. There is
therefore no difference whether we use mareh, or mahazeh, or
hazon, there is no other mode of revelation but the two mentioned
in Scripture:" In a vision I make myself known to him, in a dream
I will speak unto him" (Num. xii. 6). There are, however, different
degrees [of prophetic proficiency], as will be shown (chap. xlv.).
There are other prophetic allegories whose meaning is not given in
a prophetic vision. The prophet learns it when he awakes from his
sleep. Take, e.g., the staves which Zechariah took in a prophetic
vision.
You must further know that the prophets see things shown to them
allegorically, such as the candlesticks, horses, and mountains of
Zechariah (Zech. iv. 2; vi. 1-7), the scroll of Ezekiel (Ezek. ii. 9),
the wall made by a plumb-line (Amos vii. 7), which Amos saw, the
animals of Daniel (Dan. vii. and viii.), the seething pot of Jeremiah
(Jer. i. 13), and similar allegorical objects shown to represent
certain ideas. The prophets, however, are also shown things which
do not illustrate the object of the vision, but indicate it by their
name through its etymology or homonymity. Thus the imaginative
faculty forms the image of a thing, the name of which has two
meanings, one of which denotes something different [from the
image]. This is likewise a kind of allegory. Comp. Makkal
shaked," almond staff," of Jeremiah (i. 11-12). It was intended to
indicate by the second meaning of shaked the prophecy," For I
will watch" (shoked), etc., which has no relation whatever to the
staff or to almonds. The same is the case with the kelub kayiz," a
basket of summer fruit," seen by Amos, by which the completion
of a certain period was indicated," the end (ha-kez) having come"
(Amos Viii. 2). Still more strange is the following manner of
calling the prophet's attention to a certain object. He is shown a
different object, the name of which has neither etymologically nor
homonymously any relation to the first object, but the names of
both contain the same letters, though in a different order, Take,
e.g., the allegories of Zechariah (chap. xi- 7, sqq.). He takes in a
prophetic vision staves to lead the flock; he calls the one No'ain
(pleasure), the other hobelim. He indicates thereby that the nation
was at first in favour with God, who was their leader and guide.
They rejoiced in the service of God, and found happiness in it,
while God was pleased with them, and loved them, as it is said,"
Thou hast avouched the Lord thy God," etc., and" the Lord hath
avouched thee," etc. (Dent. xxvi. 17, 18) They were guided and
directed by Moses and the prophets that followed him. But later a
change took place. They rejected the love of God, and God
rejected them, appointing destroyers like Jeroboam and Manasse
as their rulers. Accordingly, the word hobelim has the same
meaning [viz., destroying] as the root habal has in Mebabbelim
keramim," destroying vineyards" (Song of Sol. ii. 15). But the
prophet found also in this name Hobelim the indication that the
people despised God, and that God despised them. This is,
however, not expressed by the word habal, but by a transposition
of the letters Het, Bet, and Lamed, the meaning of despising and
rejecting is obtained. &mp." My soul loathed them, and their soul
also abhorred me" [bahalah] (Zech. xi. 8). The prophet had
therefore to change the order of the fetters in habal into that of
Babal. In this way we find very strange things and also mysteries
(Sodot) in the words nehoshet, Kalal, regel, rgel, and hashmal of
the Mercahah, and in other terms in other passages. After the
above explanation you will see the mysteries in the meaning of
these expressions if you examine them thoroughly.
CHAPTER XLIV
PROPHECY is given either in a vision or in a dream, as we have
said so many times, and we will not constantly repeat it. We say
now that when a prophet is inspired with a prophecy he may see an
allegory, as we have shown frequently, or he may in a prophetic
vision perceive that God speaks to him, as is said in Isaiah (vi. 8),"
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and
who will go for us ?" or he hears an angel addressing him, and
sees him also. This is very frequent, e.g.," And the angel of God
spake unto me," etc. (Gen. xxxi. 11):" And the angel that talked
with me answered and said unto me, Dost thou not know what
these are" (Zech. iv. 5 ):" And I heard one holy speaking" (Dan.
viii. 13). Instances of this are innumerable. The prophet sometimes
sees a man that speaks to him. Comp.," And behold there was a
man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, and the
man said to me," etc. (Ezek. xl. 3, 4), although the passage begins,"
The hand of the Lord was upon me" (ibid. ver. 1). In some cases
the prophet sees no figure at all, only hears in the prophetic vision
the words addressed to him; e.g., And I heard the voice of a man
between the banks of LTW" (Dan. viii. 16)" There was silence,
and I heard a voice" (in the speech of Eliphaz, job iv. 16):" And I
heard a voice of one that spake to me" (Ezek. i. 28). The being
which Ezekiel perceived in the prophetic vision was not the same
that addressed him: for at the conclusion of the strange and
extraordinary scene which Ezekiel describes expressly as having
been perceived by him, the object and form of the prophecy is
introduced by the words," And I heard a voice of a man that spake
to me." After this remark on the different kinds of prophecy, as
suggested by Scripture, I say that the prophet may perceive that
which he hears with the greatest possible intensity, just as a person
may hear thunder in his dream, or perceive a storm or an
earthquake; such dreams are frequent. The prophet may also hear
the prophecy in ordinary common speech, without anything
unusual. Take, e.g., the account of the prophet Samuel. When he
was called in a prophetic vision, he believed that the priest Eli
called him; and this happened three times consecutively. The text
then explains the cause of it, saying that Samuel naturally believed
that Eli had called him, because at that time he did not yet know
that God addressed the prophet in this form, nor had that secret as
yet been revealed to him. Comp.," And Samuel did not yet know
the Lord, and the word of the Lord was not yet revealed to him,"
i.e., he did not yet know, and it had not yet been revealed to him,
that the word of God is communicated in this way. The words," He
did not yet know the Lord," may perhaps mean that Samuel had
not yet received any prophecy; for in reference to a prophet's
receiving divine communication it is said," I make myself known
to him in a vision, I speak to him in a dream" (Num. xii. 6). The
meaning of the verse accordingly is this, Samuel had not yet
received any prophecy, and therefore did not know that this was
the form of prophecy. Note it.
CHAPTER XLV
AFTER having explained prophecy in accordance with reason and
Scripture, I must now describe the different degrees of prophecy
from these two points of view. Not all the degrees of prophecy
which I will enumerate qualify a person for the office of a prophet.
The first and the second degrees are only steps leading to
prophecy, and a person possessing either of these two degrees does
not belong to the class of prophets whose merits we have been
discussing. When such a person is occasionally called prophet, the
term is used in a wider sense, and is applied to him because he is
almost a prophet. You must not be misled by the fact that
according to the books of the Prophets, a certain prophet, after
having been inspired with one kind of prophecy, is reported to
have received prophecy in another form. For it is possible for a
prophet to prophesy at one time in the form of one of the degrees
which I am about to enumerate, and at another time in another
form. In the same manner, as the prophet does not prophesy
continuously, but is inspired at one time and not at another, so he
may at one time prophesy in the form of a higher degree, and at
another time in that of a lower degree; it may happen that the
highest degree is reached by a prophet only once in his lifetime,
and afterwards remains inaccessible to him, or that a prophet
remains below the highest degree until he entirely loses the
faculty: for ordinary prophets must cease to prophesy a shorter or
longer period before their death. Comp." And the word of the
Lord ceased from Jeremiah" (Ezra i. 1)" And these are the last
words of David" (2 Sam. xxiii.1). From these instances it can be
inferred that the same is the case with all prophets. After this
introduction and explanation, I will begin to enumerate the degrees
of prophecy to which I have referred above.
(1) The first degree of prophecy consists in the divine assistance
which is given to a person, and induces and encourages him to do
something good and grand, e.g., to deliver a congregation of good
men from the hands of evildoers; to save one noble person, or to
bring happiness to a large number of people; he finds in himself
the cause that moves and urges him to this deed. This degree of
divine influence is called" the spirit of the Lord" : and of the
person who is under that influence we say that the spirit of the
Lord came upon him, clothed him, or rested upon him, or the Lord
was with him, and the like. All the judges of Israel possessed this
degree, for the following general statement is made concerning
them --" The Lord raised up judges for them; and the Lord was
with the judge, and he saved them" (judges ii. 18). Also all the
noble chiefs of Israel belonged to this class. The same is distinctly
stated concerning some of the judges and the kings:--" The spirit
of the Lord came upon Jephthah" (ibid. xi. 29): of Samson it is
said," The spirit of the Lord came upon him" (ibid. xiv. 19):" And
the spirit of the Lord came upon Saul when he heard those words"
(I Sam. xi. 6). When Amasa was moved by the holy spirit to assist
David," A spirit clothed Amasa, who was chief of the captains,
and he said, Thine are we, David," etc.(I Chron. xii. 18). This
faculty was always possessed by Moses from the time he had
attained the age of manhood: it moved him to slay the Egyptian,
and to prevent evil from the two men that quarrelled; it was so
strong that, after he had fled from Egypt out of fear, and arrived in
Midian, a trembling stranger, he could not restrain himself from
interfering when he saw wrong being done; he could not bear it.
Comp." And Moses rose and saved them" (Exod. ii. 17). David
likewise was filled with this spirit, when he was anointed with the
oil of anointing. Comp." And the spirit of God came upon David
from that day and upward" (I Sam. xvi. 13). He thus conquered
the lion and the bear and the Philistine, and accomplished similar
tasks, by this very spirit. This faculty did not cause any of the
above-named persons to speak on a certain subject, for it only aims
at encouraging the person who possesses it to action; it does not
encourage him to do everything, but only to help either a
distinguished man or a whole congregation when oppressed, or to
do something that leads to that end. just as not an who have a true
dream are prophets, so it cannot be said of every one who is
assisted in a certain undertaking, as in the acquisition of property,
or of some other personal advantage, that the spirit of the Lord
came upon him, or that the Lord was with him, or that he
performed his actions by the holy spirit. We only apply such
phrases to those who have accomplished something very good and
grand, or something that leads to that end: e.g., the success of
Joseph in the house of the Egyptian, which was the first cause
leading evidently to great events that occurred subsequently.
(2) The second degree is this : A person feels as if something came
upon him, and as if he had received a new power that encourages
him to speak. He treats of science, or composes hymns, exhorts his
fellow-men, discusses political and theological problems; all this
he does while awake, and in the full possession of his senses. Such
a person is said to speak by the holy spirit. David composed the
Psalms, and Solomon the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the
Song of Solomon by this spirit; also Daniel, job, Chronicles, and
the rest of the Hagiographa were written in this holy spirit;
therefore they are called ketubim (Writings, or Written), i.e.,
written by men inspired by the holy spirit. Our Sages mention this
expressly concerning the Book of Esther. In reference to such holy
spirit, David says:" The spirit of the Lord spoke in me, and his
word is on my tongue" (2 Sam. xxiii. 2): i.e., the spirit of the Lord
caused him to utter these words. This class includes the seventy
elders of whom it is said," And it came to pass when the spirit
rested upon them, that they prophesied, and did not cease" (Num.
xi. 25): also Eldad and Medad (ibid. ver. 26): furthermore, every
high priest that inquired [of God] by the Urim and Tummim; on
whom, as our Sages say, the divine glory rested, and who spoke by
the holy spirit; Yabaziel, son of Zechariah, belongs likewise to this
class. Comp." The spirit of the Lord came upon him in the midst
of the assembly, and he said, Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of
Jerusalem, thus saith the Lord unto you," etc. (2 Chron. xx. 14, 15):
also Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. Comp." And he stood
above the people and said unto them, Thus saith God" (ibid. xxiv.
20): furthermore, Azariah, son of Oded: comp." And Azariah, son
of Oded, when the spirit of the Lord came upon him, went forth
before Asa," etc. (ibid. xv. 1, 2); and all who acted under similar
circumstances. You must know that Balaam likewise belonged to
this class, when he was good; this is indicated by the words," And
God put a word in the mouth of Balaam" (Num. xxiii. 5), i.e.,
Balaam spoke by divine inspiration; he therefore says of himself,"
Who heareth the words of God," etc. (ibid. xxiv. 4)
We must especially point out that David, Solomon, and Daniel
belonged to this class, and not to the class of Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Nathan the prophet, Elijah the Shilonite, and those like them. For
David, Solomon, and Daniel spoke and wrote inspired by the holy
spirit, and when David says," The God of Israel spoke and said
unto me, the rock of Israel" (2 Sam. xxiii. 3), he meant to say that
God promised him happiness through a prophet, through Nathan or
another prophet. The phrase must here be interpreted in the same
manner as in the following passages," And God said to her" (Gen.
XXV. 26):" And God said unto Solomon, Because this hath been
in thy heart, and thou hast not kept my covenant," etc. (I Kings xi.
11). The latter passage un doubtedly contains a prophecy of Ahijah
the Shilonite, or another prophet, who foretold Solomon that evil
would befall him. The passage, God appeared to Solomon at
Gibeon in a dream by night, and God said (ibid. iii. 5), does not
contain a real prophecy, such as is introduced by the words" The
word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying" (Gen. xv. 1)
or," And God said to Israel in the visions of the night" (ibid. xlvi.
2), or such as the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah contain: in all
these cases the prophets, though receiving the prophecy in a
prophetic dream, are told that it is a prophecy, and that they have
received prophetic inspiration. But in the case of Solomon, the
account concludes," And Solomon awoke, and behold it was a
dream" (I Kings iii. 15): and in the account of the second divine
appearance, it is said," And God appeared to Solomon a second
time, as he appeared to him at Gibeon" (ibid. ix. 2): it was
evidently a dream.
This kind of prophecy is a degree below that of which Scripture
says," In a dream I will speak to him" (Num. xii. 6). When
prophets are inspired in a dream, they by no means call this a
dream, although the prophecy reached them in a dream, but
declare it decidedly to be a prophecy. Thus Jacob, our father, when
awaking from a prophetic dream, did not say it was a dream, but
declared," Surely there is the Lord in this place," etc. (Gen. xxviii.
16):" God the Almighty appeared to me in Luz, in the land of
Canaan" (ibid. xlviii. 3), expressing thereby that it was a
prophecy. But in reference to Solomon we read And Solomon
awoke, and behold it was a dream" (I Kings iii. 15). Similarly
Daniel declares that he had a dream; although he sees an angel and
hears his word, he speaks of the event as of a dream: even when he
had received the information [concerning the dreams of
Nebukadnezzar], he speaks of it in the following mauner --" Then
was the secret revealed to Daniel in a night vision (Dan. ii. 19). On
other occasions it is said," He wrote down the dream" " I saw in
the visions by night," etc.;" And the visions of my head confused
me" (Dan. vii. 1, 2, 15):" I was surprised at the vision, and none
noticed it" (ibid. Viii. 27). There is no doubt that this is one
degree below that form of prophecy to which the words," In a
dream I will speak to him," are applied. For this reason the nation
desired to place the book of Daniel among the Hagiographa, and
not among the Prophets. I have, therefore, pointed out to you, that
the prophecy revealed to Daniel and Solomon, although they saw
an angel in the dream, was not considered by them as a perfect
prophecy, but as a dream containing correct information. They
belonged to the class of men that spoke, inspired by the ruah
ha-kodesh," the holy spirit." Also in the order of the holy writings,
no distinction is made between the books of Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, Daniel, Psalms, Ruth, and Esther; they are all written
by divine inspiration. The authors of all these books are called
prophets in the more general sense of the term.
(3) The third class is the lowest [class of actual prophets, i.e.) of
those who introduce their speech by the phrase," And the word of
the Lord came unto me," or a similar phrase. The prophet sees an
allegory in a dream-under those conditions which we have
mentioned when speaking of real prophecy -- and in the prophetic
dream itself the allegory is interpreted. Such are most of the
allegories of Zechariah.
(4) The prophet hears in a prophetic dream something clearly and
distinctly, but does not see the speaker. This was the case with
Samuel in the beginning of his prophetic mission, as has been
explained (chap. xliv.).
(5) A person addresses the prophet in a dream, as was the case in
some of the prophecies of Ezekiel. Comp." And the man spake
unto me, Son of man," etc. (Ezek. xl. 4).
(6) An angel speaks to him in a dream; this applies to most of the
prophets: e.g.," And an angel of God said to me in a dream of
night" (Gen. xxxi. 11).
(7) In a prophetic dream it appears to the prophet as if God spoke
to him. Thus Isaiah says," And I saw the Lord, and I heard the
voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for
us ?" (Isa. vi. 1, 8). Micaiah, son of Imla, said likewise," I saw the
Lord" (I Kings xxii. ig).
(8) Something presents itself to the prophet in a prophetic vision;
he sees allegorical figures, such as were seen by Abraham in the
vision" between the pieces" (Gen. xv. 9, 10): for it was in a vision
by daytime, as is distinctly stated.
(9) The prophet hears words in a prophetic vision; as, e.g., is said
in reference to Abraham," And behold, the word came to him,
saying, This shall not be thine heir" (ibid. xv. 4).
(10) The prophet sees a man that speaks to him in a prophetic
vision: e.g., Abraham in the plain of Marare (ibid. xviii. 1), and
Joshua in Jericho (josh. v. 13)
(11) He sees an angel that speaks to him in the vision, as was the
case when Abraham was addressed by an angel at the sacrifice of
Isaac (Gen. xxii. 15). This I hold to be-if we except Moses-the
highest degree a prophet can attain according to Scripture,
provided he has, as reason demands, his rational faculties fully
developed. But it appears to me improbable that a prophet should
be able to perceive in a prophetic vision God speaking to him; the
action of the imaginative faculty does not go so far, and therefore
we do not notice this in the case of the ordinary prophets: Scripture
says expressly," In a vision I will make myself known, in a dream
I will speak to him"; the speaking is here connected with dream,
the influence and the action of the intellect is connected with
vision: comp. In a vision I will make myself known to him"
(etvadda', hitpael. of yada', to know" but it is not said here that in
a vision anything is heard from God. When 1, therefore, met with
statements in Scripture that a prophet heard words spoken to him,
and that this took place in a vision, it occurred to me that the case
in which God appears to address the prophet seems to be the only
difference between a vision and a dream, according to the literal
sense of the Scriptural text. But it is possible to explain the
passages in which a prophet is reported to have heard in the course
of a vision words spoken to him, in the following manner : at first
he has had a vision, but subsequently he fell into a deep sleep, and
the vision was changed into a dream. Thus we explained the
words," And a deep deep fell upon Abram" (Gen. xy. 12): and our
Sages remark thereon," This was a deep sleep of prophecy."
According to this explanation. it is only in a dream that the prophet
can hear words addressed to him; it makes no difference in what
manner words are spoken. Scripture supports this theory," In a
dream I will speak to him." But in a prophetic vision only
allegories are perceived, or rational truths are obtained, that lead to
some knowledge in science, such as can be arrived at by reasoning.
This is the meaning of the words," In a vision I will make myself
known unto him." According to this second explanation, the
degrees of prophecy are reduced to eight, the highest of them being
the prophetic vision, including all kinds of vision, even the case in
which a man appears to address the prophet, as has been
mentioned. You will perhaps ask this question: among the
different degrees of prophecy there is one in which prophets, e.g.,
Isaiah, Micaiah, appear to hear God addressing them; how can this
be reconciled with the principle that all prophets are prophetically
addressed through an angel, except Moses our Teacher, in
reference to whom Scripture says," Mouth to mouth I speak to
him" (Num. xii. 8) ? I answer, this is really the case, the medium
here being the imaginative faculty that hears in a prophetic dream
God speaking; but Moses heard the voice addressing him" from
above the covering of the ark from between the two cherubim"
(Exod. xxv. 22) without the medium of the imaginative faculty. In
Mishne-torah we have given the characteristics of this kind of
prophecy, and explained the meaning of the phrases," Mouth to
mouth I speak to him";" As man speaketh to his neighbour" (Exod.
xxxiii. 11), and the like. Study it there, and 1 need not repeat what
has already been said.
CHAPTER XLVI
ONE individual may be taken as an illustration of the individuals
of the whole species. From its properties we learn those of each
individual of the species. I mean to say that the form of one
account of a prophecy illustrates all accounts of the same class.
After this remark you will understand that a person may
sometimes dream that he has gone to a certain country, married
there, stayed there for some time, and had a son, whom he gave a
certain name, and who was in a certain condition [though nothing
of all this has really taken place]: so also in prophetic allegories
certain objects are seen, acts performed-if the style of the allegory
demands it-things are done by the prophet, the intervals between
one act and another determined, and journeys undertaken from one
place to another; but all these things are only processes of a
prophetic vision, and not real things that could be perceived by the
senses of the body. Some of the accounts simply relate these
incidents [without premising that they are part of a vision],
because it is a wellknown fact that all these accounts refer to
prophetic visions, and it was not necessary to repeat in each case a
statement to this effect.
Thus the prophet relates:" And the Lord said unto me," and need
not add the explanation that it was in a dream. The ordinary reader
believes that the acts, journeys, questions, and answers of the
prophets really took place, and were perceived by the senses, and
did not merely form part of a prophetic vision. I will mention here
an instance concerning which no person will entertain the least
doubt. I will add a few more of the same kind, and these will show
you how those passages must be understood which I do not cite.
The following passage in Ezekiel (Viii- 1, 3) is clear, and admits
of no doubt:" I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat
before me, etc., and a spirit lifted me up between the earth and the
heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem," etc.:
also the passage," Thus I arose and went into the plain" (iii. 2, 3),
refers to a prophetic vision: just as the words," And he brought
him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven and tell the
stars, if thou be able to number them" (Gen. xv. 5) describe a
vision. The same is the case with the words of Ezekiel (xxxvii. 1),"
And set me down in the midst of the valley." In the description of
the vision in which Ezekiel is brought to Jerusalem, we read as
follows:" And when I looked, behold a hole in the wall. Then said
he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had
digged in the wall, behold a door" (ibid. viii. 7-8), etc. It was thus
in a vision that he was commanded to dig in the wall, to enter and
to see what people were doing there, and it was in the same vision
that he digged, entered through the hole, and saw certain things, as
is related. just as all this forms part of a vision, the same may be
said of the following passages :" And thou take unto thee a tile,"
etc.," and lie thou also on thy left side," etc.:" Take thou also
wheat and barley," etc.," and cause it to pass over thine head and
upon thy beard" (chaps. iv. and v.) It was in a prophetic vision that
he saw that he did all these actions which he was commanded to
do. God forbid to assume that God would make his prophets
appear an object of ridicule and sport in the eyes of the ignorant,
and order them to perform foolish acts. We must also bear in mind
that the command given to Ezekiel implied Isobedience to the
Law, for he, being a priest, would, in causing the razor to pass over
every corner of the beard and of the head, have been guilty of
transgressing two prohibitions in each case. But it was only done
in a prophetic vision. Again, when it is said," As my servant Isaiah
went naked and barefoot" ( Isa. xx. 3), the prophet did so in a
prophetic vision. Weak-minded persons believe that the prophet
relates here what he was commanded to do, and what he actually
did, and that he describes how he was commanded to dig in a wan
on the Temple mount although he was in Babylon, and relates how
he obeyed the command, for he says," And I digged in the wall."
But it is distinctly stated that all this took place in a vision.
It is analogous to the description of the vision of Abraham which
begins,
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying" (Gen.
xv. 1): and contains at the same time the passage," He brought
him forth abroad, and said, Look now to the heaven and count the
stars" (ibid. ver. 6). It is evident that it was in a vision that
Abraham saw himself brought forth from his place looking
towards the heavens and being told to count the stars. This is
related [without repeating the statement that it was in a vision].
The same I say in reference to the command given to Jeremiah, to
conceal the girdle in the Euphrates, and the statement that he
concealed it, examined it after a long time, and found it rotten and
spoiled (Jer. xiii. 4-7). An this was allegorically shown in a vision;
Jeremiah did not go from Palestine to Babylon, and did not see the
Euphrates. The same applies to the account of the commandment
given to Hosea (i.-iii.) :" Take unto thee a wife of whoredom, and
children of whoredom," to the birth of the children and to the
giving of names to them. All this passed in a prophetic vision.
When once stated that these are allegories, there is left no doubt
that the events related had no real existence, except in the minds of
those of whom the prophet says" And the vision of every one was
unto them like the words of a sealed book (Isa. xxix. 11). I believe
that the trial of Gideon (judges Vi. 21, 27) with the fleece and
other things was a vision. I do not call it a prophetic vision, as
Gideon had not reached the degree of prophets, much less that
height which would enable him to do wonders. He only rose to the
height of the judges of Israel, and he has even been counted by our
Sages among persons of little importance, as has been pointed out
by us.
The same can be said of the passage in Zechariah (xi. 7)," And I
fed the flock of slaughter," and all the incidents that are
subsequently described: the graceful asking for wages, the
acceptance of the wages, the wanting of the money, and the casting
of the same into the house of the treasure: all these incidents form
part of the vision. He received the commandment and carried it out
in a prophetic vision or dream.
The correctness of this theory cannot be doubted, and only those
do not comprehend it who do not know to distinguish between that
which is possible, and that which is impossible. The instances
quoted may serve as an illustration of other similar Scriptural
passages not quoted by me. They are all of the same kind, and in
the same style. Whatever is said in the account of a vision, that the
prophet heard, went forth, came out, said, was told, stood, sat,
went up, went down, journeyed, asked, or was asked, all is part of
the prophetic vision; even when there is a lengthened account, the
details of which are well connected as regards the time, the
persons referred to, and the place. After it has once been stated
that the event described is to be understood figuratively, it must be
assumed for certain that the whole is a prophetic vision.
CHAPTER XLVII
IT is undoubtedly clear and evident that most prophecies are given
in images, for this is the characteristic of the imaginative faculty,
the organ of prophecy. We find it also necessary to say a few
words on the figures, hyperboles, and exaggerations that occur in
Scripture. They would create strange ideas if we were to take them
literally without noticing the exaggeration which they contain, or if
we were to understand them in accordance with the original
meaning of the terms, ignoring the fact that these are used
figuratively. Our Sages say distinctly Scripture uses hyperbolic or
exaggerated language and quote as an instance," cities walled and
fortified, rising up to heaven (Deut. i. 28). As a hyperbole our
Sages quote," For the bird of heaven carries the voice" (Eccles. x.
20): in the same sense it is said," Whose height is like that of
cedar trees" (Amos ii. 9). Instances of this kind are frequent in the
language of all prophets; what they say is frequently hyperbolic or
exaggerated, and not precise or exact. What Scripture says about
Og," Behold, his bedstead was an iron bedstead, nine cubits its
length," etc. (Deut.), does not belong to this class of figures, for the
bedstead (eres, comp. arsenu, Song of Sol. i. 16) is never exactly,
of the same dimensions as the person using it; it is not like a dress
that fits round the body; it is always greater than the person that
sleeps therein; as a rule, is it by a third longer. If, therefore, the bed
of Og was nine cubits in length, he must, according to this
proportion, have been six cubits high, or a little more. The words,"
by the cubit of a man," mean, by the measure of an ordinary man,
and not by the measure of Og; for men have the limbs in a certain
proportion. Scripture thus tells us that Og was double as long as an
ordinary person, or a little less. This is undoubtedly an exceptional
height among men, but not quite impossible. As regards the
Scriptural statement about the length of man's life in those days, I
say that only the persons named lived so long, whilst other people
enjoyed the ordinary length of life. The men named were
exceptions, either in consequence of different causes, as e.g., their
food or mode of living, or by way of miracle, which admits of no
analogy.
We must further discuss the figurative language employed in
Scripture. In some cases this is clear and evident, and doubted by
no person: e.g.," The mountains and hills shall break forth in song
before you, and all the trees of the wood clap their hands" (Isa. Iv.
12): this is evidently figurative language; also the following
passage --" The fir-trees rejoice at thee," etc. (ibid. xiv. 8), which
is rendered by Jonathan, son of Uzziel," The rulers rejoice at thee,
who are rich in possessions." This figure is similar to that used in
the phrase," Butter of kine and milk of sheep," etc. (Dent. xxxii.
14).
And these figures are very frequent in the books of the prophets.
Some are easily recognised by the ordinary reader as figures,
others with some difficulty. Thus nobody doubts that the blessing,"
May the Lord open to thee his good treasure, the heavens," must be
taken figuratively; for God has no treasure in which He keeps the
rain. The same is the case with the following passage-" He opened
the doors of heaven, he rained upon them manna to eat" (PS.
lxxviii. 23, 24). No person assumes that there is a door or gate in
heaven, but every one understands that this is a simile and a
figurative expression. In the same way must be understood the
following passages -- The heavens were opened" (Ezek. i. 1):" If
not, blot me out from thy book which thou hast written" (Exod.
xxxii. 32);" I will blot him out from the book of life" (ibid. ver. 3
3). All these phrases are figurative: and we must not assume that
God has a book in which He writes, or from which He blots out, as
those generally believe that do not find figurative speech in these
passages. They are all of the same kind. You must explain
passages not quoted by me by those which I have quoted in this
chapter. Employ your reason, and you will be able to discern what
is said allegorically, figuratively, or hyperbolically, and what is
meant literally, exactly according to the original meaning of the
words. You will then understand all prophecies, learn and retain
rational principles of faith, pleasing in the eyes of God who is most
pleased with truth, and most displeased with falsehood; your mind
and heart will not be so perplexed as to believe or accept as law
what is untrue or improbable, whilst the Law is perfectly true when
properly understood. Thus Scripture says," Thy testimonies are
righteousness for ever" (Ps. cxix. 144): and" I the Lord speak
righteousness" (Isa. xlv. 19). If you adopt this method, you will
not imagine the existence of things which God has not created, or
accept principles which might partly lead to atheism, or to a
corruption of your notions of God so as to ascribe to Him
corporeality, attributes, or emotions, as has been shown by us, nor
will you believe that the words of the prophets are false: for the
cause of this disease is ignorance of what we have explained.
These things belong likewise to the mysteries of the Law; and
although we have treated them in a general manner, they can easily
be understood in all their details in accordance with the above
remarks.
CHAPTER XLVIII
IT is clear that everything produced must have an immediate cause
which produced it; that cause again a cause, and so on, till the First
Cause, viz., the will and decree of God is reached. The prophets
therefore omit sometimes the intermediate causes, and ascribe the
production of an individual thing directly to God, saying that God
has made it. This method is wen known, and we, as well as others
of those who seek the truth, have explained it; it is the belief of our
co-religionists.
After having heard this remark, listen to what I will explain in this
chapter; direct your special attention to it more than you have done
to the other chapters of this part. It is this : As regards the
immediate causes of things produced, it makes no difference
whether these causes consist in substances, physical properties,
freewill, or chance-by freewill I mean that of man -- or even in the
will of another living being. The prophets [omit them and] ascribe
the production directly to God and use such phrases as, God has
done it, commanded it, or said it: in all such cases the verbs" to
say,"" to speak," cc to command,"" to call," and" to send" are
employed. What I desired to state in this chapter is this :
According to the hypothesis and theory accepted, it is God that
gave will to dumb animals, freewill to the human being, and
natural properties to everything; and as accidents originate in the
redundancy of some natural force, as has been explained [by
Aristotlel and are mostly the result of the combined action of
nature, desire, and freewill : it can consequently be said of
everything which is produced by any of these causes, that God
commanded that it should be made, or said that it should be so. I
will give you instances, and they will guide you in the
interpretation of passages which I do not mention. As regards
phenomena produced regularly by natural causes, such as the
melting of the snow when the atmosphere becomes warm, the
roaring of the sea when a storm rages [I quote the following
passages]," He sendeth his word and melteth them" (Ps. cxlvii.
18):" And he saith, and a storm-wind riseth, and lifteth up its
waves" (ibid. cvii. 25) In reference to the rain we read:" I will
command the clouds that they shall not rain," etc. (Isa. v. 6).
Events caused by man's freewill, such as war, the dominion of one
nation over another, the attempt of one person to hurt another, or
to insult him, [are ascribed to God, as] e.g., in reference to the
dominion of Nebuchadnezzar and his host," I have commended
my holy ones, also I have called my heroes for my anger (Isa. xiii.
3): and" I will send him against a hypocrite nation" (ibid. x. 6) in
reference to Shimei, son of Gera," For God said to him, Curse
David" (2 Sam. xvi. 10): in reference to the deliverance of Joseph,
the righteous, from prison," He sent an angel and loosed him" (Ps.
cv. 20): in reference to the victory of the Persians over the
Chaldees," I will send to Babylon scatterers, and they shall scatter
it" (Jer. li. 2): in reference to the providing of food to Eliah," I
have commanded there a woman, a widow, to maintain thee" (I
Kings xvii. 9): and Joseph, the righteous, says:" Not ye have sent
me hither," etc. (Gen. xlv. 8). The case that the will of an animal or
its desire for some of its natural wants is the cause of some event,
may be illustrated by the following instance :" And God spake unto
the fish, and it vomited out Jonah" (ii. 11). The act is ascribed to
God, because He gave the fish the will, and not because He made
it a prophet or endowed it with a prophetical spirit. Similarly it is
said of the locusts that appeared in the days of Joel, son of
Pethuel," Mighty is he that accomplishes his word" (Joel ii. 11): or
of the beasts that took possession of the land of Edom when
destroyed in the days of Sennacherib," He cast lot for them, and
his hand divided it unto them by a line" (Isa. xxxiv. 27). Although
here the verbs" to say,"" to command,"" to send," are not used,
the meaning is evidently the same, and you must explain all
passages that are analogous to it in a similar manner. Events
evidently due to chance are ascribed to God: e.g., in reference to
Rebecca," Let her be a wife to the son of thy master, as the Lord
spake" (Gen. xxiv. 51): in reference to David and Jonathan," Go,
for the Lord has sent thee." (I Sam. xx. 22): in reference to
Joseph," God sent me before you" (Gen. xlv. 7). You see clearly
that the providing of a cause, in whatever manner this may take
place, by substance, accident, freewill, or win, is always expressed
by one of the five terms, commanding, saying, speaking, sending,
or calling. Note this, and apply it everywhere according to the
context. Many difficulties will thereby be removed, and passages
apparently containing things far from truth will prove to be true.
This is the conclusion of the treatise on Prophecy, its allegories
and language. It is all I intend to say on this subject in this treatise.
We will now commence to treat of other subjects, with the help of
the Most High.
----------------------
PART THREE
INTRODUCTION
WE have stated several times that it is our primary object in this
treatise to expound, as far as possible, the Biblical account of the
Creation (Ma'aseh bereshit) and the description of the Divine
Chariot (Ma'aseh Mercabah) in a manner adapted to the training of
those for whom this work is written.
We have also stated that these subjects belong to the mysteries of
the Law. You are well aware how our Sages blame those who
reveal these mysteries, and praise the merits of those who keep
them secret, although they are perfectly clear to the philosopher. In
this sense they explain the passage," Her merchandise shall be for
them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently" (Isa. xxiii.
18), which concludes in the original with the words ve-li-mekasseh
'atik, i.e., that these blessings are promised to him who hides
things which the Eternal has revealed [to him], viz., the mysteries
of the Law (Babyl. Talmud, Pesabim 119a). If you have
understanding you will comprehend that which our Sages pointed
out. They have dearly stated that the Divine Chariot includes
matters too deep and too profound for the ordinary intellect. It has
been shown that a person favoured by Providence with reason to
understand these mysteries is forbidden by the Law to teach them
except viva voce, and on condition that the pupil possess certain
qualifications, and even then only the heads of the sections may be
communicated. This has been the cause why the knowledge of this
mystery has entirely disappeared from our nation, and nothing has
remained of it. This was unavoidable, for the explanation of these
mysteries was always communicated via voce, it was never
committed to writing. Such being the case, how can I venture to
call your attention to such portions of it as may be known,
intelligible, and perfectly clear to me ? But if, on the other hand, I
were to abstain from writing on this subject, according to my
knowledge of it, when I die, as I shall inevitably do, that
knowledge would die with me, and I would thus inflict great injury
on you and all those who are perplexed [by these theological
problems]. I would then be guilty of withholding the truth from
those to whom it ought to be communicated, and of jealously
depriving the heir of his inheritance. I should in either case be
guilty of gross misconduct.
To give a full explanation of the mystic passages of the Bible is
contrary to the Law and to reason; besides, my knowledge of them
is based on reasoning, not on divine inspiration [and is therefore
not infallible]. I have not received my belief in this respect from
any teacher, but it has been formed by what 1 learnt from Scripture
and the utterances of our Sages, and by the philosophical
principles which I have adopted. It is therefore possible that my
view is wrong, and that I misunderstood the passages referred to.
Correct thought and divine help have suggested to me the proper
method, viz., to explain the words of the prophet Ezckiel in such a
manner that those who will read my interpretation will believe that
I have not added anything to the contents of the text, but only, as it
were, translated from one language into another, or given a short
exposition of plain things. Those, however, for whom this treatise
has been composed, will, on reflecting on it and thoroughly
examining each chapter, obtain a perfect and clear insight into all
that has been clear and intelligible to me. This is the utmost that
can be done in treating this subject so as to be useful to all without
fully explaining it.
After this introductory remark I ask you to study attentively the
chapters which follow on this sublime, important, and grand
subject, which is the pin upon which everything hangs, and the
pillar upon which everything rests.
CHAPTER I
IT is well known that there are men whose face is like that of other
animals thus the face of some person is like that of a lion, that of
another person like that of an ox, and so on: and man's face is
described according as the form of his face resembles the form of
the face of other animals. By the expressions," the face of an ox,""
the face of a lion,"" the face of an eagle" (Ezek, i. 10), the
prophet describes a human face inclining towards the forms of
these various species. This interpretation can be supported by two
proofs. First, the prophet says of the Hayyot in general that" their
appearance is this, they have the form of man" (ver. 5), and then
in describing each of the Hayyot he attributes to them the face of a
man, that of an ox, that of a lion, and that of an eagle. Secondly, in
the second description of the Chariot, which is intended as a
supplement to the first, the prophet says, Each hath four faces; the
one is the face of a cherub, the second a man's face, the third a
lion's face, and the fourth that of an eagle (ibid. x. W. He thus
clearly indicates that the terms" the face of an ox" and" the face
of a cherub" are identical. But cherub designates" a youth." By
analogy we explain the two other terms-" the face of a lion" and"
the face of an eagle" in the same manner." The face of the ox" has
been singled out on account of the etymology of the Hebrew term
shor (ox), as has been indicated by me. It is impossible to assume
that this second description refers to the perception of another
prophetic vision, because it concludes thus" This is the Hayyah
which I saw at the river Chebar" (ibid. ver. 15). What we intended
to explain is now clear.
CHAPTER II
THE prophet says that he saw four Hayyot: each of them had four
faces, four wings, and two hands, but on the whole their form was
human. Comp." They had the likeness of a man" (Ezek. i. 5). The
hands are also described as human hands, because these have
undoubtedly, as is well known, such a form as enables them to
perform all manner of cunning work. Their feet are straight that is
to say, they are without joints. This is the meaning of the phrase a
straight foot," taken literally. Similarly our Sages say, the words,"
And their feet were straight feet" (ibid. i. 7), show that the beings
above do not sit. Note this likewise. The soles of the feet of the
Hayyot, the organs of walking, are described as different from the
feet of man, but the hands are like human hands. The feet are
round, for the prophet says," like the sole of a round foot." The
four Hayyot are closely joined together, there is no space or
vacuum left between them. Comp." They were joined one to
another" (ibid. i. 9)." But although they were thus joined together,
their faces and their wings were separated above" (ibid. ver. 11).
Consider the expression" above" employed here, although the
bodies were closely joined, their faces and their wings were
separated, but only above. The prophet then states that they are
transparent; they are" like burnished brass" (ibid. ver, 7). He also
adds that they are luminous. Comp." Their appearance was like
burning coals of fire" (ibid. ver. 13). This is all that has been said
as regards the form, shape, face, figure, wings, hands, and feet of
the Hayyot. The prophet then begins to describe the motions of
these Hayyot, namely, that they have a uniform motion, without
any curvature, deviation, or deflexion :" They turned not when
they went" (ver. 17). Each of the Hayyot moves in the direction of
its face. Comp." They went every one in the direction of his face"
(ver. 9). Now, it is here clearly stated that each Hayyab went in the
direction of its face, but since each Hayyah has several faces, I ask,
in the direction of which face ? In short, the four Hayyot do not
move in the same direction; for, if this were the case, a special
motion would not have been ascribed to each of them: it would not
have been said," They went each one towards the side of his face."
The motion of these Hayyot is further described as a running, so
also their returning is described as a running. Comp." And the
Hayyot ran, and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning"
(ver. 14), razoh being the infinitive of ruz," to run," and sbob the
infinitive instead of Aub," to return." The ordinary words, haloch
and bo," to go" and" to come," are not used, but such words as
indicate running to and fro: and these are further explained by the
phrase," As the appearance of a flash of lightning" (bazak, used
by the prophet, is identical with barak), for the lightning appears to
move very quickly; it seems to hasten and to run from a certain
place, and then to turn back and to come again to the place from
which it had started. This is repeated several times with the same
velocity. Jonathan, the son of Uzziel, renders the phrase razo
vashob thus: They move round the world and return at once, and
are as swift as the appearance of lightning. This quick movement
and return the Hayyah does not perform of its own accord, but
through something outside of it, viz., the Divine Will; for" to
whichever side it is the Divine Will that the Hayyah should move,
thither the Hayyah moves," in that quick manner which is
expressed by" running and returning." This is implied in the
words," Whithersoever the spirit was to go they went (ver. 20):"
They turned not when they went" (ver. 17). By" the spirit (ruah),
the prophet does not mean" the wind," but" the intention," as we
have explained when discussing the homonym ruah (spirit). The
meaning of the phrase is, that whithersoever it is the Divine Will
that the Hayyah shall go, thither it runs. Jonathan, the son of
Uzziel, gives a similar explanation : Towards the place whither it
is the will to go, they go; they do not turn when they go. The
employment of the future tense of the verbs yihyeh and yeleku in
this passage seems to imply that sometimes it will be the will of
God that the Hayyah should move in one direction, in which it will
in fact move, and at other times it will be His will that the Hayyah
should move in the opposite direction, in which it will then move.
An explanation is, however, added, which is contrary to/this
conclusion, and shows that the future form (yihyeh) of the verb has
here the meaning of the preterite, as is frequently the case in
Hebrew. The direction in which God desires the Hayyah to move
has already been determined and fixed, and the Hayyah moves in
that direction which His will has determined long ago, without
having ever changed. The prophet, therefore, in explaining, and at
the same time concluding [this description of the Hayyot], says,"
Whithersoever the spirit was to go they go, thither was the spirit to
go" (ver. 20). Note this wonderful interpretation. This passage
forms likewise part of the account of the motion of the four Hayyot
which follows the description of their form.
Next comes the description of another part; for the prophet relates
that he saw a body beneath the Hayyot, but closely joining them.
This body, which is connected with the earth, consists likewise of
four bodies, and has also four faces. But no distinct form is
ascribed to it: neither that of man nor that of any other living
being. The [four bodies] are described as great, tremendous, and
terrible; no form is given to them, except that they are covered
with eyes. These are the bodies called Ofannim (lit. wheels). The
prophet therefore says:" Now, as I beheld the Rayyot, behold one
wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, with his four
faces" (ver. 15). He thus distinctly states that the 0fannim form a
body, of which the one part touches the Hayyot, and the other part
the earth; and that the Ofan has four faces. But he continues --"
The appearance of the Ofannim (wheels) and their work was like
unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness" (ver.
16). By speaking of four Ofannim, after having mentioned only
one Ofan, the prophet indicates that the" four faces" and the" four
Ofannim" are identical. These four Olannim have the same form;
comp.," And they four had one likeness." The Ofannim are then
described as partly inter-joined; for" their appearance and their
work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel (ver. 16). In
the description of the Hayyot such a phrase, with the term in the
middle of" (tok) is not employed. The Vayyot are partly joined,
according to the words," they were joined one to another" (ver.
11): whilst in reference to the Ofannim it is stated that they are
partly intermixed," as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel"
The body of the Olannim is described as being covered with eyes;
it is possible that a body covered with real eyes is here meant, or a
body with different colours ['ayin denoting" eye," also" colour" ],
as in the phrase" the colour thereof ['eno] as the colour (ke'en) of
bdellium" (Num. xi. 7): or a body filled with likenesses of things.
In this latter sense the term ayin is used by our Sages in phrases
like the following:Like that [ke'en] which he has stolen, like that
[ke'en] which he has robbed; or different properties and qualities
are meant, according to the meaning of the word 'ayin in the
passage," It may be that the Lord will look (be'enai) on my
condition" (2 Sam. xvi. 12). So much for the form of the Ofannim.
Their motion is described as being without curvature and
deviation; as being straight, without any change. This is expressed
in the words," When they went, they went upon their four sides:
and they turned not when they went" (E.: ver. 117). The four
Ofannim do not move of their own accord, as the Hayyot, and have
no motion whatever of their own; they are set in motion by other
beings, as is emphatically stated twice. The Hayyot are the moving
agents of the Ofannim. The relation between the Ofan and the
Hayyah may be compared to the relation between a lifeless body
tied to the hand or the leg of a living animal; whithersoever the
latter moves, thither moves also the piece of wood, or the stone,
which is tied to the named limb of the animal. This is expressed in
the following words :--" And when the Hayyot went, the Ofannim
went by them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from
the earth, the Ofannim were lifted up" (ver. 19):" and the
Ofannim were lifted up over against them" (ver. 20). And the
cause of this is explained thus :-" The spirit of the Hayyah was in
the Ofannim" (ibid.). For the sake of emphasis and further
explanation the prophet adds," When those went, these went; and
when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from
the earth, the Ofannim were lifted up over against them; for the
spirit of the Hayyah was in the Ofannin" (ver. 2 1). The order of
these movements is therefore as follows :-Whithersoever it is the
will of God that the Hayyot should move, thither they move of
their own accord. When the Hayyot move the Ofannim necessarily
follow them, because they are tied to them, and not because they
move of their own accord in the direction in which the Hayyot
move. This order is expressed in the words," Whithersoever the
spirit was to go, they went, thither was the spirit to go; and the
Ofannim were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the
Hayyah was in the Ofannim" (ver. 20). I have told you that
Jonathan, the son of Uzziel, translates the verse thus," to the place
whither it was the will that the ffayyot should go," etc.
After having completed the account of the Hayyot, with their form
and motion, and of the Ofannim, which are beneath the Hayyot,
connected with them and forced to move when the Hayyot move,
the prophet begins to describe a third object which he perceived
prophetically, and gives the account of a new thing, viz., of that
which is above the Hayyot. He says that the firmament is above the
four Hayyot, above the firmament is the likeness of a throne, and
over the throne the likeness of the appearance of mar. This is the
whole account of what the prophet perceived at first at the river
Chebar.
CHAPTER III
WHEN Ezekiel recalled to memory the form of the Chariot, which
he described in the beginning of the book, the same vision
presented itself to him a second time; in this vision he was borne
to Jerusalem. He explains in describing it things which have not
been made clear at first, e.g., he substitutes the term" cherubim"
for Hayyot, whereby he expresses that the Hayyot of the first vision
are likewise angels like the cherubim. He says, therefore:" Where
the cherubims went, the Ofannim went by them: and when the
cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the
same Ofannim also turned not from beside them" (x. 16). By these
words he shows how closely connected the two motions are [viz.,
that of the Rayyot and that of the Ofannim]. The prophet adds,"
This is the Hayyah that I saw under the God of Israel by the river
of Chebar: and I knew that they were cherubims" (ver. 20). He
thus describes the same forms and the same motions, and states
that the Hayyot and the cherubim are identical. A second point is
then made clear in this second description, namely, that the
Ofannim are spherical; for the prophet says," As for the Ofannim,
it was cried unto them in my hearing, o sphere" (ver. 13). A third
point concerning the Ofannim is illustrated here in the following
words:" To the place whither the head looked they followed it:
they turned not as they went" (ver. 11). The motion of the
Ofannim is thus described as involuntary, and directed" to the
place whither the head looketh: and of this it is stated that it
moves" whither the spirit is to go" (i. 20). A fourth point is added
concerning the Ofannim, namely," And the Ofannim were full of
eyes round about, even the Ofannim that they four had" (x. 12).
This has not been mentioned before. In this second description
there are further mentioned" their flesh, and their backs, and their
hands, and their wings" (ibid.), whilst in the first account none of
these is mentioned: and it is only stated that they are bodies.
Though they are endowed in the second account with flesh, hands,
and wings, no form is given to them. In the second account each
Ofan is attributed to a cherub," one Ofan by one cherub, and
another Ofan by another cherub." The four Hayyot are then
described as one Hayyah on account of their interjoining:" This is
the Hayyah that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of
Chebar" (ver. 20). Also the Olannim, though being four in
number, as has been mentioned, are called" one Ofan upon the
earth" (ver. 15), because they interjoin, and" they four have one
likeness" (ver. 16). This is the additional explanation which the
second vision gives of the form of the Hayyot and the Ofannim.
CHAPTER IV
IT is necessary to call your attention to an idea expressed by
jonathan, the son of Uzziel. When he saw that the prophet says in
reference to the Ofannim," It was cried unto them in my hearing,
O gilgal" (" sphere" ) (x. 13), he assumed that by Ofannim the
heavens are meant, and rendered Ofan by gilgal," sphere," and
Ofannim by gilgelaya," spheres." I have no doubt that he found a
confirmation of his opinion in the words of the prophet that the
Ofannim were like unto the colour of tarshish (ver. 16), a colour
ascribed to the heavens, as is well known. When he, therefore,
noticed the passage," Now as I beheld the Hayyot, behold one
Olan upon the earth" (i. 15), which clearly shows that the
Ofannim were upon the earth, he had a difficulty in explaining it in
accordance with his opinion. Following, however, his
interpretation, he explains the terms erez, employed here as
denoting the inner surface of the heavenly sphere, which may be
considered as erez (" earth" or" below" ), in relation to all that is
above that surface. He therefore translates the words ofan ehad
ba-arez, as follows:" One ofan was below the height of the
heavens." Consider what his explanation of the passage must be. I
think that he gave this explanation because he thought that gilgal
denotes in its original meaning" heaven." My opinion is that gilgal
means originally" anything rolling"; comp." And I will roll thee
(ve-gilgaltika) down from the rocks" (jer. li. 25):" and rolled
(va-yagel) the stone" (Gen. xidx. 10): the same meaning the word
has in the phrase:" Like a rolling thing (galgal) before the
whirlwind" (Isa. xvii. 13). The poll of the head, being round, is
therefore called gulgolet: and because everything round rolls
easily, every spherical thing is called gilgal: also the heavens are
called gilgallim on account of their spherical form. Thus our Sages
use the phrase," It is a wheel (gilgal) that moves round the world"
: and a wooden ball, whether small or large, is called gilgal. If so,
the prophet merely intended by the words," As for the Olannim, it
is cried to them in my hearing, 0 sphere" (gilgal), to indicate the
shape of the Ofannim, as nothing has been mentioned before
respecting their form and shape; but he did not mean to say that
the Ofannim are the same as the heavens. The term" like tarshish"
is explained in the second account, in which it is said of the
Ofannim :" And the appearance of the Ofannim was like the
colour of tarshish." This latter passage is translated by jonathan,
the son of Uzziel," like the colour of a precious stone," exactly in
the same manner as Onkelos translates the phrase ke-ma'ase libnat
ha-sappir," like the work of the whiteness of sapphire" (Exod.
xxix. 10). Note this. You will not find it strange that I mention the
explanation of jonathan, son of Uzziel, whilst I gave a different
explanation myself: for you will find many of the wise men and
the commentators differ sometimes from him in the interpretation
of words and in many things respecting the prophets. Why should
it be otherwise in these profound matters ? Besides, I do not decide
in favour of my interpretation. It is for you to learn both-the whole
of his explanation, from what I have pointed out to you, and also
my own opinion. God knoweth which of the two explanations is in
accordance with that which the prophet intended to say.
CHAPTER V
IT is necessary to notice that the plural marot elohim," visions of
God," is here used, and not the singular mareh," vision," for there
were several things, of different kinds, that were perceived by the
prophet. The following three things were perceived by him: the
Olannim, the Hayyot, and the man above the Hayyot. The
description of each of these visions is introduced by the word
va-ereh," and I beheld?' For the account of the Hayyot, begins,"
And I looked (va-ereh), and behold a whirlwind," etc. (Ezek. i. 4).
The account of the Ofannim begins :" Now as I beheld (va-ereh)
the Hayyot, behold one ofan upon the earth" (ver. 15). The vision
of that which is above the Hayyot in order and rank begins:" And I
saw (va-ereh) as the colour of the amber, etc., from the appearance
of his loins even upward" (ver. 27). The word va-ereh," and I
beheld," only occurs these three times in the description of the
Mercabah. The doctors of the Mishnah have already explained this
fact, and my attention was called to it by their remarks. For they
said that only the two first visions, namely, that of the Rayyot and
the Ofannim, might be interpreted to others; but of the third vision,
viz., that of the hashmal and all that is connected with it, only the
heads of the sections may be taught. Rabbi [Jehudah], the Holy, is
of opinion that all the three visions are called ma'aseh mercabah,
and nothing but the heads of the sections could be communicated
to others. The exact words of the discussion are as follows:--
Where does maaseh mereabhah end ? Rabbi says, with the last
va-ereh; Rabbi YizIiak says it ends at the word hashmal (ver. 27).
The portion from va-ereh to hashmal may be fully, taught; of that
which follows, only the heads of the sections; according to some it
is the passage from va-ereh to hashmal, of which the heads of the
sections may be taught, but that which follows may only be studied
by those who possess the capacity, whilst those that cannot study it
by themselves must leave it. -- It is clear from the words of our
Sages that different visions are described, as may also be inferred
from the repetition of the word va-ereh, and that these visions are
different from each other in degree: the last and highest of them is
the vision commencing," And I saw as the colour of hashmal" :
that is to say, the divided figure of the man, described as" the
appearance of fire, etc., from the appearance of his loins even
upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward,"
etc. There is a difference of opinion among our Sages whether it is
permitted to give by way of hints an exposition of any part of this
third vision, or whether it is prohibited even to teach of it the
heads of the sections, so that only the wise can arrive at
understanding it by their own studies. You will also notice a
difference of opinion among our Sages in reference to the two first
visions, viz., that of the Hayyot and that of the Olannim whether
these may be taught explicitly or only by way of hints, dark
sayings, and heads of sections. You must also notice the order of
these three visions. First comes the vision of the HaYyot, because
they are first in rank and in the causal relation, as it is said," For
the spirit of the Hayyah was in the Olannim," and also for other
reasons. The vision of the Ofannim [comes next, and] is followed
by one which is higher than the Hayyot, as has been shown. The
cause of this arrangement is, that in study the first two must
necessarily precede the third, and in fact they lead to it.
CHAPTER VI
THE sublime and great subject which Ezekiel by prophetic
impulse began to teach us in the description of the Mercabah, is
exactly the same which Isaiah taught us in general outlines,
because he did not require all the detail. Isaiah says," I saw the
Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled
the temple. Above it stood seraphims," etc. (Isa. vi. 1 seq.). Our
Sages have already stated all this clearly, and called our attention
to it. For they say that the vision of Ezekiel is the same as that of
Isaiah, and illustrate their view by the following simile :-Two men
saw the king riding, the one a townsman, the other a countryman.
The former, seeing that his neighbours know well how the king
rides, simply tells them that he saw the king; but the villager,
wishing to tell his friends things which they do not know, relates in
detail how the king was riding, describes his followers, and the
officers who execute his order and command. This remark is a
most useful hint; it is contained in the following passage (Hagigab,
13 b) :" Isaiah saw all that has been seen by Ezekiel: Isaiah is like
a townsman that sees the king, Ezekiel like a countryman that sees
the king." These words can be explained in the manner which I
have just mentioned, viz., the generation of Isaiah did not require
the detailed description: his account," I saw the Lord," etc.,
sufficed. The generation of the Babylonian exile wanted to learn
all the details. It is, however, possible that the author of this saying
held Isaiah as more perfect than Ezekiel, so that the vision might
have overawed Ezekiel and appeared fearful to him; but Isaiah was
so familiar with it that he did not consider it necessary to
communicate it to others as a new thing, especially as it was well
known to the intelligent.
CHAPTER VII
ONE Of the points that require investigation is the connexion
between the vision of the mercabah and the year, month, and day,
and also the place of the vision. A reason must be found for this
connexion, and we must not think that it is an indifferent element
in the vision. We must consider the words," the heavens were
opened" (Ezek. i. 1): they give the key to the understanding of the
whole. The figure of opening, also that of opening the gates,
occurs frequently in the books of the prophets: e.g.," Open ye the
gates that the righteous nation may enter in" (Isa. xxvi. 2):" He
opened the doors of heaven" (Ps. lxx-viii. 23):" Lift them up, ye
everlasting doors" (ibid. xxiv. 9):" Open to me the gates of
righteousness, I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord" (ibid.
cxviii. 19). There are many other instances of this kind. You must
further notice that the whole description refers undoubtedly to a
prophetic vision, as it is said," And the hand of the Lord was there
upon him" (Ezek. i. 3): and yet there is a very great difference
between the various parts of the description, for in the account of
the Hayyot the prophet does not say four Hayyot, but" the likeness
of the four Hayyot" (ibid. ver. 5): similarly he says," And the
likeness of a firmament was over the heads of the Hayyot" ver.
22):" as the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a
throne," and" the likeness of the appearance of man above it" (ver.
26). In all these instances the word" likeness" is used, whilst in
the account of the Ofannim the phrases," the likeness of
Olannim," the" likeness of an Ofan," are not employed, but they
are described in a positive manner as beings in actual existence,
with their real properties. The sentence" they four had one
likeness" must not mislead you, for here the word" likeness" is
not used in the same connexion or in the same sense as indicated
above. In the description of the last vision the prophet confirms
and explains this view. When he commences to describe the
firmament in detail, he says," the firmament," without adding the
words" the likeness of," for he says," And I looked, and behold, in
the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there
appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance
of the likeness of a throne" (x. 1). Here the prophet speaks of" the
firmament" and not of" the likeness of the firmament," as he does
when he connects the firmament with the heads of the likeness of
the Hayyot (i. 22). But, as regards the throne, he says," the
likeness of a throne appeared over them," in order to indicate that
the firmament was first perceived and then the likeness of the
throne was seen over it. Consider this well.
You must further notice that in the description of the first vision
the Hayyot have wings and at the same time human hands, whilst
in the second vision, in which the term cherubim is substituted for
Hayyot, at first only wings were perceived, and later on human
hands were seen. Comp." And there appeared in the cherubims the
form of a man's hand under their wings" (x. 8). Here" form"
(tabnit) is used instead of" likeness" (demut): and the hands are
placed under the wings. Note this.
Consider that in reference to the ofannim, the prophet says,
le-'ummatam," over against them," although he does not ascribe to
them any form.
He further says," As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud
in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round
about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory," etc. (i.
28). The substance and true essence of the bow described here is
well known. The simile and comparison is in this case very
extraordinary, and is undoubtedly part of the prophecy; and note it
well.
It is also noteworthy that the likeness of man above the throne is
divided, the upper part being like the colour of hashmal, the lower
part like the appearance of fire. As regards the word hashmal, it
has been explained to be a compound of two words bash and mal,
including two different notions, viz., bash signifying" swiftness,"
and mal denoting" pause." The two different notions are here
joined in one word in order to indicate figuratively the two
different parts, -the upper part and the lower. We have already
given a second explanation, namely, that hashmal includes the two
notions of speech and silence: in accordance with the saying of our
Sages," At times they are silent, at times they speak," thus
deriving bash of the same root as heheshethi," I have been silent"
(Isa. xlii. 14);' the word hashmal thus includes two notions, and
indicates" speech without sound." There is no doubt that the
words," at times they are silent, at times they speak," refer to a
created object. Now consider how they clearly stated that the
divided likeness of man over the throne does not represent God,
who is above the whole chariot, but represents a part of the
creation. The prophet likewise says" that is the likeness of the
glory of the Lord" : but" the glory of the Lord" is different from"
the Lord" Himself, as has been shown by us several times. All the
figures in this vision refer to the glory of the Lord, to the chariot,
and not to Him who rides upon the chariot; for God cannot be
compared to anything. Note this. I have thus given you also in this
chapter as much of the heads of the sections as will be useful to
you for the comprehension of this subject, if you fill out [the
sections of] these heads. If you consider all that has been said in
this part up to this chapter, the greater part of this subject or the
whole of it will be clear to you. except a few points and some
repetitions the meaning of which is unknown. Perhaps further
study will help to reveal even these things so that nothing will
remain unintelligible.
Do not expect or hope to hear from me after this chapter a word on
this subject, either explicitly or implicitly, for all that could be said
on it has been said, though with great difficulty and struggle. I will
now begin to treat of some of the other subjects which I hope to
elucidate in this treatise.
CHAPTER VIII
TRANSIENT bodies are only subject to destruction through their
substance and not through their form, nor can the essence of their
form be destroyed: in this respect they are permanent. The generic
forms, as you know, are all permanent and stable. Form can only
be destroyed accidentally, i.e., on account of its connexion with
substance, the true nature of which consists in the property of
never being without a disposition to receive form. This is the
reason why no form remains permanently in a substance; a
constant change takes place, one form is taken off and another is
put on. How wonderfully wise is the simile of King Solomon, in
which he compares matter to a faithless wife: for matter is never
found without form, and is therefore always like such a wife who
is never without a husband, never single; and yet, though being
wedded, constantly seeks another man in the place of her husband:
she entices and attracts him in every possible manner till he
obtains from her what her husband has obtained. The same is the
case with matter. Whatever form it has, it is disposed to receive
another form; it never leaves off moving and casting off the form
which it has in order to receive another. The same takes place
when this second form is received. It is therefore clear that all
corruption, destruction, or defect comes from matter. Take, e.g.,
man; his deformities and unnatural shape of limbs; all weakness,
interruption, or disorder of his actions, whether innate or not,
originate in the transient substance, not in the form. All other
living beings likewise die or become ill through the substance of
the body and not through its form. Man's shortcomings and sins are
all due to the substance of the body and not to its form; while all
his merits are exclusively due to his form. Thus the knowledge of
God, the formation of ideas, the mastery of desire and passion, the
distinction between that which is to be chosen and that which is to
be rejected, all these man owes to his form; but eating, drinking,
sexual intercourse, excessive lust, passion, and all vices, have their
origin in the substance of his body. Now it was dear that this was
the case, -- it was impossible, according to the wisdom of God,
that substance should exist without form, or any of the forms of
the bodies without substance, and it was necessary that the very
noble form of man, which is the image and likeness of God, as has
been shown by us, should be joined to the substance of dust and
darkness, the source of all defect and loss. For these reasons the
Creator gave to the form of man power, rule, and dominion over
the substance;-- the form can subdue the substance, refuse the
fulfilment of its desires, and reduce them, as far as possible, to a
just and proper measure. The station of man varies according to
the exercise of this power. Some persons constantly strive to
choose that which is noble, and to seek perpetuation in accordance
with the direction of their nobler part,-- their form: their thoughts
are engaged in the formation of ideas, the acquisition of true
knowledge about everything, and the union with the divine
intellect which flows down upon them, and which is the source of
man's form. Whenever they are led by the wants of the body to that
which is low and avowedly disgraceful, they are grieved at their
position, they feel ashamed and confounded at their situation.
They try with all their might to diminish this disgrace, and to guard
against it in every possible way. They feel like a person whom the
king in his anger ordered to remove refuse from one place to
another in order to put him to shame; that person tries as much as
possible to hide himself during the time of his disgrace: he perhaps
removes a small quantity a short distance in such a manner that his
hands and garments remain clean, and he himself be unnoticed by
his fellow-men. Such would be the conduct of a free man, whilst a
slave would find pleasure in such work;-- he would not consider it
a great burden, but throw himself into the refuse, smear his face
and his hands, carry the refuse openly, laughing and singing. This
is exactly the difference in the conduct of different men. Some
consider, as we just said, all wants of the body as shame, disgrace,
and defect to which they are compelled to attend: this is chiefly the
case with the sense of touch, which is a disgrace to us according to
Aristotle, and which is the cause of our desire for eating, drinking,
and sensuality. Intelligent persons must, as much as possible,
reduce these wants, guard against them, feel grieved when
satisfying them, abstain from speaking of them, discussing them,
and attending to them in company with others. Man must have
control over all these desires, reduce them as much as possible,
and only retain of them as much as is indispensable. His aim must
be the aim of man as man, viz., the formation of ideas, and nothing
else. The best and sublimest among them is the idea which man
forms of God, angels, and the rest of the creation according to his
capacity. Such men are always with God, and of them it is said,"
Ye are princes, and all of you are children of the Most High" (Ps.
lxxxii. 6). This is man's task and purpose. Others, however, that
are separated from God form the multitude of fools, and do just the
opposite. They neglect all thought and all reflection on ideas, and
consider as their task the cultivation of the sense of touch,-- that
sense which is the greatest disgrace: they only think and reason
about eating and love. Thus it is said of the wicked who are
drowned in eating, drinking, and love," They also have erred
through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way," etc.
(Isa. xxviii. 7)," for all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so
that there is no place clean" (ver. 8): again," And women rule over
them" (ibid. iii. 2),-- the opposite of that which man was told in
the beginning of the creation," And for thy husband shall thy
desire be, and he shall rule over thee" (Gen. iii. 16). The intensity
of their lust is then described thus," Every one neighed after his
neighbour's wife," etc. (Jer. v. 8):" they are all adulterers, an
assembly of treacherous men" (ibid. ix. 2). The whole book of the
Proverbs of Solomon treats of this subject, and exhorts to abstain
from lust and intemperance. These two vices ruin those that hate
God and keep far from Him; to them the following passages may
be applied," They are not the Lord's" (ibid. v. 10):" Cast them out
of my sight, and let them go forth" (ibid. xv. 1). As regards the
portion beginning," Who can find a virtuous woman ?" it is clear
what is meant by the figurative expression," a virtuous woman."
When man possesses a good sound body that does not overpower
him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift.
In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the
body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by
training. For this reason King Solomon and others wrote the moral
lessons; also all the commandments and exhortations in the
Pentateuch aim at conquering the desires of the body. Those who
desire to be men in truth, and not brutes, having only the
appearance and shape of men, must constantly endeavour to
reduce the wants of the body, such as eating, love, drinking, anger,
and all vices originating in lust and passion; they must feel
ashamed of them and set limits to them for themselves. As for
eating and drinking in so far as it is indispensable, they will eat
and drink only as much as is useful and necessary as food, and not
for the purpose of pleasure. They will also speak little of these
things, and rarely congregate for such purposes. Thus our Sages, as
is well known, kept aloof from a banquet that was not part of a
religious act, and pious men followed the example of R. Phinebas,
son of jair, who never dined with other persons, and even refused
to accept an invitation of R. jehudah, the Holy. Wine may be
treated as food, if taken as such, but to form parties for the purpose
of drinking wine together must be considered more disgraceful
than the unrestrained conduct of persons who in daylight meet in
the same house undressed and naked. For the natural action of the
digestive organ is indispensable to man, he cannot do without it;
whilst drunkenness depends on the free will of an evil man. To
appear naked in the presence of other people is misconduct only
according to public opinion, not according to the dictates of
reason, whilst drunkenness, which ruins the mind and the body of
man, reason stamps as a vice. You, therefore, who desire to act as
human beings must keep away from it, and even from speaking of
it. On sexual intercourse, I need not add anything after I have
pointed out in the commentary on Abot (i. 17) how it- is treated by
our Law, which is the teaching of pure wisdom-no excuse
whatever should induce us to mention it or to speak of it. Thus our
Sages said, that Elisha the prophet is called holy, because he did
not think of it, and consequently never found himself polluted with
semen. In a similar manner they say that Jacob had the first issue
of semen for the conception of Reuben. All these traditional
stories have the object of teaching the nation humane conduct.
There is a well-known saying of our Sages," The thoughts about
the sin are more dangerous than the sin itself." I can offer a good
explanation of this saying: When a person is disobedient, this is
due to certain accidents connected with the corporeal element in
his constitution; for man sins only by his animal nature, whereas
thinking is a faculty of man connected with his form,-- a person
who thinks sinfully sins therefore by means of the nobler portion
of his self: and he who wrongly causes a foolish slave to work does
not sin as much as he who wrongly causes a noble and free man to
do the work of a slave. For this specifically human element, with
all its properties and powers, should only be employed in suitable
work, in attempts to join higher beings, and not in attempts to go
down and reach the lower creatures. You know how we condemn
lowness of speech, and justly so, for speech is likewise peculiar to
man and a boon which God granted to him that he may be
distinguished from the rest of living creatures. Thus God says,"
Who gave a mouth to man ?" (Exod. iv.11): and the prophet
declares," The Lord God hath given me a learned tongue" (Isa. 1.
4). This gift, therefore, which God gave us in order to enable us to
perfect ourselves, to learn and to teach, must not be employed in
doing that which is for us most degrading and perfectly
disgraceful; we must not imitate the songs and tales of ignorant
and lascivious people. It may be suitable to them, but is not fit for
those who are told," And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests
and a holy nation" (Exod. xix. 6). Those who employ the faculty
of thinking and speaking in the service of that sense which is no
honour to us, who think more than necessary of drink and love, or
even sing of these things: they employ and use the divine gift in
acts of rebellion against the Giver, and in the transgression of His
commandments. To them the following words may be applied:"
And I multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal"
(Hos. ii. 10). I have also a reason and cause for calling our
language the holy language-do not think it is exaggeration or error
on my part, it is perfectly correct-the Hebrew language has no
special name for the organ of generation in females or in males,
nor for the act of generation itself, nor for semen, nor for secretion.
The Hebrew has no original expressions for these things, and only
describes them in figurative language and by way of hints, as if to
indicate thereby that these things should not be mentioned, and
should therefore have no names; we ought to be silent about them,
and when we are compelled to mention them, we must manage to
employ for that purpose some suitable expressions, although these
are generally used in a different sense. Thus the organ of
generation in males is called in Hebrew gid, which is a figurative
term, reminding of the words, And thy neck is an iron sinew" (gid)
(Isa. xlviii. 4). It is also called shupka, pouring out 'I (Deut. xxiii.
2), on account of its function. The female organ is called kobah
(Num. xxv. 8), from kebab (Dent. xviii. 3), which denotes"
stomach" : rehem," womb," is the inner organ in which the foetus
develops; zoah (Isa. xxviii. 8)," refuse," is derived from the verb
yaza," he went out"; for" urine" the phrase meme raglayim," the
water of the feet" (2 Kings. xviii. 17), is used; semen is expressed
by shikbat zera'," a layer of seed." For the act of generation there
is no expression whatever in Hebrew: it is described by the
following words only: ba'al," he was master" : shakab," he lay" :
lakah," he took"; gillah 'ervah," he uncovered the nakedness." Be
not misled by the word yishgalennah (Deut. xxviii. 30), to take it
as denoting that act: this is not the case, for shegal denotes a
female ready for cohabitation. Comp." Upon thy right hand did
stand the maiden" (shegal)" in gold of Ophir" (Ps. xlv. io).
Yishgalennah, according to the Kethib, denotes therefore he will
take the female for the purpose of cohabitation."
We have made in the greater part of this chapter a digression from
the theme of this treatise, and introduced some moral and religious
Matter, although they do not entirely belong to the subject of this
treatise, but the course of the discussion has led to it.
CHAPTER IX
THE corporeal element in man is a large screen and partition that
prevents him from perfectly perceiving abstract ideals: this would
be the case even if the corporeal element were as pure and superior
as the substance of the spheres; how much more must this be the
case with our dark and opaque body. However great the exertion of
our mind may be to comprehend the Divine Being or any of the
ideals, we find a screen and partition between Him and ourselves.
Thus the prophets frequently hint at the existence of a partition
between God and us. They say He is concealed from us in vapours,
in darkness, in mist, or in a thick cloud: or use similar figures to
express that on account of our bodies we are unable to
comprehend His essence. This is the meaning of the words,"
Clouds and darkness are round about Him" (Ps. xcvii. 2). The
prophets tell us that the difficulty consists in the grossness of our
substance: they do not imply, as might be gathered from the literal
meaning of their words, that God is corporeal, and is invisible
because He is surrounded by thick clouds, vapours, darkness, or
mist. This figure is also expressed in the passage," He made
darkness His secret place" (Ps. xviii. 12). The object of God
revealing Himself in thick clouds, darkness, vapours, and mist was
to teach this lesson; for every prophetic vision contains some
lesson by means of allegory; that mighty vision, therefore, though
the greatest of all visions, and above all comparison, viz., His
revelation in a thick cloud, did not take place without any purpose,
it was intended to indicate that we cannot comprehend Him on
account of the dark body that surrounds us. It does not surround
God, because He is incorporeal. A tradition is current among our
people that the day of the revelation on Mount Sinai was misty,
cloudy, and a little rainy. Comp." Lord, when thou wentest forth
from Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth
trembled, and the heavens dropped water" (judges v. 4). The same
idea is expressed by the words" darkness, clouds, and thick
darkness" (Deut. iv. 11). The phrase does not denote that darkness
surrounds God, for with Him there is no darkness, but the great,
strong, and permanent light, which, emanating from Him,
illuminates all darkness, as is expressed by the prophetic simile,"
And the earth shined with His glory" (Ezek. xliii. 2).
CHAPTER X
THE Mutakallemim, as I have already told you, apply the term
non-existence only to absolute non-existence, and not to the
absence of properties. A property and the absence of that property
are considered by them as two opposites, they treat, e.g., blindness
and sight, death and life, in the same way as heat and cold.
Therefore they say, without any qualification, nonexistence does
not require any agent, an agent is required when something is
produced. From a certain point of view this is correct. Although
they hold that non-existence does not require an agent, they say in
accordance with their principle that God causes blindness and
deafness, and gives rest to anything that moves, for they consider
these negative conditions as positive properties. We must now
state our opinion in accordance with the results of philosophical
research. You know that he who removes the obstacle of motion is
to some extent the cause of the motion, e.g., if one removes the
pillar which supports the beam he causes the beam to move, as has
been stated by Aristotle in his Physics (VIII., chap. iv.): in this
sense we say of him who removed a certain property that he
produced the absence of that property, although absence of a
property is nothing positive. just as we say of him who puts out the
light at night that he has produced darkness, so we say of him who
destroyed the sight of any being that he produced blindness,
although darkness and blindness are negative properties, and
require no agent. In accordance with this view we explain the
following passage of Isaiah:" I form the light and create (bore)
darkness : I make peace, and create (bore) evil" (Isa. xlv. 7), for
darkness and evil are non-existing things. Consider that the
prophet does not say, I make ('oseh) darkness, I make ('oseh) evil,
because darkness and evil are not things in positive existence to
which the verb &c to make" would apply; the verb bara" he
created" is used, because in Hebrew this verb is applied to
non-existing things e.g.," In the beginning God created" (bara),
etc.: here the creation took place from nothing. Only in this sense
can non-existence be said to be produced by a certain action of an
agent. In the same way we must explain the following passage :"
Who bath made man's mouth ? or who maketh the dumb, or the
deaf, or the seeing," etc. (Exod. iv. 11). The passage can also be
explained as follows: Who has made man able to speak ? or can
create him without the capacity of speaking, i.e., create a
substance that is incapable of acquiring this property ? for he who
produces a substance that cannot acquire a certain property may be
called the producer of that privation. Thus we say, if any one
abstains from delivering a fellow-man from death, although he is
able to do so, that he killed him. It is now clear that according to
an these different views the action of an agent cannot be directly
connected with a thing that does not exist: only indirectly is
non-existence described as the result of the action of an agent,
whilst in a direct manner an action can only influence a thing
really in existence; accordingly, whoever the agent may be, he can
only act upon an existing thing.
After this explanation you must recall to memory that, as has been
proved, the [so-called] evils are evils only in relation to a certain
thing, and that which is evil in reference to a certain existing thing,
either includes the nonexistence of that thing or the non-existence
of some of its good conditions. The proposition has therefore been
laid down in the most general terms," All evils are negations."
Thus for man death is evil: death is his non-existence. Illness,
poverty, and ignorance are evils for man: all these are privations of
properties. If you examine all single cases to which this general
proposition applies, you will find that there is not one case in
which the proposition is wrong except in the opinion of those who
do not make any distinction between negative and positive
properties, or between two opposites, or do not know the nature of
things,-- who, e.g., do not know that health in general denotes a
certain equilibrium, and is a relative term. The absence of that
relation is illness in general, and death is the absence of life in the
case of any animal. The destruction of other things; is likewise
nothing but the absence of their form.
After these propositions, it must be admitted as a fact that it cannot
be said of God that He directly creates evil, or He has the direct
intention to produce evil: this is impossible. His works are all
perfectly good. He only produces existence, and all existence is
good: whilst evils are of a negative character, and cannot be acted
upon. Evil can only he attributed to Him in the way we have
mentioned. He creates evil only in so far as He produces the
corporeal element such as it actually is: it is always connected with
negatives, and is on that account the source of all destruction and
all evil. Those beings that do not possess this corporeal element
are not subject to destruction or evil: consequently the true work of
God is all good, since it is existence. The book which enlightened
the darkness of the world says therefore," And God saw
everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good" (Gen.
i. 31). Even the existence of this corporeal element, low as it in
reality is, because it is the source of death and all evils, is likewise
good for the permanence of the Universe and the continuation of
the order of things, so that one thing departs and the other
succeeds. Rabbi Meir therefore explains the words" and behold it
was very good" (tob me'od): that even death was good in
accordance with what we have observed in this chapter.
Remember what I said in this chapter, consider it, and you will
understand all that the prophets and our Sages remarked about the
perfect goodness of all the direct works of God. In Bereshit Rabba
(chap. i.) the same idea is expressed thus:" No evil comes down
from above."
CHAPTER XI
ALL the great evils which men cause to each other because of
certain intentions, desires, opinions, or religious principles, are
likewise due to non-existence, because they originate in ignorance,
which is absence of wisdom. A blind man, for example, who has
no guide, stumbles constantly, because he cannot see, and causes
injury and harm to himself and others. In the same manner various
classes of men, each man in proportion to his ignorance, bring
great evils upon themselves and upon other individual members of
the species. If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same
relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not
cause any injury to themselves or to others: for the knowledge of
truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
This state of society is promised to us by the prophet in the words
:" And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb," etc.:" and the cow and
the bear shall feed together," etc.: and" the sucking child shall
play on the hole of the asp," etc. (Isa. id. 6 seq). The prophet also
points out what will be the cause of this change: for he says that
hatred, quarrel, and fighting will come to an end, because men will
then have a true knowledge of God." They shall not hurt nor
destroy in all my holy mountain : for the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (ibid. ver. g).
Note it.
CHAPTER XII
MEN frequently think that the evils in the world are more
numerous than the good things; many sayings and songs of the
nations dwell on this idea. They say that a good thing is found only
exceptionally, whilst evil things are numerous and lasting. Not
only common people make this mistake, but even many who
believe that they are wise. Al-Razi wrote a well-known book On
Metaphysics [or Theology]. Among other mad and foolish things,
it contains also the idea, discovered by him, that there exists more
evil than good. For if the happiness of man and his pleasure in the
times of prosperity be compared with the mishaps that befall
him,-- such as grief, acute pain, defects, paralysis of the limbs,
fears, anxieties, and troubles,-- it would seem as if the existence of
man is a punishment and a great evil for him. This author
commenced to verify his opinion by counting all the evils one by
one; by this means he opposed those who hold the correct view of
the benefits bestowed by God and His evident kindness, viz., that
God is perfect goodness, and that all that comes from Him is
absolutely good. The origin of the error is to be found in the
circumstance that this ignorant man, and his party among the
common people, judge the whole universe by examining one
single person. For an ignorant man believes that the whole
universe only exists for him; as if nothing else required any
consideration. If, therefore, anything happens to him contrary to
his expectation, he at once concludes that the whole universe is
evil. If, however, he would take into consideration the whole
universe, form an idea of it, and comprehend what a small portion
he is of the Universe, he will find the truth. For it is dear that
persons who have fallen into this widespread error as regards the
multitude of evils in the world, do not find the evils among the
angels, the spheres and stars, the elements, and that which is
formed of them, viz., minerals and plants, or in the various species
of living beings, but only in some individual instances of mankind.
They wonder that a person, who became leprous in consequence of
bad food, should be afflicted with so great an illness and suffer
such a misfortune; or that he who indulges so much in sensuality
as to weaken his sight, should be struck With blindness! and the
like. What we have, in truth, to consider is this :-The whole
mankind at present in existence, and a fortiori, every other species
of animals, form an infinitesimal portion of the permanent
universe. Comp." Man is like to vanity" (Ps. cxliv. 4):" How
much less man, that is a worm; and the son of man, which is a
worm" (job xxv. 6):" How much less in them who dwell in houses
of clay" (ibid. iv. 19):" Behold, the nations are as a drop of the
bucket" (Isa. xl. 15). There are many other passages in the books
of the prophets expressing the same idea. It is of great advantage
that man should know his station, and not erroneously imagine that
the whole universe exists only for him. We hold that the universe
exists because the Creator wills it so; that mankind is low in rank
as compared with the uppermost portion of the universe, viz., with
the spheres and the stars: but, as regards the angels, there cannot
be any real comparison between man and angels, although man is
the highest of all beings on earth; i.e., of all beings formed of the
four elements. Man's existence is nevertheless a great boon to him,
and his distinction and perfection is a divine gift. The numerous
evils to which individual persons are exposed are due to the
defects existing in the persons themselves. We complain and seek
relief from our own faults: we suffer from the evils which we, by
our own free will, inflict on ourselves and ascribe them to God,
who is far from being connected with them! Comp." Is destruction
his [work] ? No. Ye [who call yourselves] wrongly his sons, you
who are a perverse and crooked generation" (Deut. xxxii. 5). This
is explained by Solomon, who says," The foolishness of man
perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord" (Prov.
xix. 3).
I explain this theory in the following manner. The evils that befall
an are of three kinds :
(1) The first kind of evil is that which is caused to man by the
circumstance that he is subject to genesis and destruction, or that
he possesses a body. It is on account of the body that some persons
happen to have great deformities or paralysis of some of the
organs. This evil may be part of the natural constitution of these
persons, or may have developed subsequently in consequence of
changes in the elements, e.g., through bad air, or thunderstorms or
landslips. We have already shown that, in accordance with the
divine wisdom, genesis can only take place through destruction,
and without the destruction of the individual members of the
species the species themselves would not exist permanently. Thus
the true kindness, and beneficence, and goodness of God is clear.
He who thinks that he can have flesh and bones without being
subject to any external influence, or any of the accidents of matter,
unconsciously wishes to reconcile two opposites, viz., to be at the
same time subject and not subject to change. If man were never
subject to change there could be no generation: there would be one
single being, but no individuals forming a species. Galen, in the
third section of his book, The Use of the Limbs, says correctly that
it would be in vain to expect to see living beings formed of the
blood of menstruous women and the semen virile, who will not
die, will never feel pain, or will move perpetually, or will shine
like the sun. This dictum of Galen is part of the following more
general proposition :-- Whatever is formed of any matter receives
the most perfect form possible in that species of matter: in each
individual case the defects are in accordance with the defects of
that individual matter. The best and most perfect being that can be
formed of the blood and the semen is the species of man, for as far
as man's nature is known, he is living, reasonable, and mortal. It is
therefore impossible that man should be free from this species of
evil. You will, nevertheless, find that the evils of the above kind
which befall man are very few and rare: for you find countries that
have not been flooded or burned for thousands of years: there are
thousands of men in perfect health, deformed individuals are a
strange and exceptional occurrence, or say few in number if you
object to the term exceptional,-- they are not one-hundredth, not
even one-thousandth part of those that are perfectly normal.
(2) The second class of evils comprises such evils as people cause
to each other, when, e.g., some of them use their strength against
others. These evils are more numerous than those of the first kind:
their causes are numerous and known; they likewise originate in
ourselves, though the sufferer himself cannot avert them. This kind
of evil is nevertheless not widespread in any country of the whole
world. It is of rare occurrence that a man plans to kill his
neighbour or to rob him of his property by night. Many persons
are, however, afflicted with this kind of evil in great wars: but
these are not frequent, if the whole inhabited part of the earth is
taken into consideration.
(3) The third class of evils comprises those which every one causes
to himself by his own action. This is the largest class, and is far
more numerous than the second class. It is especially of these evils
that all men complain,only few men are found that do not sin
against themselves by this kind of evil. Those that are afflicted
with it are therefore justly blamed in the words of the prophet,"
This hath been by your means" (Mal. i. 9): the same is expressed
in the following passage," He that doeth it destroyeth his own
soul" (Prov. vi. 32). In reference to this kind of evil, Solomon
says," The foolishness of man perverteth his way" (ibid. xix. 3).
In the following passage he explains also that this kind of evil is
man's own work," Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made
man upright, but they have thought out many inventions" (Eccles.
vii. 29), and these inventions bring the evils upon him. The same
subject is referred to in job (v. 6)," For affliction cometh not forth
of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground." These
words are immediately followed by the explanation that man
himself is the author of this class of evils," But man is born unto
trouble." This class of evils originates in man's vices, such as
excessive desire for eating, drinking, and love; indulgence in these
things in undue measure, or in improper manner, or partaking of
bad food. This course brings diseases and afflictions upon body
and soul alike. The sufferings of the body in consequence of these
evils are well known; those of the soul are twofold :-First, such
evils of the soul as are the necessary consequence of changes in
the body, in so far as the soul is a force residing in the body; it has
therefore been said that the properties of the soul depend on the
condition of the body. Secondly, the soul, when accustomed to
superfluous things, acquires a strong habit of desiring things which
are neither necessary for the preservation of the individual nor for
that of the species. This desire is without a limit, whilst things
which are necessary are few in number and restricted within
certain limits; but what is superfluous is without end-- e.g., you
desire to have your vessels of silver, but golden vessels are still
better : others have even vessels of sapphire, or perhaps they can
be made of emerald or rubies, or any other substance that could be
suggested, Those who are ignorant and perverse in their thought
are constantly in trouble and pain, because they cannot get as
much of superfluous things as a certain other person possesses.
They as a rule expose themselves to great dangers, e.g., by
seavoyage, or service of kings, and all this for the purpose of
obtaining that which is superfluous and not necessary. When they
thus meet with the consequences of the course which they adopt,
they complain of the decrees and judgments of God; they begin to
blame the time, and wonder at the want of justice in its changes;
that it has not enabled them to acquire great riches, with which
they could buy large quantities of wine for the purpose of making
themselves drunk, and numerous concubines adorned with various
kind of ornaments of gold, embroidery, and jewels, for the purpose
of driving themselves to voluptuousness beyond their capacities, as
if the whole Universe existed exclusively for the purpose of giving
pleasure to these low people. The error of the ignorant goes so far
as to say that God's power is insufficient, because He has given to
this Universe the properties which they imagine cause these great
evils, and which do not help all evil-disposed persons to obtain the
evil which they seek, and to bring their evil souls to the aim of
their desires, though these, as we have shown, are really without
limit. The virtuous and wise, however, see and comprehend the
wisdom of God displayed in the Universe. Thus David says," All
the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His
covenant and His testimonies" (Ps. xxv. 10). For those who
observe the nature of the Universe and the commandments of the
Law, and know their purpose, see dearly God's mercy and truth in
everything; they seek, therefore, that which the Creator intended to
be the aim of man, viz., comprehension. Forced by the claims of
the body, they seek also that which is necessary for the
preservation of the body," bread to eat and garment to clothe," and
this is very little; but they seek nothing superfluous: with very
slight exertion man can obtain it, so long as he is contented with
that which is indispensable. All the difficulties and troubles we
meet in this respect are due to the desire for superfluous things:
when we seek unnecessary things, we have difficulty even in
finding that which is indispensable. For the more we desire to have
that which is superfluous, the more we meet with difficulties; our
strength and possessions are spent in unnecessary things, and are
wanting when required for that which is necessary. Observe how
Nature proves the correctness of this assertion. The more
necessary a thing is for living beings, the more easily it is found
and the cheaper it is: the less necessary it is, the rarer and dearer it
is. E.g., air, water, and food are indispensable to man : air is most
necessary, for if man is without air a short time he dies; whilst he
can be without water a day or two. Air is also undoubtedly found
more easily and cheaper [than water]. Water is more necessary
than food; for some people can be four or five days without food,
provided they have water; water also exists in every country in
larger quantities than food, and is also cheaper. The same
proportion can be noticed in the different kinds of food; that which
is more necessary in a certain place exists there in larger quantities
and is cheaper than that which is less necessary. No intelligent
person, I think, considers musk, amber, rubies, and emerald as
very necessary for man except as medicines: and they, as well as
other like substances, can be replaced for this purpose by herbs
and minerals. This shows the kindness of God to His creatures,
even to us weak beings. His righteousness and justice as regards all
animals are well known; for in the transient world there is among
the various kinds of animals no individual being distinguished
from the rest of the same species by a peculiar property or an
additional limb. On the contrary, all physical, psychical, and vital
forces and organs that are possessed by one individual are found
also in the other individuals. If any one is somehow different it is
by accident, in consequence of some exception, and not by a
natural property; it is also a rare occurrence. There is no difference
between individuals of a species in the due course of Nature; the
difference originates in the various dispositions of their
substances. This is the necessary consequence of the nature of the
substance of that species: the nature of the species is not more
favourable to one individual than to the other. It is no wrong or
injustice that one has many bags of finest myrrh and garments
embroidered with gold, while another has not those things, which
are not necessary for our maintenance; he who has them has not
thereby obtained control over anything that could be an essential
addition to his nature, but has only obtained something illusory or
deceptive. The other, who does not possess that which is not
wanted for his maintenance, does not miss anything
indispensable:" He that gathered much had nothing over, and he
that gathered little had no lack: they gathered every man according
to his eating" (Exod. xvi. 18). This is the rule at all times and in
all places; no notice should be taken of exceptional cases, as we
have explained.
In these two ways you will see the mercy of God toward His
creatures, how He has provided that which is required, in proper
proportions, and treated all individual beings of the same species
with perfect equality. In accordance with this correct reflection the
chief of the wise men says," All his ways are judgment" (Deut.
xxxii. 4): David likewise says:" All the paths of the Lord are
mercy and truth" (Ps. xxv. 10): he also says expressly" The Lord
is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his work" (ibid.
cxlv. 9): for it is an act of great and perfect goodness that He gave
us existence: and the creation of the controlling faculty in animals
is a proof of His mercy towards them, as has been shown by us.
CHAPTER XIII
INTELLIGENT persons are much perplexed when they inquire
into the purpose of the Creation. I will now show how absurd this
question is, according to each one of the different theories
[above-mentioned]. An agent that acts with intention must have a
certain ulterior object in that which he performs. This is evident,
and no philosophical proof is required. It is likewise evident that
that which is produced with intention has passed over from
non-existence to existence. It is further evident, and generally
agreed upon, that the being which has absolute existence, which
has never been and win never be without existence, is not in need
of an agent. We have explained this before. The question," What
is the purpose thereof ?" cannot be asked about anything which is
not the product of an agent; therefore we cannot ask what is the
purpose of the existence of God. He has not been created.
According to these propositions it is clear that the purpose is
sought for everything produced intentionally by an intelligent
cause: that is to say, a final cause must exist for everything that
owes its existence to an intelligent being: but for that which is
Without a beginning, a final cause need not be sought, as has been
stated by us. After this explanation you will understand that there
is no occasion to seek the final cause of the whole Universe,
neither according to our theory of the Creation, nor according to
the theory of Aristotle, who assumes the Eternity of the Universe.
For according to Aristotle, who holds that the Universe has not had
a beginning, an ultimate final cause cannot be sought even for the
various parts of the Universe. Thus it cannot be asked, according
to his opinion, What is the final cause of the existence of the
heavens ? Why are they limited by this measure or by that number
? Why is matter of this description ? What is the purpose of the
existence of this species of animals or plants ? Aristotle considers
all this as the result of a permanent order of things. Natural
Philosophy investigates into the object of everything in Nature, but
it does not treat of the ultimate final cause, of which we speak in
this chapter. It is a recognized fact in Natural Philosophy that
everything in Nature has its object, or its final cause, which is the
most important of the four causes, though it is not easily
recognized in most species. Aristotle repeatedly says that Nature
produces nothing in vain, for every natural action has a certain
object. Thus, Aristotle says that plants exist for animals; and
similarly he shows of other parts of the Universe for what purpose
they exist. This is still more obvious in the case of the organs of
animals. The existence of such a final cause in the various parts of
Nature has compelled philosophers to assume the existence of a
primal cause apart from Nature; it is called by Aristotle the
intellectual or divine cause, and this cause creates one thing for the
purpose of another. Those who acknowledge the truth will accept
as the best proof for the Creation the fact that everything in Nature
serves a certain purpose, so that one thing exists for the benefit of
another; this fact is supported by numerous instances, and shows
that there is design in Nature; but the existence of design in Nature
cannot be imagined unless it be assumed that Nature has been
produced.
I will now return to the subject of this chapter, viz., the final cause.
Aristotle has already explained that in Nature the efficient cause of
a thing, its form, and its final cause are identical: that is to say,
they are one thing in relation to the whole species. E.g., the form
of Zeid produces the form of his son Amr; its action consists in
imparting the form of the whole species [of man] to the substance
of Amr, and the final cause is Amr's possession of human form.
The same argument is applied by Aristotle to every individual
member of a class of natural objects which is brought to existence
by another individual member. The three causes coincide in all
such cases. All this refers only to the immediate purpose of a
thing; but the existence of an ultimate purpose in every species,
which is considered as absolutely necessary by every one who
investigates into the nature of things, is very difficult to discover:
and still more difficult is it to find the purpose of the whole
Universe. I infer from the words of Aristotle that according to his
opinion the ultimate purpose of the genera is the preservation of
the course of genesis and destruction: and this course is absolutely
necessary (in the first instance] for the successive formation of
material objects, because individual. beings formed of matter are
not permanent; [secondly], for the production of the best and the
most perfect beings that can be formed of matter, because the
ultimate purpose [in these productions] is to arrive at perfection.
Now it is dear that man is the most perfect being formed of matter;
he is the last and most perfect of earthly beings, and in this respect
it can truly be said that all earthly things exist for man, i.e., that the
changes which things undergo serve to produce the most perfect
being that can be produced. Aristotle, who assumes the Eternity of
the Universe, need therefore not ask to what purpose does man
exist, for the immediate purpose of each individual being is,
according to his opinion, the perfection of its specific form. Every
individual thing arrives at its perfection fully and completely when
the actions that produce its form are complete. The ultimate
purpose of the species is the perpetuation of this form by the
repeated succession of genesis and destruction, so that there might
always be a being capable of the greatest possible perfection. It
seems therefore clear that, according to Aristotle, who assumes the
Eternity of the Universe, there is no occasion for the question what
is the object of the existence of the Universe. But of those who
accept our theory that the whole Universe has been created from
nothing, some hold that the inquiry after the purpose of the
Creation is necessary, and assume that the Universe was only
created for the sake of man's existence, that he might serve God.
Everything that is done they believe is done for man's sake; even
the spheres move only for his benefit, in order that his wants might
be supplied. The literal meaning of some passages in the books of
the prophets greatly support this idea. Comp." He formed it (viz.,
the earth) to be inhabited" (Isa. xlv. 18):" If my covenant of day
and night were not," etc. (Jer. xxxiii. 25);" And spreadeth them out
as a tent to dwell in" (Isa. xl. 22). If the sphere existed for the sake
of man, how much more must this be the case with all other living
beings and the plants. On examining this opinion as intelligent
persons ought to examine all different opinions, we shall discover
the errors it includes. Those who hold this view, namely, that the
existence of man is the object of the whole creation, may be asked
whether God could have created man without those previous
creations, or whether man could only have come into existence
after the creation of all other things. If they answer in the
affirmative, that man could have been created even if, e.g., the
heavens did not exist, they will be asked what is the object of all
these things, since they do not exist for their own sake but for the
sake of something that could exist without them ? Even if the
Universe existed for man's sake and man existed for the purpose of
serving God, as has been mentioned, the question remains, What is
the end of serving God ? He does not become more perfect if all
His creatures serve Him and comprehend Him as far as possible;
nor would He lose anything if nothing existed beside Him. It might
perhaps be replied that the service of God is not intended for God's
perfection; it is intended for our own perfection,-- it is good for us,
it makes us perfect. But then the question might be repeated, What
is the object of our being perfect ? We must in continuing the
inquiry as to the purpose of the creation at last arrive at the
answer, It was the Will of God, or His Wisdom decreed it; and this
is the correct answer. The wise men in Israel have, therefore,
introduced in our prayers (for Neilah of the Day of Atonement) the
following passage:--" Thou hast distinguished man from the
beginning, and chosen him to stand before Thee; who can say unto
Thee, What dost Thou ? And if he be righteous, what does he give
Thee ?" They have thus clearly stated that it was not a final cause
that determined the existence of all things, but only His will. This
being the case, we who believe in the Creation must admit that
God could have created the Universe in a different manner as
regards the causes and effects contained in it, and this would lead
to the absurd conclusion that everything except man existed
without any purpose, as the principal object, man, could have been
brought into existence without the rest of the creation. I consider
therefore the following opinion as most correct according to the
teaching of the Bible, and best in accordance with the results of
philosophy; namely, that the Universe does not exist for man's
sake, but that each being exists for its own sake, and not because
of some other thing. Thus we believe in the Creation, and yet need
not inquire what purpose is served by each species of the existing
things, because we assume that God created all parts of the
Universe by His will; some for their own sake, and some for the
sake of other beings, that include their own purpose in themselves.
In the same manner as it was the will of God that man should
exist, so it was His will that the heavens with their stars should
exist, that there should be angels, and each of these beings is itself
the purpose of its own existence. When anything can only exist
provided some other thing has previously existed, God has caused
the latter to precede it; as, e.g., sensation precedes comprehension.
We meet also with this view in Scripture" The Lord hath made
everything (la-ma'anehu) for its purpose (Prov. xvi. 4). It is
possible that the pronoun in la-maanehu refers to the object; but it
can also be considered as agreeing with the subject; in which case
the meaning of the word is, for the sake of Himself, or His will
which is identical with His self [or essence], as has been shown in
this treatise. We have also pointed out that Flis essence is also
called His glory. The words," The Lord hath made everything for
Himself," express therefore the same idea as the following verse,"
Everything that is called by my name: I have created it for my
glory, I have formed it; yea, I have made it" (Isa. xliii. 7): that is to
say, everything that is described as My work has been made by Me
for the sake of My will and for no other purpose. The words," I
have formed it,"" I have made it," express exactly what I pointed
out to you, that there are things whose existence is only possible
after certain other things have come into existence. To these
reference is made in the text, as if to say, I have formed the first
thing which must have preceded the other things, e.g., matter has
been formed before the production of material beings: I have then
made out of that previous creation, or after it, what I intended to
produce, and there was nothing but My will. Study the book which
leads all who want to be led to the truth, and is therefore called
Torah (Law or Instruction), from the beginning of the account of
the Creation to its end, and you will comprehend the opinion
which we attempt to expound. For no part of the creation is
described as being in existence for the sake of another part, but
each part is declared to be the product of God's will, and to satisfy
by its existence the intention [of the Creator]. This is expressed by
the phrase," And God saw that it was good" (Gen. i. 4, etc.). You
know our interpretation of the saying of our Sages," Scripture
speaks the purpose of protecting his house by night from thieves
that the king was chosen. To some extent this is correct: for when
his house is protected, and he has derived this benefit through the
king whom the country had chosen, it appears as if it were the
object of the king to protect the house of that man. In this manner
we must explain every verse, the literal meaning of which would
imply that something superior was created for the sake of
something inferior, viz., that it is part of the nature of the superior
thing [to influence the inferior in a certain manner]. We remain
firm in our belief that the whole Universe was created in
accordance with the will of God, and we do not inquire for any
other cause or object. just as we do not ask what is the purpose of
God's existence, so we do not ask what was the object of His will,
which is the cause of the existence of all things with their present
properties, both those that have been created and those that will be
created.
You must not be mistaken and think that the spheres and the
angels were created for our sake. Our position has already been
pointed out to us," Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket"
(Isa. xl.15). Now compare your own essence with that of the
spheres, the stars, and the Intelligences, and you will comprehend
the truth, and understand that man is superior to everything formed
of earthly matter, but not to other beings; he is found exceedingly
inferior when his existence is compared with that of the spheres,
and a fortiori when compared with that of the Intelligences.
Comp." Behold, he putteth no trust in his servants: and his
messengers he charged with folly: how much less in them that
dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are
crushed before the moth ?" (job iv. A, 19). The expression" his
servants," occurring in this passage, does not denote human
beings; this may be inferred from the words," How much less in
them that dwell in houses of clay ?" The" servants" referred to in
this place are the angels; whilst by the term" his messengers" the
spheres are undoubtedly meant. Eliphas himself, who uttered the
above words, explains this [in the second speech] when he refers
to it in one of his replies in other words, saying," Behold, he
putteth no trust in his holy ones; yea, the heavens are not clean in
his sight, how much more abominable and filthy is man, who
drinketh iniquity like water" (ibid. xv. 15, 16). He thus shows
that" his servants" and" his holy ones" are identical, and that
they are not human beings; also that" his messengers," mentioned
in the first passage, are the same as" the heavens." The term"
folly" is explained by the phrase" they are not clean in his sight,"
i.e., they are material: although their substance is the purest and
the most luminous, compared with the Intelligences it appears
dark, turbid, and impure. The phrase," Behold, he putteth no trust
in his servants." is employed in reference to the angels, indicating
that these do not possess perpetual existence, since, as we believe,
they have had a beginning; and even according to those who
assume the Eternity of the Universe, the existence of the angels is
at all events dependent on and therefore inferior to, the absolute
existence of God. The words," How much more abominable and
filthy is man," in the one passage, correspond to the phrase" How
much less in those who dwell in houses of clay" in the other
passage. Their meaning is this: How much less in man who is
abominable and filthy, in whose person crookedness or
corporeality is mixed up and spread through all his parts."
Iniquity" ('avlah) is identical with crookedness," as may be
inferred from the passage," In the land of uprightness he will act
with iniquity" (Isa. xxvi. 10), and ish," man," is here used in the
same sense as adam," human being" : for" man" in a general
sense is sometimes expressed in Scripture by ish. Comp." He who
smiteth a man (ish) and he die" (Exod. xxi. 12).
This must be our belief when we have a correct knowledge of our
own self, and comprehend the true nature of everything; we must
be content, and not trouble our mind with seeking a certain final
cause for things that have none, or have no other final cause but
their own existence, which depends on the Will of God, or, if you
prefer, on the Divine Wisdom.
CHAPTER XIV
IN order to obtain a correct estimate of ourselves, we must reflect
on the results of the investigations which have been made into the
dimensions and the distances of the spheres and the stars. The
distances are clearly stated in radii of the earth, and are well
known, since the circumference and the radius of the earth are
known. It has been proved that the distance between the centre of
the earth and the outer surface of the sphere of Saturn is a journey
of nearly eight thousand seven hundred solar years. Suppose a
day's journey to be forty legal miles of two thousand ordinary
cubits, and consider the great and enormous distance ! or in the
words of Scripture," Is not God in the height of heaven ? and
behold the height of the stars, how high they are!" (job xxii. 12):
that is to say, learn from the height of the heavens how far we are
from comprehending God, for there is an enormous distance
between ourselves and these corporeal objects, and the latter are
greatly distinguished from us by their position, and hidden from us
as regards their essence and most of their actions. How much more
incompreliensible therefore is their Maker, who is incorporeal!
The great distance which has been proved is, in fact, the least that
can be assumed. The distance between the centre of the earth and
the surface of the sphere of the fixed stars can by no means be less,
but it may possibly be many times as great: for the measure of the
thickness of the body of the spheres has not been proved, and the
least possible has been assumed, as appears from the treatises On
the Distances. The same is the case with the substances which are
between every two spheres. According to logical inference, as has
been mentioned by Thabit, the thickness of these substances
cannot be accurately stated, since they do not contain any star,
which might serve as a means if obtaining it. As to the thickness of
the sphere of the fixed stars, it is at least four years' journey, as
may be inferred from the measure of the stars contained in the
sphere. The body of each of these stars is more than ninety times
as big as the globe of the earth, and it is possible that the thickness
of the sphere is still greater. Of the ninth sphere, that causes the
daily revolution of the whole system of spheres, we do not know
the dimensions; it contains no stars, and therefore we have no
means of finding out its magnitude. Now consider the enormous
dimensions and the large number of these material beings. If the
whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the
stars, what is man compared with all these created beings ! flow,
then, could any one of us imagine that these things exist for his
sake and benefit, and that they are his tools ! This is the result of
an examination of the corporeal beings : how much more so will
this be the result of an examination into the nature of the
Intelligences !
The following question may be asked against the opinion of
philosophers on this subject: There is no doubt that from a
philosophical point of view it would be a mistake to assume that
the spheres exist for the purpose of regulating the fate of one
individual person or community; but it is not absurd to think that
they serve to regulate the affairs of mankind, since these mighty
individual beings would serve to give existence to the individual
members of the species, the number of which, according to the
philosophers, will never come to an end. We can best illustrate this
by the following simile: An artisan makes iron tools of a
hundred-weight for the purpose of making a small needle of the
weight of a grain. If only one needle had to be produced, we admit
that it would certainly be bad management, though it would not be
entirely a failure: but if with those enormous tools needle after
needle is produced, even many hundred-weights of needles, the
preparation of those tools would be a wise act and excellent
management. In a similar manner the object of the spheres may be
the continuance of successive genesis and destruction; and the
succession of genesis and destruction serves, as has already been
said, to give existence to mankind. This idea is supported by
Biblical texts and sayings [of our Sages]. The philosopher replies
thus : If the difference between the heavenly bodies and the
transient individual members of the species consisted in their
different sizes, this opinion could be maintained: but as the
difference consists in their essence, it remains improbable that the
superior beings should be the means of giving existence to the
lower ones. In short, this question supports our belief in the
Creation; and this is the principal object of this chapter. [It serves]
besides [a second purpose]. I frequently hear from those who know
something about astronomy, that our Sages exaggerated the
distances [of the heavenly bodies] when they said that the
thickness of each sphere is five hundred years' journey; the
distance of the seven spheres from each other five hundred years'
journey, so that the distance of the outer surface of the seventh
sphere from the centre of the earth is seven thousand years'
journey. Those who hear such statements consider them [at first
thought] as exaggeration, and believe that the distance is not so
great. But you may ascertain from the data proved in scientific
treatises on the distances, that the centre of the earth is distant
from the inner surface of the seventh sphere, that of Saturn, nearly
seven thousand and twenty-four years' journey. The number eight
thousand and seven hundred given by us, refers to the distance of
the centre of the earth from the inner surface of the eighth sphere.
The distance of the spheres from each other, mentioned by
astronomers, is identical with the thickness of the substance that
intervenes between one sphere and the other, and does not imply
that there is a vacuum. You must, however, not expect that
everything our Sages say respecting astronomical matters should
agree with observation, for mathematics were not fully developed
in those days: and their statements were not based on the authority
of the Prophets, but on the knowledge which they either
themselves possessed or derived from contemporary men of
science. But I will not on that account denounce what they say
correctly in accordance with real fact, as untrue or accidentally
true. On the contrary, whenever the words of a person can be
interpreted in such a manner that they agree with fully established
facts, it is the duty of every educated and honest man to do so.
CHAPTER XV
THAT which is impossible has a permanent and constant property,
which is not the result of some agent, and cannot in any way
change, and consequently we do not ascribe to God the power of
doing what is impossible. No thinking man denies the truth of this
maxim; none ignore it, but such as have no idea of Logic. There is,
however, a difference of opinion among philosophers with
reference to the existence of any particular thing. Some of them
consider its existence to be impossible, and hold that God cannot
produce the thing in question, whilst others think that it is possible,
and that God can create it if He pleases to do so. E.g., all
philosophers consider that it is impossible for one substratum to
have at the same moment two opposite properties, or for the
elementary components of a thing, substance and accident, to
interchange, so that the substance becomes accident, and the
accident becomes substance, or for a material substance to be
without accident. Likewise it is impossible that God should
produce a being like Himself, or annihilate, corporify, or change
Himself. The power of God is not assumed to extend to any of
these impossibilities. But the existence of accidents independent of
substance is possible according to one class of philosophers, the
Mutazilah, whilst according to others it is impossible; it must,
however, be added that those who admit the existence of an
accident independent of substance, have not arrived at this
conclusion by philosophical research alone: but it was mainly by
the desire to defend certain religious principles, which speculation
had greatly shaken, that they had recourse to this theory. In a
similar manner the creation of corporeal things, otherwise than
from a substance, is possible according to our view, whilst the
philosophers say that it is impossible. Again, whilst philosophers
say that it is impossible to produce a square with a diagonal equal
to one of the sides, or a solid angle that includes four right angles,
or similar things, it is thought possible by some persons who are
ignorant of mathematics, and who only know the words of these
propositions, but have no idea of that which is expressed by them.
I wonder whether this gate of research is open, so that all may
freely enter, and whilst one imagines a thing and considers it
possible, another is at liberty to assert that such a thing is
impossible by its very nature: or whether the gate is closed and
guarded by certain rules, so that we are able to decide with
certainty whether a thing is physically impossible. I should also
like to know, in the latter case, whether imagination or reason has
to examine and test objects as to their being possible or not;
likewise how things imagined, and things conceived intellectually,
are to be distinguished from each other. For it occurs that we
consider a thing as physically possible, and then some one objects,
or we ourselves fear that our opinion is only the result of
imagination, and not that of reason. In such a case it would be
desirable to ascertain whether there exists some faculty to
distinguish between imagination and intellect, [and if so,] whether
this faculty is different from both, or whether it is part of the
intellect itself to distinguish between intellectual and imaginary
objects. All this requires investigation, but it does not belong to the
theme of this chapter.
We have thus shown that according to each one of the different
theories there are things which are impossible, whose existence
cannot be admitted, and whose creation is excluded from the
power of God, and the assumption that God does not change their
nature does not imply weakness in God, or a limit to His power.
Consequently things impossible remain impossible, and do not
depend on the action of an agent. It is now clear that a difference
of opinion exists only as to the question to which of the two
classes a thing belongs: whether to the class of the impossible, or
to that of the possible. Note it.
CHAPTER XVI
THE philosophers have uttered very perverse ideas as regards
God's Omniscience of everything beside Himself: they have
stumbled in such a manner that they cannot rise again, nor can
those who adopt their views. 1 will further on tell you the doubts
that led them to these perverse utterances on this question; and I
will also tell you the opinion which is taught by our religion, and
which differs from the evil and wrong principles of the
philosophers as regards God's Omniscience.
The principal reason that first induced the philosophers to adopt
their theory is this: at first thought we notice an absence of system
in human affairs. Some pious men live a miserable and painful
life, whilst some wicked people enjoy a happy and pleasant life.
On this account the philosophers assumed as possible the cases
which you will now hear. They said that only one of two things is
possible, either God is ignorant of the individual or particular
things on earth, and does not perceive them, or He perceives and
knows them. These are all the cases possible. They then continued
thus: If He perceives and knows all individual things, one of the
following three cases must take place: (1) God arranges and
manages human affairs well, perfectly and faultlessly; (2) He is
overcome by obstacles, and is too weak and powerless to manage
human affairs; (3) He knows [all things] and can arrange and
manage them, but leaves and abandons them, as too base, low, and
vile, or from jealousy; as we may also notice among ourselves
some who are able to make another person happy, well knowing
what he wants for his happiness, and still in consequence of their
evil disposition, their wickedness and jealousy against him, they
do not help him to his happiness.-- This is likewise a complete
enumeration of all possible cases. For those who have a knowledge
of a certain thing necessarily either (1) take care of the thing which
they know, and manage it, or (2) neglect it (as we, e.g., neglect and
forget the cats in our house, or things of less importance); or (3)
while taking care of it, have not sufficient power and strength for
its management, although they have the will to do so. Having
enumerated these different cases, the philosophers emphatically
decided that of the three cases possible [as regards the
management of a thing] by one who knows that thing], two are
inadmissible in reference to God viz., want of power, or absence of
will: because they imply either evil disposition or weakness,
neither of which can by any means be attributed to Him.
Consequently there remains only the alternative that God is
altogether ignorant of human affairs, or that He knows them and
manages them well. Since we, however, notice that events do not
follow a certain order, that they cannot be determined by analogy,
and are not in accordance with what is wanted, we conclude that
God has no knowledge of them in any way or for any reason. This
is the argument which led the philosophers to speak such
blasphemous words. In the treatise On Providence, by Alexander
Aphrodisiensis, you will find the same as I have said about the
different views of the philosophers, and as I have stated as to the
source of their error.
You must notice with surprise that the evil into which these
philosophers have fallen is greater than that from which they
sought to escape, and that they ignore the very thing which they
constantly pointed out and explained to us. They have fallen into a
greater evil than that from which they sought to escape, because
they refuse to say that God neglects or forgets a thing, and yet they
maintain that His knowledge is imperfect, that He is ignorant of
what is going on here on earth, that He does not perceive it. They
also ignore, what they constantly point out to us, in as much as
they judge the whole universe by that which befalls individual
men, although, according to their own view, frequently stated and
explained, the evils of man originate in himself, or form part of his
material nature. We have already discussed this sufficiently. After
having laid this foundation, which is the ruin of all good
principles, and destroys the majesty of all true knowledge, they
sought to remove the opprobrium by declaring that for many
reasons it is impossible that God should have a knowledge of
earthly things, for the individual members of a species can only be
perceived by the senses, and not by reason: but God does not
perceive by means of any of the senses. Again, the individuals are
infinite, but knowledge comprehends and circumscribes the object
of its action, and the infinite cannot be comprehended or
circumscribed: furthermore, knowledge of individual beings, that
are subject to change, necessitates some change in him who
possesses it, because this knowledge itself changes constantly.
They have also raised the following two objections against those
who hold, in accordance with the teaching of Scripture, that God
knows things before they come into existence. First, this theory
implies that there can be knowledge of a thing that does not exist
at all: secondly, it leads to the conclusion that the knowledge of an
object in potentia is identical with the knowledge of that same
object in reality. They have indeed come to very evil conclusions,
and some of them assumed that God only knows the species, not
the individual beings, whilst others went as far as to contend that
God knows nothing beside Himself, because they believe that God
cannot have more than one knowledge.
Some of the great philosophers who lived before Aristotle agree
with us, that God knows everything, and that nothing is hidden
from Him. Alexander also refers to them in the above-mentioned
treatise: he differs from them, and says that the principal objection
against this theory is based on the fact that we clearly see evils
befalling good men, and wicked men enjoying happiness.
In short, you see that if these philosophers would find human
affairs managed according to rules laid down by the common
people, they would not venture or presume to speak on this
subject. They are only led to this viously been decreed. The
Ashariyah were therefore compelled to assume that motion and
rest of living beings are predestined, and that it is not in the power
of man to do a certain thing or to leave it undone. The theory
further implies a denial of possibility in these things: they can only
be either necessary or impossible. The followers of this theory
accepted also the lastmentioned proposition, and say, that we call
certain things possible, as e.g., the facts that Zeid stands, and that
Amr is coming: but they are only possible for us, whilst in their
relation to God they cannot be called possible: they are either
necessary or impossible. It follows also from this theory, that
precepts are perfectly useless, since the people to whom any law is
given are unable to do anything: they can neither do what they are
commanded nor abstain from what they are forbidden. The
supporters of this theory hold that it was the will of God to send
prophets, to command, to forbid, to promise, and to threaten,
although we have no power [over our actions]. A duty would thus
be imposed upon us which is impossible for us to carry out, and it
is even possible that we may suffer punishment when obeying the
command and receive reward when disobeying it. According to
this theory, it must also be assumed that the actions of God have
no final cause. All these absurdities are admitted by the Ashariyah
for the purpose of saving this theory. When we see a person born
blind or leprous, who could not have merited a punishment for
previous sins, they say, It is the will of God; when a pious
worshipper is tortured and slain, it is likewise the will of God; and
no injustice can be asserted to Him for that, for according to their
opinion it is proper that God should afflict the innocent and do
good to the sinner. Their views on these matters are well known.
Fourth Theory.-- Man has free will; it is therefore intelligible that
the Law contains commands and prohibitions, with
announcements of reward and punishment. All acts of God are due
to wisdom; no injustice is found in Him, and He does not afflict
the good. The Mu'tazila profess this theory, although they do not
believe in man's absolute free will. They hold also that God takes
notice of the falling of the leaf and the destruction of the ant, and
that His Providence extends over all things. This theory likewise
implies contradictions and absurdities. The absurdities are these:
The fact that some persons are born with defects, although they
have not sinned previously, is ascribed to the wisdom of God, it
being better for those persons to be in such a condition than to be
in a normal state, though we do not see why it is better; and they
do not suffer thereby any punishment at all, but, on the contrary,
enjoy God's goodness. In a similar manner the slaughter of the
pious is explained as being for them the source of an increase of
reward in future life. They go even further in their absurdities. We
ask them why is God only just to man and not to other beings, and
how has the irrational animal sinned, that it is condemned to be
slaughtered ? and they reply it is good for the animal, for it will
receive reward for it in the world to come; also the flea and the
louse will there receive compensation for their untimely death: the
same reasoning they apply to the mouse torn by a cat or vulture;
the wisdom of God decreed this for the mouse, in order to reward
it after death for the mishap. I do not consider it proper to blame
the followers of any of the Past named] three theories on
Providence, for they have been driven to accept them by weighty
considerations. Aristotle was guided by that which appears to be
the nature of things. The Ashariyah refused to ascribe to God
ignorance about anything, and to say that God whilst knowing one
individual being or one portion of the Universe is ignorant of
another portion; they preferred to admit the above-mentioned
absurdities. The Mu'tazilites refused to assume that God does what
is wrong and unjust; on the other hand, they would not contradict
common sense and say that it was not wrong to inflict pain on the
guiltless, or that the mission of the Prophets and the giving of the
Law had no intelligible reason. They likewise preferred to admit
the above-named absurdities. But they even contradicted
themselves, because they believe on the one hand that God knows
everything, and on the other that man has free win. By a little
consideration we discover the contradiction.
Fifth Theory.-- This is our theory, or that of our Law. I will show
you [first] the view expressed on this subject in our prophetical
books, and generally accepted by our Sages. I will then give the
opinion of some later authors among us, and lastly, I will explain
my own belief. The theory of man's perfectly free will is one of the
fundamental principles of the Law of our Teacher Moses, and of
those who follow the Law. According to this principle man does
what is in his power to do, by his nature, his choice, and his will;
and his action is not due to any faculty created for the purpose. All
species of irrational animals likewise move by their own free will.
This is the Will of God; that is to say, it is due to the eternal divine
will that all living beings should move freely, and that man should
have power to act according to his will or choice within the limits
of his capacity. Against this principle we hear, thank God, no
opposition on the part of our nation. Another fundamental
principle taught by the Law of Moses is this: Wrong cannot be
ascribed to God in any way whatever; all evils and afflictions as
well as all kinds of happiness of man, whether they concern one
individual person or a community, are distributed according to
justice; they are the result of strict judgment that admits no wrong
whatever. Even when a person suffers pain in consequence of a
thorn having entered into his hand, although it is at once drawn
out, it is a punishment that has been inflicted on him [for sin], and
the least pleasure he enjoys is a reward [for some good action]: all
this is meted out by strict justice; as is said in Scripture," all his
ways are judgment" (Deut. xxxii. 4): we are only ignorant of the
working of that judgment.
The different theories are now fully explained to you; everything
in the varying human affairs is due to chance, according to
Aristotle, to the Divine Will alone according to the Ashariyah, to
Divine Wisdom according to the Mu'tazilites, to the merits of man
according to our opinion. It is therefore possible, according to the
Asbariyah, that God inflicts pain on a good and pious man in this
world, and keeps him for ever in fire, which is assumed to rage in
the world to come , they simply say it is the Will of God. The
Mu'tazilites would consider this as injustice, and therefore assume
that every being, even an ant, that is stricken with pain [in this
world], has compensation for it, as has been mentioned above; and
it is due to God's Wisdom that a being is struck and afflicted in
order to receive compensation. We, however, believe that all these
human affairs are managed with justice; far be it from God to do
wrong, to punish any one unless the punishment is necessary and
merited. It is distinctly stated in the Law, that all is done in
accordance with justice; and the words of our Sages generally
express the same idea. They clearly say:" There is no death without
sin, no sufferings without transgression." (B. T. Shabbath, 55a.)
Again," The deserts of an are meted out to him in the same
measure which he himself employs." (Mish. Sotah, i. 7.) These are
the words of the Mishnah. Our Sages declare it wherever
opportunity is given, that the idea of God necessarily implies
justice; that He will reward the most pious for all their pure and
upright actions, although no direct commandment was given them
through a prophet; and that He will punish all the evil deeds of
men, although they have not been prohibited by a prophet, if
common sense warns against them, as e.g., injustice and violence.
Thus our Sages say:" God does not deprive any being of the full
reward [of its good deed]" (B. T. Pes. 118a) again," He who says
that God remits part of a punishment;, will be punished severely;
He is long-suffering, but is sure to exact payment." (B. T. Baba K.
5oa.) Another saying is this:" He who has received a
commandment and acts accordingly is not like him who acts in the
same manner without being commanded to do so" (B. T. Kidd.
31a); and it is distinctly added that he who does a good thing
without being commanded, receives nevertheless his reward. The
same principle is expressed in all sayings of our Sages. But they
contain an additional doctrine which is not found in the Law; viz.,
the doctrine of" afflictions of love," as taught by some of our
Sages. According to this doctrine it is possible that a person be
afflicted without having previously committed any sin, in order
that his future reward may be increased; a view which is held by
the Mu'tazilites, but is not supported by any Scriptural text. Be not
misled by the accounts of trials, such as" God tried Abraham"
(Gen. xxii. 1):" He afflicted thee and made thee hungry," etc.
(Deut. viii. 3); for you will hear more on this subject later on
(chap. xxiv.). Our Law is only concerned with the relations of
men; but the idea that irrational living beings should receive a
reward, has never before been heard of in our nation: the wise men
mentioned in the Talmud do not notice it; only some of the later
Geonim were pleased with it when they heard it from the sect of
the Mu'tazilites, and accepted it.
My opinion on this principle of Divine Providence I will now
explain to you. In the principle which I now proceed to expound I
do not rely on demonstrative proof, but on my conception of the
spirit of the Divine Law, and the writings of the Prophets. The
principle which I accept is far less open to objections, and is more
reasonable than the opinions mentioned before. It is this: In the
lower or sublunary portion of the Universe Divine Providence does
not extend to the individual members of species except in the case
of mankind. It is only in this species that the incidents in the
existence of the individual beings, their good and evil fortunes, are
the result of justice, in accordance with the words," For all His
ways are judgment." But I agree with Aristotle as regards all other
living beings, and a fortiori as regards plants and all the rest of
earthly creatures. For I do not believe that it is through the
interference of Divine Providence that a certain leaf drops [from a
tree], nor do I hold that when a certain spider catches a certain fly,
that this is the direct result of a special decree and will of God in
that moment; it is not by a particular Divine decree that the spittle
of a certain person moved, fell on a certain gnat in a certain place,
and killed it; nor is it by the direct will of God that a certain fish
catches and swallows a certain worm on the surface of the water.
In all these cases the action is, according to my opinion, entirely
due to chance, as taught by Aristotle. Divine Providence is
connected with Divine intellectual influence, and the same beings
which are benefited by the latter so as to become intellectual, and
to comprehend things comprehensible to rational beings, are also
under the control of Divine Providence, which examines all their
deeds in order to reward or punish them. It may be by mere chance
that a ship goes down with all her contents, as in the
above-mentioned instance, or the roof of a house falls upon those
within; but it is not due to chance, according to our view, that in
the one instance the men went into the ship, or remained in the
house in the other instance: it is due to the will of God, and is in
accordance with the justice of His judgments, the method of which
our mind is incapable of understanding. I have been induced to
accept this theory by the circumstance that I have not met in any of
the prophetical books with a description of God's Providence
otherwise than in relation to human beings. The prophets even
express their surprise that God should take notice of man, who is
too little and too unimportant to be worthy of the attention of the
Creator: how, then, should other living creatures be considered as
proper objects for Divine Providence! Comp." What is man, that
thou takest knowledge of him ?" (Ps. cxliv. 3):" What is man, that
thou art mindful of him ?" (ibid. viii. 8). It is dearly expressed in
many Scriptural passages that God provides for all men, and
controls all their deeds -- e.g.," He fashioneth their hearts alike, he
considereth all their works" (ibid. xxxiii. 15);" For thine eyes are
open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give every one
according to his ways" (Jer. xxxii. 19). Again:" For his eyes are
upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings" (job xxxii. 21).
In the Law there occur instances of the fact that men are governed
by God, and that their actions are examined by him. Comp. In the
day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them 11 (Exod. xxxii.
34)" I will even appoint over you terror" (Lev. xxvi. 16):"
Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book"
(Exod. xxxii. 33):" The same soul will I destroy" (Lev. xxiii. 30):"
I will even set my face against that soul" (ibid. xx. 6). There are
many instances of this kind. All that is mentioned of the history of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a perfect proof that Divine
Providence extends. to every man individually. But the condition
of the individual beings of other living creatures is undoubtedly
the same as has been stated by Aristotle. On that account it is
allowed, even commanded, to kill animals; we are permitted to use
them according to our pleasure. The view that other living beings
are only governed by Divine Providence in the way described by
Aristotle, is supported by the words of the Prophet Habakkuk.
When he perceived the victories of Nebuchadnezzar, and saw the
multitude of those slain by him, he said," 0 God, it is as if men
were abandoned, neglected, and unprotected like fish and like
worms of the earth." He thus shows that these classes are
abandoned. This is expressed in the following passage:" And
makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that
have no ruler over them. They take up all of them with the angle,"
etc. (Hab. i. 14, 15). The prophet then declares that such is not the
case; for the events referred to are not the result of abandonment,
forsaking, and absence of Providence, but are intended as a
punishment for the people, who well deserved all that befell them.
He therefore says:" 0 Lord, Thou hast ordained them for judgment,
and 0 mighty God, Thou hast established them for correction"
(ibid. ver. 12). Our opinion is not contradicted by Scriptural
passages like the following:" He giveth to the beast his food" (Ps.
cxlvii. 9):" The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their
meat from God" (ibid. CiV. 2 1);" Thou openest thine hand, and
satisfiest the desire of every living thing" (ibid. cxlv. 16): or by the
saying of our Sages :" He sitteth and feedeth all, from the horns of
the unicorns even unto the eggs of insects." There are many similar
sayings extant in the writings of our Sages, but they imply nothing
that is contrary to my view. All these passages refer to Providence
in relation to species, and not to Providence in relation to
individual animals. The acts of God are as it were enumerated;
how He provides for every species the necessary food and the
means of subsistence. This is clear and plain. Aristotle likewise
holds that this kind of Providence is necessary, and is in actual
existence. Alexander also notices this fact in the name of Aristotle,
viz., that every species has its nourishment prepared for its
individual members; otherwise the species would undoubtedly
have perished. It does not require much consideration to
understand this. There is a rule laid down by our Sages that it is
directly prohibited in the Law to cause pain to an animal, and is
based on the words :" Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass ?"
etc. (Num. xxii. 32). But the object of this rule is to make us
perfect; that we should not assume cruel habits: and that we should
not uselessly cause pain to others: that, on the contrary, we should
be prepared to show pity and mercy to all living creatures, except
when necessity demands the contrary:" When thy soul longeth to
eat flesh," etc. (Deut. Xii. 20). We should not kill animals for the
purpose of practising cruelty, or for the purpose of play. It cannot
be objected to this theory, Why should God select mankind as the
object of His special Providence, and not other living beings ? For
he who asks this question must also inquire, Why has man alone,
of all species of animals, been endowed with intellect ? The
answer to this second question must be, according to the three
afore-mentioned theories : It was the Will of God, it is the decree
of His Wisdom, or it is in accordance with the laws of Nature. The
same answers apply to the first question. Understand thoroughly
my theory, that I do not ascribe to God ignorance of anything or
any kind of weakness; I hold that Divine Providence is related and
closely connected with the intellect, because Providence can only
proceed from an intelligent being, from a being that is itself the
most perfect Intellect. Those creatures, therefore, which receive
part of that intellectual influence. will become subject to the action
of Providence in the same proportion as they are acted upon by the
Intellect. This theory is in accordance with reason and with the
teaching of Scripture, whilst the other theories previously
mentioned either exaggerate Divine Providence or detract from it.
In the former case they lead to confusion and entire nonsense, and
cause us to deny reason and to contradict that which is perceived
with the senses. The latter case, viz., the theory that Divine
Providence does not extend to man, and that there is no difference
between man and other animals, implies very bad notions about
God; it disturbs all social order, removes and destroys all the moral
and intellectual virtues of man.
CHAPTER XVIII
HAVING shown in the preceding chapter that of all living beings
mankind alone is directly under the control of Divine Providence, I
will now add the following remarks: It is an established fact that
species have no existence except in our own minds. Species and
other classes are merely ideas formed in our minds, whilst
everything in real existence is an individual object, or an aggregate
of individual objects. This being granted, it must further be
admitted that the result of the existing Divine influence, that
reaches mankind through the human intellect, is identical with
individual intellects really in existence, with which, e.g., Zeid,
Amr, Kaled and Bekr, are endowed. Hence it follows, in
accordance with what I have mentioned in the preceding chapter,
that the greater the share is which a person has obtained of this
Divine influence, on account of both his physical predisposition
and his training, the greater must also be the effect of Divine
Providence upon him, for the action of Divine Providence is
proportional to the endowment of intellect, as has been mentioned
above. The relation of Divine Providence is therefore not the same
to all men; the greater the human perfection a person has attained,
the greater the benefit he derives from Divine Providence. This
benefit is very great in the case of prophets, and varies according
to the degree of their prophetic faculty: as it varies in the case of
pious and good men according to their piety and uprightness. For it
is the intensity of the Divine intellectual influence that has inspired
the prophets, guided the good in their actions, and perfected the
wisdom of the pious. In the same proportion as ignorant and
disobedient persons are deficient in that Divine influence, their
condition is inferior, and their rank equal to that of irrational
beings: and they are" like unto the beasts" (Ps. xlix. 21). For this
reason it was not only considered a light thing to slay them, but it
was even directly commanded for the benefit of mankind. This
belief that God provides for every individual human being in
accordance with his merits is one of the fundamental principles on
which the Law is founded.
Consider how the action of Divine Providence is described in
reference to every incident in the lives of the patriarchs, to their
occupations, and even to their passions, and how God promised to
direct His attention to them. Thus God said to Abraham," I am thy
shield" (Gen. xv. 1): to Isaac," I will be with thee, and I will bless
thee" (ibid. xxvi. 3); to Jacob," I am with thee, and will keep
thee" (ibid. xxviii. 15): to [Moses] the chief of the Prophets,"
Certainly I will be with thee, and this shall be a token unto thee"
(Exod. iii. 12): to Joshua," As I was with Moses, so I shall be with
thee" (Josh. i. 5). It is clear that in all these cases the action of
Providence has been proportional to man's perfection. The
following verse describes how Providence protects good and pious
men, and abandons fools;" He Will keep the feet of his saints, and
the wicked shall be silent in darkness: for by strength shall no man
prevail" (I Sam. ii. 9). When we see that some men escape plagues
and mishaps, whilst others perish by them, we must not attribute
this to a difference in the properties of their bodies, or in their
physical constitution," for by strength shall no man prevail" : but it
must be attributed to their different degrees of perfection, some
approaching God, whilst others moving away from Him. Those
who approach Him are best protected, and" He will keep the feet
of his saints"; but those who keep far away from Him are left
exposed to what may befall them; there is nothing that could
protect them from what might happen; they are like those who
walk in darkness, and are certain to stumble. The protection of the
pious by Providence is also expressed in the following passages:-"
He keepeth all his bones," etc. (PS. xxxiv. 2 1):" The eyes of the
Lord are upon the righteous" (ibid. ver. 16):" He shall call upon
me and I shall answer him" (ibid. xd. 15). There are in Scripture
many more passages expressing the principle that men enjoy
Divine protection in proportion to their perfection and piety. The
philosophers have likewise discussed this subject. Abu-nasr, in the
Introduction to his Commentary on Aristotle's Nikomachean
Ethics, says as follows :-Those who possess the faculty of raising
their souls from virtue to virtue obtain, according to Plato, Divine
protection to a higher degree.
Now consider how by this method of reasoning we have arrived at
the truth taught by the Prophets, that every person has his
individual share of Divine Providence in proportion to his
perfection. For philosophical research leads to this conclusion, if
we assume, as has been mentioned above, that Divine Providence
is in each case proportional to the person's intellectual
development. It is wrong to say that Divine Providence extends
only to the species, and not to individual beings, as some of the
philosophers teach. For only individual beings have real existence,
and individual beings are endowed with Divine Intellect; Divine
Providence acts, therefore, upon these individual beings.
Study this chapter as it ought to be studied; you will find in it all
the fundamental principles of the Law; you will see that these are
in conformity with philosophical speculation, and all difficulties
will be removed; you will have a clear idea of Divine Providence.
After having described the various philosophical opinions on
Providence, and on the manner how God governs the Universe, I
will briefly state the opinion of our co-religionists on the
Omniscience of God, and what I have to remark on this subject
CHAPTER XIX
IT is undoubtedly an innate idea that God must be perfect in every
respect and cannot be deficient in anything. It is almost an innate
idea that ignorance in anything is a deficiency, and that God can
therefore not be ignorant of anything. But some thinkers assume,
as I said before, haughtily and exultingly, that God knows certain
things and is ignorant of certain other things. They did so because
they imagined that they discovered a certain absence of order in
man's affairs, most of which are not only the result of physical
properties, but also of those faculties which he possesses as a
being endowed with free will and reason. The Prophets have
already stated the proof which ignorant persons offer for their
belief that God does not know our actions: viz., the fact that
wicked people are seen in happiness, case, and peace. This fact
leads also righteous and pious persons to think that it is of no use
for them to aim at that which is good and to suffer for it through
the opposition of other people. But the Prophets at the same time
relate how their own thoughts were engaged on this question, and
how they were at last convinced that in the instances to which
these arguments refer, only the end and not the beginning ought to
be taken into account. The following is a description of these
reflections (Ps. lxxiii.11, seq.) :" And they say, How does God
know ? and is there knowledge in the Most High ? Behold, these
are the ungodly who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in
innocency." He then continues," When I thought to know this, it
was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God then
understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery
places thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they
brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly
consumed with terrors." The very same ideas have also been
expressed by the prophet Malachi, for he says thus (Mal. iii.
13-18):" Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord.
As you have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that
we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully
before the Lord of hosts ? And now we can the proud happy; yea,
they that work wickedness are set up: yea, they that tempt God are
even delivered. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to
another, etc. Then shall ye return and discern between the
righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him
that serveth him not." David likewise shows how general this view
was in his time, and how it led and caused people to sin and to
oppress one another. At first he argues against this theory, and then
he declares that God is omniscient. He says as follows :-" They
slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet
they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob
regard it. Understand, ye brutish among the people, and ye fools,
when will you be wise ? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ?
He that formed the eye, shall he not see ? He that chastiseth
nations, shall not he correct ? or he that teacheth man knowledge
?" I will now show you the meaning of these arguments, but first I
will point out how the opponents to the words of the Prophets
misunderstood this passage. Many years ago some intelligent
co-religionists -- they were physicians-told me that they were
surprised at the words of David; for it would follow from his
arguments that the Creator of the mouth must eat and the Creator
of the lungs must cry; the same applies to all other organs of our
body. You who study this treatise of mine, consider how grossly
they misunderstood David's arguments. Hear now what its true
meaning is: He who produces a vessel must have had in his mind
an idea of the use of that instrument, otherwise he could not have
produced it. If, e.g., the Smith had not formed an idea of sewing
and possessed a knowledge of it, the needle would not have had
the form so indispensable for sewing. The same is the case with all
instruments. When some philosopher thought that God, whose
perception is purely intellectual, has no knowledge of individual
things, which are perceivable only by the senses, David takes his
argument from the existence of the senses, and argues thus:-- If the
sense of sight had been utterly unknown to God, how could He
have produced that organ of the sense of sight ? Do you think that
it was by chance that a transparent humour was formed, and then
another humour with certain similar properties, and besides a
membrane which by accident had a hole covered with a hardened
transparent substance ? in short, considering the humour of the
eye, its membranes and nerves, with their well-known functions,
and their adaptation to the purpose of sight, can any intelligent
person imagine that all this is due to chance ? Certainly not; we
see here necessarily design in nature, as has been shown by all
physicians and philosophers; but as nature is not an intellectual
being, and is not capable of governing [the universe], as has been
accepted by all philosophers, the government (of the universe],
which shows signs of design, originates, according to the
philosophers, in an intellectual cause, but is according to our view
the result of the action of an intellectual being, that endows
everything with its natural properties. If this intellect were
incapable of perceiving or knowing any of the actions of earthly
beings, how could He have created, or, according to the other
theory, caused to emanate from Himself, properties that bring
about those actions of which He is supposed to have no knowledge
? David correctly calls those who believe in this theory brutes and
fools. He then proceeds to explain that the error is due to our
defective understanding: that God endowed us with the intellect
which is the means of our comprehension, and which on account
of its insufficiency to form a true idea of God has become the
source of great doubts: that He therefore knows what our defects
are, and how worthless the doubts are which originate in our faulty
reasoning. The Psalmist therefore says:" He who teaches man
knowledge, the Lord, knoweth the thoughts of man that they are
vanity" (ibid. xciv. 10-11).
My object in this chapter was to show how the belief of the
ignorant, that God does not notice the affairs of man because they
are uncertain and unsystematic, is very ancient. Comp." And the
Israelites uttered things that were not right against the Lord" (2
Kings xvii. 9). In reference to this passage the Midrash says :"
What have they uttered ? This Pillar [i.e., God] does not see, nor
hear, nor speak" : i.e., they imagine that God takes no notice of
earthly affairs, that the Prophets received of God neither
affirmative nor negative precepts; they imagine so, simply because
human affairs are not arranged as every person would think it
desirable. Seeing that these are not in accordance with their wish,
they say," The Lord does not see us" (Ezek. viii. 12). Zephaniah
(i. 12) also describes those ignorant persons" who say in their
heart the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil." I will tell
you my own opinion as regards the theory that God knows an
things on earth, but I will before state some propositions which are
generally adopted, and the correctness of which no intelligent
person can dispute.
CHAPTER XX
IT is generally agreed upon that God cannot at a certain time
acquire knowledge which He did not possess previously; it is
further impossible that His knowledge should include any
plurality, even according to those who admit the Divine attributes.
As these things have been fully proved, we, who assert the
teaching of the Law, believe that God's knowledge of many things
does not imply any plurality; His knowledge does not change like
ours when the objects of His knowledge change. Similarly we say
that the various events are known to Him before they take place;
He constantly knows them, and therefore no fresh knowledge is
acquired by Him. E.g., He knows that a certain person is
non-existent at present, will come to existence at a certain time,
will continue to exist for sometime, and will then cease to exist.
When this person, in accordance with God's foreknowledge
concerning him, comes into existence, God's knowledge is not
increased; it contains nothing that it did not contain before, but
something has taken place that was known previously exactly as it
has taken place. This theory implies that God's knowledge extends
to things not in existence, and includes also the infinite. We
nevertheless accept it, and contend that we may attribute to God
the knowledge of a thing which does not yet exist, but the
existence of which God foresees and is able to effect. But that
which never exists cannot be an object of His knowledge; just as
our knowledge does not comprise things which we consider as
non-existing. A doubt has been raised, however, whether His
knowledge includes the infinite. Some thinkers assume that
knowledge has the species for its object, and therefore extends at
the same time to all individual members of the species. This view
is taken by every man who adheres to a revealed religion and
follows the dictates of reason. Philosophers, however, have
decided that the object of knowledge cannot be a non-existing
thing, and that it cannot comprise that which is infinite. Since,
therefore, God's knowledge does not admit of any increase, it is
impossible that He should know any transient thing. He only
knows that which is constant and unchangeable. Other
philosophers raised the following objection : God does not know
even things that remain constant; for His knowledge would then
include a plurality according to the number of objects known; the
knowledge of every thing being distinguished by a certain
peculiarity of the thing. God therefore only knows His own
essence.
My opinion is this : the cause of the error of all these schools is
their belief that God's knowledge is like ours; each school points to
something withheld from our knowledge, and either assumes that
the same must be the case in God's knowledge, or at least finds
some difficulty how to explain it. We must blame the philosophers
in this respect more than any other persons, because they
demonstrated that there is no plurality in God, and that He has no
attribute that is not identical with His essence; His knowledge and
His essence are one and the same thing; they likewise
demonstrated, as we have shown, that our intellect and our
knowledge are insufficient to comprehend the true idea of His
essence. How then can they imagine that they comprehend His
knowledge, which is identical with His essence; seeing that our
incapacity to comprehend His essence prevents us from
understanding the way how He knows objects ? for His knowledge
is not of the same kind as ours, but totally different from it and
admitting of no analogy. And as there is an Essence of independent
existence, which is, as the philosophers, call it, the Cause of the
existence of all things, or, as we say, the Creator of everything that
exists beside Him, so we also assume that this Essence knows
everything, that nothing whatever of all that exists is hidden from
it, and that the knowledge attributed to this essence has nothing in
common with our knowledge, just as that essence is in no way like
our essence. The homonymity of the term" knowledge" misled
people; [they forgot that] only the words are the same, but the
things designated by them are different: and therefore they came to
the absurd conclusion that that which is required for our
knowledge is also required for God's knowledge.
Besides, I find it expressed in various passages of Scripture that
the fact that God knows things while in a state of possibility, when
their existence belongs to the future, does not change the nature of
the possible in any way; that nature remains unchanged; and the
knowledge of the realization of one of several possibilities does
not yet effect that realization. This is likewise one of the
fundamental principles of the Law of Moses, concerning which
there is no doubt nor any dispute. Otherwise it would not have
been said," And thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof," etc.
(Dent. xxii. 8), or" Lest he die in the battle, and another man take
her" (ibid. xx. 7). The fact that laws were given to man, both
affirmative and negative, supports the principle, that God's
knowledge of future [and possible] events does not change their
character. The great doubt that presents itself to our mind is the
result of the insufficiency of our intellect. Consider in how many
ways His knowledge is distinguished from ours according to all the
teaching of every revealed religion. First, His knowledge is one,
and yet embraces many different kinds of objects. Secondly, it is
applied to things not in existence. Thirdly, it comprehends the
infinite. Fourthly, it remains unchanged, though it comprises the
knowledge of changeable things: whilst it seems [in reference to
ourselves] that the knowledge of a thing that is to come into
existence is different from the knowledge of the thing when it has
come into existence; because there is the additional knowledge of
its transition from a state of potentiality into that of reality. Fifthly,
according to the teaching of our Law, God's knowledge of one of
two eventualities does not determine it, however certain that
knowledge may be concerning the future occurrence of the one
eventuality.-Now I wonder what our knowledge has in common
with God's knowledge, according to those who treat God's
knowledge as an attribute. Is there anything else common to both
besides the mere name ? According to our theory that God's
knowledge is not different from His essence, there is an essential
distinction between His knowledge and ours, like the distinction
between the substance of the heavens and that of the earth. The
Prophets have clearly expressed this. Comp." For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways" (Isa. Iv. 8-9). In short, as we cannot accurately
comprehend His essence, and yet we know that His existence is
most perfect, free from all admixture of deficiency, change, or
passiveness, so we have no correct notion of His knowledge,
because it is nothing but His essence, and yet we are convinced
that He does not at one time obtain knowledge which He had not
before; i.e., He obtains no new knowledge, He does not increase it,
and it is not finite; nothing of all existing things escapes His
knowledge, but their nature is not changed thereby; that which is
possible remains possible. Every argument that seems to contradict
any of these statements is founded on the nature of our knowledge,
that has only the name in common with God's knowledge. The
same applies to the term intention; it is homonymously employed
to designate our intention towards a certain thing, and the intention
of God. The term" management" (Providence) is likewise
homonymously used of our management of a certain thing, and of
God's management. In fact management, knowledge, and intention
are not the same when ascribed to us and when ascribed to God.
When these three terms are taken in both cases in the same sense,
great difficulties must arise: but when it is noticed that there is a
great difference whether a thing is predicated of God or of us, the
truth will become clear. The difference between that which is
ascribed to God and that which is ascribed to man is expressed in
the words above mentioned," And your ways are not my ways."
CHAPTER XXI
THERE is a great difference between the knowledge which the
producer of a thing possesses concerning it, and the knowledge
which other persons possess concerning the same thing. Suppose a
thing is produced in accordance with the knowledge of the
producer, the producer was then guided by his knowledge in the
act of producing the thing. Other people, however, who examine
this work and acquire a knowledge of the whole of it, depend for
that knowledge on the work itself. E.g., An artisan makes a box in
which weights move with the running of the water, and thus
indicate how many hours have passed of the day and of the night.
The whole quantity of the water that is to run out, the different
ways in which it runs, every thread that is drawn, and every little
ball that descends-all this is fully perceived by him who makes the
clock; and his knowledge is not the result of observing the
movements as they are actually going on: but, on the contrary, the
movements are produced in accordance with his knowledge. But
another person who looks at that instrument will receive fresh
knowledge at every movement he perceives; the longer he looks
on, the more knowledge does he acquire: he will gradually
increase his knowledge till he fully understands the machinery. If
an infinite number of movements were assumed for this
instrument, he would never be able to complete his knowledge.
Besides, he cannot know any of the movements before they take
place, since he only knows them from their actual occurrence. The
same is the case with every object, and its relation to our
knowledge and God's knowledge of it. Whatever we know of the
things is derived from observation: on that account it is impossible
for us to know that which will take place in future, or that which is
infinite.
Our knowledge is acquired and increased in proportion to the
things known by us. This is not the case with God. His knowledge
of things is not derived from the things themselves: if this were the
case, there would be change and plurality in His knowledge; on the
contrary, the things are in accordance with His eternal knowledge,
which has established their actual properties, and made part of
them purely spiritual, another part material and constant as regards
its individual members, a third part material and changeable as
regards the individual beings according to eternal and constant
laws. Plurality, acquisition, and change in His knowledge is
therefore impossible. He fully knows His unchangeable essence,
and has thus a knowledge of all that results from any of His acts. If
we were to try to understand in what manner this is done, it would
be the same as if we tried to be the same as God, and to make our
knowledge identical with His knowledge. Those who seek the
truth, and admit what is true, must believe that nothing is hidden
from God; that everything is revealed to His knowledge, which is
identical with His essence; that this kind of knowledge cannot be
comprehended by us; for if we knew its method, we would possess
that intellect by which such knowledge could be acquired. Such
intellect does not exist except in God, and is at the same time His
essence. Note this well, for I think that this is an excellent idea,
and leads to correct views: no error will be found in it: no
dialectical argument: it does not lead to any absurd conclusion, nor
to ascribing any defect to God. These sublime and profound
themes admit of no proof whatever, neither according to our
opinion who believe in the teaching of Scripture, nor according to
the philosophers who disagree and are much divided on this
question. In all questions that cannot be demonstrated, we must
adopt the method which we have adopted in this question about
God's Omniscience. Note it.
CHAPTER XXII
THE strange and wonderful Book of job treats of the same subject
as we are discussing: its basis is a fiction, conceived for the
purpose of explaining the different opinions which people hold on
Divine Providence. You know that some of our Sages clearly
stated job has never existed, and has never been created, and that
he is a poetic fiction. Those who assume that he has existed, and
that the book is historical, are unable to determine when and where
job lived. Some of our Sages say that he lived in the days of the
Patriarchs: others hold that he was a contemporary of Moses:
others place him in the days of David, and again others believe that
he was one of those who returned from the Babylonian exile. This
difference of opinion supports the assumption that he has never
existed in reality. But whether he has existed or not, that which is
related of him is an experience of frequent occurrence, is a source
of perplexity to all thinkers, and has suggested the
above-mentioned opinions on God's Omniscience and Providence.
This perplexity is caused by the account that a simple and perfect
person, who is upright in his actions, and very anxious to abstain
from sin, is afflicted by successive misfortunes, namely, by loss of
property, by the death of his children, and by bodily disease,
though he has not committed any sin. According to both theories,
viz., the theory that job did exist, and the theory that he did not
exist, the introduction to the book is certainly a fiction; I mean the
portion which relates to the words of the adversary, the words of
God to the former, and the handing over of job to him. This
fiction, however, is in so far different from other fictions that it
includes profound ideas and great mysteries, removes great doubts,
and reveals the most important truths. I will discuss it as fully as
possible: and I will also ten you the words of our Sages that
suggested to me the explanation of this great poem.
First, consider the words:" There was a man in the land Uz." The
term Uz. has different meanings; it is used as a proper noun.
Comp." Uz, his first-born" (Gen. XXii. 21): it is also imperative
of the verb Uz," to take advice." Comp. uzu," take counsel" (Isa.
viii. 10). The name Uz therefore expresses the exhortation to
consider well this lesson, study it, grasp its ideas, and comprehend
them, in order to see which is the right view." The sons of God
then came to present themselves before the Lord, and the
adversary came also among them and in their number" (chap. i. 6,
ii. 1). It is not said :" And the sons of God and the adversary came
to present themselves before the Lord" : this sentence would have
implied that the existence of all that came was of the same kind
and rank. The words used are these :" And the sons of God came
to present themselves before the Lord, and the adversary came also
among them." Such a phrase is only used in reference to one that
comes without being expected or invited; he only comes among
others whose coming has been sought. The adversary is then
described as going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and
down thereon. He is in no relation to the beings above, and has no
place among them. For this reason it is said," from going to and
fro on the earth, and walking up and down on it," for his" going"
and" walking" can only take place on the earth. [job], the simple
and righteous man, is given and handed over to the adversary;
whatever evils and misfortunes befell job as regards his property,
children, and health, were all caused by this adversary. When this
idea is sufficiently indicated, the author begins to reflect on it: one
opinion job is represented to hold, whilst other opinions are
defended by his friends. I will further on expound these opinions
which formed the substance of the discussion on the misfortunes
of job, caused by the adversary alone. job, as well as his friends,
were of opinion that God Himself was the direct agent of what
happened, and that the adversary was not the intermediate cause. It
is remarkable in this account that wisdom is not ascribed to job.
The text does not say he was an intelligent, wise, or clever man;
but virtues and uprightness, especially in actions, are ascribed to
him. If he were wise he would not have any doubt about the cause
of his suffering, as will be shown later on. Besides, his misfortunes
are enumerated in the same order as they rank in man's estimation.
There are some who are not perplexed or discouraged by loss of
property, thinking little of it: but are terrified when they are
threatened with the death of their children and are killed by their
anxiety. There are others who bear without shock or fainting even
the loss of their children, but no one endowed with sensation is
able to bear bodily pain. We generally extol God in words, and
praise Him as righteous and benevolent, when we prosper and are
happy, or when the grief we have to bear is moderate. But [it is
otherwise] when such troubles as are described in job come over
us. Some of us deny God, and believe that there is no rule in the
Universe, even if only their property is lost. Others retain their
faith in the existence of justice and order, even when suffering
from loss of property, whereas loss of children is too much
affliction for them. Others remain firm in their faith, even with the
loss of their children; but there is no one who can patiently bear
the pain that reaches his own person: he then murmurs and
complains of injustice either in his heart or with his tongue.
Now consider that the phrase," to present themselves before the
Lord," is used in reference to the sons of God, both the first and the
second times, but in reference to the adversary, who appeared on
either occasion among them and in their number, this phrase is not
used the first time, whilst in his second appearance" the adversary
also came among them to present himself before the Lord."
Consider this, and see how very extraordinary it is!-These ideas
presented themselves like an inspiration to me.-The phrase," to
present themselves before the Lord," implies that they are beings
who are forced by God's command to do what He desires. This
may be inferred from the words of the prophet Zechariah
concerning the four chariots that came forth. He says:" And the
angel answered and said to me, These four winds of the heavens
come forth from presenting themselves before the Lord of the
whole earth" (Zech. vi. 5). It is clear that the relation of the sons
of God to the Universe is not the same as that of the adversary.
The relation of the sons of God is more constant and more
permanent. The adversary has also some relation to the Universe,
but it is inferior to that of the sons of God. It is also remarkable in
this account that in the description of the adversary's wandering
about on the earth, and his performing certain actions, it is
distinctly stated that he has no power over the soul: whilst power
has been given to him over all earthly affairs, there is a partition
between him and the soul; he has not received power over the soul.
This is expressed in the words," But keep away from his soul"
(job. ii. 6). 1 have already shown you the homonymous use of the
term" soul" (nefesh) in Hebrew (Part L, chap. xli.). It designates
that element in man that survives him; it is this Portion over which
the adversary has no power.-- After these remarks of mine listen to
the following useful instruction given by our Sages, who in truth
deserve the title of" wise men" : it makes clear that which appears
doubtful, and reveals that which has been hidden, and discloses
most of the mysteries of the Law. They said in the Talmud as
follows: R. Simeon, son of Lakish, says:" The adversary (satan),
evil inclination (yezer ha-ra'), and the angel of death, are one and
the same being." Here we find all that has been mentioned by us in
such a dear manner that no intelligent person will be in doubt
about it. It has thus been shown to you that one and the same thing
is designated by these three different terms, and that actions
ascribed to these three are in reality the actions of one and the
same agent. Again, the ancient doctors of the Talmud said:" The
adversary goes about and misleads, then he goes up and accuses,
obtains permission, and takes the soul." You have already been
told that when David at the time of the plague was shown the
angel" with the sword drawn in his hand stretched out over
Jerusalem" (2 Sam. xxiv. 17), it was done for the purpose of
conveying a certain idea to him. The same idea was also expressed
in the vision concerning the sins of the sons of Joshua, the high
priest, by the words," And the adversary stood on his right hand to
accuse him" (Zech. iii. 1). The vision then reveals that [the
adversary] is far from God, and continues thus:" The Lord will
rebuke thee, 0 adversary, the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem win
rebuke thee" (ibid. ver. 2). Balaam saw prophetically the same
vision in his journey, addressing him with the words," Behold I
have come forth to be a hindrance to thee" (Num. xxii. 32). The
Hebrew, satan, is derived from the same root as seteh," turn away"
(Prov. iv. 15): it implies the notion of turning and moving away
from a thing; he undoubtedly turns us away from the way of truth,
and leads us astray in the way of error. The same idea is contained
in the passage," And the imagination of the heart of man is evil
from his youth" (Gen. Viii. 21). The theory of the good and the
evil inclinations (yezer ha-tob, ve-yezrer ha-ra') is frequently
referred to in our religion. Our Sages also say," Serve God with
your good and your evil inclinations." (B. T. Ber. 57a.) They also
say that the evil inclination we receive at our birth: for" at the
door sin croucheth" (Gen. iv. 7), as is distinctly said in the Law,"
And the imagination of the heart of man is evil from his youth"
(ibid. Viii. 21). The good inclination, however, comes when the
mini is developed. In explaining the allegory representing the body
of man and his different faculties, our Sages (B. T. Ned. 32b)
said:" The evil inclination is called a great king, whilst the good
inclination is a child, poor, though wise" (Eccles. ix. 14). All these
sayings of our Sages are contained in their writings, and are well
known. According to our Sages the evil inclination, the adversary
(satan), and the angel [of death], are undoubtedly identical; and the
adversary being called" angel," because he is among the sons of
God, and the good inclination being in reality an angel, it is to the
good and the evil inclinations that they refer in their well-known
words," Every person is accompanied by two angels, one being on
his right side, one on his left." In the Babylonian Gemara
(Shabbath 119b), they say distinctly of the two angels that one is
good and one bad. SSe what extraordinary ideas this passage
discloses, and how many false ideas it removes.
I believe that I have fully explained the idea contained in the
account of job; but I will now show the character of the opinion
attributed to job, and of the opinions attributed to his friends, and
support my statement by proofs gathered from the words of each of
them. We need not take notice of the remaining passages which
are only required for the context, as has been explained to you in
the beginning of this treatise.
CHAPTER XXIII
ASSUMING the first part of the history of job as having actually
taken place, the five, viz., job and his friends, agreed that the
misfortune of job was known to God, and that it was God that
caused job's suffering. They further agree that God does no wrong,
and that no injustice can be ascribed to Him. You will find these
ideas frequently repeated in the words of job. When you consider
the words of the five who take part in the discussion, you will
easily notice that things said by one of them are also uttered by the
rest. The arguments are repeated, mixed up, and interrupted by
job's description of his acute pain and troubles, which had come
upon him in spite of his strict righteousness, and by an account of
his charity, humane disposition, and good acts. The replies of the
friends to job are likewise interrupted by exhortations to patience,
by words of comfort, and other speeches tending to make him
forget his grief. He is told by them to be silent; that he ought not to
let loose the bridle of his tongue, as if he were in dispute with
another man; that he ought silently to submit to the judgments of
God. job replies that the intensity of his pains did not permit him
to bear patiently, to collect his thoughts and to say what he ought
to say. The friends, on the other hand, contend that those who act
well receive reward, and those who act wickedly are punished.
When a wicked and rebellious person is seen in prosperity, it may
be assumed for certain that a change will take place; he will die, or
troubles will afflict him and his house. When we find a worshipper
of God in misfortune, we may be certain that God will heal the
stroke of his wound. This idea is frequently repeated in the words
of the three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zofar, who agree in this
opinion. It is, however, not the object of this chapter to describe in
what they agree, but to define the distinguishing characteristic of
each of them, and to elucidate the opinion of each as regards the
question why the most simple and upright man is afflicted with the
greatest and acutest pain. job found in this fact a proof that the
right cons and the wicked are equal before God, who holds all
mankind in contempt. job therefore says (ix. 22, 23) :" This is one
thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the
innocent." He thus declares that when a scourge comes suddenly,
killing and destroying all it meets, God laughs at the trial of the
innocent. He further confirms this view in the following passage:"
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at case and quiet. His
vessels are full of milk, etc. And another dieth in the bitterness of
his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike
in the dust, and the worms shall cover them" (ibid. xxi. 23-26). In
a similar manner he shows the good condition and prosperity of
wicked people; and is even very explicit on this point. He speaks
thus:" Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh
hold on my flesh. Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea,
are mighty in power ? Their seed is established in their sight with
them," etc. (ibid. 6-8). Having thus described their prosperity he
addresses his opponents, and says to them :" Granted that as you
think, the children of this prosperous atheist will perish after his
death, and their memory will be blotted out, what harm will the
fate of his family cause him after his death ? For what pleasure
hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is
cut off in the midst ?" (ibid. 21). job then explains that there is no
hope after death, so that the cause [of the misfortune of the
righteous man] is nothing else but entire neglect on the part of
God. He is therefore surprised that God has not abandoned the
creation of man altogether; and that after having created him, He
does not take any notice of him. He says in his surprise :" Hast
thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese ?" etc.
(ibid. x. 10, seq.). This is one of the different views held by some
thinkers on Providence. Our Sages (B. T. Baba B. 16a) condemned
this view of job as mischievous, and expressed their feeling in
words like the following :" dust should have filled the mouth of
job" :" job wished to upset the dish" :" job denied the resurrection
of the dead" :" He commenced to blaspheme." When, however,
God said to Eliphaz and his colleagues," You have not spoken of
me the thing that is right, as my servant job hath" (xlii. 7), our
Sages assume as the cause of this rebuke, the maxim" Man is not
punished for that which he utters in his pain"; and that God
ignored the sin of job [in his utterances], because of the acuteness
of his suffering. But this explanation does not agree with the object
of the whole allegory. The words of God are justified, as I will
show, by the fact that job abandoned his first very erroneous
opinion, and himself proved that it was an error. It is the opinion
which suggests itself as plausible at first thought, especially in the
minds of those who meet with mishaps, well knowing that they
have not merited them through sins. This is admitted by all, and
therefore this opinion was assigned to job. But he is represented to
hold this view only so long as he was without wisdom, and knew
God only by tradition, in the same manner as religious people
generally know Him. As soon as he had acquired a true knowledge
of God, he confessed that there is undoubtedly true felicity in the
knowledge of God; it is attained by all who acquire that
knowledge, and no earthly trouble can disturb it. So long as job's
knowledge of God was based on tradition and communication, and
not on research, he believed that such imaginary good as is
possessed in health, riches, and children, was the utmost that men
can attain: this was the reason why he was in perplexity, and why
he uttered the above-mentioned opinions, and this is also the
meaning of his words:" I have heard of thee by the hearing of the
ear; but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore 1 abhor myself, and
repent because of dust and ashes" (xlii. 5, 6): that is to say he
abhorred all that he had desired before, and that he was sorry that
he had been in dust and ashes; comp." and he sat down among the
ashes" (ii. 8). On account of this last utterance, which implies true
perception, it is said afterwards in reference to him," for you have
not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant job hath."
The opinion set forth by Eliphaz in reference to job's suffering is
likewise one of the current views on Providence. He holds that the
fate of job was in accordance with strict justice. job was guilty of
sins for which he deserved his fate. Eliphaz therefore says to job :"
Is not thy wickedness great, and thine iniquities infinite ?" (xxii.
5). He then points out to him that his upright actions and his good
ways, on which he relies, need not be so perfect in the eyes of God
that no punishment should be inflicted on him." Behold, he
putteth no trust in his servants: and his angels he chargeth with
folly: how much less in them that dwell in houses of clay," etc. (iv.
17-18). Eliphaz never abandoned his belief that the fate of man is
the result of justice, that we do not know all our shortcomings for
which we are punished, nor the way how we incur the punishment
through them.
Bildad the Shuffite defends in this question the theory of reward
and compensation. He therefore tells job that if he is innocent and
without sin, his terrible misfortunes will be the source of great
reward, will be followed by the best compensation, and will prove
a boon to him as the cause of great bliss in the future world. This
idea is expressed in the words :" If thou be pure and upright,
surely now he will awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy
righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy
latter end will greatly increase" (viii. 6-8). This opinion
concerning, Providence is widespread, and we have already
explained it.
Zofar the Naamathite holds that the Divine Will is the source of
everything that happens: no further cause can be sought for His
actions, and it cannot be asked why He has done this and why He
has not done that. That which God does can therefore not be
explained by the way of justice or the result of wisdom. His true
Essence demands that He does what He wills; we are unable to
fathom the depth of His wisdom, and it is the law and rule of this
wisdom that whatever He does is done because it is His will and
for no other cause. Zofar therefore says to job:" But oh that God
would speak, and open his lips against thee; and that he would
show thee the secrets of wisdom, for wisdom hath two portions 1
Know, therefore, that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity
deserveth. Canst thou by searching find out God ? canst thou find
out the Almighty unto perfection ?" (xi. 6-7).
In this manner consider well how the Book of job discusses the
problem, which has perplexed many people ` and led them to
adopt in reference to Divine Providence some one of the theories
which I have explained above: all possible different theories are
mentioned therein. The problem is described either by way of
fiction or in accordance with real fact, as having manifested itself
in a man famous for his excellency and wisdom. The view
ascribed to job is the theory of Aristotle. Eliphaz holds the opinion
taught in Scripture, Bildad's opinion is identical with that of the
Mu'tazilah, whilst Zofar defends the theory of the Asha'riyah.
These were the ancient views on Providence; later on a new theory
was set forth, namely, that ascribed to Elihu. For this reason he is
placed above the others, and described as younger in years but
greater in wisdom. He censures job for his foolishly exalting
himself, expressing surprise at such great troubles befalling a good
man, and dwelling on the praises of his own deeds. He also tells
the three friends that their minds have been weakened by great
age. A profound and wonderful discourse then follows. Reflecting
on his words we may at first thought be surprised to find that he
does not add anything to the words of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zofar;
and that he only repeats their ideas in other terms and more
explicitly. For he likewise censures and rebukes job, attributes
justice to God, relates His wonders in nature, and holds that God is
not affected by the service of the worshipper, nor by the
disobedience of the rebellious. All this has already been said by
His colleagues. But after due consideration we see clearly the new
idea introduced by Elihu, which is the principal object of his
speech, an idea which has not been uttered by those who spoke
before him. In addition to this he mentions also other things set
forth by the previous speakers, in the same manner as each of the
rest, viz., job and his three friends, repeat what the others have
said. The purpose of this repetition is to conceal the opinion
peculiar to each speaker, and to make all appear in the eyes of the
ordinary reader to utter one and the same view, although in reality
this is not the case. The new idea, which is peculiar to Elihu and
has not been mentioned by the others, is contained in his metaphor
of the angel's intercession. It is a frequent occurrence, he says, that
a man becomes ill, approaches the gates of death, and is already
given up by his neighbours. If then an angel, of any kind whatever,
intercedes on his behalf and prays for him, the intercession and
prayers are accepted; the patient rises from his illness, is saved,
and returns to good health. This result is not always obtained:
intercession and deliverance do not always follow each other: it
happens only twice, or three times. Elihu therefore says:" If there
be an angel with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to
show unto man his uprightness," etc. (xxxiii. 29). He then
describes man's condition when convalescent and the rejoicing at
his recovery, and continues thus:" Lo, all these things worketh
God twice, three times with man" (ibid. 29). This idea occurs only
in the words of Elihu. His description of the method of prophecy in
preceding verses is likewise new. He says :" Surely God speaketh
in one way, yea in two ways, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream,
in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon man, in
slumberings upon the bed" (ibid. 14, 15). He afterwards supports
and illustrates his theory by a description of many natural
phenomena, such as thunder, lightning, rain, and winds; with these
are mixed up accounts of various incidents of life, e.g., an account
of pestilence contained in the following passage:" In a moment
they die, and at midnight; the people become tumultuous and pass
away" (xxxiv. 2o). Great wars are described in the following
verse:" He breaketh in pieces mighty men without number, and
setteth others in their stead" (ibid. 24).
There are many more passages of this kind. In a similar manner the
Revelation that reached job (chap. xxxviii., chap. xli.), and
explained to him the error of his whole belief, constantly describes
natural objects, and nothing else; it describes the elements,
meteorological phenomena, and peculiarities of various kinds of
living beings. The sky, the heavens, Orion and Pleiades are only
mentioned in reference to their influence upon our atmosphere, so
that job's attention is in this prophecy only called to things below
the lunar sphere. Elihu likewise derives instruction from the nature
of various kinds of animals. Thus he says :" He teacheth us
through the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wise through the
fowls of heaven" (xxxv. 11). He dwells longest on the nature of the
Leviathan, which possesses a combination of bodily peculiarities
found separate in different animals, in those that walk, those that
swim, and those that fly. The description of all these things serves
to impress on our minds that we are unable to comprehend how
these transient creatures come into existence, or to imagine how
their natural properties commenced to exist, and that these are not
like the things which we are able to produce. Much less can we
compare the manner in which God rules and manages His
creatures with the manner in which we rule and manage certain
beings. We must content ourselves with this, and believe that
nothing is hidden from God, as Elihu says:" For his eyes are upon
the- ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness
nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide
themselves" (xxxiv. 21, 22). But the term management, when
applied to God, has not the same meaning which it has when
applied to us; and when we say that He rules His creatures we do
not mean that He does the same as we do when we rule over other
beings. The term" rule" has not the same definition in both cases:
it signifies two different notions, which have nothing in common
but the name. In the same manner, as there is a difference between
works of nature and productions of human handicraft, so there is a
difference between God's rule, providence, and intention in
reference to all natural forces, and our rule, providence, and
intention in reference to things which are the objects of our rule,
providence, and intention. This lesson is the principal object of the
whole Book of job; it lays down this principle of faith, and
recommends us to derive a proof from nature, that we should not
fall into the error of imagining His knowledge to be similar to
ours, or His intention, providence, and rule similar to ours. When
we know this we shall find everything that may befall us easy to
bear; mishap will create no doubts in our hearts concerning God,
whether He knows our affairs or not, whether He provides for us or
abandons us. On the contrary, our fate will increase our love of
God; as is said in the end of this prophecy:" Therefore I abhor
myself and repent concerning the dust and ashes" (xlii. 6): and as
our Sages say:" The pious do everything out of love, and rejoice in
their own afflictions." (B. T. Shabb. 88b.) If you pay to my words
the attention which this treatise demands, and examine all that is
said in the Book of job, all will be clear to you, and you will find
that I have grasped and taken hold of the whole subject; nothing
has been left unnoticed, except such portions as are only
introduced because of the context and the whole plan of the
allegory. I have explained this method several times in the course
of this treatise.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE doctrine of trials is open to great objections: it is in fact more
exposed to objections than any other thing taught in Scripture. It is
mentioned in Scripture six times, as I will show in this chapter.
People have generally the notion that trials consist in afflictions
and mishaps sent by God to man, not as punishments for past sins,
but as giving opportunity for great reward. This principle is not
mentioned in Scripture in plain language, and it is only in one of
the six places referred to that the literal meaning conveys this
notion. I will explain the meaning of that passage later on. The
principle taught in Scripture is exactly the reverse; for it is said:"
He is a God of faithfulness, and there is no iniquity in him" (Deut.
xxxii. 4).
The teaching of our Sages, although some of them approve this
general belief (concerning trials], is on the whole against it. For
they say," There is no death without sin, and no affliction without
transgression." (See p. 285.) Every intelligent religious person
should have this faith, and should not ascribe any wrong to God,
who is far from it; he must not assume that a person is innocent
and perfect and does not deserve what has befallen him. The trials
mentioned in Scripture in the [six) passages, seem to have been
tests and experiments by which God desired to learn the intensity
of the faith and the devotion of a man or a nation. [If this were the
case] it would be very difficult to comprehend the object of the
trials, and yet the sacrifice of Isaac seems to be a case of this kind,
as none witnessed it, but God and the two concerned [Abraham
and Isaac]. Thus God says to Abraham," For now I know that thou
fearest God," etc. (Gen. xxii. 12). In another passage it is said:" For
the Lord your God proveth you to know whether ye love," etc.
(Dent. xiii. 4). Again," And to prove thee to know what was in
thine heart," etc. (ibid. Viii. 2). 1 will now remove all the
difficulties.
The sole object of all the trials mentioned in Scripture is to teach
man what he ought to do or believe; so that the event which forms
the actual trial is not the end desired: it is but an example for our
instruction and guidance. Hence the words" to know (la-da'at)
whether ye love," etc., do not mean that God desires to know
whether they loved God; for He already knows it; but la-da'at," to
know," has here the same meaning as in the phrase" to know
(la-da'at) that I am the Lord that sanctifieth you" (Exod. xxxi. 13),
i.e., that all nations shall know that I am the Lord who sanctifieth
you. In a similar manner Scripture says :-If a man should rise,
pretend to be a prophet, and show you his signs by which he
desired to convince you that his words are true, know that God
intends thereby to prove to the nations how firmly you believe in
the truth of God's word, and how well you have comprehended the
true Essence of God; that you cannot be misled by any tempter to
corrupt your faith in God. Your religion will then afford a
guidance to all who seek the truth, and of all religions man will
choose that which is so firmly established that it is not shaken by
the performance of a miracle. For a miracle cannot prove that
which is impossible; it is useful only as a confirmation of that
which is possible, as we have explained in our Mishneh-torah.
(Yesode ha-torah vii. f. viii. 3.)
Having shown that the term" to know" means" that all people
may know," we apply this interpretation to the following words
said in reference to the manna:" To humble thee, and to prove
thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst keep
his commandments, or not" (Dent. viii. 2). All nations shall know,
it shall be published throughout the world, that those who devote
themselves to the service of God are supported beyond their
expectation. In the same sense it was said when the manna
commenced to come down," that I may prove them whether they
will walk in my law or no" (Exod. xvi. 4): i.e., let every one who
desires try and see whether it is useful and sufficient to devote
himself to the service of God. It is, however, said a third time in
reference to the manna:" Who fed thee in the wilderness with
manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee,
and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end"
(Deut. viii. 16). This might induce us to think that God sometimes
afflicts man for the purpose of increasing his reward. But in truth
this is not the case. We may rather assume one of the two
following explanations: either this passage expresses the same idea
as is expressed in the first and second passages, viz., to show [to
all people] whether faith in God is sufficient to secure man's
maintenance and his relief from care and trouble, or not. Or the
Hebrew term le-nassoteka means" to accustom thee" : the word is
used in this sense in the following passage:" She has not
accustomed (nisseta) the sole of her foot to set it upon the ground"
(ibid. xxviii. 56). The meaning of the above passage would then
be:" God has first trained you in the hardships of the wilderness, in
order to increase your welfare when you enter the land of Canaan."
It is indeed a fact that the transition from trouble to ease gives
more pleasure than continual case. It is also known that the
Israelites would not have been able to conquer the land and fight
with its inhabitants, if they had not previously undergone the
trouble and hardship of the wilderness. Scripture says in reference
to this:" For God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when
they see war, and they return to Egypt. But God led the people
about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea; and the
children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt"
(Exod. xiii. 17, 18). Ease destroys bravery, whilst trouble and care
for food create strength; and this was [also for the Israelites] the
good that ultimately came out of their wanderings in the
wilderness. The passage," For God is come to prove you, and that
his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not" (ibid. xx. 20),
expresses the same idea as is expressed in Deuteronomy (xiii. 4) in
reference to a person who prophesies -in the name of idols, namely
in the words:" For the Lord your God proveth you to know
whether ye love the Lord." We have already explained the meaning
of the latter passage. In the same sense Moses said to the Israelites
when they stood round Mount Sinai:" Do not fear; the object of
this great sight which you perceived is that you should see the truth
with your own eyes. When the Lord your God, in order to show
your faithfulness to Him, will prove you by a false prophet, who
will tell you the reverse of what you have heard, you will remain
firm and your steps will not slide. If I had come as a messenger as
you desired, and had told you that which had been said unto me
and which you had not heard, you would perhaps consider as true
what another might tell you in opposition to that which you heard
from me. But it is different now, as you have heard it in the midst
of the great sight."
The account of Abraham our father binding his son, includes two
great ideas or principles of our faith. First, it shows us the extent
and limit of the fear of God. Abraham is commanded to perform a
certain act, which is not equalled by any surrender of property or
by any sacrifice of life, for it surpasses everything that can be
done, and belongs to the class of actions which are believed to be
contrary to human feelings. He had been without child, and had
been longing for a child; he had great riches, and was expecting
that a nation should spring from his seed. After all hope of a son
had already been given up, a son was born unto him. How great
must have been his delight in the child ! how intensely must he
have loved him! And yet because he feared God, and loved to do
what God commanded, he thought little of that beloved child, and
set aside all his hopes concerning him, and consented to kill him
after a journey of three days. If the act by which he showed his
readiness to kill his son had taken place immediately when he
received the commandment, it might have been the result of
confusion and not of consideration. But the fact that he performed
it three days after he had received the commandment, proves the
presence of thought, proper consideration, and careful examination
of what is due to the Divine command and what is in accordance
with the love and fear of God. There is no necessity to look for the
presence of any other idea or of anything that might have affected
his emotions. For Abraham did not hasten to kill Isaac out of fear
that God might slay him or make him poor, but solely because it is
man's duty to love and to fear God, even without hope of reward or
fear of punishment. We have repeatedly explained this. The angel,
therefore, says to him," For now I know," etc. (ibid. ver. 12), that
is, from this action, for which you deserve to be truly called a
God-fearing man, all people shall learn how far we must go in the
fear of God. This idea is confirmed in Scripture: it is distinctly
stated that one sole thing, fear of God, is the object of the whole
Law with its affirmative and negative precepts, its promises and its
historical examples, for it is said," If thou wilt not observe to do
all the words of this Law that are written in this book, that thou
mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, the Lord thy God," etc.
(Deut. xxviii. 58). This is one of the two purposes of the 'akedah
(sacrifice or binding of Isaac).
The second purpose is to show how the prophets believed in the
truth of that which came to them from God by way of inspiration.
We shall not think that what the prophets heard or saw in
allegorical figures may at times have included incorrect or
doubtful elements, since the Divine communication was made to
them, as we have shown, in a dream or a vision and through the
imaginative faculty. Scripture thus tells us that whatever the
Prophet perceives in a prophetic vision, he considers as true and
correct and not open to any doubt; it is in his eyes like all other
things perceived by the senses or by the intellect. This is proved by
the consent of Abraham to slay" his only son whom he loved," as
he was commanded, although the commandment was received in a
dream or a vision. If the Prophets had any doubt or suspicion as
regards the truth of what they saw in a prophetic dream or
perceived in a prophetic vision, they would not have consented to
do what is unnatural, and Abraham would not have found in his
soul strength enough to perform that act, if he had any doubt [as
regards the truth of the commandment]. It was just the right thing
that this lesson derived from the 'akedah (" sacrifice" ) should be
taught through Abraham and a man like Isaac. For Abraham was
the first to teach the Unity of God, to establish the faith (in Him],
to cause it to remain among coming generations, and to win his
fellow-men for his doctrine; as Scripture says of him:" I know him,
that he will command," etc. (Gen. viii. 19). In the same manner as
he was followed by others in his true and valuable opinions when
they were heard from him, so also the principles should be
accepted that may be learnt from his actions; especially from the
act by which he confirmed the principle of the truth of prophecy,
and showed how far we must go in the fear and the love of God.
This is the way how we have to understand the accounts of trials;
we must not think that God desires to examine us and to try us in
order to know what He did not know before. Far is this from Him;
He is far above that which ignorant and foolish people imagine
concerning Him, in the evil of their thoughts. Note this.
CHAPTER XXV
[MAN's] actions are divided as regards their object into four
classes; they are either purposeless, unimportant, in vain, or good.
An action is in vain if the object which is sought by it is not
obtained on account of some obstacles. Thus people frequently use
the phrase" thou hast worked in vain" in reference to a person
who looks out for some one and cannot find him: or who
undertakes the troubles of a journey for his business without profit.
Our endeavours and exertions are in vain as regards a patient that
is not cured. This applies to all actions which are intended for
certain purposes that are not realized. Purposeless are such actions,
which serve no purpose at all. Some persons, e.g., do something
with their hands whilst thinking of something else. The actions of
the insane and confused are of this kind.- Unimportant are such
actions by which a trivial object is sought, an object that is not
necessary and is not of great use. This is the case when a person
dances without seeking to benefit his digestion by that exercise, or
performs certain actions for the purpose of causing laughter. Such
actions are certainly mere pastimes. Whether an action belongs to
this class or not depends on the intention of those who perform it,
and on the degree of their perfection. For many things are
necessary or very useful in the opinion of one person and
superfluous in the opinion of another. E.g., bodily exercise, in its
different kinds, is necessary for the proper preservation of health
in the opinion of him who understands the science of medicine;
writing is considered as very useful by scholars. When people take
exercise by playing with the ball, wrestling, stretching out the
hands or keeping back the breathing, or do certain things as
preparation for writing, shape the pen and get the paper ready,
such actions are mere pastimes in the eyes of the ignorant, but the
wise do not consider them as unimportant. Useful are such actions
as serve a proper purpose: being either necessary or useful for the
purpose which is to be attained. This division [of man's actions] is,
as I believe, not open to any objection. For every action is either
intended for a certain purpose or is not intended; and if intended
for a certain purpose, that purpose may be important or
unimportant, is sometimes attained and sometimes missed. This
division is therefore complete.
After having explained this division, I contend that no intelligent
person can assume that any of the actions of God can be in vain,
purposeless, or unimportant. According to our view and the view
of all that follow the Law of Moses, all actions of God are"
exceedingly good." Thus Scripture says," And God saw everything
that he had made, and behold, it was very good" (Gen. i. 31). And
that which God made for a certain thing is necessary or [at least)
very useful for the existence of that thing. Thus food is necessary
for the existence of living beings: the possession of eyes is very
useful to man during his life, although food only serves to sustain
living beings a certain time, and the senses are only intended to
procure to animals the advantages of sensation. The philosophers
likewise assume that in Nature there is nothing in vain, so that
everything that is not the product of human industry serves a
certain purpose, which may be known or unknown to us. There are
thinkers that assume that God does not create one thing for the
sake of another, that existing things are not to each other in the
relation of cause and effect; that they are all the direct result of the
Will of God, and do not serve any purpose. According to this
opinion we cannot ask why has He made this and not that; for He
does what pleases Him, without following a fixed system. Those
who defend this theory must consider the actions of God as
purposeless, and even as inferior to purposeless actions: for when
we perform purposeless actions, our attention is engaged by other
things and we do not know what we are doing; but God, according
to these theorists, knows what He is doing, and knowingly does it
for no purpose or use whatever. The absurdity of assuming that
some of God's actions are trivial, is apparent even at first sight, and
no notice need be taken of the nonsensical idea that monkeys were
created for our pastime. Such opinions originate only in man's
ignorance of the nature of transient beings, and in his overlooking
the principle that it was intended by the Creator to produce in its
present form everything whose existence is possible; a different
form was not decreed by the Divine Wisdom, and the existence [of
objects of a different form] is therefore impossible, because the
existence of all things depends on the decree of GoXs wisdom.
Those who hold that God's works serve no purpose whatever
believe that an examination of the totality of existing things
compels them to adopt this theory. They ask what is the purpose of
the whole Universe ? they necessarily answer, like all those who
believe in the Creation, that it was created because God willed it
so, and for no other purpose. The same answer they apply to all
parts of the Universe, and do not admit that the hole in the uvea
and the transparency of the cornea are intended for the purpose of
allowing the rpiritur visus to pass and to perceive certain objects;
they do not assume that these circumstances are causes for the
sight; the hole in the uvea and the transparent matter over it are not
there because of the sight, but because of the Will of God,
although the sense of sight could have been created in a different
form. There are passages in the Bible which at first sight we might
understand to imply this theory. E.g.," The Lord hath done
whatever he pleased" (Ps. cxxxv. 6):" His soul desired it and he
made it" (job xxiii. 13):" Who will say unto thee, What doest thou
?" (Eccles. viii. 4). The meaning of these and similar verses is
this: whatever God desires to do is necessarily done; there is
nothing that could prevent the realization of His will. The object of
His will is only that which is possible, and of the things possible
only such as His wisdom decrees upon. When God desires to
produce the best work, no obstacle or hindrance intervenes
between Hirn and that work. This is the opinion held by all
religious people, also by the philosophers; it is also our opinion.
For although we believe that God created the Universe from
nothing, most of our wise and learned men believe that the
Creation was not the exclusive result of Ilis will; but Ilis wisdom,
which we are unable to comprehend, made the actual existence of
the Universe necessary. The same unchangeable wisdom found it
as necessary that non-existence should precede the existence of the
Universe. Our Sages frequently express this idea in the explanation
of the words," He hath made everything beautiful in his time"
(Eccles. iii. 11), only in order to avoid that which is objectionable,
viz., the opinion that God does things without any purpose
whatever. This is the belief of most of our Theologians: and in a
similar manner have the Prophets expressed the idea that all parts
of natural products are well arranged, in good order, connected
with each other, and stand to each other in the relation of cause
and effect; nothing of them is purposeless, trivial, or in vain; they
are all the result of great wisdom. Comp." 0 Lord, how manifold
are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full
of thy riches" (PS. CiV. 24):" And all his works are done in truth"
(ibid. 4) The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth" (Prov. iii.
19). This idea occurs frequently; there is no necessity to believe
otherwise; philosophic speculation leads to the same result; viz.,
that in the whole of Nature there is nothing purposeless, trivial, or
unnecessary, especially in the Nature of the spheres, which are in
the best condition and order, in accordance with their superior
substance.
Know that the difficulties which lead to confusion in the question
what is the purpose of the Universe or of any of its parts, arise
from two causes : firstly, man has an erroneous idea of himself,
and believes that the whole world exists only for his sake;
secondly, he is ignorant both about the nature of the sublunary
world, and about the Creator's intention to give existence to all
beings whose existence is possible, because existence is
undoubtedly good.
The consequences of that error and of the ignorance about the two
things named, are doubts and confusion, which lead many to
imagine that some of God's works are trivial, others purposeless,
and others in vain. Those who adopt this absurd idea that God's
actions are utterly purposeless, and refuse to consider them as the
result of Ilis wisdom, are afraid they might otherwise be compelled
to admit the theory of the Eternity of the Universe, and guard
themselves against it by the above theory I have already told you
the view which is set forth in Scripture on this question, and which
it is proper to accept. It is this: it is not unreasonable to assume
that the works of God, their existence and preceding
non-existence, are the result of His wisdom, but we are unable to
understand many of the ways of His wisdom in His works. On this
principle the whole Law of Moses is based; it begins with this
principle:" And God saw all that He had made, and, behold, it was
very good" (Gen. i. 3 1): and it ends with this principle:" The
Rock, perfect is His work" (Deut. xxxii. 4). Note it. When you
examine this view and that of the philosophers, taking into
consideration all preceding chapters which are connected with this
subject, you will find that there is no other difference of opinion as
regards any portions of the Universe, except that the philosophers
believe in the Eternity of the Universe and we believe in the
Creation. Note this.
CHAPTER XXVI
As Theologians are divided on the question whether the actions of
God are the result of His wisdom, or only of His will without being
intended for any purpose whatever, so they are also divided as
regards the object of the commandments which God gave us.
Some of them hold that the commandments have no object at all;
and are only dictated by the win of God. Others are of opinion that
all commandments and prohibitions are dictated by His wisdom
and serve a certain aim; consequently there is a reason for each
one of the precepts: they are enjoined because they are useful. All
of us, the common people as well as the scholars, believe that
there is a reason for every precept, although there are
commandments the reason of which is unknown to us, and in
which the ways of God's wisdom are incomprehensible. This view
is distinctly expressed in Scripture; comp." righteous statutes and
judgments" (Deut. iv. 8) the judgments of the Lord are true, and
righteous altogether" (Ps. xix. to). There are commandments
which are called hukkim," ordinances," like the prohibition of
wearing garments of wool and linen (sha'atnez), boiling meat and
milk together, and the sending of the goat [into the wilderness on
the Day of Atonement]. Our Sages use in reference to them
phrases like the following:" These are things which I have fully
ordained for thee: and you dare not criticize them" :" Your evil
inclination is turned against them" : and" non-Jews find them
strange." But our Sages generally do not think that such precepts
have no cause whatever, and serve no purpose; for this would lead
us to assume that God's actions are purposeless. On the contrary,
they hold that even these ordinances have a cause, and are
certainly intended for some use, although it is not known to us;
owing either to the deficiency of our knowledge or the weakness
of our intellect. Consequently there is a cause for every
commandment: every positive or negative precept serves a useful
object; in some cases the usefulness is evident, e.g., the prohibition
of murder and theft; in others the usefulness is not so evident, e.g.,
the prohibition of enjoying the fruit of a tree in the first three years
(Lev. xix. 73), or of a vineyard in which other seeds have been
growing (Deut. xxii. 9). Those commandments, whose object is
generally evident, are called" judgments" (mishpatim): those
whose object is not generally clear are called" ordinances"
(hukkim). Thus they say [in reference to the words of Moses] : Ki
lo dabar rek hu mi-kem Oit." for it is not a vain thing for you,"
Deut. xxxii. 74):" It is not in vain, and if it is in vain, it is only so
through you." That is to say, the giving of these commandments is
not a vain thing and without any useful object; and if it appears so
to you in any commandment, it is owing to the deficiency in your
comprehension. You certainly know the famous saying that
Solomon knew the reason for all commandments except that of
the" red heifer." Our Sages also said that God concealed the
causes of commandments, lest people should despise them, as
Solomon did in respect to three commandments, the reason for
which is dearly stated. In this sense they always speak; and
Scriptural texts support the idea. I have, however, found one
utterance made by them in Bereshit-rabba (sect. xliv.), which
might at first sight appear to imply that some commandments have
no other reason but the fact that they are commanded, that no other
object is intended by them, and that they do not serve any useful
object I mean the following passage: What difference does it make
to God whether a beast is killed by cutting the neck in front or in
the back ? Surely the commandments are only intended as a means
of trying man; in accordance with the verse," The word of God is a
test" (lit. tried) (Ps. xviii. 31). Although this passage is very
strange, and has no parallel in the writings of our Sages, I explain
it, as you shall soon hear, in such a manner that I remain in accord
with the meaning of their words and do not depart from the
principle which we agreed upon, that the commandments serve a
useful object;" for it is not a vain thing for you" :" I have not said
to the seed of Jacob, seek me in vain. I the Lord speak
righteousness, declare that which is right" (Isa. xlv. 19). I will now
tell you what intelligent persons ought to believe in this respect;
namely, that each commandment has necessarily a cause, as far as
its general character is concerned, and serves a certain object; but
as regards its details we hold that it has no ulterior object. Thus
killing animals for the purpose of obtaining good food is certainly
useful, as we intend to show (below, ch. xlviii.); that, however, the
killing should not be performed by nehirah (poleaxing the animal),
but by shehitah (cutting the neck), and by dividing the oesophagus
and the windpipe in a certain place; these regulations and the like
are nothing but tests for man's obedience. In this sense you will
understand the example quoted by our Sages [that there is no
difference] between killing the animal by cutting its neck in front
and cutting it in the back. I give this instance only because it has
been mentioned by our Sages; but in reality [there is some reason
for these regulations]. For as it has become necessary to eat the
flesh of animals, it was intended by the above regulations to ensure
an easy death and to effect it by suitable means; whilst
decapitation requires a sword or a similar instrument, the shehitah
can be performed with any instrument; and in order to ensure an
easy death our Sages insisted that the knife should be well
sharpened.
A more suitable instance can be cited from the detailed
commandments concerning sacrifices. The law that sacrifices
should be brought is evidently of great use, as will be shown by us
(infra, chap. xlvi.): but we cannot say why one offering should be a
lamb, whilst another is a ram; and why a fixed number of them
should be brought. Those who trouble themselves to find a cause
for any of these detailed rules, are in my eyes void of sense: they
do not remove any difficulties, but rather increase them. Those
who believe that these detailed rules originate in a certain cause,
are as far from the truth as those who assume that the whole law is
useless. You must know that Divine Wisdom demanded it -- or, if
you prefer, say that circumstances made it necessary-that there
should be parts [of His work] which have no certain object: and as
regards the Law, it appears to be impossible that it should not
include some matter of this kind. That it cannot be avoided may be
seen from the following instance. You ask why must a lamb be
sacrificed and not a ram ? but the same question would be asked,
why a ram had been commanded instead of a lamb, so long as one
particular kind is required. The same is to be said as to the
question why were seven lambs sacrificed and not eight; the same
question might have been asked if there were eight, ten, or twenty
lambs, so long as some definite number of lambs were sacrificed.
It is almost similar to the nature of a thing which can receive
different forms, but actually receives one of them. We must not
ask why it has this form and not another which is likewise
possible, because we should have to ask the same question if
instead of its actual form the thing had any of the other possible
forms. Note this, and understand it. The repeated assertion of our
Sages that there are reasons for all commandments, and the
tradition that Solomon knew them, refer to the general purpose of
the commandments, and not to the object of every detail. This
being the case, I find it convenient to divide the six hundred and
thirteen precepts into classes: each class will include many
precepts of the same kind, or related to each other by their
character. I will [first] explain the reason of each class, and show
its undoubted and undisputed object, and then I shall discuss each
commandment in the class, and expound its reason. Only very few
will be left unexplained, the reason for which I have been unable
to trace unto this day. I have also been able to comprehend in some
cases even the object of many of the conditions and details as far
as these can be discovered. You will hear all this later on. But in
order to fully explain these reasons I must premise several
chapters; in these I will discuss principles which form the basis of
my theory. I will now begin these chapters.
CHAPTER XXVII
THE general object of the Law is twofold: the well-being of the
soul, and the well-being of the body. The well-being of the soul is
promoted by correct opinions communicated to the people
according to their capacity. Some of these opinions are therefore
imparted in a plain form, others allegorically: because certain
opinions are in their plain form too strong for the capacity of the
common people. The well-being of the body is established by a
proper management of the relations in which we live one to
another. This we can attain in two ways: first by removing all
violence from our midst: that is to say, that we do not do every one
as he pleases, desires, and is able to do; but every one of us does
that which contributes towards the common welfare. Secondly, by
teaching every one of us such good morals as must produce a good
social state. Of these two objects, the one, the well-being of the
soul, or the communication of correct opinions, comes
undoubtedly first in rank, but the other, the well-being of the body,
the government of the state, and the establishment of the best
possible relations among men, is anterior in nature and time. The
latter object is required first: it is also treated [in the Law] most
carefully and most minutely, because the well-being of the soul
can only be obtained after that of the body has been secured. For it
has already been found that man has a double perfection: the first
perfection is that of the body, and the second perfection is that of
the soul. The first consists in the most healthy condition of his
material relations, and this is only possible when man has all his
wants supplied, as they arise; if he has his food, and other things
needful for his body, e.g., shelter, bath, and the like. But one man
alone cannot procure all this; it is impossible for a single man to
obtain this comfort; it is only possible in society, since man, as is
well known, is by nature social.
The second perfection of man consists in his becoming an actually
intelligent being; i.e., he knows about the things in existence all
that a person perfectly developed is capable of knowing. This
second perfection certainly does not include any action or good
conduct, but only knowledge, which is arrived at by speculation, or
established by research.
It is clear that the second and superior kind of perfection can only
be attained when the first perfection has been acquired: for a
person that is suffering from great hunger, thirst, heat, or cold,
cannot grasp an idea even if communicated by others, much less
can he arrive at it by his own reasoning. But when a person is in
possession of the first perfection, then he may possibly acquire the
second perfection, which is undoubtedly of a superior kind, and is
alone the source of eternal life. The true Law, which as we said is
one, and beside which there is no other Law, viz., the Law of our
teacher Moses, has for its purpose to give us the twofold
perfection. It aims first at the establishment of good mutual
relations among men by removing injustice and creating the
noblest feelings. In this way the people in every land are enabled
to stay and continue in one condition, and every one can acquire
his first perfection. Secondly, it seeks to train us in faith, and to
impart correct and true opinions when the intellect is sufficiently
developed. Scripture clearly mentions the twofold perfection, and
tells us that its acquisition is the object of all the divine
commandments. Comp." And the Lord commanded us to do all
these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that
he might preserve us alive as it is this day" (Dent. vi. 24). Here the
second perfection is first mentioned because it is of greater
importance, being, as we have shown, the ultimate aim of man's
existence. This perfection is expressed in the phrase," for our
good always." You know the interpretation of our Sages," ' that it
may be well with thee' (ibid. xxii. 7), namely, in the world that is
all good, 'and that thou mayest prolong thy days' (ibid.), i.e., in the
world that is all eternal." In the same sense I explain the words,"
for our good always," to mean that we may come into the world
that is all good and eternal, where we may live permanently; and
the words," that he might preserve us alive as it is this day," I
explain as referring to our first and temporal existence, to that of
our body, which cannot be in a perfect and good condition except
by the co-operation of society, as has been shown by us.
CHAPTER XXVIII
IT is necessary to bear in mind that Scripture only teaches the
chief points of those true principles which lead to the true
perfection of man, and only demands in general terms faith in
them. Thus Scripture teaches the Existence, the Unity, the
Omniscience, the Omnipotence, the Win, and the Eternity of God.
All this is given in the form of final results, but they cannot be
understood fully and accurately except after the acquisition of
many kinds of knowledge. Scripture further demands belief in
certain truths, the belief in which is indispensable in regulating our
social relations: such is the belief that God is angry with those who
disobey Him, for it leads us to the fear and dread of disobedience
[to the will of God]. There are other truths in reference to the
whole of the Universe which form the substance of the various and
many kinds of speculative sciences, and afford the means of
verifying the above-mentioned principles as their final result. But
Scripture does not so distinctly prescribe the belief in them as it
does in the first case; it is implied in the commandment," to love
the Lord" (Deut. xi. 13). It may be inferred from the words," And
thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy might" (ibid. vi. 5), what stress is laid on this
commandment to love God. We have already shown in the
Mishneh-torah (res. ha-torah ii. 2) that this love is only possible
when we comprehend the real nature of things, and understand the
divine wisdom displayed therein. We have likewise mentioned
there what our Sages remark on this subject.
The result of all these preliminary remarks is this : The reason of a
commandment, whether positive or negative, is clear, and its
usefulness evident, if it directly tends to remove injustice, or to
teach good conduct that furthers the well-being of society, or to
impart a truth which ought to be believed either on its own merit
or as being indispensable for facilitating the removal of injustice
or the teaching of good morals. There is no occasion to ask for the
object of such commandments: for no one can, e.g., be in doubt as
to the reason why we have been commanded to believe that God is
one: why we are forbidden to murder, to steal, and to take
vengeance, or to retaliate, or why we are commanded to love one
another. But there are precepts concerning which people are in
doubt, and of divided opinions, some believing that they are mere
commands, and serve no purpose whatever, whilst others believe
that they serve a certain purpose, which, however, is unknown to
man. Such are those precepts which in their literal meaning do not
seem to further any of the three above-named results : to impart
some truth, to teach some moral, or to remove injustice. They do
not seem to have any influence upon the well-being of the soul by
imparting any truth, or upon the well-being of the body by
suggesting such ways and rules as are useful in the government of
a state, or in the management of a household. Such are the
prohibitions of wearing garments containing wool and linen; of
sowing divers seeds, or of boiling meat and milk together; the
commandment of covering the blood [of slaughtered beasts and
birds], the ceremony of breaking the neck of a calf [in case of a
person being found slain, and the murderer being unknown]; the
law concerning the first-born of an ass, and the like. I am prepared
to tell you my explanation of all these commandments, and to
assign for them a true reason supported by proof, with the
exception of some minor rules, and of a few commandments, as I
have mentioned above. I will show that all these and similar laws
must have some bearing upon one of the following three things,
viz., the regulation of our opinions, or the improvement of our
social relations, which implies two things, the removal of injustice,
and the teaching of good morals. Consider what we said of the
opinions [implied in the laws]; in some cases the law contains a
truth which is itself the only object of that law, as e.g., the truth of
the Unity, Eternity, and Incorporeality of God; in other cases, that
truth is only the means of securing the removal of injustice, or the
acquisition of good morals; such is the belief that God is angry
with those who oppress their fellow-men, as it is said," Mine
anger will be kindled, and I will slay," etc. (Exod. xxii. 23); or the
belief that God hears the crying of the oppressed and vexed, to
deliver them out of the hands of the oppressor and tyrant, as it is
written," And it shall come to pass, when he will cry unto me, that
I will hear, for I am gracious (Exod. xxii. 25).
CHAPTER XXIX
IT is well known that the Patriarch Abraham was brought up in the
religion and the opinion of the Sabeans, that there is no divine
being except the stars. I will tell you in this chapter their works
which are at present extant in Arabic translations, and also in their
ancient chronicles; and I win show you their opinion and their
practice according to these books. You win then see clearly that
they consider the stars as deities, and the sun as the chief deity.
They believe that all the seven stars are gods, but the two
luminaries are greater than all the rest. They say distinctly that the
sun governs the world, both that which is above and that which is
below; these are exactly their expressions. In these books, and in
their chronicles, the history of Abraham our father is given in the
following manner. Abraham was brought up in Kutha; when he
differed from the people and declared that there is a Maker besides
the sun, they raised certain objections, and mentioned in their
arguments the evident and manifest action of the sun in the
Universe." You are right," said Abraham;" [the sun acts in the
same manner] as ' the axe in the hand of him that hews with it."'
Then some of his arguments against his opponents are mentioned.
In short, the king put him in prison; but he continued many days,
while in prison, to argue against them. At last the king was afraid
that Abraham might corrupt the kingdom, and turn the people
away from their religion; he therefore expelled Abraham into
Syria, after having deprived him of all his property.
This is their account which you find clearly stated in the book
called The Nabatean Agriculture. Nothing is said there of the
account given in our trustworthy books, nor do they mention what
he learnt by way of prophecy; for they refused to believe him,
because he attacked their evil doctrine. I do not doubt that when he
attacked the doctrine of all his fellowmen, he was cursed,
despised, and scorned by these people who adhered to their
erroneous opinions. When he submitted to this treatment for the
sake of God, as ought to be done for the sake of His glory, God
said to him," And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them
that curse thee" (Gen. xii. 3). The result of the course which
Abraham took, is the fact that most people, as we see at present,
agree in praising him, and being proud of him; so that even those
who are not his descendants call themselves by his name. No one
opposes him, and no one ignores his merits, except some ignoble
remnants of the nations left in the remote corners of the earth, like
the savage Turks in the extreme North, and the Indians in the
extreme South. These are remnants of the Sabeans, who once
filled the earth.
Those who were able to think, and were philosophers in those
days, could only raise themselves to the idea that God is the spirit
of the spheres: the spheres with their stars being the body, and God
the spirit. Abu-becr al-Zaig mentions this in his Commentary on
the book of Physics.
All the Sabeans thus believed in the eternity of the Universe, the
heavens being in their opinion God. Adam was in their belief a
human being born from male and female, like the rest of mankind;
he was only distinguished from his fellow-men by being a prophet
sent by the moon; he accordingly called men to the worship of the
moon, and he wrote several works on agriculture. The Sabeans
further relate that Noah was an agriculturist, and that he was not
pleased with the worship of idols; they blame him for that, and say
that he did not worship any image. In their writings we meet even
with the statement that Noah was rebuked and imprisoned because
he worshipped God, and with many other accounts about him. The
Sabeans contend that Seth differed from his father Adam, as
regards the worship of the moon. They manufactured ridiculous
stories, which prove that their authors were very deficient in
knowledge, that they were by no means philosophers, but on the
contrary were extremely ignorant persons. Adam, they say, left the
torrid zone near India and entered the region of Babylon, bringing
with him wonderful things, such as a golden tree, that was
growing, and had leaves and branches: a stone tree of the same
kind, and a fresh leaf of a tree proof against fire. He related that
there was a tree which could shelter ten thousand men, although it
had only the height of a man; two leaves he brought with him,
each of which was sufficient to cover two men. Of these stories the
Sabeans have a wonderful abundance. I am surprised that persons
who think that the Universe is eternal, can yet believe in these
things which nature cannot produce, as is known to every student
of Natural Science. They only mention Adam, and relate the above
stories about him, in order to support their theory of the Eternity of
the Universe; from this theory they then derive the doctrine that
the stars and the spheres are deities. When [Abraham] the" Pillar
of the World" appeared, he became convinced that there is a
spiritual Divine Being, which is not a body, nor a force residing in
a body, but is the author of the spheres and the stars: and he saw
the absurdity of the tales in which he had been brought up. He
therefore began to attack the belief of the Sabeans, to expose the
falsehood of their opinions, and to proclaim publicly in opposition
to them," the name of the Lord, the God of the Universe" (Gen.
xxi. 33), which proclamation included at the same time the
Existence of God, and the Creation of the Universe by God.
In accordance with the Sabean theories images were erected to the
stars, golden images to the sun, images of silver to the moon, and
they attributed the metals and the climates to the influence of the
planets, saying that a certain planet is the god of a certain zone.
They built temples, placed in them images, and assumed that the
stars sent forth their influence upon these images, which are
thereby enabled (to speak) to understand, to comprehend, to
inspire human beings, and to tell them what is useful to them.
They apply the same to trees which fall to the lot of these stars.
When, namely, a certain tree, which is peculiar to a certain star, is
dedicated to the name of this star, and certain things are done for
the tree and to the tree, the spiritual force of that star which
influences that tree, inspires men, and speaks to them when they
are asleep. All this is written in their works, to which 1 will call
your attention. It applies to the" prophets of Baal," and the"
prophets of Asherah," mentioned in Scripture, in whose hearts the
Sabean theories had taken root, who forsook God, and called,"
Baal, hear us" (I Kings xviii. 26): because these theories were then
general, ignorance had spread, and the madness with which people
adhered to this kind of imaginations had increased in the world.
When such opinions were adopted among the Israelites, they had
observers of clouds, enchanters, witches, charmers, consulters with
familiar spirits, wizards, and necromancers.
We have shown in our large work, Mishneh-torah (Hilkot,
'Abodab-zarah, i. 3), that Abraharn was the first that opposed these
theories by arguments and by soft and persuasive speech. He
induced these people, by showing kindness to them, to serve God.
Afterwards came the chief of the prophets, and completed the
work by the commandment to slay those unbelievers, to blot out
their name, and to uproot them from the land of the living. Comp."
Ye shall destroy their altars," etc. (Exod. xxxiv. 13). He forbade us
to follow their ways; he said," Ye shall not walk in the manners of
the heathen" , etc. (Lev. XX. 23). You know from the repeated
declarations in the Law that the principal purpose of the whole
Law was the removal and utter destruction of idolatry, and all that
is connected therewith, even its name, and everything that might
lead to any such practices, e.g., acting as a consulter with familiar
spirits, or as a wizard, passing children through the fire, divining,
observing the clouds, enchanting, charming, or inquiring of the
dead. The law prohibits us to imitate the heathen in any of these
deeds, and a fortiori to adopt them entirely. It is distinctly said in
the Law that everything which idolaters consider as service to their
gods, and a means of approaching them, is rejected and despised
by God; comp." for every abomination to the Lord, which he
hateth, have they done unto their gods" (Dent. xii. 3 1). In the
books which 1 shall name to you later on, it is stated that on
certain occasions they offered to the sun, their greatest god, seven
beetles, and seven mice, and seven bats. This alone suffices to
show how disgusting their practice must be to human nature. Thus
all precepts cautioning against idolatry, or against that which is
connected therewith, leads to it, or is related to it, are evidently
useful. They all tend to save us from the evil doctrines that deprive
us of everything useful for the acquisition of the twofold
perfection of man, by leading to those absurd practices in which
our fathers and ancestors have been brought up. Comp." And
Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel,
your fathers dwelt on the other side of the river in old time, even
Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor, and they
served other gods" (josh. xidv. 2). It is in reference to these
[idolatrous ideas] that the true prophets exclaim," They walked
after [vain] things, which do not profit."
How great is the usefulness of every precept that delivers us from
this great error, and leads us back to the true faith : that God, the
Creator of all things, rules the Universe: that He must be served,
loved, and feared, and not those imaginary deities. According to
this faith we approach the true God, and obtain His favour without
having recourse to burdensome means: for nothing else is required
but to love and fear Him: this is the aim in serving God, as will be
shown. Comp." And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God
require of thee but to fear the Lord" ? etc. (Deut. x. 12). 1 shall
complete this subject later on: now let us return to the theme [of
this chapter].
I say that my knowledge of the belief, practice, and worship of the
Sabeans has given me an insight into many of the divine precepts,
and has led me to know their reason. You will confirm it when I
shall give the reason of commandments which are seemingly
purposeless. I will mention to you the works from which you may
learn all that 1 know of the religion and the opinions of the
Sabeans; you will thereby obtain a true knowledge of my theory as
regards the purpose of the divine precepts.
The great book on this subject is the book On the Nabateas
Agriadture, translated by Ibn Walishiya. In a succeeding chapter I
shall explain why the Sabeans had their religious doctrines written
in a work on agriculture. The book is full of the absurdities of
idolatrous people, and with those things to which the minds of the
multitude easily turn and adhere [perseveringly]; it speaks of
talismans, the means of directing the influence [of the stars]:
witchcraft, spirits, and demons that dwell in the wilderness. There
occur also in this book great absurdities, which are ridiculous in
the eyes of intelligent people. They were intended as a criticism
and an attack on the evident miracles by which all people learnt
that there exists a God who is judge over all people. Comp." That
thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's" (Exod. ix. 29),"
That 1 am the Lord in the midst of the earth (ibid. viii. 18).
The book describes things as having been mentioned by Adam, in
his book; a tree which is found in India, and has the peculiarity
that any branch taken from it and thrown to the ground creeps
along and moves like serpents; it also mentions a tree which in its
root resembles a human being, utters a loud sound, and speaks a
word or words; a plant is mentioned which has this peculiarity,
that g leaf of it put on the neck of a person conceals that person
from the sight of men, and enables him to enter or leave a place
without being seen, and if any part of it is burnt in open air a noise
and terrible sounds are heard whilst the smoke ascends. Numerous
fables of this kind are introduced in the description of the wonders
of plants and the properties of agriculture. This leads the author to
argue against the [true] miracles, and to say that they were the
result of artifice.
Among other fables we read there that the plant althea, one of the
Asherot, which they made, as I told you, stood in Nineveh twelve
thousand years. This tree had once a quarrel with the mandragora,
which wanted to take the place of the former. The person who had
been inspired by this tree ceased to receive inspiration: when after
some time the prophetical power had returned to him, he was told
by the althea that the latter had been engaged in a dispute with the
mandragora. He was then commanded to write to the magicians
that they should decide whether the althea or the mandragora was
better and more effective in witchcraft. It is a long story, and you
may learn from it, when you read it, the opinions and the wisdom
of the men of that time. Such were in those days of darkness the
wise men of Babel, to whom reference is made in Scripture, and
such were the beliefs in which they were trained. And were it not
that the theory of the Existence of God is at present generally
accepted, our days would now have been darker than those days,
though in other respects. I return now to my subject.
In that book the following story is also related : One of the
idolatrous prophets, named Tammuz, called upon the king to
worship the seven planets and the twelve constellations of the
Zodiac: whereupon the king killed him in a dreadful manner. The
night of his death the images from all parts of the land came
together in the temple of Babylon which was devoted to the image
of the Sun, the great golden image. This image, which was
suspended between heaven and earth, came down into the midst of
the temple, and surrounded by all other images commenced to
mourn for Tammuz, and to relate what had befallen him. All other
images cried and mourned the whole night; at dawn they flew
away and returned to their temples in every corner of the earth.
Hence the regular custom arose for the women to weep, lament,
mourn, and cry for Tammuz on the first day of the month of
Tammuz.
Consider what opinions people had in these days. The legend of
Tammuz is very old among the Sabeans. This book will disclose to
you most of the perverse ideas and practices of the Sabeans,
including their feasts. But you must be careful and must not be
misled to think that we have real incidents in the life of Adam, or
of any other person, or any real fact in the stories which they relate
about Adam, the serpent, the tree of knowledge of good and evil,
and the allusion to the garment of Adam which he had not been
accustomed to wear. A little consideration will lay open the
falsehood of all these accounts; it will show that they have been
invented in imitation of the Pentateuch when it became known
among the nations. The account of the Creation was heard, and it
was taken entirely in its literal sense. They have done this in order
that the ignorant may hear it, and be persuaded to assume the
Eternity of the Universe, and to believe that the Scriptural account
contained facts which happened in the manner as has been
assumed by the Sabeans.
It is by no means necessary to point this out to men like you. You
have acquired sufficient knowledge to keep your mind free from
the absurdities of the Kasdim, Chaldeans, and Sabeans, who are
bare of every true science. But I wish to exhort you that you should
caution others, for ordinary people are very much inclined to
believe these fables.
To the same class of books we count the book Istimachis,
attributed to Aristotle, who can by no means have been its author;
also the books on Talismans, such as the book of Tomtom; the
book al-Sarb: the book on the degrees of the sphere and the
constellations rising with each degree: a book on Talismans
attributed to Aristotle, a book ascribed to Hermes, a book of the
Sabean Isbak in defence of the Sabean religion, and his large work
on Sabean customs, details of their religion, ceremonies, festivals,
offerings, prayers and other things relating to their faith.
All these books which I have mentioned are works on idolatry
translated into Arabic; there is no doubt that they form a very
small portion in comparison to that which has not been translated,
and that which is no longer extant, but has been lost in the course
of time. But those works which are at present extant, include most
of the opinions of the Sabeans and their practices, which are to
some degree still in vogue in the world.
They describe how temples are built and images of metal and
stone placed in them, altars erected and sacrifices and various
kinds of food are offered thereon, festivals celebrated, meetings
held in the temples for prayer and other kinds of service: how they
select certain very distinguished places and call them temples of
Intellectual Images (or Forms); how they make images 44 on the
high mountains" (Dent. xii. 2), rear asherot, erect pillars, and do
many other things which you can learn from the books mentioned
by us. The knowledge of these theories and practices is of great
importance in explaining the reasons of the precepts. For it is the
principal object of the Law and the axis round which it turns, to
blot out these opinions from man's heart and make the existence of
idolatry impossible. As regards the former Scripture says:" Lest
your heart be persuaded," etc. (Deut. xi. 16)," whose heart turneth
away to-day," etc. (ibid. xxix. 17). The actual abolition of idolatry
is expressed in the following passage -" Ye shall destroy their
altars, and burn their groves in fire" (Dent. vii. 5)," and ye shall
destroy their name," etc. (xii. 3). These two things are frequently
repeated; they form the principal and first object of the whole Law,
as our Sages distinctly told us in their traditional explanation of the
words" all that God commanded you by the hand of Moses"
(Num. xv. 25); for they say," Hence we learn that those who
follow idolatry deny as it were their adhesion to the whole Law,
and those who reject idolatry follow as it were the whole Law."
(B.T. Kidd, 4oa.) Note it.
CHAPTER XXX
ON examining these old and foolish doctrines we find that it was
most generally believed by the people that by the worship of stars
the earth will become inhabited, and the ground fertilized. The
wise, pious, and sinfearing men among them reproved the people
and taught them that agriculture, on which the preservation of
mankind depended, would become perfect and satisfy man's
wishes, when he worshipped the sun and the stars. If man
provoked these beings by his rebelliousness, the towns would
become empty and waste. In the above-named books it is stated
that Mars was angry with Pands, that form now) deserts and
wastes, and in consequence of that anger they were deprived of
water and trees, and have become the habitation of demons. Tillers
of the ground and husbandmen are praised in those books, because
they are engaged with the cultivation of the land in accordance
with the will and desire of the stars. The idolaters also held cattle
in esteem on account of their use in agriculture, and went even so
far as to say, that it is not allowed to slay them, because they
combine in themselves strength and willingness to do the work of
man in tilling the ground. The oxen, notwithstanding their great
strength, do this, and submit to man, because it is the will of God
that they should be employed in agriculture. When these views
became generally known, idolatry was connected with agriculture,
because the latter is indispensable for the maintenance of man, and
of most animals. The idolatrous priests then preached to the people
who met in the temples, and taught them that by certain religious
acts, rain would come down, the trees of the field would yield their
fruit, and the land would be fertile and inhabited. See what is said
in the Nabatean Agriculture in the chapter on vineyards. The
following words of the Sabeans are quoted there :" All ancient
wise men advised, and prophets likewise commanded and enjoined
to play before the images on certain instruments during the
festivals. They also said-and what they said is truethat the deities
are pleased with it, and reward those who do it. They promise,
indeed, very great reward for these things; e.g., length of life,
protection from illness, exemption from great bodily deformities,
plenty of the produce of the earth, and of the fruits of the trees."
These are the words of the Sabeans. When these ideas spread, and
were considered as true, God, in His great mercy for us, intended
to remove this error from our minds, and to protect our bodies
from trouble; and therefore desired us to discontinue the practice
of these useless actions. He gave us His Law through Moses, our
teacher, who told us in the name of God, that the worship of stars
and other corporeal beings would effect that rain would cease, the
land be waste, and would not produce anything, and the fruit of the
trees would wither; calamities would befall the people, their
bodies would be deformed, and life would be shortened. These are
the contents of" the words of the covenant which God made"
(Dent. xxviii. 6-9). It is frequently expressed in all parts of
Scripture, that the worship of the stars would be followed by
absence of rain, devastation of the land, bad times, diseases, and
shortness of life. But abandonment of that worship, and the return
to the service of God, would be the cause of the presence of rain,
fertility of the ground, good times, health and length of life. Thus
Scripture teaches, in order that man should abandon idolatry, the
reverse of that which idolatrous priests preached to the people, for,
as has been shown by us, the principal object of the Law is to
remove this doctrine, and to destroy its traces.
CHAPTER XXXI
THERE are persons who find it difficult to give a reason for any of
the commandments, and consider it right to assume that the
commandments and prohibitions have no rational basis whatever.
They are led to adopt this theory by a certain disease in their soul,
the existence of which they perceive, but which they are unable to
discuss or to describe. For they imagine that these precepts, if they
were useful in any respect, and were commanded because of their
usefulness, would seem to originate in the thought and reason of
some intelligent being. But as things which are not objects of
reason and serve no purpose, they would undoubtedly be attributed
to God, because no thought of man could have produced them.
According to the theory of those weak-minded persons, man is
more perfect than his Creator. For what man says or does has a
certain object, whilst the actions of God are different; He
commands us to do what is of no use to us, and forbids us to do
what is harmless. Far be this ! On the contrary, the sole object of
the Law is to benefit us. Thus we explained the Scriptural
passage," for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as
it is this day" (Deut. vi. 24). Again," which shall hear all those
statutes (hukkim), and say, surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people" (ibid. iv. 6). He thus says that even every
one of these" statutes" convinces all nations of the wisdom and
understanding it includes. But if no reason could be found for
these statutes, if they produced no advantage and removed no evil,
why then should he who believes in them and follows them be
wise, reasonable, and so excellent as to raise the admiration of all
nations ? But the truth is undoubtedly as we have said, that every
one of the six hundred and thirteen precepts serves to inculcate
some truth, to remove some erroneous opinion, to establish proper
relations in society, to diminish evil, to train in good manners or to
warn against bad habits. All this depends on three things: opinions:
morals, and social conduct. We do not count words, because
precepts, whether positive or negative, if they relate to speech,
belong to those precepts which regulate our social conduct, or to
those which spread truth, or to those which teach morals. Thus
these three principles suffice for assigning a reason for every one
of the Divine commandments.
CHAPTER XXXII
ON considering the Divine acts, or the processes of Nature, we get
an insight into the prudence and wisdom of God as displayed in the
creation of animals, with the gradual development of the
movements of their limbs and the relative positions of the latter,
and we perceive also His wisdom and plan in the successive and
gradual development of the whole condition of each individual.
The gradual development of the animals' movements and the
relative position of the limbs may be illustrated by the brain. The
front part is very soft, the back part is a little hard, the spinal
marrow is still harder, and the farther it extends the harder it
becomes. The nerves are the organs of sensation and motion. Some
nerves are only required for sensation, or for slight movements, as,
e.g., the movement of the eyelids or of the jaws; these nerves
originate in the brain. The nerves which are required for the
movements of the limbs come from the spinal marrow. But nerves,
even those that come directly from the spinal cord, are too soft to
set the joints in motion; therefore God made the following
arrangement: the nerves branch out into fibres which are covered
with flesh, and become muscles: the nerves that come forth at the
extremities of the muscles and have already commenced to harden,
and to combine with hard pieces of ligaments, are the sinews
which are joined and attached to the limbs. By this gradual
development the nerves are enabled to set the limbs in motion. I
quote this one instance because it is the most evident of the
wonders described in the book On the use of the limbs: but the use
of the limbs is clearly perceived by all who examine them with a
sharp eye. In a similar manner did God provide for each individual
animal of the class of mammalia. When such an animal is born it
is extremely tender, and cannot be fed with dry food. Therefore
breasts were provided which yield milk, and the young can be fed
with moist food which corresponds to the condition of the limbs of
the animal, until the latter have gradually become dry and hard.
Many precepts in our Law are the result of a similar course
adopted by the same Supreme Being. It is, namely, impossible to
go suddenly from one extreme to the other: it is therefore
according to the nature of man impossible for him suddenly to
discontinue everything to which he has been accustomed. Now
God sent Moses to make [the Israelites] a kingdom of priests and a
holy nation (Exod. xix. 6) by means of the knowledge of God.
Comp." Unto thee it was showed that thou mightest know that the
Lord is God (Dent. iv. 35):" Know therefore this day, and consider
it in thine heart, that the Lord is God" (ibid. v. 39). The Israelites
were commanded to devote themselves to His service; comp." and
to serve him with all your heart" (ibid. xi. 13):" and you shall
serve the Lord your God" (Exod. xxiii. 25);" and ye shall serve
him" (Dent. xiii. 5). But the custom which was in those days
general among all men, and the general mode of worship in which
the Israelites were brought up, consisted in sacrificing animals in
those temples which contained certain images, to bow down to
those images, and to bum incense before them; religious and
ascetic persons were in those days the persons that were devoted to
the service in the temples erected to the stars, as has been
explained by us. It was in accordance with the wisdom and plan of
God, as displayed in the whole Creation, that He did not command
us to give up and to discontinue all these manners of service; for to
obey such a commandment it would have been contrary to the
nature of man, who generally cleaves to that to which he is used; it
would in those days have made the same impression as a prophet
would make at present if he called us to the service of God and
told us in His name, that we should not pray to Him, not fast, not
seek His help in time of trouble; that we should serve Him in
thought, and not by any action. For this reason God allowed these
kinds of service to continue; He transferred to His service that
which had formerly served as a worship of created beings, and of
things imaginary and unreal, and commanded us to serve Him in
the same manner; viz., to build unto Him a temple; comp." And
they shall make unto me a sanctuary" (Exod. xxv. 8): to have the
altar erected to His name; comp." An altar of earth thou shalt
make unto me" (ibid. XX. 2 1): to offer the sacrifices to Him;
comp." If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord" (Lev. i.
2), to bow down to Elim. and to bum incense before Him. He has
forbidden to do any of these things to any other being; comp." He
who sacrificeth unto any God, save the Lord only, he shall be
utterly destroyed * (Exod. xxii. 19):" For thou shalt bow down to
no other God" (ibid. xxxiv. 14). He selected priests for the service
in the temple; comp." And they shall minister unto me in the
priest's office" (ibid. xxviii. 41). He made it obligatory that certain
gifts, called the gifts of the Levites and the priests, should be
assigned to them for their maintenance while they are engaged in
the service of the temple and its sacrifices. By this Divine plan it
was effected that the traces of idolatry were blotted out, and the
truly great principle of our faith, the Existence and Unity of God,
was firmly established; this result was thus obtained without
deterring or confusing the minds of the people by the abolition of
the service to which they were accustomed and which alone was
familiar to them. I know that you will at first thought reject this
idea and find it strange: you will put the following question to me
in your heart : How can we suppose that Divine commandments,
prohibitions, and important acts, which are fully explained, and for
which certain seasons are fixed, should not have been commanded
for their own sake, but only for the sake of some other thing: as if
they were only the means which He employed for His primary
object ? What prevented Him from making His primary object a
direct commandment to us, and to give us the capacity of obeying
it ? Those precepts which in your opinion are only the means and
not the object would then have been unnecessary. Hear my answer,
which win cure your heart of this disease and will show you the
truth of that which I have pointed out to you. There occurs in the
Law a passage which contains exactly the same idea; it is the
following :" God led them not through the way of the land of the
Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure
the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt; but
God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the
Red Sea," etc. (Exod. xiii. 17). Here God led the people about,
away from the direct road which He originally intended, because
He feared they might meet on that way with hardships too great for
their ordinary strength; He took them by another road in order to
obtain thereby His original object. In the same manner God
refrained from prescribing what the people by their natural
disposition would be incapable of obeying, and gave the
above-mentioned commandments as a means of securing His chief
object, viz., to spread a knowledge of Him [among the people],
and to cause them to reject idolatry. It is contrary to man's nature
that he should suddenly abandon all the different kinds of Divine
service and the different customs in which he has been brought up,
and which have been so general, that they were considered as a
matter of course; it would be just as if a person trained to work as
a slave with mortar and bricks, or similar things, should interrupt
his work, clean his hands, and at once fight with real giants. It was
the result of God's wisdom that the Israelites were led about in the
wilderness till they acquired courage. For it is a well-known fact
that travelling in the wilderness, and privation of bodily
enjoyments, such as bathing, produce courage, whilst the reverse is
the source of faint-heartedness: besides, another generation rose
during the wanderings that had not been accustomed to
degradation and slavery. All the travelling in the wilderness was
regulated by Divine commands through Moses; comp." At the
commandment of the Lord they rested, and at the commandment
of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord and
the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses" (Num. ix.
23). In the same way the portion of the Law under discussion is the
result of divine wisdom, according to which people are allowed to
continue the kind of worship to which they have been accustomed,
in order that they might acquire the true faith, which is the chief
object [of God's commandments]. You ask, What could have
prevented God from commanding us directly, that which is the
chief object, and from giving us the capacity of obeying it ? This
would lead to a second question, What prevented God from
leading the Israelites through the way of the land of the Philistines,
and endowing them with strength for fighting ? The leading about
by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night would then
not have been necessary. A third question would then be asked in
reference to the good promised as reward for the keeping of the
commandments, and the evil foretold as a punishment for sins. It is
the following question: As it is the chief object and purpose of God
that we should believe in the Law, and act according to that which
is written therein, why has He not given us the capacity of
continually believing in it, and following its guidance, instead of
holding out to us reward for obedience, and punishment for
disobedience, or of actually giving all the predicted reward and
punishment ? For [the promises and the threats] are but the means
of leading to this chief object. What prevented Him from giving
us, as part of our nature, the will to do that which He desires us to
do, and to abandon the kind of worship which He rejects ? There is
one general answer to these three questions, and to all questions of
the same character: it is this : Although in every one of the signs
[related in Scripture] the natural property of some individual being
is changed, the nature of man is never changed by God by way of
miracle. It is in accordance with this important principle that God
said," 0 that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear
me," etc. (Dent. v. 26). It is also for this reason that He distinctly
stated the commandments and the prohibitions, the reward and the
punishment. This principle as regards miracles has been frequently
explained by us in our works: I do not say this because I believe
that it is difficult for God to change the nature of every individual
person; on the contrary, it is possible, and it is in His power,
according to the principles taught in Scripture; but it has never
been His will to do it, and it never will be. If it were part of His
will to change [at His desire] the nature of any person, the mission
of prophets and the giving of the Law would have been altogether
superfluous.
I now return to my theme. As the sacrificial service is not the
primary object [of the commandments about sacrifice], whilst
supplications, Prayerss and similar kinds of worship are nearer to
the primary object, and indispensable for obtaining it, a great
difference was made in the Law between these two kinds of
service. The one kind, which consists in offering sacrifices,
although the sacrifices are offered to the name of God, has not
been made obligatory for us to the same extent as it had been
before. We were not commanded to sacrifice in every place, and in
every time, or to build a temple in every place, or to permit any
one who desires to become priest and to sacrifice. On the contrary,
all this is prohibited unto us. Only one temple has been appointed,"
in the place which the Lord shall choose" (Deut. xii. 26): in no
other place is it allowed to sacrifice: comp." Take heed to thyself,
that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou
seest" (ibid. v. 13); and only the members of a particular family
were allowed to officiate as priests. All these restrictions served to
limit this kind of worship, and keep it within those bounds within
which God did not think it necessary to abolish sacrificial service
altogether. But prayer and supplication can be offered everywhere
and by every person. The same is the case with the commandment
of zizit (Num. xy. 38); mezuzah (Dent. vi. 9; xi. 20); tefillin (Exod.
xiii. 9, 16): and similar kinds of divine service.
Because of this principle which I explained to you, the Prophets in
their books are frequently found to rebuke their fellow-men for
being over-zealous and exerting themselves too much in bringing
sacrifices: the prophets thus distinctly declared that the object of
the sacrifices is not very essential, and that God does not require
them. Samuel therefore said," Hath the Lord as great delight in
burnt-offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord"
(I Sam. xv. 22) ? Isaiah exclaimed," To what purpose is the
multitude of your sacrifices unto me ? saith the Lord" (Isa. i. 11):
Jeremiah declared:" For I spake not unto your fathers, nor
commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of
Egypt, concerning burnt-offering or sacrifices. But this thing
commanded I them, saying, Obey my, voice, and
I will be your God, and ye shall be my people" (Jer. vii. 22, 23).
This passage has been found difficult in the opinion of all those
whose words .1 read or heard; they ask, How can Jeremiah say that
God did not command us about burnt-offering and sacrifice, seeing
so many precepts refer to sacrifice ? The sense of the passage
agrees with what I explained to you. Jeremiah says [in the name of
God) the primary object of the precepts is this, Know me, and
serve no other being;" I will be your God, and ye shall be my
people" (Lev. xxvi. 12). But the commandment that sacrifices
shall be brought and that the temple shall be visited has for its
object the success of that principle among you; and for its sake I
have transferred these modes of worship to my name; idolatry
shall thereby be utterly destroyed, and Jewish faith firmly
established. You, however, have ignored this object, and taken
hold of that which is only the means of obtaining it; you have
doubted my existence," ye have denied the Lord, and said he is
not" (Jer. v. 12): ye served idols;" burnt incense unto Baal, and
walked after other gods whom ye know not. And come and stand
before me in this house" (ibid. vii. 9-10); i.e., you do not go
beyond attending the temple of the Lord, and offering sacrifices:
but this is not the chief object.-- I have another way of explaining
this passage with exactly the same result. For it is distinctly stated
in Scripture, and handed down by tradition, that the first
commandments communicated to us did not include any law at an
about burnt-offering and sacrifice. You must not see any difficulty
in the Passover which was commanded in Egypt; there was a
particular and evident reason for that, as will be explained by me
(chap. xlvi.). Besides it was revealed in the land of Egypt; whilst
the laws to which Jeremiah alludes in the above passage are those
which were revealed after the departure from Egypt. For this
reason it is distinctly added," in the day that I brought them out
from the land of Egypt." The first commandment after the
departure from Egypt was given at Marah, in the following words,"
If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God,
and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His
commandments" (Exod. xv. 26)." There he made for them a
statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them" (ibid. ver.
25). According to the true traditional explanation, Sabbath and
civil laws were revealed at Marah:" statute" alludes to Sabbath,
and" ordinance" to civil laws, which are the means of removing
injustice. The chief object of the Law, as has been shown by us, is
the teaching of truths; to which the truth of the creatio ex nihilo
belongs. It is known that the object of the law of Sabbath is to
confirm and to establish this principle, as we have shown in this
treatise (Part. II. chap. xxxi.). In addition to the teaching of truths
the Law aims at the removal of injustice from mankind. We have
thus proved that the first laws do not refer to burnt-offering and
sacrifice, which are of secondary importance. The same idea
which is contained in the above passage from Jeremiah is also
expressed in the Psalms, where the people are rebuked that they
ignore the chief object, and make no distinction between chief and
subsidiary lessons. The Psalmist says:" Hear, 0 my people, and I
will speak; 0 Israel, and I will testify against thee : I am God, even
thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy
burnt-offerings, they have been continually before me. I will take
no bullock out of thy house, nor he-goats out of thy folds" (Ps. 1.
29).-- Wherever this subject is mentioned, this is its meaning.
Consider it well, and reflect on it.
CHAPTER XXXIII
IT is also the object of the perfect Law to make man reject,
despise, and reduce his desires as much as is in his power. He
should only give way to them when absolutely necessary. It is well
known that it is intemperance in eating, drinking, and sexual
intercourse that people mostly rave and indulge in; and these very
things counteract the ulterior perfection of man, impede at the
same time the development of his first perfection, and generally
disturb the social order of the country and the economy of the
family. For by following entirely the guidance of lust, in the
manner of fools, man loses his intellectual energy, injures his
body, and perishes before his natural time; sighs and cares
multiply; there is an increase of envy, hatred, and warfare for the
purpose of taking what another possesses. The cause of all this is
the circumstance that the ignorant considers physical enjoyment as
an object to be sought for its own sake. God in His wisdom has
therefore given us such commandments as would counteract that
object, and prevent us altogether from directing our attention to it,
and has debarred us from everything that leads only to excessive
desire and lust. This is an important thing included in the objects
of our Law. See how the Law commanded to slay a person from
whose conduct it is evident that he will go too far in seeking the
enjoyment of eating and drinking. I mean" the rebellious and
stubborn son" ; he is described as" a glutton and a drunkard"
(Deut. xxi. 20). The Law commands to stone him and to remove
him from society lest he grow up in this character, and kill many,
and injure the condition of good men by his great lust.
Politeness is another virtue promoted by the Law. Man shall listen
to the words of his neighbour; he shall not be obstinate, but shall
yield to the wish of his fellow-men, respond to their appeal, act
according to their desire, and do what they like. Thus the Law
commands," Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and
be no more stiff-necked" (peut. x. 16):" Take heed and hearken"
(ibid. xxvii. g)." If you be willing and obedient" (Isa. i. 19). Those
who listen [to the words of others] and accept as much as is right
are represented as saying," We will hear and do" (Deut. V. 24), or
in a figurative style," Draw me, we will run after thee" (Song i. 4).
The Law is also intended to give its followers purity and holiness;
by teaching them to suppress sensuality, to guard against it and to
reduce it to a minimum, as will be explained by us. For when God
commanded [Moses] to sanctify the people for the receiving of the
Law, and said," Sanctify them to-day and to-morrow" (Exod. xix.
10), Moses [in obedience to this command] said to the people,"
Come not at your wives" (ibid. ver. 15). Here it is clearly stated
that sanctification consists in absence of sensuality. But abstinence
from drinking wine is also called holiness: in reference to the
Nazarite it is therefore said," He shall be holy" (Num. vi. 5).
According to Siphra the words," sanctify yourselves and be ye
holy" (Lev. xx. 7), refer to the sanctification effected by
performing the divine commands. As the obedience to such
precepts as have been mentioned above is called by the Law
sanctification and purification, so is defilement applied to the
transgression of these precepts and the performance of disgraceful
acts, as will be shown. Cleanliness in dress and body by washing
and removing sweat and dirt is included among the various objects
of the Law, but only if connected with purity of action, and with a
heart free from low principles and bad habits. It would be
extremely bad for man to content himself with a purity obtained by
washing and cleanliness in dress, and to be at the same time
voluptuous and unrestrained in food and lust. These are described
by Isaiah as follows:" They that sanctify themselves and purify
themselves in the gardens, but continue their sinful life, when they,
are in the innermost [of their houses], eating swine's flesh, and the
abomination, and the mouse" (Isa. 1xvi. 17) : that is to say, they
purify and sanctify themselves outwardly as much as is exposed to
the sight of the people, and when they are alone in their chambers
and the inner parts of their houses, they continue their
rebelliousness and disobedience, and indulge in partaking of
forbidden food, such as (the flesh of] swine, worms, and mice. The
prophet alludes perhaps in the phrase" behind one tree in the
midst" to indulgence in forbidden lust. The sense of the passage is
therefore this: They appear outwardly clean, but their heart is bent
upon their desires and bodily enjoyments, and this is contrary to
the spirit of the Law. For the chief object of the Law is to [teach
man to] diminish his desires, and to cleanse his outer appearance
after he has purified his heart. Those who wash their body and
cleanse their garments whilst they remain dirty by bad actions and
principles, are described by Solomon as" a generation that are
pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their
filthiness; a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes!" etc. (Prov.
xxx. 12-13). Consider well the principles which we mentioned in
this chapter as the final causes of the Law: for there are many
precepts, for which you will be unable to give a reason unless you
possess a knowledge of these principles, as will be explained
further on.
CHAPTER XXXIV
IT is also important to note that the Law does not take into account
exceptional circumstances; it is not based on conditions which
rarely occur. Whatever the Law teaches, whether it be of an
intellectual, a moral, or a practical character, is founded on that
which is the rule and not on that which is the exception: it ignores
the injury that might be caused to a single person through a certain
maxim or a certain divine precept. For the Law is a divine
institution, and [in order to understand its operation] we must
consider how in Nature the various forces produce benefits which
are general, but in some solitary cases they cause also injury. This
is clear from what has been said by ourselves as well as by others.
We must consequently not be surprised when we find that the
object of the Law does not fully appear in every individual; there
must naturally be people who are not perfected by the instruction
of the Law, just as there are beings which do not receive from the
specific forms in Nature all that they require. For all this comes
from one God, is the result of one act;" they are all given from one
shepherd" (Eccles. xii. 11). It is impossible to be otherwise; and
we have already explained (chap. xv.) that that which is impossible
always remains impossible and never changes. From this
consideration it also follows that the laws cannot like medicine
vary according to the different conditions of persons and times;
whilst the cure of a person depends on his particular constitution at
the particular time, the divine guidance contained in the Law must
be certain and general, although it may be effective in some cases
and ineffective in others. If the Law depended on the varying
conditions of man, it would be imperfect in its totality, each
precept being left indefinite. For this reason it would not be right
to make the fundamental principles of the Law dependent on a
certain time or a certain place; on the contrary, the statutes and the
judgments must be definite, unconditional and general, in
accordance with the divine words:" As for the congregation, one
ordinance shall be for you and for the stranger" (Num. xv. 15):
they are intended, as has been stated before, for all persons and for
all times.
After having Premised these introductory remarks I will now
proceed to the exposition of that which I intended to explain
CHAPTER XXXV
IN accordance with this intention I find it convenient to divide all
precepts into fourteen classes.
The first class comprises those precepts which form fundamental
principles, such as we have enumerated in Hilkot yesode ha-torah.
Repentance and fasts belong also to this class, as will be shown.
The second class comprises the precepts which are connected with
the prohibition of idolatry, and which have been described by us in
Hilkot a'bodah-zarah. The laws concerning garments of linen and
wool, concerning the fruit of trees in the first three years after they
have been planted, and concerning divers seeds in a vineyard, are
likewise contained in this class. The object of these precepts is to
establish certain true principles and to perpetuate them among the
people.
The third class is formed by commandments which are connected
with the improvement of the moral condition [of mankind]; these
are mentioned in Hilket de'ot. It is known that by a good moral
state those social relations, which are indispensable for the
well-being of mankind, are brought to perfection.
The fourth class includes precepts relating to charity, loans, gifts,
and the like, e.g., the rules respecting" valuations," (scil., of things
devoted to sacred purposes, Lev. xxvii. 1-27);" things devoted"
(ibid. ver. 28); laws concerning loans and servants, and all the laws
enumerated in the section Zera'im, except the rules of" mixtures"
and" the fruit of trees in the first three years." The object of these
precepts is dear; their benefit concerns an people by turns; for he
who is rich to-day may one day be poor -- either he himself or his
descendants; and he who is now poor, he himself or his son may be
rich to-morrow.
The fifth class contains those precepts which relate to the
prevention of wrong and violence; they are included in our book in
the section Nezikin. Their beneficial character is evident.
The sixth class is formed of precepts respecting fines, e.g., the
laws on theft and robbery, on false witnesses, and most of the laws
contained in the section Sholetim belong to this class. Their
benefit is apparent; for if sinners and robbers were not punished,
injury would not be prevented at all: and persons scheming evil
would not become rarer. They are wrong who suppose that it
would be an act of mercy to abandon the laws of compensation for
injuries: on the contrary, it would be perfect cruelty and injury to
the social state of the country. It is an act of mercy that God
commanded" judges and officers thou shalt appoint to thee in all
thy gates" (Dent. xvi. 118).
The seventh class comprises those laws which regulate the
business transactions of men with each other; e.g., laws about
loans, hire, trust, buying, selling, and the like; the rules about
inheritance belong to this class. We have described these precepts
in the sections Kinyan and Mishpatim. The object of these
precepts is evident, for monetary transactions are necessary for the
peoples of all countries, and it is impossible to have these
transactions without a proper standard of equity and without useful
regulations.
The eighth class includes those precepts which relate to certain
days, as Sabbaths and holydays: they are enumerated in the section
Zentannim. The Law states dearly the reason and object of each of
these precepts: they are to serve as a means for establishing a
certain principle among us, or securing bodily recreation, or
effecting both things at the same time, as will be shown by me.
The ninth class comprises the general laws concerning religious
rites and ceremonies, e.g., laws concerning prayers, the reading of
Shema', and the other rules given in the section Jhabah, with the
exception of the law concerning circumcision. The object of these
laws is apparent; they all prescribe actions which firmly establish
the love of God in our minds, as also the right belief concerning
Him and His attributes.
The tenth class is formed of precepts which relate to the
Sanctuary, its vessels, and its ministers: they are contained in the
section 'Abodah. The object of these precepts has already been
mentioned by us (supra, chap. xxxii.).
The eleventh class includes those precepts which relate to
Sacrifices. Most of these laws we have mentioned in the sections
'Abodah and Korbanot. We have already shown the general use of
the sacrificial laws, and their necessity in ancient time.
The twelfth class comprises the laws concerning things unclean
and dean. The general object of these laws is, as will be explained
by me, to discourage people from [frequently] entering the
Sanctuary; in order that their minds be impressed with the
greatness of the Sanctuary, and approach it with respect and
reverence.
The thirteenth class includes the precepts concerning forbidden
food and the like; we have given them in Hilkot maakalot asurot;
the laws about vows and temperance belong also to this class. The
object of all these laws is to restrain the growth of desire, the
indulgence in seeking that which is pleasant, and the disposition to
consider the appetite for eating and drinking as the end [of man's
existence]. We have explained this in our Commentary on the
Mishnah, in the Introduction (chap. iv.) to The Sayings of the
Fathers.
The fourteenth class comprises the precepts concerning forbidden
sexual intercourse; they are given in the section Nashim and Hilkot
issure-biah. The laws concerning the intermixture of cattle belong
to this class. The object of these precepts is likewise to diminish
sexual intercourse, to restrain as much as possible indulgence in
lust, and [to teach.] that this enjoyment is not, as foolish people
think, the final cause of man's existence. We have explained this in
our Commentary on The Sayings of the Fathers (Introd., chap.
viii.). The laws about circumcision belong to this class.
As is well known, the precepts are also divided into two classes,
viz., precepts concerning the relation between man and God, and
precepts concerning the relation between man and man. Of the
classes into which we divide the precepts and which we have
enumerated, the fifth, sixth, and seventh, and part of the third,
include laws concerning the relation of man to man. The other
classes contain the laws about the relation of man to God, i.e.,
positive or negative precepts, which tend to improve the moral or
intellectual condition of mankind, or to regulate such of each
man's actions which [directly] only concern him and lead him to
perfection. For these are called laws concerning man's relation to
God, although in reality they lead to results which concern also his
fellow-men; because these results become only apparent after a
long series of intermediate links, and from a general point of view;
whilst directly these laws are not intended to prevent man from
injuring his fellow-man. Note this.
Having described the laws of these classes, 1 will now again
consider the precepts of each class, and explain the reason and use
of those which are believed to be useless or unreasonable, with the
exception of a few, the object of which I have not yet
comprehended.
CHAPTER XXXVI
THE reason of all precepts of the first class, viz., of the principles
enumerated by us in the Hilkot yesode ha-torah, is obvious.
Consider them one by one, and you will find that the lesson which
every one of them contains is correct and demonstrable. It is also
evident that the precepts which exhort and command us to learn
and to teach are useful; for without wisdom there cannot be any
good act or any true knowledge. The law which prescribes to
honour the teachers of the Law is likewise useful; for if they were
not considered by the people as great and honourable men, they
would not be followed as guides in their principles and actions.
The Law demands also that we be humble and modest [in their
presence]." Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head" (Lev. xix.
32). This class includes also the commandment to swear by the
name of God and the prohibition of swearing falsely or in vain.
The reason for all these precepts is evident; they aim at the
glorification of God: they prescribe acts which lead to the belief in
God's greatness. Likewise the commandment to cry to God in time
of trouble," to blow an alarm with the trumpets" (Num. x. 9),
belongs to this class. We are told to offer up prayers to God, in
order to establish firmly the true principle that God takes notice of
our ways, that He can make them successful if we worship Him, or
disastrous if we disobey Him, that [success and failure] are not the
result of chance or accident. In this sense we must understand the
passage," If ye walk with me by chance" (bekeri, Lev. xxvi. 21):
i.e., if I bring troubles upon you for punishment, and you consider
them as mere accidents, I will again send you some of these
accidents as you call them, but of a more serious and troublesome
character. This is expressed in the words:" If ye walk with me by
chance : then I will walk with you also in the fury of chance" (ibid.
vers. 27, 28). For the belief of the people that their troubles are
mere accidents causes them to continue in their evil principles and
their wrong actions, and prevents them from abandoning their evil
ways. Comp." Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved"
(ler. v. 3). For this reason God commanded us to pray to Him, to
entreat Him, and to cry before Him in time of trouble. It is clear
that repentance is likewise included in this class: that is to say, it is
one of those principles which are an indispensable element in the
creed of the followers of the Law. For it is impossible for man to
be entirely free from error and sin; he either does not know the
opinion which he has to choose, or he adopts a principle, not for its
own merits, but in order to gratify his desire or passion. If we were
convinced that we could never make our crooked ways straight, we
should for ever continue in our errors, and perhaps add other sins
to them since we did not see that any remedy was left to us. But
the belief in the effect of repentance causes us to improve, to
return to the best of the ways, and to become more perfect than we
were before we sinned. For this reason many things are prescribed
for the promotion of this very useful principle: e.g., confessions
and sacrifices for sins committed unknowingly, and in some cases
even for sins committed intentionally, and fasts, and that which is
common to all cases of repentance from sin, the resolve to
discontinue sinning. For that is the aim of this principle. Of all
these precepts the use is obvious.
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE precepts of the second class are those which we have
enumerated in the section" On idolatry." It is doubtless that they
all tend to save man from the error of idolatry and the evil
practices connected with it: e.g., observing the times, enchantment,
witchcraft, incantation, consulting with familiar spirits, and the
like. When you read the books which I mentioned to you. you will
find that witchcraft, which will be described to you, is part of the
customs of the Sabeans, Kasdim, Chaldeans, and to a higher
degree of the Egyptians and Canaanites. They caused others to
believe, or they themselves believed, that by means of these arts
they would perform wonderful things in reference to an individual
person, or to the inhabitants of a whole country, although no
analogy and no reasoning can discover any relation between these
performances of the witches and the promised result. Thus they are
careful to collect certain plants at a particular time, and to take a
definite number of certain objects. There are many things
comprised by witchcraft; they may be divided into three classes :
first, witchcraft connected with objects in Nature, viz., plants,
animals, or minerals. Secondly, witchcraft dependent for its
performance on a certain time; and thirdly, witchcraft dependent
on the performance of certain acts of man, such as dancing,
clapping, laughing, jumping with one leg, lying on the ground with
the face upward, burning a thing, fumigating with a certain
material, or speaking intelligible or unintelligible words. These are
the various kinds of witchcraft. In some cases all these various
performances are required. Thus the witches sometimes order: take
a leaf of a certain plant, when the moon is seen in a certain degree
[of the Zodiac] in the east point or in one of the other cardinal
points [of the horizon], also a certain quantity of the horn, the
sweat, the hair and the blood of a certain animal when the sun is,
e.g., in the middle of the sky, or in some other definite place; and a
portion of a certain mineral or minerals, melted at a certain
conjunction of sun and moon, and at a definite position of the
stars; speak then, and say certain words, and fumigate with those
leaves or similar ones to that molten image, and such and such a
thing will happen. In other instances of witchcraft it is assumed
that one of the above performances suffices. In most cases the
condition is added that women must perform these actions. Thus it
is stated in reference to the means of obtaining rain, that ten
virgins dressed with diadems and red garments should dance, push
each other, moving backwards and forwards, and make signs to the
sun: the result of this long process was believed [by the idolaters]
to be a downpour of rain.
It is further stated that if four women lay on their back, with their
feet spread and lifted up, said certain words and did certain things
whilst in this disgraceful position, hail would discontinue coming
down in that place. The number of these stupid and mad things is
great; in all of them without exception women are required to be
the agent. Witchcraft is intimately connected with astrology; those
that practise it assign each plant, animal, or mineral to a certain
star, and believe that the above processes of witchcraft are
different forms of worship offered to that star, which is pleased
with that act, word, or offering of incense, and fulfils their wishes.
After this remark, which you will understand when you have read
such of their works as are at present extant, and have been
mentioned by me, hear what I will tell you. It is the object and
centre of the whole Law to abolish idolatry and utterly uproot it,
and to overthrow the opinion that any of the stars could interfere
for good or evil in human matters, because it leads to the worship
of stars. It was therefore necessary to slay all witches as being
undoubtedly idolaters, because every witch is an idolater: they only
have their own strange ways of worship, which are different from
the common mode of worship offered to those deities. But in all
performances of witchcraft it is laid down as a rule that women
should be employed in the chief operation; and therefore the Law
says," Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exod. xxii. 17).
Another reason is the natural reluctance of people to slay women.
This is also the cause why in the law of idolatry it is said" man or
woman" (Deut. XVii. 2), and again repeated a second time," the
man or the woman" (ibid. ver. 5)-- a phrase which does not occur
in the law about the breaking of Sabbath, or in any other law; for
great sympathy is naturally shown to women. Now the witches
believed that they produced a certain result by their witchcraft;
that they were able through the above-mentioned actions to drive
such dangerous animals as lions, serpents, and the like out of the
cities, and to remove various kinds of damage from the products of
the earth. Thus they imagine that they are able by certain acts to
prevent hail from coming down, and by certain other acts to kill
the worms in the vineyards, whereby the latter are protected from
injury: in fact, the killing of the worms in vineyards, and other
superstitions mentioned in the Nabatean Agriculture, are fully
described by the Sabeans. They likewise imagine that they know
certain acts by which they can prevent the dropping of leaves from
the trees and the untimely falling of their fruit. On account of these
ideas, which were general in those days, the Law declares in" the
words of the covenant" as follows: The same idolatry and
superstitious performances which, in your belief, keep certain
misfortunes far from you, will cause those very misfortunes to
befall you." I will also send wild beasts among you" (Lev. xxvi.
22)," 1 will also send the teeth of wild beasts upon them, with the
poison of those that creep in dust" (Deut. xxxii. 24)." The fruit of
thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation, which thou knowest
not, eat up" (ibid. xxviii. 33)." Thou shalt plant vineyards and
dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine nor gather the
grapes, etc. Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts,
but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil 11 (Dent. xxviii. 39,
40). In short, in spite of the schemes of idolaters to support and
firmly establish their doctrine, and to make people believe that by
idolatry certain misfortunes could be averted and certain benefits
gained, worship of idols will, on the contrary, as is stated in" the
words of the covenant," prevent the advantages and bring the
troubles. The reader will now understand why, of all kinds of
curses and blessings, those mentioned in" the words of the
covenant" have been selected by the Law, and particularly pointed
out. Note also the greatness of the benefit [of these laws).
In order that we may keep far from all kinds of witchcraft, we are
warned not to adopt any of the practices of the idolaters, even such
as are connected with agriculture, the keeping of cattle, and
similar work. [The Law prohibits] everything that the idolaters,
according to their doctrine, and contrary to reason, consider as
being useful and acting in the manner of certain mysterious forces.
Comp." Neither shall ye walk in their ordinances" (Lev. xviii. 3)."
And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation which I cast out
before you" (ibid. xx. 23). Our Sages call such acts" the ways of
the Amorite" : they are kinds of witchcraft, because they are not
arrived at by reason, but are similar to the performances of
witchcraft, which is necessarily connected with the influences of
the stars; thus [" the manners of the nations" ] lead people to extol,
worship, and praise the stare. Our Sages say distinctly," whatever
is used as medicine" does not come under the law of" the ways of
the Amorite" : tor they hold that only such cures as are
recommended by reason are permitted, and other cures are
prohibited. When, therefore, the dictum was quoted: a tree that
casts off its fruit may be laden with stone or dyed with red colour,
the following objection was raised: The loading of the tree with
stones may be justified on the plea that it serves to weaken the
strength of the tree, but why should it be permitted to dye the tree
with red colour ? This question shows that the dyeing of the tree
with red colour, and all similar things which are not explained by
analogy from nature, are prohibited as" ways of the Amorite!' For
the same reason our Sages said," The uterus of animals which
have been selected for the Sanctuary must be buried; it must not be
suspended from a tree, and not buried in the cross-road, because
this is one of ' the ways of the Amorite." Hence you may learn how
to treat similar cases. It is not inconsistent that a nail of the
gallows and the tooth of a fox have been permitted to be used as
cures: for these things have been considered in those days as facts
established by experiment. They served as cures, in the same
manner as the hanging of the peony over a person subject to
epileptic fits, or the application of a dog's refuse to the swellings of
the throat, and of the vapours of vinegar and marcasite to the
swelling of hard tumours. For the Law permits as medicine
everything that has been verified by experiment, although it cannot
be explained by analogy. The above-named cures are permitted in
the same way as the application of purgatives. Learn, reader, these
noteworthy lessons from this my work, and keep them;" for they
are a diadem of grace for thy head" (prov. iv.).
We have explained in our large work that it is prohibited to round
the corners of the head, and to mar the corners of the beard,
because it was the custom of idolatrous priests. For the same
reason, the wearing of garments made of linen and wool is
prohibited: the heathen priests adorned themselves with garments
containing vegetable and animal material, whilst they held in their
hand a seal made of a mineral. This you find written in their
books. The same is also the reason of the precept," The woman
shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man" (Dent. xxii. 5).
You find it in the book Torntom, that a male person should wear
coloured woman's dress when he stands before Venus, and a
female, when standing before Mars, should wear a buckler and
other armour. I think that this precept has also another reason;
namely, that the interchange of dress creates lust and leads to
immorality.
It is easily understood why it is prohibited to derive any benefit
whatever from an idol. For sometimes a person buys it with the
intention to break it, but keeps it, and it becomes a snare to him.
Even if he broke it, recast it, and sold it to a heathen, he must not
use the money which he received in exchange for the idol: because
people frequently mistake accidental circumstances for essential
causes: thus most people say of a certain person that he has
become rich and wealthy after having dwelt in a certain house, or
bought a certain animal or vessel; and that these things were a
blessing to him. In the same way a person may be successful and
make a good profit on the business in which he employed the
money received for the idol; he might then think that the idol was
the cause of his success, and that the blessing of the money
received for it brought him the profit; he would then believe in the
idol: a belief which is just the reverse of the chief object of the
Law, as is clearly seen in every word of it. For this same reason,
we are forbidden to turn to our use the covering of the idol, its
offerings and vessels. We are thus guarded against the idea [of
ascribing our success to idols]. In those days the belief in the stars
was very strong; it was generally assumed that life and death, good
and evil, depended on the stars. The Law employed therefore
strong means, as covenant, witnesses, great oaths, and the
abovementioned [blessings and] curses, in order to overthrow that
belief. We are thus commanded to abstain from taking any portion
of the idol, and deriving any benefit from it: and God tells us that
if money received for idols be mixed with any person's property, it
will bring loss and ruin to that property. This warning is contained
in the words :" Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine
house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it" (Deut. vii. 26). How
much more wrong must it he to believe that there is a blessing in
idols. When you examine all the precepts that relate to idolatry,
you will find that their reason is obvious, and that they serve to
make us abandon this evil belief, and keep at the greatest possible
distance from it.
We must also point out that originators of false, baseless, and
useless principles scheme and plan for the firm establishment of
their faith; and tell their fellow-men that a certain plague will
befall those who will not perform the act by which that faith is
supported and confirmed for ever; this plague may one day
accidentally befall a person, who will then direct his attention to
the performance of that act, and adopt idolatry. It being well
known that people are naturally most in fear and dread of the loss
of their property and their children, the worshippers of fire spread
the tale, that if any one did not pass his son and daughter through
the fire, he will lose his children by death. There is no doubt that
on account of this absurd menace every one at once obeyed, out of
pity and sympathy for the child; especially as it was a trifling and a
light thing that was demanded, in passing the child over the fire.
We must further take into account that the care of young children
is intrusted to women, who are generally weak-minded, and ready
to believe everything, as is well known. The Law makes, therefore,
an earnest stand against this practice, and uses in reference to it
stronger terms than in any other kind of idolatry; namely," he
defileth my sanctuary, and profaneth my holy name" (Ley. M 3).
The true prophet then declares in the name of God that the very act
which is performed for the purpose of keeping the child alive, will
bring death upon him who performs it, and destruction upon his
seed. Comp." And 1 will set my face against that man and against
his family," etc. (ibid. xx. 5). Know that traces of this practice
have survived even to the present day, because it was widespread
in the world. You can see how midwives take a young child
wrapped in its swaddling-clothes, and after having placed incense
of a disagreeable smell on the fire, swing the child in the smoke
over that fire. This is certainly a kind of passing children through
the fire, and we must not do it. Reflect on the evil cunning of the
author of this doctrine; how people continued to adhere to this
doctrine, and how, in spite of the opposition of the Law during
thousands of years, its name is not blotted out, and its traces are
still in existence.
Idolaters have acted similarly in reference to property. They made
it a law that a certain tree, the asherab, should be worshipped ' and
that of its fruit one part should be offered, and the rest consumed
in the temple of the idol: this is stated in the regulations
concerning the asherah. In the same manner, they made it a rule,
that the first-fruit of every fruit-tree should be partly offered as a
sacrifice and partly consumed in the idol's temple. It was also a
widespread belief that if the first-fruit of any tree was not treated
in this manner, the tree would dry up, its fruit would be cast off, its
increase would be diminished, or some disease would come over
it; just as they spread the belief that every child, that was not
passed through the fire, must die. People in their anxiety for their
property obeyed also this precept unhesitatingly. The Law, in
opposition to this doctrine, commanded us to burn the produce of
fruit-trees the first three years: for some trees bear fruit after one
year, whilst some begin to yield fruit after two, and others after
three years. The law is based upon the nature of trees grown in an
ordinary way, namely, in one of the three well-known methods :
planting, propagation, and inoculation (neti'ab, habrakah, and
harcabah). The Law does not take notice of the case that a kernel
or stone is sown: for the ordinances of the Law are based on the
usual condition of things, and as a rule a young tree in Palestine
bears fruit for the first time not later than the third year after it has
been planted. According to the divine promise, the waste and
destruction of this first-fruit of the tree will be followed by years
of plenty of fruit: for it is said," that it may increase unto you the
fruit thereof" (Lev. xix. 25). The fruit of the fourth year we are
commanded to eat before God, instead of [the heathen custom of]
eating orlab," the fruit of the preceding years," in the temples of
the idols, as has been described by us.
It is further mentioned in the Nabatean Agriculture that the ancient
idolaters caused certain things named in that work to rot, waited
till the sun stood in a certain degree [of the ecliptic], and then they
performed many acts of witchcraft. They believed that that
substance should be kept ready by every one, and when a fruit-tree
is planted, a portion of that rotten substance should be scattered
round the tree or under it: the tree would then grow quicker and
produce more fruit than is generally the case. They say that this
process is very extraordinary; it acts like a talisman, and is more
efficient than any kind of witchcraft in accelerating the
productiveness of fruit-trees. 1 have already shown and explained
to you how the Law opposes all kinds of witchcraft. The Law,
therefore, prohibits us to use the fruit yielded by a tree in the first
three years after it has been planted, so that there should be no
opportunity for accelerating, according to their imagination, the
productiveness of any tree. After three years most fruit-trees in
Palestine yield fruit by the ordinary course of nature, without the
application of those magical performances which were very
general in those days. Note this remarkable fact.
Another belief which was very common in those days, and
survived the Sabeans, is this : When a tree is grafted into another
in the time of a certain conjunction of sun and moon, and is
fumigated with certain substances whilst a formula is uttered, that
tree will produce a thing that will be found exceedingly useful.
More general than anything mentioned by the heathen writers was
the ceremony of grafting an olive branch upon a citron tree, as
describeding the beginning of the Nabatean Agriculture. I am of
opinion that the book of medicines which Hezekiah put away (B:
T. Pes. 56a) was undoubtedly of this kind. They also said that
when one species is grafted upon another, the branch which is to
be grafted must be in the hand of a beautiful damsel, whilst a male
person has disgraceful and unnatural sexual intercourse with her:
during that intercourse the woman grafts the branch into the tree.
There is no doubt that this ceremony was general, and that nobody
refused to perform it, especially as the pleasure of love was added
to the (supposed) future results of the grafting. The Law, therefore,
prohibits us to mix different species together, i.e., to graft one tree
into another, because we, must keep away from the opinions of
idolaters and the abominations of their unnatural sexual
intercourse. In order to guard against the grafting of trees, we are
forbidden to sow any two kinds of seed together or near each
other. When you study the traditional explanation of this precept,
you will find that the prohibition of grafting, the principal element
in this commandment, holds good for all countries, and is
punishable by forty stripes: but the sowing of seeds one near the
other is only prohibited in Palestine. In the Nabatean Agriculture it
is further distinctly stated that it was the custom of the people in
those days to sow barley and stones of grapes together, in the
belief that the vineyard could only prosper in this way. Therefore
the Law prohibits us to use seed that has grown in a vineyard, and
commands us to bum both the barley and the produce of the
vineyard. For the practices of the heathen, which they considered
as of a magic and talismanic character, even if not containing any
idolatrous element, are prohibited, as we have stated above (p.
334) in reference to the dictum of our Sages," We must not hang
upon a tree the foetus of an animal belonging to the Sanctuary."
The Law prohibits all heathen customs, called by our Sages" the
ways of the Amorite," because they are connected with idolatry.
On considering the customs of the heathen in their worship, you
will find that in certain kinds of worship they turn toward stars, in
others to the two great luminaries: frequently they choose the rise
of signs in the Zodiac for sowing and fumigating; and as to the
circuits made by those who plant or sow, some complete five
circles, corresponding to the five planets, with the exclusion of the
two luminaries: others go seven times round, according to the
number of the planets, when including sun and moon. They
believe that all these practices are magic charms of great
efficiency in agriculture. Thus those practices lead to the worship
of stars: and therefore all practices of those nations have been
prohibited, in the words, Ye shall not walk in the manners of the
nation which I cast out before you (Lev. xx. 23). Those practices
which were more general and common, or were distinctly
connected with idolatry, are particularly pointed out as prohibited;
e.g., eating the fruit of a tree during the first three years,
intermixing of species and the mixed species sown in a vineyard. I
am surprised as the dictum of Rabbi Joshiyah, which has been
adopted as legally binding, in reference to the mixed seed in a
vineyard, viz., that the law is only transgressed when wheat,
barley, and the stone of a grape are sown simultaneously. He must
undoubtedly have seen the source of that kind of the ways of the
Amorite. It must now be dear to you, and no room can be left for
any doubt, that the prohibition of wearing garments of wool and
linen, of using the fruit of a tree in the first three years, and of
mixing divers species, are directed against idolatry, and that the
prohibition against adopting heathen manners serves to remove
anything which leads to idolatry, as has been shown by us.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE precepts of the third class are identical with those which we
have enumerated in Hilkot de'ot. Their use is evident; they are
rules concerning moral conduct by which the social relations of
men are regulated. This is sufficiently dear, and I need not dwell
long on it. Know that some precepts prescribe certain acts which
are considered as arbitrary decrees without any purpose, but are
nevertheless the means of acquiring some moral principle. We
shall explain every one of them in its proper place. But of all those
precepts which are mentioned in Hilkot dew, it is distinctly stated
that their object is to inculcate good moral principles. CHAPTER
XXXIX
THE precepts in the fourth class include the laws which in our
work are contained in the section Zera'im, excepting the laws on
the mixture of species: the rules about things to be" valued" and
things" devoted" (Hilkot 'erekin va-haramim), and those
concerning lender and borrower (Hilkot malveh ve-loveh) and
slaves (Hilkot 'abadim). When you examine these precepts you
will dearly see the use of every one of them: they teach us to have
sympathy with the poor and infirm, to assist the needy in various
ways: not to hurt the feelings of those who are in want, and not to
vex those who are in a helpless condition (viz., the widow, the
orphan, and the like]. The purpose of the laws concerning the
portions which are to be given to the poor is likewise obvious; the
reason of the laws concerning the heave-offerings and the tithe is
distinctly stated :" for he hath no portion and inheritance with
thee" (Deut. XiV. 29). You certainly know that the Levites had no
portion, because their whole tribe was to be exclusively engaged in
the service of God and the study of the Law. They shall not plow
or cut the corn, but shall only minister to God." They shall teach
Jacob thy judgments and Israel thy law: they shall put incense
before thee" (Deut. xxxiii. 10). In the Law we meet frequently
with the phrase," the Levite, the stranger, and the orphan and the
widow" : for the Levite is reckoned among the poor because he
had no property. The second tithe was commanded to be spent on
food in Jerusalem: in this way the owner was compelled to give
part of it away as charity. As he was not able to use it otherwise
than by way of eating and drinking, he must have easily been
induced to give it gradually away. This rule brought multitudes
together in one place, and strengthened the bond of love and
brotherhood among the children of men. The law concerning the
fruit of a tree in its fourth year has some relation to idolatrous
customs, as has been stated by us (chap. xxxvii.), and is connected
with the law concerning the fruit of a tree in its first three years.
But it has in addition the same object as the law concerning the
heave-offering (Deur. xviii. 4), the dough-offering (hallah) (Num.
xv. 20), the first-fruit (Exod. xxiii. 19), and the first of the shearing
(Deut. xviii. 4). For the first of everything is to be devoted to the
Lord; and by doing so man accustoms himself to be liberal, and to
limit his appetite for eating and his desire for property. The same
is the reason why the priest took the shoulder, the two cheeks, and
the maw (Deut. xviii. 3); the cheek being the first part of the body
of animals, the right shoulder the first of the extremities of the
body, and the maw the first of all inwards.
The reciting of a certain portion of the Law when the first-fruits
are brought to the temple, tends also to create humility. For he who
brings the first-fruits takes the basket upon his shoulders and
proclaims the kindness and goodness of God. This ceremony
teaches man that it is essential in the service of God to remember
the times of trouble and the history of past distress, in days of
comfort. The Law lays stress on this duty in several places: comp."
And thou shalt remember that thou hast been a slave," etc. (Deut.
v. 15). For it is to be feared that those who become great in riches
and comfort might, as is generally the case, fall into the vices of
insolence and haughtiness, and abandon all good principles.
Comp." Lest thou eat and be full, etc., and thine heart be lifted up
and thou forget the Lord" (ibid. Viii. 12-14):" And Jeshurun
waxed fat and kicked" (ibid. xxx. 15). On account of this fear the
Law commanded us to read each year a certain portion before the
Lord and His glory, when we offer the first-fruit. You know how
much the Law insists that we shall always remember the plagues
that have befallen the Egyptians; comp." That thou mayest
remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt
all the days of thy life" (ibid. xvi. 3):" That thou mayest tell in the
ears of thy son what things I have wrought in Egypt" (Exod. x. 2).
Such a law was necessary in order to perpetuate the memory of the
departure from Egypt; because such events verify prophecy and the
doctrine of reward and punishment. The benefit of every
commandment that serves to keep certain miracles in
remembrance, or to perpetuate true faith, is therefore obvious.
In reference to the law concerning the first-born of man and cattle
it Is distinctly said," And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would
hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the first-born in the land of
Egypt, etc., therefore I sacrifice to the Lord," etc. (Exod. xiii. 15).
But it can easily be explained why only cattle, sheep, and asses are
mentioned in this law; these are kept as domestic animals, and are
found in most places, especially in Palestine, where the Israelites
were shepherds, they, their fathers, and forefathers: comp." Thy
servants are shepherds, both we and also our fathers" (Gen. xlvii.
3). Horses and camels, however, are not wanted by shepherds, and
are not found in all places; thus in the booty of Midian (Num.
xxxi.) no other animals are mentioned but oxen, sheep, and asses.
But asses alone are indispensable to all people, especially to those
who are engaged in the field or in the forest. Thus Jacob says," I
have oxen and asses" (Gen. xxxii. 5). Camels and horses are not
possessed by many people, but only by a few, and are only found
in a few places. The law that the first-born of an ass was to have its
neck broken [in case it is not redeemed], will only ensure the
redemption of the ass. It has, therefore, been said that the act of
redeeming the ass is to be preferred to that of breaking its neck.
As to the precepts enumerated in the laws concerning the year of
release and the jubilee (Hilkot shemittah ve-yohel) some of them
imply sympathy with our fellow-men, and promote the well-being
of mankind; for in reference to these Precepts it is stated in the
Law," That the poor of thy people may eat" (Exod. xxiii. 11): and
besides, the land will also increase its produce and improve when
it remains fallow for some time. Other precepts of this class
prescribe kindness to servants and to the poor, by renouncing an
claims to debts [in the year of release] and relieving the slaves of
their bondage [in the seventh year]. There are some precepts in this
class that serve to secure for the people a permanent source of
maintenance and support by providing that the land should remain
the permanent property of its owners, and that it could not be
sold." And the land shall not be sold for ever" (Lev. XXV. 23). In
this way the property of a person remains intact for him and his
heirs, and he can only enjoy the produce thereof. I have thus
explained the reason of all precepts contained in our work in the
Section Zera'im, with the exception of the laws concerning the
intermixture of different species of beasts the reason of which will
be given (chap. xlix.).
In the same manner we find that all the precepts comprised in" the
laws on valuations," and on" things devoted" are based on the
principle of charity: some of them prescribe what should be given
to the priests: others tell us what must be devoted to the repairs of
the temple. The practice of all these things accustoms man to act
liberally and to spend money unhesitatingly to the glory of God.
For it is in the nature of man to strive to gain money and to
increase it: and his great desire to add to his wealth and honour is
the chief source of misery for man. Also the precepts contained in"
the laws concerning the relation between lender and borrower"
(Hilkot malveh veloveh) will be found, on being carefully
examined, to be nothing but commands to be lenient, merciful and
kind to the needy, not to deprive them of the use of anything
indispensable in the preparation of food." No man shall take the
nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life
to pledge" (Deut. xxiv. 6).
The precepts contained in" the laws concerning slaves" (Hilkot
'abadim), likewise prescribe only acts of pity, mercy and kindness
to the poor. It is an act of mercy to give liberty to a Canaanite
servant for the loss of one of his limbs (Exod. XXi. 26, 27), in
order that he should not suffer from slavery and illness at the same
time. The law applies even to the case that a tooth of a slave has
been knocked out, much more to the mutilation of other limbs. He
could only be corrected with a rod or reed or the like, as we have
stated in Mishneh-torah. Besides, if the master strikes the slave too
hard and kills him, he is punished with death as for ordinary
murder. Mercy is also the object of the law," Thou shalt not
deliver unto his master the servant that is escaped from his master"
(Deut. xxiii. 15): but it teaches besides a very useful lesson,
namely, that we must always practise this virtue, help and protect
those who seek our help, and not deliver them unto those from
whom they flee; and it is not sufficient to give assistance to those
who are in need of our help: we must look after their interests, be
kind to them, and not hurt their feeling by words. Thus the Law
says:" He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place
which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best:
thou shalt not vex him" (ibid. ver. 16). This we owe to the lowest
among men, to the slave; how much more must we do our duty to
the freeborn, when they seek our assistance ? But, on the other
hand, when sinners and evildoers seek our help, it must not be
granted; no mercy must be shown to them, and the course of
justice must not be interfered with, even if they claim the
protection of that which is noblest and highest: for" Thou shalt
take him from mine altar that he may die" (Exod. xxi. 14). Here a
person comes to seek the help of God, and claims the protection of
that which is devoted to his name; God, however, does not help
him, and commands that he be delivered up to the prosecutor, from
whom he fled. Much less need any one of us help or pity his
fellow-men [under such circumstances]: because mercy on sinners
is cruelty to all creatures. These are undoubtedly the right ways
designated" righteous statutes and judgments" (Deut. iv. 8), and
different from the ways of the fools, who consider a person
praiseworthy when he helps and protects his fellow-men, without
discriminating between the oppressor and the oppressed. This is
well known from their words and songs.
The reason and usefulness of every precept of this class has thus
been clearly demonstrated.
CHAPTER XL
THE precepts of the filth class, enumerated in the Section--" On
Damages" (Sepber nezikin), aim at the removal of wrong and the
prevention of injury. As we are strongly recommended to prevent
damage, we are responsible for every damage caused by our
property or through our work in so far as it is in our power to take
care and to guard it from becoming injurious. We are, therefore,
responsible for all damage caused by our cattle; we must guard
them. The same is the case with fire and pits; they are made by
man, and he can be careful that they do not cause damage. I win
point out the equity of the various laws in this respect. No
compensation is enforced for damage caused by the mouth or the
foot of an animal in a public thoroughfare; because this cannot be
guarded against, and the damage caused there is not very large.
Those who place their things in a public place are themselves
guilty of neglect, and expose their property to injury. But
compensation is given for damage caused to the property of a
person in his own field by the tooth or the foot of an animal. It is
different in the case of damage caused by the horn of animals or
the like. The animal can be guarded everywhere land prevented
from causing injury], whilst those who pass public thoroughfares
cannot sufficiently take care against accidents of this kind. In this
case the law is the same for all places: but there is a difference
whether the owner of the animal has been warned concerning it or
not (mu'ad or tam). If the animal has not been in the habit of
causing damage, the owner need only pay half the damage; but
damage caused by an animal which has been in the habit of doing
so, and has been known as savage, must be paid in full. The
compensation for a slave is uniformly estimated at half the value
fixed for a free man. For in the law concerning the valuation of
man you find the highest valuation at sixty shekels, whilst the
money to be paid for a slave is fixed at thirty shekels silver. The
killing of an animal that has killed a human being (Exod. xxi. 28,
29) is not a punishment to the animal, as the dissenters insinuate
against us, but it is a fine imposed on the owner of that animal. For
the same reason the use of its flesh is prohibited. The owner of an
animal will, therefore, take the greatest possible care in guarding
it: he will know that if any person is killed by the animal, whether
that person be grown up or young, free or in bondage, he forfeits at
least the animal; and in case he has already received a warning
concerning it, he will have to pay a ransom in addition to the loss
of the animal. This is also the reason why a beast is killed that has
been used by a human being for an immoral purpose (Ley. xx. 15,
16): its owner will be more careful as regards his beast, will guard
it, and never lose sight of it, just as he watches his household: for
people fear the loss of their property as much as that of their own
life: some even more, but most people hold both in the same
estimation. Comp." and to take us for bondmen, and our asses"
(Gen. xliii. 18).
This class includes also the duty of killing him who pursues
another person; that is to say, if a person is about to commit a
crime we may prevent it by killing him. Only in two cases is this
permitted: viz., when a person runs after another in order to
murder him, or in order to commit fornication: because in these
two cases the crime, once committed; cannot be remedied. In the
case of other sins, punished with death by the court of law, such as
idolatry and profanation of the Sabbath, by which the sinner does
no harm to another person, and which concern only his own
principles, no person may be killed for the mere intention, if he
has not carried it out.
It is known that desire is denounced because it leads to coveting,
and the latter is prohibited because it leads to robbery, as has been
said by our Sages.
The object of the law of restoring lost property to its owner (Deut.
xxii. 1-3) is obvious. In the first instance, it is in itself a good
feature in man's character. Secondly, its benefit is mutual: for if a
person does not return the lost property of his fellow-man, nobody
will restore to him what he may lose, just as those who do not
honour their parents cannot expect to be honoured by their
children.
A person who killed another person unknowingly must go into
exile (Exod. xii. 13: Num. xxxv. 11-28): because the anger of" the
avenger of the blood" (Num. xxxv. 19) cools down while the
cause of the mischief is out of sight. The chance of returning from
the exile depends on the death of [the high-priest], the most
honoured of men, and the friend of all Israel. By his death the
relative of the slain person becomes reconciled (ibid. ver. 25): for
it is a natural phenomenon that we find consolation in our
misfortune when the same misfortune or a greater one has befallen
another person. Amongst us no death causes more grief than that
of the high-priest.
The beneficial character of the law concerning" the breaking of
the neck of a heifer" (Dent. xii. 1-8) is evident. For it is the city
that is nearest to the slain person that brings the heifer, and in most
cases the murderer comes from that place. The elders of the place
call upon God as their witness, according to the interpretation of
our Sages, that they have always kept the roads in good condition,
have protected them, and have directed every one that asked his
way; that the person has not been killed because they were careless
in these general provisions, and they do not know who has slain
him. As a rule the investigation, the procession of the elders, the
measuring, and the taking of the heifer, make people talk about it,
and by making the event public, the murderer may be found out,
and he who knows of him, or has heard of him, or has discovered
him by any due, will now name the person that is the murderer,
and as soon as a man, or even a woman or handmaid, rises up and
names a certain person as having committed the murder, the heifer
is not killed. It is well known that it is considered great wickedness
and guilt on the part of a person who knows the murderer, and is
silent about him whilst the elders call upon God as witness that
they know nothing about the murderer. Even a woman will,
therefore, communicate whatever knowledge she has of him.
When the murderer is discovered, the benefit of the law is
apparent. If the court of justice cannot sentence him to death, the
king may find him guilty, who has the power to sentence to death
on circumstantial evidence; and if the ling does not put him to
death, the avenger of blood may scheme and plan his death, and at
last kill him. We have thus shown the use of the law concerning
the breaking of the neck of the heifer in discovering the murderer
Force is added to the law by the rule that the place in which the
neck of the heifer is broken should never be cultivated or sown.
The owner of the land will therefore use all means in his power to
search and to find the murderer, in order that the heifer be not
killed and his land be not made useless to him.
CHAPTER XLI
THE precepts of the sixth class comprise the different ways of
punishing the sinner. Their general usefulness is known and has
also been mentioned by us. I will here describe them one by one
and point out their nature in detail.
The punishment of him who sins against his neighbour consists in
the general rule that there shall be done unto him exactly as he has
done : if he injured any one personally, he must suffer personally;
if he damaged the property of his neighbour, he shall be punished
by loss of property. But the person whose property has been
damaged should be ready to resign his claim totally or partly. Only
to the murderer we must not be lenient because of the greatness of
his crime; and no ransom must be accepted of him." And the land
cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein but by the
blood of him that shed it" (Num. xxxi. 33). Hence even if the
murdered person continued to live after the attack for an hour or
for days, Was able to speak and possessed complete
consciousness, and if he himself said," Pardon my murderer, I
have pardoned and forgiven him," he must not be obeyed. We must
take life for life, and estimate equally the life of a child and that of
a grown-up person, of a slave and of a freeman, of a wise man and
of a fool. For there is no greater sin than this. And he who
mutilated a limb of his neighbour, must himself lose a limb." As
he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him
again" (Lev. xxiv. 20). You must not raise an objection from our
practice of imposing a fine in such cases. For we have proposed to
ourselves to give here the reason for the precepts mentioned in the
Law, and not for that which is stated in the Talmud. I have,
however, an explanation for the interpretation given in the
Talmud, but it will be communicated viva voce. Injuries that
cannot be reproduced exactly in another person, are compensated
for by payment;" only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and
shall cause him to be thoroughly healed" (Exod. xxi. 19). If any
one damaged the property of another, he must lose exactly as
much of his own property:" whom the judges shall condemn he
shall pay double unto his neighbour" (Exod. xxii. 8); namely, he
restores that which he has taken, and adds just as much [to it] of
his own property. It is right that the more frequent transgressions
and sins are, and the greater the probability of their being
committed, the more severe must their punishment be, in order to
deter people from committing them; but sins which are of rare
occurrence require a less severe punishment. For this reason one
who stole a sheep had to pay twice as much as for other goods, i.e.,
four times the value of the stolen object: but this is only the case
when he has disposed of it by sale or slaughter (Exod. xxi. 37). As
a rule, the sheep remained always in the fields, and could therefore
not be watched so carefully as things kept in town. The thief of a
sheep used therefore to sell it quickly before the theft became
known, or to slaughter it and thereby change its appearance. As
such theft happened frequently, the punishment was severe. The
compensation for a stolen ox is still greater by one-fourth, because
the theft is easily carried out. The sheep keep together when they
feed, and can be watched by the shepherd, so that theft when it is
committed can only take place by night. But oxen when feeding
are very widely scattered, as is also mentioned in the Nabatean
Agriculture, and a shepherd cannot watch them properly; theft of
oxen is therefore a more frequent occurrence.
The law concerning false witnesses (Deut. xix. 19) prescribes that
they shall suffer exactly the same loss which they intended to
inflict upon another. If they intended to bring a sentence of death
against a person, they are killed: if they aimed at the punishment of
stripes, they receive stripes: and if they desire to make a person
pay money, they are sentenced to pay exactly the same sum. The
object of all these laws is to make the punishment equal to the
crime: and it is also on this account that the judgments are"
righteous" (Dent. iv. 8). A robber with violence is not ordered to
pay anything as fine (Lev. V. 24): the additional fifth part (of the
value of the robbed goods) is only an atonement-offering for his
perjury. The reason of this rule is to be found in the rare
occurrence of robbery: theft is committed more frequently than
robbery, for theft can be committed everywhere; robbery is not
possible in towns, except with difficulty; besides, the thief takes
things exposed as well as things hidden away; robbery applies only
to things exposed: against robbery we can guard and defend
ourselves: we cannot do so against theft: again, the robber is
known, can be sought, and forced to return that which he has
robbed, whilst the thief is not known. On account of all these
circumstances the law fines the thief and not the robber.
Preliminary Remark.--Whether the punishment is great or small,
the pain inflicted intense or less intense, depends on the following
four conditions.
1. The greatness of the sin. Actions that cause great harm are
punished severely, whilst actions that cause little harm are
punished less severely.
2. The frequency of the crime. A crime that is frequently
committed must be put down by severe punishment; crimes of rare
occurrence may be suppressed by a lenient punishment considering
that they are rarely committed.
3. The amount of temptation. Only fear of a severe punishment
restrains us from actions for which there exists a great temptation,
either because we have a great desire for these actions, or are
accustomed to them, or feel unhappy without them.
4. The facility of doing the thing secretly, and unseen and
unnoticed. From such acts we are deterred only by the fear of a
great and terrible punishment.
After this preliminary remark, I say that the precepts of the Law
may be divided into the following four classes with respect to the
punishment for their transgression :-- (1) Precepts whose
transgression is followed by sentence of death pronounced by a
court of law. (?,) Precepts whose transgression is punished with
excision, such transgression being held to be a very great sin. (3)
In some cases the transgression is punished by stripes administered
with a strap (such transgression not being considered a grievous
sin, as it concerns only a simple prohibition); or by" death by
Heaven." (4) Precepts the transgression of which is not punished
[even] by stripes. Prohibitions of this kind are all those that
involve no act. But there are the following exceptions : [First],
Swearing falsely, because it is gross neglect of man's duty, who
ought to bear constantly in mind the greatness of God. [Secondly],
Changing an animal devoted to the sanctuary for another (Lev.
xxvii. 10), because this change leads to contemning sacrifices
devoted to the name of God. [Thirdly], Cursing a person by the
name of God (ibid. xix. 14); because many dread the effect of a
curse more than bodily harm. The transgression of other negative
commandments that involve no act causes little harm, and cannot
always be avoided, as it consists in mere words: moreover, man's
back would be inflicted with stripes an the year round if he were to
be punished with stripes for each transgression of this kind.
Besides, previous warning is impossible in this case. There is also
wisdom in the number of stripes: for although the number of their
maximum is given, there is no fixed number how many are to be
applied to each person; each man receives only as many stripes as
he can bear, but not more than forty (Dent. xxv. 3), even if he be
strong enough for a hundred.
The" death by the court of law" is not inflicted for the
transgression of any of the dietary laws: because in such a case no
great harm is done, and the temptation of man to transgress these
laws is not so great as the temptation to the enjoyment of sexual
intercourse. In some of the dietary laws the punishment is
excision. This is the case with the prohibition of eating blood (Lev.
xvii. 26). For in ancient days people were very eager and anxious
to eat blood as a kind of idolatrous ceremony, as is explained in
the book Tomtom, and therefore the prohibition of eating blood is
made very stringent. Excision is also the punishment for eating fat;
because people enjoy it, and because it was distinguished and
sanctified by its use in the offerings. The eating of leavened bread
on Passover (Exod. xii. 15), and breaking the fast on the Day of
Atonement (Lev. xxiii. 29), are likewise punished with excision :
[first] on account of the great discomfort which the obedience to
the law causes in these cases: [secondly] on account of the
principles of faith which the laws of Passover and of the Day of
Atonement inculcate: they confirm fundamental principles of the
Law, viz., the belief in the wonderful departure [of Israel] from
Egypt, and in the effect of repentance, according to the words," For
on this day will he forgive you" (Lev. xvi. 3 1). just as in the case
of eating fat, so is excision also announced as a punishment when
a person eats that which is left [of a sacrifice beyond its limited
time], or partakes of a sacrifice which has been made abominable;
or when an unclean person eats of holy things (ibid. vii. 16-21).
The object of this severity is to increase the estimation of the
offering in the eyes of the people, as has been shown.
Death by the court of law is decreed in important cases: when faith
is undermined, or a great crime is committed, viz., idolatry, incest,
murder, or actions that lead to these crimes. It is further decreed
for breaking the Sabbath (Exod. xxxi. 15): because the keeping of
Sabbath is a confirmation of our belief in the Creation; a false
prophet and a rebellious elder are put to death on account of the
mischief which they cause; he who strikes his father or his mother
is killed on account of his great audacity, and because he
undermines the constitution of the family, which is the foundation
of the state. A rebellious and disobedient son is put to death (Dent.
Md. 18 seg.) on account of what he might become, because he will
likely be a murderer; he who steals a human being is killed,
because he is also prepared to kill him whom he steals (Exod. xxi.
16). Likewise he who is found breaking into a house is prepared
for murder (ibid. xxii. 1), as our Sages stated. These three, the
rebellious and disobedient son, he who steals and sells a human
being, and he who breaks into a house, become murderers in the
course of time, as is well known. Capital punishment is only
decreed for these serious crimes, and in no other case. Not all
forbidden sexual intercourse is visited with the penalty of death,
but only in those cases in which the criminal act can easily be
done, is of frequent occurrence, is base and disgraceful, and of a
tempting character; otherwise excision is the punishment.
Likewise not all kinds of idolatry are capital crimes, but only the
principal acts of idolatry, such as praying to an idol, prophesying
in its name, passing a child through the fire, consulting with
familiar spirits, and acting as a wizard or witch.
As punishments and judgments are evidently indispensable, it was
necessary to appoint judges throughout the country in every town;
witnesses must be heard; and a king is required whom all fear and
respect, who is able to restrain the people by various means, and
who can strengthen and support the authority of the judges.
Although I have shown the reason of an the laws contained in" the
Section of judges" (Seler Sholetim), I find it necessary, in
accordance with the object of this treatise, to explain a few of
these laws, e.g., the laws concerning a rebellious elder.
God knew that the judgments of the Law will always require an
extension in some cases and curtailment in others, according to the
variety of places, events, and circumstances. He therefore
cautioned against such increase and diminution, and commanded,"
Thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it" (Dent. xiii. 1): for
constant changes would tend to disturb the whole system of the
Law, and would lead people to believe that the Law is not of
Divine origin. But permission is at the same time given to the wise
men, i.e., the great court (Synhedrion) of every generation to make
fences round the judgments of the Law for their protection, and to
introduce bye-laws (fences) in order to ensure the keeping of the
Law. Such fences once erected remain in force for ever. The
Mishnah therefore teaches:" And make a fence round the Law"
(Abot i. 1). In the same manner they have the power temporarily to
dispense with some religious act prescribed in the Law, or to allow
that which is forbidden, if exceptional circumstances and events
require it; but none of the laws can be abrogated permanently, as
has been explained by us in the Introduction to the Commentary on
the Mishnah in treating of temporary legislation. By this method
the Law will remain perpetually the same, and will yet admit at all
times and under an circumstances such temporary modifications as
are indispensable. If every scholar had the power to make such
modification,%, the multitude of disputes and differences of
opinion would have produced an injurious effect. Therefore it was
commanded that of the Sages only the great Synhedrion, and none
else, should have this power; and whoever would oppose their
decision should be killed. For if any critic were allowed to dispute
the decision of the Synhedrion, the object of this law would not be
attained: it would be useless.
Transgressions may be divided into four classes, viz.-- (1)
involuntary transgressions, (2) sins committed in ignorance, (3)
sins clone knowingly, and (4) sins done spitefully. He who sins
involuntarily is, according to the distinct declaration of the Law,
exempt from punishment, and free from all blame; comp." Unto
the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin
worthy of death" (Deut. xxii. 26). If a person sins in ignorance, he
is blamable: for if he had been more considerate and careful, he
would not have erred. Although he is not punished, his sin must be
atoned for, and for this reason he brings a sin-offering. The Law
distinguishes in this respect between a private person and a king, a
high-priest or Teacher of Halakah. Hence we conclude that a
person who acts wrongly, or who teaches wrongly, guided by his
own reasoning -except in the case of the great Synhedrion or the
high-priest -- is treated as mezid (as one who sins knowingly), and
does not belong to the category of shogegim (of those who sin by
error). A rebellious elder is therefore put to death, although he
acted and taught according to his view. But the great Synhedrion
must teach according to its opinion, and if the opinion is wrong,
the sin is considered as due to error. In reference to such a case the
Law says," And if the whole congregation of Israel err," etc. (Lev.
iv. 13). It is On this principle that our Sages say," The error in
learning amounts to intentional sin" (Abot iv. 13): he who has
studied insufficiently, and teaches and acts according to his
defective knowledge, is to be considered as if he sinned
knowingly. For if a person eats of the fat of the kidneys in the
belief that it is the fat of the rump, his error is not so grave as the
error of him who, eating of the fat of the kidneys, knows that it is
that fat, but is ignorant of the fact that it is prohibited. The latter
brings a sin-offering although he is almost an intentional
transgressor. But this is only the case as far as he acts according to
his knowledge: but if he decides a religious question [wrongly], he
is undoubtedly an intentional sinner. The Law admits the plea of
error in a religious decision only in the case of the great
Synhedrion.
He who has sinned knowingly must pay the penalty prescribed in
the Law; he is put to death or receives stripes, or-for transgression
of prohibitions not punishable by stripes-other corporal
punishment, or pays a fine. There are some sins for which the
punishment is the same, whether they have been committed
knowingly or unknowingly; because they are frequent, and are
easily done, consisting only in the utterance of words, and
involving no action besides: e.g., false swearing by witnesses, or
by trustees. Intercourse with a betrothed handmaid is likewise easy
and frequent; she is exposed unprotected, being in reality neither
handmaid nor a free person, nor a married woman, according to
the traditional interpretation of this precept.
If a person sins presumptuously, so that in sinning he shows
impudence and seeks publicity, if he does not sin only to satisfy his
appetite, if he does what is prohibited by the Law, not only
because of his evil inclinations, but in order to oppose and resist
the Law, he" reproacheth the Lord" (Num. xv. 30), and must
undoubtedly be put to death. None will act in such a manner but
such as have conceived the idea to act contrary to the Law.
According to the traditional interpretation, therefore, the above
passage speaks of an idolater who opposes the fundamental
principles of the Law; for no one worships a star unless he believes
[-contrary to the teachings of Scripture-] that the star is eternal, as
we have frequently stated in our work. I think that the same
punishment [viz., sentence of death] applies to every sin which
involves the rejection of the Law, or opposition to it. Even if an
Israelite eats meat [boiled] in milk, or wears garments of wool and
linen, or rounds the corners of his head, out of spite against the
Law, in order to show dearly that he does not believe in its truth, I
apply to him the words," he reproacheth the Lord," and [I am of
opinion] that he must suffer death as an unbeliever, though not for
a punishment, but in the same manner as the inhabitants of a" city
misled to idolatry" are slain for their unbelief, and not by way of
punishment for crime; wherefore their property is destroyed by
fire, and is not given to their heirs, as is the case with the property
of other criminals condemned to death. According to my opinion,
all the members of an Israelitish community which has insolently
and presumptuously transgressed any of the divine precepts, must
be put to death. This is proved by the history of" the sons of
Reuben and the sons of Gad" (josh. xxii.), against whom the
whole congregation of Israel decided to make war. When warning
was given to the supposed offenders, it was explained to them that
they had relinquished their faith, because by agreeing to transgress
one particular law they rejected the truth of the whole Law. For
they were addressed as follows :" What trespass is this that ye
have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day
from following the Lord ?" (josh. xxii. 16): and they replied:" The
Lord knoweth, etc., if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression
against the Lord," etc. (ibid. 27). Take well notice of these
principles in respect to punishments.
The Section on judges includes also the commandment to blot out
the memory of Amalek (Deut. xxv. 17-19). In the same way as one
individual person is punished, so must also a whole family or a
whole nation be punished, in order that other families shall hear it
and be afraid, and not accustom themselves to practise mischief.
For they will say, we may suffer in the same way as those people
have suffered; and if there be found among them a wicked,
mischievous man, who cares neither for the evil he brings upon
himself nor for that which he causes to others, he will not find in
his family any one ready to help him in his evil designs. As
Amalek was the first to attack Israel with the sword (Exod. xvii.
8-16), it was commanded to blot out his name by means of the
sword; whilst Ammon and Moab, who have not been friendly
simply from meanness, and have caused them injury by cunning,
were only punished by exclusion from intermarriage with the
Israelites, and from their friendship. All these things which God
has commanded as a punishment are not excessive nor inadequate,
but, as is distinctly stated, according to the fault" (Deut. XXV. 2).
This section contains also the law concerning preparing" a place
without the camp," and" having a paddle upon the weapon" (Dent.
xxiii. 12, 13). As I have told you, it is one of the objects of the Law
to train Israel to cleanliness: that they should keep free from dirt
and filth, and that men should not be degraded to the condition of
cattle. Another object of this law is to confirm by these
preparations the belief of the warriors that God dwells in their
midst. The reason of the law is therefore stated thus :" For the
Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp" (ibid. ver. 14).
The mention of this reason gave occasion to add another lesson:"
That he see no unclean thing in thee and turn away from thee"
(ibid.). These words warn and caution us against the usual
inclination of soldiers to fornication, when they are away from
their homes a long time. God therefore commanded us to do
certain things which remind us that He is in our midst; we will
thereby be saved from those evil practices: as it is said," and thy
camp shall be holy, that he see no unclean thing in thee" (ibid.).
Even those who are unclean by pollution were compelled to stop
outside the camp till the evening, and" then he shall come into the
camp again." It win thus be confirmed in the heart of every one of
the Israelites that their camp must be like a sanctuary of the Lord,
and it must not be like the camps of the heathen, whose sole object
is corruption and sin; who only seek to cause injury to others and
to take their property; whilst our object is to lead mankind to the
service of God, and to a good social order. I have told you already
that I only propose to give here such reasons as are apparent from
the text of the Law.
To the same class belongs also the law concerning" the marriage
of a captive woman" (Deut. xxi. 10 seg.). There is a well-known
saying of our Sages:" This law is only a concession to human
weakness." This law contains, nevertheless, even for the nobler
class of people, some moral lessons to which I will call your
attention. For although the soldier may be overcome by his desire
which he is unable to suppress or to restrain, he must take the
object of his lust to a private place," into the inner of his house"
(Dent. xxi. 12), and he is not permitted to force her in the camp.
Similarly our Sages say, that he may not cohabit with her a second
time before she leaves off her mourning, and is at ease about her
troubles. She must not be prevented from mourning and crying,
and she must be permitted to abstain from bathing, in accordance
with the words," and she Shan weep for her father and for her
mother" (ibid.): for mourners find comfort in crying and in
excitement till, the body has not sufficient strength to bear the
inner emotions; in the same manner as happy persons find rest in
various kinds of play. Thus the Lord is merciful to her and gives
her permission to continue her mourning and weeping till she is
worn out. You know certainly that he married her as a heathen,
and that during the thirty days she openly keeps her religion and
even continues her idolatrous practices: no interference with her
faith was allowed during that time; and after all that she could not
be sold, nor treated as a handmaid, if she could not be induced to
accept the statutes of the Law. Thus the Law does not ignore the
cohabitation of the Israelite with the captive woman, although it
involved disobedience to God to some extent, having taken place
when she was still a heathen. The Law prescribes:" Thou shalt not
make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her" (ibid.
14). We have thus shown the moral lessons contained in these
laws, and we have explained the reason of every precept of this
section.
CHAPTER XLII
THE precepts of the seventh class are the civil laws enumerated in
the Section on judgments, and part of the Section on Property. The
object of these precepts is obvious. They define the ways of equity
in the various transactions which must take place between man
and man. Those that are engaged in such transactions must
mutually promote each other's interests: neither of the parties must
strive to increase only his own profit, and that he alone should
enjoy the whole benefit of the transaction. In the first place, no
overcharge is permitted: only the ordinary and known rate of profit
may be taken. The law fixes the limits of profits within which the
transaction is valid. Even imposition in mere words [where no
material harm is inflicted] is forbidden, as is well known. Next
comes the law of the four kinds of bailees: the fairness of the law
is evident. If one keeps the property of his neighbour for nothing,
without deriving therefrom any benefit for himself, and is only
obliging his neighbour, he is free from all responsibility, and if any
injury is done to the property, the owner alone must bear the loss.
He who borrows a thing keeps it only for his own advantage,
whilst the owner lends it to him to oblige him; he is therefore
responsible for everything; any loss in the property must be borne
by the borrower. If one takes wages for keeping the property or
pays for using it, he as well as the owner profit thereby; the losses
must therefore be divided between them. It is done in this manner;
the bailee pays for any loss caused through want of care, namely,
when the property is stolen or lost; for this happens only when the
bailee does not take sufficient precaution. The owner, on the other
hand, bears such losses as cannot be prevented; namely, if by
accident the animal falls and breaks its limbs, or is carried away by
armed men as booty, or if it dies. The Law further ordains merciful
conduct towards hired workmen because of their poverty. Their
wages should be paid without delay, and they must not be wronged
in any of their rights: they must receive their pay according to their
work. Another instance of kindness to workmen is this : according
to the regulations of this law, workmen, and even animals, must be
permitted to partake of the food in the preparation of which they
have been engaged. The laws which relate to property include laws
concerning inheritance. They are based on the sound principle that
man must not" withhold good from those to whom it is due"
(Prov. iii. 27), and when he is about to die, he must not conceive
ill-will against his heirs, by squandering his property, but leave it
to the one who has the greatest claim on it, that is, to him who is
his nearest relation," unto his kinsman that is next to him of his
family" (Num. xxvii. 11). It is clearly stated that the son has the
first claim, then comes the daughter, then the brother, and then the
father's brothers, as is well known. The father must leave the right
of the first-born to his eldest son, because his love for this son
came first: he must not be guided by his inclination. He may not
make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated
(Deut. xxi. 16). Thus our highly equitable Law preserves and
strengthens the virtue of respecting all kinsmen, and doing well
unto them, as the prophet says:" He that is cruel troubleth his own
flesh" (Prov. xi. 17). The Law correctly says," Thou shalt open
thine hand wide unto thy brother, unto thy poor" (Dent. xv. 11).
Our Sages bestow much praise upon him who is kind to his
relatives, and him who marries the daughter of his sister. The Law
has taught us how far we have to extend this principle of favouring
those who are near to us, and of treating kindly every one with
whom we have some relationship, even if he offended or wronged
us; even if he is very bad, we must have some consideration for
him. Thus the Law says:" Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite, for he
is thy brother" (ibid. xxifi. 7). Again, if we find a person in
trouble, whose assistance we have once enjoyed, or of whom we
have received some benefit, even if that person has subsequently
done evil to us, we must bear in mind his previous [good] conduct.
Thus the Law tells us :" Thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because
thou wast a stranger in his land" (ibid.), although the Egyptians
have subsequently oppressed us very much, as is well-known. See
how many moral lessons we have derived from these precepts. The
last two precepts do not belong to the seventh class: but the
discussion of the preference due to relatives as regards inheritance
led us to speak of the Egyptians and the Edornites.
CHAPTER XLIII
THE precepts of the eighth class are enumerated in" the Section
on Seasons" (Seler zemannim). With a few exceptions, the
reasons for all of them are stated in the Law. The object of Sabbath
is obvious, and requires no explanation. The rest it affords to man
is known: one-seventh of the life of every man, whether small or
great, passes thus in comfort, and in rest from trouble and exertion.
This the Sabbath effects in addition to the perpetuation and
confirmation of the grand doctrine of the Creation. The object of
the Fast of Atonement is evident. The Fast creates the sense of
repentance: it is the same day on which the chief of all prophets
came down [from Mount Sinai] with the second tables, and
announced to the people the divine pardon of their great sin: the
day was therefore appointed for ever as a day devoted to
repentance and true worship of God. For this reason all material
enjoyment, all trouble and care for the body, are interdicted, no
work may be done; the day must be spent in confession; ever- one
shall confess his sins and abandon them.
Other holy days are appointed for rejoicing and for such pleasant
gathering as people generally need. They also promote the good
feeling that men should have to each other in their social and
political relations. The appointment of the special days for such
purposes has its cause. The reason for the Passover is well known.
It is kept seven days, because the period of seven days is the unit
of time intermediate between a day and a month. It is also known
how great is the importance of this period in Nature, and in many
religious duties. For the Law always follows Nature, and in some
respects brings it to perfection: for Nature is not capable of
designing and thinking, whilst the Law is the result of the wisdom
and guidance of God, who is the author of the intellect of all
rational beings. This, however, is not the theme of the present
chapter: let us return to our subject.
The Feast of Weeks is the anniversary of the Revelation on Mount
Sinai. In order to raise the importance of this day, we count the
days that pass since the preceding festival, just as one who expects
his most intimate friend on a certain day counts the days and even
the hours. This is the reason why we count the days that pass since
the offering of the Omer, between the anniversary of our departure
from Egypt and the anniversary of the Lawgiving. The latter was
the aim and object of the exodus from Egypt, and thus God said," I
brought you unto myself" (Exod. xix. 4). As that great revelation
took place only on one day, so we keep its anniversary only one
day: but if the eating of unleavened bread on Passover were only
commanded for one day, we should not have noticed it, and its
object would not have been manifest. For it frequently happens
that we take the same kind of food for two or three days. But by
our continuing for a whole period [of seven days] to eat
unleavened bread, its object becomes clear and evident.
New-Year is likewise kept for one day; for it is a day of
repentance, on which we are stirred up from our forgetfulness. For
this reason the shofar is blown on this day, as we have shown in
Mishneh-torah. The day is, as it were, a preparation for and an
introduction to the day of the Fast, as is obvious from the national
tradition about the days between New-Year and the Day of
Atonement.
The Feast of Tabernacles, which is a feast of rejoicing and
gladness, is kept seven days, in order that the idea of the festival
may be more noticeable. The reason why it is kept in the autumn is
stated in the Law," When thou hast gathered in thy labours out of
the field" (Exod. xxiii. 16): that is to say, when you rest and are
free from pressing labours. Aristotle, in the ninth book of his
Ethics, mentions this as a general custom among the nations. He
says:" In ancient times the sacrifices and assemblies of the people
took place after the ingathering of the corn and the fruit, as if the
sacrifices were offered on account of the harvest." Another reason
is this-in this season it is possible to dwell in tabernacles, as there
is neither great heat nor troublesome rain.
The two festivals, Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, imply
also the teaching of certain truths and certain moral lessons.
Passover teaches us to remember the miracles which God wrought
in Egypt, and to perpetuate their memory; the Feast of Tabernacles
reminds us of the miracles wrought in the wilderness. The moral
lessons derived from these feasts is this: man ought to remember
his evil days in his days of prosperity. He win thereby be induced
to thank God repeatedly, to lead a modest and humble life. We eat,
therefore, unleavened bread and bitter herbs on Passover in
memory of what has happened unto us, and leave (on Succoth] our
houses in order to dwell in tabernacles, as inhabitants of deserts do
that are in want of comfort. We shall thereby remember that this
has once been our condition; [comp.]" I made the children of
Israel to dwell in booths" (Lev. xxiii. 43): although we dwell now
in elegant houses, in the best and most fertile land, by the kindness
of God, and because of His promises to our forefathers, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, who were perfect in their opinions and in their
conduct. This idea is likewise an important element in our
religion; that whatever good we have received and ever will
receive of God, is owing to the merits of the Patriarchs, who" kept
the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment" (Gen. xviii. 19).
We join to the Feast of Tabernacles the Feast of the Eighth Day, in
order to complete our rejoicings, which cannot be perfect in
booths, but in comfortable and well-built houses. As regards the
four species [the branches of the palm tree, the citron, the myrtle,
and the willows of the brook] our Sages gave a reason for their use
by way of Agadic interpretation, the method of which is well
known to those who are acquainted with the style of our Sages.
They use the text of the Bible only as a kind of poetical language
[for their own ideas], and do not intend thereby to give an
interpretation of the text. As to the value of these Midrasbic
interpretations, we. meet with two different opinions. For some
think that the Midrash contains the real explanation of the text,
whilst others, finding that it cannot be reconciled with the words
quoted, reject and ridicule it. The former struggle and fight to
prove and to confirm such interpretations according to their
opinion, and to keep them as the real meaning of the text; they
consider them in the same light as traditional laws. Neither of the
two classes understood it, that our Sages employ biblical texts
merely as poetical expressions, the meaning of which is clear to
every reasonable reader. This style was general in ancient days; all
adopted it in the same way as poets [adopt a certain style]. Our
Sages say, in reference to the words," and a paddle (yated) thou
shalt have upon thy weapon" [azeneka, Dent. xxiii. 14]: Do not
read azeneka," thy weapon," but ozneka," thy ear?' You are thus
told, that if you hear a person uttering something disgraceful, put
your fingers into your ears. Now, I wonder whether those ignorant
persons [who take the Midrashic interpretations literally] believe
that the author of this saying gave it as the true interpretation of
the text quoted, and as the meaning of this precept: that in truth
yated," the paddle," is used for" the finger," and azeneka denotes"
thy ear?' I cannot think that any person whose intellect is sound
can admit this. The author employed the text as a beautiful
poetical phrase, in teaching an excellent moral lesson, namely this:
It is as bad to listen to bad language as it is to use it. This lesson is
poetically connected with the above text. In the same sense you
must understand the phrase," Do not read so, but so," wherever it
occurs in the Midrash. I have departed from my subject, but it was
for the purpose of making a remark useful to every intellectual
member of the Rabbanites. I now return to our theme. I believe
that the four species are a symbolical expression of our rejoicing
that the Israelites changed the wilderness," no place of seed, or of
figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates, or of water to drink" (Num.
xx. 5), with a country full of fruit-trees and rivers. In order to
remember this we take the fruit which is the most pleasant of the
fruit of the land, branches which smell best, most beautiful leaves,
and also the best of herbs, i.e., the willows of the brook. These
four kinds have also those three purposes : First, they were
plentiful in those days in Palestine, so that every one could easily
get them. Secondly, they have a good appearance, they are green;
some of them, viz., the citron and the myrtle, are also excellent as
regards their smell, the branches of the palm-tree and the willow
having neither good nor bad smell. Thirdly, they keep fresh and
green for seven days, which is not the case with peaches,
pomegranates, asparagus, nuts, and the like.
CHAPTER XLIV
THE precepts of the ninth class are those enumerated in the
Section on Love. Their reason is obvious. The actions prescribed
by them serve to remind us continually of God, and of our duty to
fear and to love Him, to keep all His commandments, and to
believe concerning God that which every religious person must
believe. This class includes the laws of Prayer, Reading of Shema,
Grace, and duties connected with these, Blessing of the priests,
Tefillin, Mezuzah, Zizit, acquiring a scroll of the Law, and reading
in it at certain times. The performance of all these precepts
inculcates into our heart useful lessons. All this is clear, and a
further explanation is superfluous, as being a mere repetition and
nothing else.
CHAPTER XLV
THE precepts of the tenth class are those enumerated in the laws
on the Temple (Hilkot be.- ha-behirah), the laws on the vessels of
the temple and on the ministers in the temple [Hilkot kele
ha-mikdash veba-'obedim bo]. The use of these precepts we have
stated in general terms. It is known that idolaters selected the
highest possible places on high mountains where to build their
temples and to place their images. Therefore Abraham, our father,
chose Mount Moriah, being the highest mount in that country, and
proclaimed there the Unity of God. He selected the west of the
mount as the place toward which he turned during his prayers,
because [he thought that] the most holy place was in the West; this
is the meaning of the saving of our Sages," The Shekinah" (the
Glory of God) is in the West" (IJ. T. Baba B 25a); and it is
distinctly stated in the Talmud Yoma that our father Abraham
chose the west side, the place where the Most Holy was built. I
believe that he did so because it was then a general rite to worship
the sun as a deity. Undoubtedly all people turned then to the East
[worshipping the Sun]. Abraham turned therefore on Mount
Moriah to the West, that is, the site of the Sanctuary, and turned
his back toward the sun; and the Israelites, when they abandoned
their God and returned to the early bad principles, stood" with
their backs toward the Temple of the Lord and their faces toward
the East, and they worshipped the sun toward the East" (Ezek. viii.
16). Note this strange fact. I do not doubt that the spot which
Abraham chose in his prophetical spirit, was known to Moses our
Teacher, and to others: for Abraham commanded his children that
on this place a house of worship should be built. Thus the Targum
says distinctly," And Abraham worshipped and prayed there in
that place, and said before God, 'Here shall coming generations
worship the Lord '" (Gen. xxii. 14). For three practical reasons the
name of the place is not distinctly stated in the Law, but indicated
in the phrase" To the place which the Lord will choose" (Dent.
xii. 11, etc.). First, if the nations had learnt that this place was to
be the centre of the highest religious truths, they would occupy it,
or fight about it most perseveringly. Secondly, those who were
then in possession of it might destroy and ruin the place with all
their might. Thirdly, and chiefly, every one of the twelve tribes
would desire to have this place in its borders and under its control;
this would lead to divisions and discord, such as were caused by
the desire for the priesthood. Therefore it was commanded that the
Temple should not be built before the election of a king who
would order its erection, and thus remove the cause of discord. We
have explained this in the Section on judges (ch. xli.).
It is known that the heathen in those days built temples to stars,
and set up in those temples the image which they agreed upon to
worship; because it was in some relation to a certain star or to a
portion of one of the spheres. We were, therefore, commanded to
build a temple to the name of God, and to place therein the ark
with two tables of stone, on which there were written the
commandments" I am the Lord," etc., and" Thou shalt have no
other God before me," etc. Naturally the fundamental belief in
prophecy precedes the belief in the Law, for without the belief in
prophecy there can be no belief in the Law. But a prophet only
receives divine inspiration through the agency of an angel. Comp."
The angel of the Lord called" (Gen. xxii. 15):" The angel of the
Lord said unto her" (ibid. xvi. 11): and other innumerable
instances. Even Moses our Teacher received his first prophecy
through an angel." And an angel of the Lord appeared to him in
the flame of fire" (Exod. iii.). It is therefore dear that the belief in
the existence of angels precedes the belief in prophecy, and the
latter precedes the belief in the Law. The Sabeans, in their
ignorance of the existence of God, believed that the spheres with
their stars were beings without beginning and without end, that the
images and certain trees, the Asherot, derived certain powers from
the spheres, that they inspired the prophets, spoke to them in
visions, and told them what was good and what bad. I have
explained their theory when speaking of the prophets of the
Ashera. But when the wise men discovered and proved that there
was a Being, neither itself corporeal nor residing as a force in a
corporeal body, viz., the true, one God, and that there existed
besides other purely incorporeal beings which God endowed with
His goodness and His light, namely, the angels, and that these
beings are not included in the sphere and its stars, it became
evident that it was these angels and not the images or Asherot that
charged the prophets. From the preceding remarks it is clear that
the belief in the existence of angels is connected with the belief in
the Existence of God; and the belief in God and angels leads to the
belief in Prophecy and in the truth of the Law. In order to firmly
establish this creed, God commanded [the Israelites] to make over
the ark the form of two angels. The belief in the existence of
angels is thus inculcated into the minds of the people, and this
belief is in importance next to the belief in God's Existence; it
leads us to believe in Prophecy and in the Law, and opposes
idolatry. If there had only been one figure of a cherub, the people
would have been misled and would have mistaken it for God's
image which was to be worshipped, in the fashion of the heathen;
or they might have assumed that the angel [represented by the
figure] was also a deity, and would thus have adopted a Dualism.
By making two cherubim and distinctly declaring" the Lord is our
God, the Lord is One," Moses dearly proclaimed the theory of the
existence of a number of angels; he left no room for the error of
considering those figures as deities, since [he declared that) God is
one, and that He is the Creator of the angels, who are more than
one.
A candlestick was then put in front of the curtain, as a sign of
honour and distinction for the Temple. For a chamber in which a
continual light burns, hidden behind a curtain, makes a great
impression on man, and the Law lays great stress on our holding
the Sanctuary in great estimation and regard, and that at the sight
of it we should be filled with humility, mercy, and softheartedness.
This is expressed in the words," And ye shall reverence my
sanctuary" (Lev. xix. 30), and in order to give these words more
weight, they are closely joined to the command to keep the
Sabbath.
The use of the altar for incense and the altar for burnt-offering and
their vessels is obvious; but I do not know the object of the table
with the bread upon it continually, and up to this day I have not
been able to assign any reason to this commandment
The commandment that the stones of the altar shall not be hewn
and that no iron tool shall be lifted up upon them (Deut. xxvii. 5),
has been explained by our Sages as follows : It is not right that the
tool that shortens man's life should be lifted up upon that which
gives length of life. As an Agadic explanation this is good: but the
real reason is this : the heathen used to build their altars with hewn
stones: we ought not to imitate them. For this reason we have to
make an altar of earth:" Thou shalt make unto me an altar of
earth" (Exod. XX. 24): if it should be impossible to dispense
altogether with stones, they must not be hewn, but employed in
their natural state. Thus the Law also prohibits from worshipping
over painted stones (Lev. xxvi. 1), or from planting any tree near
the altar of the Lord (Dent. XVi. 21). The object of all these
commandments is the same, namely, that we shall not employ in
the worship of God anything which the heathen employed in the
worship of their idols. In general terms this is repeated in the
following passage:" Take heed, that thou inquire not after their
gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods ? even so will
I do likewise" (Dent. xii. 30) , the Israelites shall not do this,
because-as is expressly added-" every abomination unto the Lord,
which he hateth, have they done unto their gods."
The mode of worshipping Peor, then very general among the
heathen, consisted in uncovering the nakedness. The priests were
therefore commanded to make breeches for themselves to cover
their nakedness during the service, and, besides, no steps were to
lead up to the altar," that thy nakedness be not discovered
thereon" (Exod. XX. 23)
The Sanctuary was constantly guarded and surrounded [by Levites]
as a mark of respect and honour: and at the same time the layman,
the unclean, and mourners, were prevented from entering the
Sanctuary, as will be explained. Among other things that tend to
display the greatness and the glory of the Temple and to inspire us
with awe, is the rule that none shall approach it in a state of
drunkenness or uncleanness, or in a disorderly state, i.e., the hair
undressed and the garments rent; and that every one who officiated
as priest should first wash his hands and his feet.
In order to raise the estimation of the Temple, those who
ministered therein received great honour: and the priests and
Levites were therefore distinguished from the rest. It was
commanded that the priests should be clothed properly with
beautiful and good garments," holy garments for glory and for
beauty" (Exod. xxviii. 2). A priest that had a blemish was not
allowed to officiate; and not only those that had a blemish were
excluded from the service, but also-according to the Talmudic
interpretation of this precept-those that had an abnormal
appearance; for the multitude does not estimate man by his true
form but by the perfection of his bodily limbs and the beauty of his
garments, and the 'temple was to be held in great reverence by all.
The Levites did not sacrifice; they were not considered as being
agents in the atonement of sins, for it was only the priest who was
commanded cc to make atonement for him" (Lev. iv. 26) and" to
make atonement for her" (Lev. xii. 8). The duty of the Levites was
the performance of vocal music; and a Levite became therefore
disabled for service when he lost his voice. The object of the
singing is to produce certain emotions; this object can only be
attained by pleasing sounds and melodies accompanied by music,
as was always the case in the Temple.
Again, the priests, even when fit for service, and actually
officiating in the Temple, were not allowed to sit down, or enter it
whenever they liked; the Most Holy was only entered by the
high-priest four times on the Day of Atonement, and on no other
occasion. The object of all these rules was to raise the estimation
of the Sanctuary in the eyes of the people.
Since many beasts were daily slaughtered in the holy place, the
flesh cut in pieces and the entrails and the legs burnt and washed,
the smell of the place would undoubtedly have been like the smell
of slaughter-houses, if nothing had been done to counteract it.
They were therefore commanded to burn incense there twice every
clay, in the morning and in the evening (Exod. xxx. 7, 8), in order
to give the place and the garments of those who officiated there a
pleasant odour. There is a well-known saying of our Sages," In
Jericho they could smell the incense" [burnt in the Temple]. This
provision likewise tended to support the dignity of the Temple. If
there had not been a good smell, let alone if there had been a
stench, it would have produced in the minds of the people the
reverse of respect; for our heart generally feels elevated in the
presence of good odour, and is attracted by it, but it abhors and
avoids bad smell.
The anointing oil (Exod. xxx. 22-33) served a double purpose: to
give the anointed object a good odour, and to produce the
impression that it was something great, holy, and distinguished,
and better than other objects of the same species; it made no
difference whether that object was a human being, a garment, or a
vessel. All this aimed at producing due respect towards the
Sanctuary, and indirectly fear of God. When a person enters the
Temple, certain emotions are produced in him; and obstinate
hearts are softened and humbled. These plans and indirect means
were devised by the Law, to soften and humble man's heart at
entering the holy place, in order that he might entrust himself to
the sure guidance of God's commandments. This is distinctly said
in the Law:" And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the
place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of
thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings, of thy
herds and of thy flocks: that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy
God always" (Dent. xiv. 23). The object of all these ceremonies is
now clear. The reason why we are not allowecl to prepare [for
common use) the anointing oil and the incense (ibid. ver. 32, 38) is
obvious; for when the odour [of the oil and incense] is perceived
only in the Sanctuary, the desired effect is great: besides [if it were
allowed for every one to prepare the anointing oil], people might
anoint themselves therewith and imagine themselves
distinguished; much disorder and dissension would then follow.
It is clear that when the ark was carried on the shoulder, and was
not put on a waggon, it was done out of respect towards it, and
also to prevent its being damaged in its form and shape; even the
staves were not moved out of the rings, for this reason. In order
that the form of the ephod and the breastplate should not be
spoiled, they were never separated. The garments were also
entirely woven and not cut, in order not to spoil the work of the
weaving.
Those that ministered in the Temple were strictly prohibited to
interfere with each other's work; for if in public duties and offices,
each one would not have assigned to him his particular task,
general carelessness and neglect would soon be noticed.
It is evident that the object of giving different degrees of sanctity
to the different places, to the Temple mount, the place between the
two walls, to the Hall of women, to the Hall, and so on up to the
Most Holy, was to raise the respect and reverence of the Temple in
the heart of every one that approached it.
We have thus described the reason of all precepts of this class.
CHAPTER XLVI
THE precepts of the eleventh class are enumerated in the Section
on Divine Service (Sefer 'abodah) and the Section on Sacrifices
(Seler ha-korbanot). We have described their use in general terms
(chap. xxxii.). I will now proceed to give the reason of each
precept separately.
Scripture tells us, according to the Version of Onkelos, that the
Egyptians worshipped Aries, and therefore abstained from killing
sheep, and held shepherds in contempt. Comp." Behold we shall
sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians," etc. (Exod. viii. 26):"
For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians" (Gen. Avi.
34). Some sects among the Sabeans worshipped demons, and
imagined that these assumed the form of goats, and called them
therefore" goats" This worship was widespread. Comp." And
they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto demons, after whom
they have gone a whoring" (Lev. xvii. 7). For this reason those
sects abstained from eating goats' flesh. Most idolaters objected to
killing cattle, holding this species of animals in great estimation.
Therefore the people of Hodu [Indians] up to this day do not
slaughter cattle even in those countries where other animals are
slaughtered. In order to eradicate these false principles, the Law
commands us to offer sacrifices only of these three kinds :" Ye
shall bring your offering of the cattle [viz.], of the herd and of the
flock" (Lev. i. 2). Thus the very act which is considered by the
heathen as the greatest crime, is the means of approaching God,
and obtaining His pardon for our sins. In this manner, evil
principles, the diseases of the human soul, are cured by other
principles which are diametrically opposite.
This is also the reason why we were commanded to kill a lamb on
Passover, and to sprinkle the blood thereof outside on the gates.
We had to free ourselves of evil doctrines and to proclaim the
opposite, viz., that the very act which was then considered as being
the cause of death would be the cause of deliverance from death.
Comp." And the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer
the destroyer to come unto your houses to suite you" (Exod. idi.
23). Thus they were rewarded for performing openly a service
every part of which was objected to by the idolaters.
To the above reason for the exclusive selection of the three kinds
of animals for sacrifices, we may add the following, namely, that
these species are animals which can be got very easily, contrary to
the practice of idolaters that sacrifice lions, bears, and wild beasts,
as is stated in the book Tonitom. As, however, many could not
afford to offer a beast, the Law commanded that birds also should
be sacrificed, but only of those species which are found abundantly
in Palestine, are suitable, and can easily be obtained, namely,
turtledoves and pigeons. Those who are too poor to offer a bird,
may bring bread of any of the kinds then in use : baked in the oven,
baked in a pan, or in a frying-pan. If the baking of the bread is too
much trouble for a person, he may bring flour. All this concerns
only those who desire to sacrifice; for we are distinctly told that
the omission of the sacrificial service on our part will not be
reckoned to us a sin:" If thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no
sin in thee" (Deut. xxiii. 22). The idolaters did not offer any other
bread but leavened, and chose sweet things for their sacrifices,
which they seasoned with honey, as is fully described in the books
which I named before: but salt is not mentioned in any of their
sacrifices. Our Law therefore forbade us to offer leaven or honey,
and commanded us to have salt in every sacrifice :" With all thine
offerings thou shalt offer salt" (Lev. ii. 13). It is further ordained
that the offerings must all be perfect and in the best condition, in
order that no one should slight the offering or treat with contempt
that which is offered to God's name:" Offer it now unto thy
governor; will he be pleased with thee ?" (Mal. i. 8). This is the
reason why no animal could be brought that was not yet seven days
old (Lev. Xxii. 26): it is imperfect and contemptible, like an
untimely birth. Because of their degraded character it was
prohibited to bring" the hire of a harlot and the price of a dog"
(Dent. xxiii. 18) into the Sanctuary. In order to bring the offering
in the beat condition, we choose the old of the turtle-doves and the
young of the pigeons, the old pigeons being less agreeable. The
oblation must likewise be mingled with oil, and must be of fine
flour (Lev. ii. 1), for in this condition it is good and pleasant.
Frankincense is prescribed (ibid.) because its fumes are good in
places filled with the odour of burnt flesh. The burnt-offering was
flayed (Lev. i. 16), and its inwards and legs, although they were
entirely burnt, had to be previously washed (ibid. ver. 9), in order
that due respect should be shown to the sacrifice, and it should not
appear despicable and contemptible. This object is constantly kept
in view, and is often taught," Ye say, The table of the Lord is
polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible"
(Mal. i. 12). For the same reason no body uncircumcised, or
unclean (Lev. xxii. 4), was allowed to partake of any offering; nor
could any offering be eaten that had become unclean (Lev. vii. 19),
or was left till after a certain time (ibid. vii. 15-17), or concerning
which an illegal intention had been conceived; and it had also to
be consumed in a particular place. Of the burnt-offering, which is
entirely devoted to God, nothing at all was eaten. Those sacrifices
which are brought for a sin, viz., sin-offering and guilt-offering,
must be eaten within the court of the Sanctuary ('azarah), and only
on the day of their slaughtering and the night following, whilst
peace-offerings, which are next in sanctity, being sacrifices of the
second degree, may be eaten in the whole of Jerusalem, on the day
they have been offered and on the following clay, but not later.
After that time the sacrifices would become spoiled, and be unfit
for food.
In order that we may respect the sacrifices and all that is devoted
to the name of God, we are told that whosoever takes part of a holy
thing for common use has committed a trespass, must bring a
sin-offering, and restore what he has taken with an addition of the
fifth part of its value, although he may have committed the
trespass in ignorance. For the same reason animals reserved for
holy purposes must not be employed in work: nor is the shearing of
such animals permitted (Dent. xv. 19). The law concerning the
change of a sacrifice must be considered as a preventive; for if it
were permitted to substitute a good animal for a bad one, people
would substitute a bad animal for a good one, and say that it was
better than the original; it was therefore the rule that, if any such
change had taken place, both the" original sacrifice and the
exchange thereof should be holy" (Lev. xxvii. 9). When a person
redeems a thing devoted by him to the Sanctuary, he must likewise
add onefifth (Lev. xxvii. 13, 15): the reason for this is plain. Man
is usually selfish, and is naturally inclined to keep and save his
property. He would therefore not take the necessary trouble in the
interest of the Sanctuary: he would not expose his property
sufficiently to the sight of the valuer, and its true value would not
be fixed. Therefore the owner had to add one-fifth, whilst a
stranger paid only the exact value. These rules were laid down in
order that people should not despise that with which the name of
God is connected, and which serves as a means of approaching
God. The oblation of the priest was entirely burnt (Lev. vi. 16),
because the priest offered up his oblation by himself, and if he
were to offer it, and at the same time to eat it, it would appear as if
he had not performed any service. For nothing was offered upon
the altar of the ordinary oblations of any person except the
frankincense and a handful of the flour or cake; and if, in addition
to the fact that the offering was small, he who offered it were
himself to eat it, nothing of a sacrificial service would be noticed.
It is therefore entirely burnt (Lev. vi. 16).
The reason of the particular laws concerning the Passover lamb is
dear. It was eaten roasted by fire (Exod. xii. 8-9) in one house, and
without breaking the bones thereof (ibid. ver. 46). In the same way
as the Israelites were commanded to eat unleavened bread,
because they could prepare it hastily, so they were commanded, for
the sake of haste, to roast the lamb, because there was not
sufficient time to boil it, or to prepare other food; even the delay
caused by breaking the bones and to extract their marrow was
prohibited the one principle is laid down for all these rules," Ye
shall eat it in haste (Exod. xii. 11). But when haste is necessary the
bones cannot be broken, nor parts of it sent from house to house;
for the company could not wait with their meal till he returned.
Such things would lead to laxity and delay, whilst the object of
these rules was to make a show of the hurry and haste, in order that
none should be too late to leave Egypt with the main body of the
people, and be thus exposed to the attacks and the evil [designs of
the enemy]. These temporary commandments were then made
permanent, in order that we may remember what was done in those
days." And thou shalt keep this ordinance in his season from year
to year" (Exod. xiii. 10). Each Passover lamb was only eaten by
those who had previously agreed to consume it together, in order
that people should be anxious to procure it, and should not rely on
friends, relations, or on chance, without themselves taking any
trouble about it before Passover. The reason of the prohibition that
the uncircumcised should not eat of it (Exod. xii. 48) is explained
by our Sages as follows :-The Israelites neglected circumcision
during their long stay in Egypt, in order to make themselves appear
like the Egyptians. When God gave them the commandment of the
Passover, and ordered that no one should kill the Passover lamb
unless he, his sons, and all the male persons in his household were
circumcised, that only" then he could come near and keep it"
(ibid. xii. 48), all performed this commandment, and the number
of the circumcised being large the blood of the Passover and that
of the circumcision flowed together. The Prophet Ezekiel (xvi. 6),
referring to this event, says," When I saw thee sprinkled with thine
own blood I said unto thee, Live because of thy [two kinds of ]
blood," i.e., because of the blood of the Passover and that of the
circumcision.
Although blood was very unclean in the eyes of the Sabeans, they
nevertheless partook of it, because they thought it was the food of
the spirits: by eating it man has something in common with the
spirits, which join him and tell him future events, according to the
notion which people generally have of spirits. There were,
however, people who objected to eating blood, as a thing naturally
disliked by man; they killed a beast, received the blood in a vessel
or in a pot, and ate of the flesh of that beast, whilst sitting round
the blood. They imagined that in this manner the spirits would
come to partake of the blood which was their food, whilst the
idolaters were eating the flesh: that love, brotherhood, and
friendship with the spirits were established, because they dined
with the latter at one place and at the same time: that the spirits
would appear to them in dreams, inform them of coming events,
and be favourable to them. Such ideas people liked and accepted
in those days; they were general, and their correctness was not
doubted by any one of the common people. The Law, which is
perfect in the eyes of those who know it, and seeks to cure
mankind of these lasting diseases, forbade the eating of blood, and
emphasized the prohibition exactly in the same terms as it
emphasizes idolatry :" I will set my face against that soul that
eateth blood" (Lev. xvii. 10). The same language is employed in
reference to him" who giveth of his seed unto Molech" :" then I
will set my face against that man" (ibid. xx. 5). There is, besides
idolatry and eating blood, no other sin in reference to which these
words are used. For the eating of blood leads to a kind of idolatry,
to the worship of spirits. Our Law declared the blood as pure, and
made it the means of purifying other objects by its touch." And
thou shalt take of the blood . . . and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and
upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of
his sons with him. And he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and
his sons," etc. (Exod. xxix. 21). Furthermore, the blood was
sprinkled upon the altar, and in the whole service it was insisted
upon pouring it out, and not upon collecting it. Comp." And he
shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar" (Lev. iv.
18):" And the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the
altar of the Lord thy God" (Deut. Zii. 27). Also the blood of those
beasts that were killed for common use, and not for sacrifices,
must be poured out," Thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water"
(ibid. ver. 24). We are not allowed to gather and have a meal round
the blood," You shall not cat round the blood" (Lev. xix. 26). As
the Israelites were inclined to continue their rebellious conduct, to
follow the doctrines in which they had been brought up, and which
were then general, and to assemble round the blood in order to eat
there and to meet the spirits, God forbade the Israelites to eat
ordinary meat during their stay in the wilderness: they could only
partake of the meat of peace-offerings. The reason of this precept
is distinctly stated, viz., that the blood shall be poured out upon the
altar, and the people do not assemble round about. Comp." To the
end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which
they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the
Lord. . . . And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar, . . .
and they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto the spirits" (Lev.
xvii. 5-7). Now there remained to provide for the slaughtering of
the beasts of the field and birds, because those beasts were never
sacrificed, and birds did never serve as peace-offerings (Lev. iii.).
The commandment was therefore given that whenever a beast or a
bird that may be eaten is killed, the blood thereof must be covered
with earth (Lev. xvii. 13), in order that the people should not
assemble round the blood for the purpose of eating there. The
object was thus fully gained to break the connexion between these
fools and their spirits. This belief flourished about the time of our
Teacher Moses. People were attracted and misled by it. We find it
in the Song of Moses (Deut. xxxii.) :" They sacrificed unto spirits,
not to God" (ibid. 17). According to the explanation of our Sages,
the words lo eloha imply the following idea: They have not only
not left off worshipping things in existence; they even worship
imaginary things. This is expressed in Sifri as follows:" It is not
enough for them to worship the sun, the moon, the stars; they even
worship their babuah. The word babuah signifies" shadow." Let us
now return to our subject. The prohibition of slaughtering cattle
for common use applied only to the wilderness, because as regards
the" spirits" it was then the general belief that they dwelt in
deserts, that there they spoke and were visible, whilst in towns and
in cultivated land they did not appear. In accordance with this
belief those inhabitants of a town who wanted to perform any of
those stupid practices, left the town and went to woods and waste
places. The use of cattle for common food was therefore allowed
when the Israelites entered Palestine. Besides, there were great
hopes that the disease would become weakened, and the followers
of the doctrines would decrease. Furthermore, it was almost
impossible that every one who wanted to eat meat should come to
Jerusalem. For these reasons the above restriction was limited to
the stay of the Israelites in the wilderness.
The greater the sin which a person had committed, the lower was
the species from which the sin-offering was brought. The offering
for worshipping idols in ignorance was only a she-goat, whilst for
other sins an ordinary person brought either a ewe-lamb or a
she-goat (Lev. iv. 27-35), the females bring, as a rule, in every
species, inferior to the males. There is no greater sin than idolatry,
and also no inferior species than a she-goat. The offering of a king
for sins committed ignorantly was a he-goat (ibid. vers. 22-26), as
a mark of distinction. The high priest and the Synhedrion, who
only gave a wrong decision in ignorance, but have not actually
committed a sin, brought a bull for their sin-offering (ibid. ver.
3-21), or a he-goat, when the decision referred to idolatry (Num.
xv. 27-26). The sins for which guilt-offerings were brought were
not as bad as transgressions that required a sin-offering. The
guilt-offering was therefore a ram, or a lamb, so that the species as
well as the sex were superior in this latter case, for the
guiltoffering was a male sheep. For the same reason we see the
burnt-offering, which was entirely burnt upon the altar, was
selected from the superior sex; for only male animals were
admitted as burnt-offerings. It is in accordance with the same
principle that luxury and incense were absent from the oblations of
a sinner (Lev. v.11), and of a sotah, ie., a woman suspected of
adultery (Num. v. 15). In these cases the oil and the frankincense
were not added: this luxury was absent, because the persons that
brought the oblation were not good and proper in their deeds, and
they are, as it were, to be reminded by their offerings that they
ought to repent; as if they were told," Your offering is without any
ornamental addition on account of the wickedness of your deeds."
As the sotah acted more disgracefully than any person who sins in
ignorance, her offering consisted of the lowest kind, viz., of barley
flour (ibid.). Thus the reasons of all these particular laws are well
connected, and show that the precepts are wonderful in their
significance.
Our Sages say that the offering for the eighth day of dedication
was" a calf, a young bullock, for a sin-offering" (Lev. xi. 2), in
order to atone for the sin of the Israelites in making a golden calf.
The sin-offering, which was brought on the Day of Atonement
(ibid. xvi. 3), was likewise explained as being an atonement for
that sin. From this argument of our Sages I deduce that he-goats
were always brought as sin-offerings, by individual persons and
also by the whole congregation, viz., on the Festivals, New-moon,
Day of Atonement, and for idolatry, because most of the
transgressions and sins of the Israelites were sacrifices to spirits
(se'irim, lit., goats), as is clearly stated," They shall no more offer
their sacrifices unto spirits" (Lev. xvii. 7). Our Sages, however,
explained the fact that goats were always the sin-offerings of the
congregation, as an allusion to the sin of the whole congregation of
Israel: for in the account of the selling of the pious Joseph we
read," And they killed a kid of the goats" (Gen. xxxvii. 31). Do
not consider this as a weak argument; for it is the object of all
these ceremonies to impress on the mind of every sinner and
transgressor the necessity of continually remembering and
mentioning his sins. Thus the Psalmist says," And my sin is ever
before me" (Ps. li. 3). The above-mentioned sin-offerings further
show us that when we commit a sin, we, our children, and the
children of our children, require atonement for that sin by some
kind of service analogous to the sin committed. If a person has
sinned in respect to property he must liberally spend his property
in the service of God; if he indulged in sinful bodily enjoyments he
must weary his body and trouble it by a service of privation and
fasting, and rising early before daybreak. If he went astray in
respect to his moral conduct he must oppose his failings by
keeping to the opposite extreme, as we have pointed out in
Mishneh-torah Hilkot Deot (chap. ii.) et passim. If his intellectual
faculties have been concerned in the sin, if he has believed
something false on account of the insufficiency of his intellect, and
his neglect of research and proper study, he must remedy his fault
by turning his thoughts entirely away from worldly affairs, and
directing them exclusively to intellectual exercise, and by carefully
reflecting on that which ought to form the subject of his belief.
Comp." And my heart hath been secretly enticed, but my hand
touched my mouth" (job xxxi. 27). These words express
figuratively the lesson that we should pause and stop at that which
appears doubtful, as has been pointed out by us in the beginning of
this treatise. The same we notice in the case of Aaron. He had his
share in the sin of the golden calf, and therefore a bullock and a
calf were brought by him and his successors as an offering.
Similarly, the sin connected with a kid of goats was atoned for by a
kid of goats. When this theory has been well established in the
minds of the people, they must certainly be led by it to consider
disobedience to God as a disgraceful thing. Every one will then be
careful that he should not sin, and require a protracted and
burdensome atonement; he will be afraid he might not be able to
complete it, and will therefore altogether abstain from sinning, and
avoid it. This object [of the laws under discussion] is very dear,
and note it likewise.
I will here call your attention to a very remarkable thing, although
it does not seem at first thought to belong to our subject. It is only
the goat brought on New-moon as a sin-offering that the law calls"
a sin-offering unto the Lord" (Num. xxviii. 15). The sin-offerings
brought on the three festivals (ibid. vers. 22, 30; xxix. 5, 11, etc.)
are not called so, nor are any other sin-offerings. The reason
thereof is, according to my opinion, undoubtedly this: The
additional offerings brought by the congregation at certain periods
were all burnt-offerings: only" one kid of goats to make an
atonement" was offered on every one of these exceptional days.
The latter was eaten [by the priests], whilst the burnt-offerings
were entirely consumed by fire, and are called" an offering made
by fire unto the Lord." The phrases" a sin-offering unto the Lord"
and" a peace-offering unto the Lord" do not occur in the law,
because these were eaten by man; but even those sin-offerings that
were entirely burnt (Lev. iv. 12, 21) cannot be called cc an offering
made by fire unto the Lord," as will be explained in the course of
this chapter. It is therefore impossible that the goats which are
eaten [by the priests], and are not entirely burnt, should be called"
sin-offerings unto the Lord." But as it was found that the kid
offered on New-moon might be mistaken as an offering brought to
the moon, in the manner of the Egyptians, who sacrificed to the
moon on the days of New-moon, it was distinctly stated that this
goat is offered in obedience to God's command, and not in honour
of the moon. This fear did not apply to the sin-offerings on the
Festivals, nor to any other sin-offering, because they were not
offered on the days of New-moon, or on any other day marked out
by Nature, but on such days as were selected by the Divine Will.
Not so the days of New-moon: they are not fixed by the Law [but
by Nature]. On the New-moon the idolaters sacrificed to the moon,
in the same manner as they sacrificed to the sun when it rose and
set in certain particular degrees. This is described in the works
[mentioned above]. On this account the extraordinary phrase" A
sin-offering unto the Lord" is exceptionally introduced in
reference to the goat brought on New-moon, in order to remove
the idolatrous ideas that were still lingering in the sorely diseased
hearts. Note this exception likewise. A sin-offering which is
brought in the hope to atone for one or more great sins, as, e.g., the
sin-offering [of the Syrthedrion or the high-priest] for a sin
committed in ignorance, and the like, are not burnt upon the altar,
but without the camp; upon the altar only the burnt-offering, and
the like, are burnt, wherefore it was called the altar of the
burnt-offering. The burning of the holocaust, and of every"
memorial," is called" a sweet savour unto the Lord" : and so it
undoubtedly is, since it serves to remove idolatrous doctrines from
our hearts, as we have shown. But the burning of these
sin-offerings is a symbol that the sin [for which the offering is
brought] is utterly removed and destroyed, like the body that is
being burnt: of the sinful seed no trace shall remain, as no trace is
left of the sin-offering, which is entirely destroyed by fire: the
smoke thereof is not" a sweet savour unto the Lord," but, on the
contrary, a smoke despised and abhorred. For this reason the
burning took place without the camp. Similarly we notice that the
oblations of a sotah is called" an offering of memorial, bringing
iniquity to remembrance" (Num. v. 15): it is not a pleasing thing
[to the Lord]. The goat [of the Day of Atonement] that was sent
[into the wilderness] (Ley. xvi. 20, seq.) served as an atonement
for all serious transgressions more than any other sin-offering of
the congregation. As it thus seemed to carry off all sins, it was not
accepted as an ordinary sacrifice to be slaughtered, burnt, or even
brought near the Sanctuary; it was removed as far as possible, and
sent forth into a waste, uncultivated, uninhabited land. There is no
doubt that sins cannot be carried like a burden, and taken off the
shoulder of one being to be laid on that of another being. But these
ceremonies are of a symbolic character, and serve to impress men
with a certain idea, and to induce them to repent; as if to say, we
have freed ourselves of our previous deeds, have cast them behind
our backs, and removed them from us as far as possible.
As regards the offering of wine (Num. xv. 5, seq.), I am at a loss to
find a reason why God commanded it, since idolaters brought wine
as an offering. But though I am unable to give a reason, another
person suggested the following one: Meat is the best nourishment
for the appetitive faculty, the source of which is the liver; wine
supports best the vital faculty, whose centre is the heart: music is
most agreeable to the psychic faculty, the source of which is in the
brain. Each one of our faculties approaches God with that which it
likes best. Thus the sacrifice consists of meat, wine, and music.
The use of keeping festivals is plain. Man derives benefit from
such assemblies : the emotions produced renew the attachment to
religion: they lead to friendly and social intercourse among the
people. This is especially the object of the commandment to gather
the people together on the Feast of Tabernacles, as is plainly
stated:" that they may hear, and that they may learn and fear the
Lord" (Deut. xxxi. 12). The same is the object of the rule that the
money for the second tithe must be spent by all in one place (ibid.
xiv. 22-26), as we have explained (chap. xxxix. p. 184). The fruit
of trees in their fourth year, and the tithe of the cattle, had to be
brought to Jerusalem. There would therefore be in Jerusalem the
meat of the tithes, the wine of the fruit of the fourth year, and the
money of the second tithe. Plenty of food would always be found
there. Nothing of the above things could be sold; nothing could be
set aside for another year; the Law orders that they should be
brought" year by year" (Deut. xiv. 22): the owner was thus
compelled to spend part of them in charity. As regards the
Festivals it is especially enjoined :" And thou shalt rejoice in thy
feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant,
and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the
fatherless, and the widow" (ibid. xvi. 14). We have thus explained
the reason of every law belonging to this class, and even many
details of the laws.
CHAPTER XLVII
THE precepts of the twelfth class are those which we have
enumerated in the section on" Purity" (Sefer tohorah). Although
we have mentioned their use in general, we will here offer an
additional explanation, and [first] fully discuss the object of the
whole class, and then show the reason of each single
commandment, as far as we have been able to discover it. 1
maintain that the Law which was revealed to Moses, our Teacher,
and which is called by his name, aims at facilitating the service
and lessening the burden, and if a person complains that certain
precepts cause him pain and great trouble, he cannot have thought
of the habits and doctrines that were general in those days. Let him
consider the difference between a man burning his own son in
serving his god, and our burning a pigeon to the service of our
God. Scripture relates, for even their sons and their daughters they
burn in the fire to their gods (Dent. Idi. 31). This was the way in
which the heathen worshipped their gods, and instead of such a
sacrifice we have the burning of a pigeon or a handful of flour in
our worship. In accordance with this fact, the Israelites, when
disobedient, were rebuked by God as follows:" 0 My people, what
have I done unto thee ? and wherein have I wearied thee ? Testify
against me" (Mic. vi. 3). Again," Have I been a wilderness unto
Israel ? a land of darkness ? Wherefore say my people, We are
miserable; we will come no more unto thee" (jer. ii. 3 1): that is to
say, Through which of the commandments has the Law become
burdensome to the Israelites, that they renounce it ? In the same
manner God asks the people," What iniquity have your fathers
found in me, that they are gone far from me ?" etc. (ibid. ii. 5). All
these passages express one and the same idea.
This is the great principle which you must never lose sight of.
After having stated this principle, I repeat that the object of the
Sanctuary was to create in the hearts of those who enter it certain
feelings of awe and reverence, in accordance with the command,"
You shall reverence my sanctuary" (Lev. xix. 30). But when we
continually see an object, however sublime it may be, our regard
for that object will be lessened, and the impression we have
received of it will be weakened. Our Sages, considering this fact,
said that we should not enter the Temple whenever we liked, and
pointed to the words:" Make thy foot rare in the house of thy
friend" (Prov. xxv. 17). For this reason the unclean were not
allowed to enter the Sanctuary, although there are so many kinds
of uncleanliness, that [at a time] only a few people are dean. For
even if a person does not touch a beast that died of its own accord
(Lev. ld. 27), he can scarcely avoid touching one of the eight kinds
of creeping animals (ibid. 29, seq.), the dead bodies of which we
find at all times in houses, in food and drink, and upon which we
frequently tread wherever we walk; and, if he avoids touching
these, he may touch a woman in her separation (ibid. xv. 18), or a
male or female that have a running issue (ibid. ver. 1, seq. and 25,
seq.), or a leper (ibid. xiii. 46), or their bed (ibid. xv. 5). Escaping
these, he may become unclean by cohabitation with his wife, or by
pollution (ibid. 15), and even when he has cleansed himself from
any of these kinds of uncleanliness, he cannot enter the Sanctuary
till after sunset; but not being enabled to enter the Sanctuary at
night time, although he is clean after sunset, as may be inferred
from Middot and Tamid, he is again, during the night, subject to
becoming unclean either by cohabiting with his wife or by some
other source of uncleanliness, and may rise in the morning in the
same condition as the day before. All this serves to keep people
away from the Sanctuary, and to prevent them from entering it
whenever they liked. Our Sages, as is well known, said," Even a
dean person may not enter the
Sanctuary for the purpose of performing divine service, unless he
takes previously a bath." By such acts the reverence [for the
Sanctuary] will continue, the right impression will be produced
which leads man, as is intended, to humility.
The easier the diffusion of uncleanliness is, the more difficult and
the more retarded is its purification. Most easily is uncleanliness
communicated by the dead body to those who are under the same
roof, especially to relatives. The purification can only be
completed by means of the ashes of the red heifer, however scarce
it may be, and only in seven days (Num. xix. 11). The uncleanness
caused by a woman having running issue or during her separation
is more frequent than that caused by contact with unclean objects:
seven days are therefore required for their purification (Lev. xv.
19, 28), whilst those that touch them are only unclean one day
(ibid. vii. 18). Males or females that are unclean through running
issue, and a woman after childbirth, must in addition bring a
sacrifice, because their uncleanness occurs less frequently than
that of women in their separation. All these cases of uncleanliness,
viz., running issue of males or females, menstruations, leprosy,
dead bodies of human beings, carcases of beasts and creeping
things, and issue of semen, are sources of dirt and filth. We have
thus shown that the above precepts are very useful in many
respects. First, they keep us at a distance from dirty and filthy
objects: secondly, they guard the Sanctuary; thirdly, they pay
regard to an established custom (for the Sabeans submitted to very
troublesome restrictions when unclean, as you will soon hear):
fourthly, they lightened that burden for us; for we are not impeded
through these laws in our ordinary occupations by the distinction
the Law makes between that which is unclean and that which is
dean. For this distinction applies only in reference to the Sanctuary
and the holy objects connected with it: it does not apply to other
cases." She shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the
Sanctuary" (Lev. xii. 4). Other persons [that do not intend to enter
the Sanctuary or touch any holy thing], are not guilty of any sin if
they remain unclean as long as they like, and eat, according to
their pleasure, ordinary food that has been in contact with unclean
things. But the practice of the Sabeans, even at present general in
the East, among the few still left of the Magi, was to keep a
menstruous woman in a house by herself, to burn that upon which
she treads, and to consider as unclean every one that speaks with
her: even if a wind passed over her and a clean person, the latter
was unclean in the eyes of the Sabeans. See the difference between
this practice and our rule, that" whatever services a wife generally
does to her husband, she may do to him in her separation" : only
cohabitation is prohibited during the days of her uncleanness.
Another custom among the Sabeans, which is still widespread, is
this : whatever is separated from the body, as hair, nail, or blood, is
unclean; every barber is therefore unclean in their estimation,
because he touches blood and hair; whenever a person passes a
razor over his skin he must take a bath in running water. Such
burdensome practices were numerous among the Sabeans, whilst
we apply the laws that distinguish between the unclean and the
dean only with regard to hallowed things and to the Sanctuary. The
divine words," And ye shall sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be
holy" (Lev. xi. 44), do not refer to these laws at an. According to
Sifra, they refer to sanctity by obedience to God's commandments.
The same interpretation is given in Sifra of the words," Ye shall
be holy," i.e. obedient to His commandments (xix. 2). Hence the
transgression of commandments is also called uncleanliness or
defilement. This term is especially used of the chief and principal
crimes, which are idolatry, adultery, and murder. In reference to
idolatry it is said," He hath given of his seed unto Molech to defile
my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name" (ibid. xx. 3). In
reference to adultery we read," Defile not ye yourselves in any of
these things" (ibid. xviii. 24), and Defile not the land" (Num.
xxxv. 34) in reference to murder. It is therefore clear that the term"
defilement" [or uncleanliness] is used homonymously of three
things : 1. Of man's violation and transgression of that which he is
commanded as regards his actions and his opinions. 2. Of dirt and
filth: comp." Her filthiness in her skirts" (Lam. i. 9). 3. Of the
abovenamed imaginary defilement such as touching and carrying
certain objects, or being with them under the same roof. In
reference to the third kind, our Sages said, The words of the Law
are not subject to becoming unclean (B. T. Ber. 224). In the same
manner the term" holiness" is used homonymously of three things
corresponding to the three kinds of uncleanness. As uncleanness
caused by a dead body could only be removed after seven days, by
means of the ashes of the red heifer, and the priests had constantly
occasion to enter the Sanctuary, the Law exceptionally forbids
them to defile themselves by a dead body (Lev. xxi. 1), except in
cases where defilement is necessary, and the contrary would be
unnatural. For it would be unnatural to abstain from approaching
the dead body of a parent, child, or brother. As it was very
necessary that the high-priest should always be in the Sanctuary, in
accordance with the Divine command," And it shall always be on
his forehead" (Exod. xxviii. 38), he was not permitted to defile
himself by any dead body whatever, even of the above-named
relatives (Lev. xxi. 10-12). Women were not engaged in sacrificial
service; the above law consequently does not apply to women; it is
addressed to" the sons of Aaron," and not to" the daughters of
Aaron." It was, however, impossible to assume that none of the
Israelites made a mistake, by entering the Sanctuary, or eating
hallowed things in a state of uncleanliness. It was even possible
that there were persons who did this knowingly, since there are
wicked people who commit knowingly even the greatest crimes;
for this reason certain sacrifices were commanded as an atonement
for the defilement of the Sanctuary and its hallowed things. They
were of different kinds; some of them atoned for defilement
caused ignorantly, others for defilement caused knowingly. For
this purpose were brought the goats on the Festivals and the
New-moon days (Num. xxviii. 15, 27, etc.), and the goat sent away
on the Day of Atonement (Lev. xvi. 16), as is explained in its place
(Mishnah Shebnot, i. 4). These sacrifices serve to prevent those
who defiled the Sanctuary of the Lord knowingly from thinking
that they had not done a great wrong; they should know that they
obtained atonement by the sacrifice of the goat, as the Law says,"
That they die not in their uncleanness" (Lev. xv. 31):" That Aaron
may bear the iniquity of the holy things" (Exod. xxviii. 38). This
idea is frequently repeated.
The uncleanness through leprosy we have already explained. Our
Sages have also dearly stated the meaning thereof. All agree that
leprosy is a punishment for slander. The disease begins in the
walls of the houses (Lev. xiv. 33, seq.). If the sinner repents, the
object is attained: if he remains in his disobedience, the disease
affects his bed and house furniture: if he still continues to sin, the
leprosy attacks his own garments, and then his body. This is a
miracle received in our nation by tradition, in the same manner as
the effect of the trial of a faithless wife (Num. v. ii, seq). The good
effect of this belief is evident. Leprosy is besides a contagious
disease, and people almost naturally abhor it, and keep away from
it. The purification was effected by cedar-wood, hyssop, scarlet
thread, and two birds (Lev. xiv. 4); their reason is stated in various
Midrashic sayings, but the explanation does not agree with our
theory. I do not know at present the reason of any of these things;
nor why cedar-wood, hyssop, and scarlet were used in the sacrifice
of the red heifer (Num. xix. 6): nor why a bundle of hyssop was
commanded for the sprinkling of the blood of the Passover-lamb
(Exod. Xii. 22). 1 cannot find any principle upon which to found
an explanation why these particular things have been chosen.
The red heifer is called a sin-offering, because it effects the
purification of persons that have become unclean through the dead
body of a human being, and enables them to enter the Sanctuary
[and to eat of hallowed things]. The idea taught by this law is this :
Those who have defiled themselves would never be allowed to
enter the Sanctuary, or to partake of holy things, were it not for the
sacrifice of the red heifer, by which this sin is removed; in the
same manner as the plate [which the high-priest wears on his
forehead] atones for uncleanness, and as a similar object is
attained by the goats that are burnt. For this reason those were
unclean who were engaged in the sacrifice of the heifer or the
goats which were burnt, and even their garments were unclean.
The same was the law in the case of the goat that was sent away
[on the Day of Atonement]; for it was believed that it made
unclean those who touched it, because it carried off so many sins.
We have now mentioned the reasons for those commandments of
this class, for which we were able to give a satisfactory reason
according to our view.
CHAPTER XLVIII
THE precepts of the thirteenth class are those which we have
enumerated in the" Laws concerning forbidden food" (Hilkot
maakalot asurot)," Laws concerning killing animals for food"
(Hilkot shehitah), and" Laws concerning vows and Nazaritism"
(Hilkot nedarim u-nezirot). We have fully and very explicitly
discussed the object of this class in this treatise, and in our
Commentary on the Sayings of the Fathers. We will here add a few
remarks in reviewing the single commandments which are
mentioned there.
I maintain that the food which is forbidden by the Law is
unwholesome. There is nothing among the forbidden kinds of food
whose injurious character is doubted, except pork (Lev. id. 7), and
fat (ibid. vii. 23). But also in these cases the doubt is not justified.
For pork contains more moisture than necessary [for human food],
and too much of superfluous matter. The principal reason why the
Law forbids swine's flesh is to be found in the circumstance that its
habits and its food are very dirty and loathsome. It has already
been pointed out how emphatically the Law enjoins the removal of
the sight of loathsome objects, even in the field and in the camp;
how much more objectionable is such a sight in towns. But if it
were allowed to eat swine's flesh, the streets and houses would be
more dirty than any cesspool, as may be seen at present in the
country of the Franks. A saying of our Sages declares:" The mouth
of a swine is as dirty as dung itself" (B.T. Ber. 25a).
The fat of the intestines makes us full, interrupts our digestion, and
produces cold and thick blood; it is more fit for fuel [than for
human food].
Blood (Lev. xvii. 12), and nebelah, i.e., the flesh of an animal that
died of itself (Deut. xiv. 21), are indigestible, and injurious as
food: Trejah, an animal in a diseased state (Exod. xxii. 30), is on
the way of becoming a nebelah.
The characteristics given in the Law (Lev. xi., and Dent. xiv.) of
the permitted animals, viz., chewing the cud and divided hoofs for
cattle, and fins and scales for fish, are in themselves neither the
cause of the permission when they are present, nor of the
prohibition when they are absent; but merely signs by which the
recommended species of animals can be discerned from those that
are forbidden.
The reason why the sinew that shrank is prohibited is stated in the
Law (Gen. xxxii. 33).
It is prohibited to cut off a limb of a living animal and eat it,
because such act would produce cruelty, and develop it: besides,
the heathen kings used to do it: it was also a kind of idolatrous
worship to cut off a certain limb of a living animal and to eat it.
Meat boiled in milk is undoubtedly gross food, and makes
overfull; but I think that most probably it is also prohibited
because it is somehow connected with idolatry, forming perhaps
part of the service. or being used on some festival of the heathen. I
find a support for this view in the circumstance that the Law
mentions the prohibition twice after the commandment given
concerning the festivals" Three times in the year all thy males
shall appear before the Lord God" (Exod. xxiii. 17, and xxxiv. 73),
as if to say," When you come before me on your festivals, do not
seethe your food in the manner as the heathen used to do." This I
consider as the best reason for the prohibition: but as far as I have
seen the books on Sabean rites, nothing is mentioned of this
custom.
The commandment concerning the killing of animals is necessary,
because the natural food of man consists of vegetables and of the
flesh of animals: the best meat is that of animals permitted to be
used as food. No doctor has any doubts about this. Since,
therefore, the desire of procuring good food necessitates the
slaying of animals, the Law enjoins that the death of the animal
should be the easiest. It is not allowed to torment the animal by
cutting the throat in a clumsy manner, by poleaxing, or by cutting
off a limb whilst the animal is alive.
It is also prohibited to kill an animal with its young on the same
day (Lev. xxii. 28), in order that people should be restrained and
prevented from killing the two together in such a manner that the
young is slain in the sight of the mother; for the pain of the
animals under such circumstances is very great. There is no
difference in this case between the pain of man and the pain of
other living beings, since the love and tenderness of the mother for
her young ones is not produced by reasoning, but by imagination,
and this faculty exists not only in man but in most living beings.
This law applies only to ox and lamb, because of the domestic
animals used as food these alone are permitted to us, and in these
cases the mother recognises her young.
The same reason applies to the law which enjoins that we should
let the mother fly away when we take the young. The eggs over
which the bird sits, and the young that are in need of their mother,
are generally unfit for food, and when the mother is sent away she
does not see the taking of her young ones, and does not feel any
pain. In most cases, however, this commandment will cause man
to leave the whole nest untouched, because [the young or the
eggs], which he is allowed to take, are, as a rule, unfit for food. If
the Law provides that such grief should not be caused to cattle or
birds, how much more careful must we be that we should not
cause grief to our fellowmen. When in the Talmud (Ber. p. 33b)
those are blamed who use in their prayer the phrase," Thy mercy
extendeth to young birds," it is the expression of the one of the two
opinions mentioned by us, namely, that the precepts of the Law
have no other reason but the Divine will. We follow the other
opinion.
The reason why we cover the blood when we kill animals, and why
we do it only when we kill dean beasts and clean birds, has already
been explained by us (supra, chap. xlvi., p. 362).
In addition to the things prohibited by the Law, we are also
commanded to observe the prohibitions enjoined by our own vows
(Num. xxx.). If we say, This bread or this meat is forbidden for us,
we are not allowed to partake of that food. The object of that
precept is to train us in temperance, that we should be able to
control our appetites for eating and drinking. Our Sages say
accordingly," Vows are a fence for abstinence." As women are
easily provoked to anger, owing to their greater excitability and the
weakness of their mind, their oaths, if entirely under their own
control, would cause great grief, quarrel, and disorder in the
family; one kind of food would be allowed for the husband, and
forbidden for the wife: another kind forbidden for the daughter,
and allowed for the mother. Therefore the Law gives the father of
the family control over the vows of those dependent on him. A
woman that is independent, and not under the authority of a chief
of the family, is, as regards vows, subject to the same laws as men;
I mean a woman that has no husband, or that has no father, or that
is of age, i.e., twelve years and six months.
The object of Nazaritism (Num. vi.) is obvious. It keeps away from
wine that has ruined people in ardent and modern times." Many
strong men have been slain by it" (Prov. xxvii. 26)." But they also
have erred through wine. . . . the priest and the prophet" (Isa.
xxviii. 7). In the law about the Nazarite we notice even the
prohibition," he shall eat nothing that is made of the vine tree"
(Num. vi. 4), as an additional precaution, implying the lesson that
man must take of wine only as much as is absolutely necessary.
For he who abstains from drinking it is called" holy" : his sanctity
is made equal to that of the high-priest, in not being allowed to
defile himself even to his father, to his mother, and the like. This
honour is given him because he abstains from wine.
CHAPTER XLIX
THE precepts of the fourteenth class are those which we
enumerated in the Section on Women, the Laws concerning
forbidden sexual intercourse, and cross-breeding of cattle (Seler
nashim, Hilkot issure biah ve-kalee behemah). The law concerning
circumcision belongs also to this class. The general purpose of
these precepts has already been described by us. We will now
proceed to explain them singly.
It is well known that man requires friends all his lifetime. Aristotle
explains this in the ninth book of his Nilcomachean Ethics. When
man is in good health and prosperous, he enjoys the company of
his friends; in time of trouble he is in need of them; in old age,
when his body is weak, he is assisted by them. This love is more
frequent and more intense between parents and children, and
among [other] relations. Perfect love, brotherhood, and mutual
assistance is only found among those near to each other by
relationship. The members of a family united by common descent
from the same grandfather, or even from some more distant
ancestor, have towards each other a certain feeling of love, help
each other, and sympathize with each other. To effect this is one of
the chief purposes of the Law. Professional harlots were therefore
not tolerated in Israel (Deut. xxiii. 18), because their existence
would disturb the above relationship between man and man. Their
children are strangers to everybody; no one knows to what family
they belong; nor does any person recognize them as relatives. And
this is the greatest misfortune that can befall any child or father.
Another important object in prohibiting prostitution is to restrain
excessive and continual lust: for lust increases with the variety of
its objects. The sight of that to which a person has been
accustomed for a long time does not produce such an ardent desire
for its enjoyment as is produced by objects new in form and
character. Another effect of this prohibition is the removal of a
cause for strife: for if the prohibition did not exist, several persons
might by chance come to one woman, and would naturally quarrel
with each other; they would in many cases kill one another, or they
would kill the woman. This is known to have occurred in days of
old," And they assembled themselves by troops in a harlot's
house" (Jer. v. 7). In order to prevent these great evils, and to
effect the great boon that all men should know their relationship to
each other, prostitutes (Deut. xxiii. 17) were not tolerated, and
sexual intercourse was only permitted when man has chosen a
certain female, and married her openly; for if it sufficed merely to
choose her, many a person would bring a prostitute into his house
at a certain time agreed upon between them, and say that she was
his wife. Therefore it is commanded to perform the act of
engagement by which he declares that he has chosen her to take
her for his wife, and then to go through the public ceremony of
marriage. Comp." And Boaz took ten men," etc. (Ruth iv. 2). It
may happen that husband and wife do not agree, live without love
and peace, and do not enjoy the benefit of a home; in that case he
is permitted to send her away. If he had been allowed to divorce
her by a mere word, or by turning her out of his house, the wife
would wait for some negligence [on the part of the husband], and
then come out and say that she was divorced; or having committed
adultery, she and the adulterer would contend that she had then
been divorced. Therefore the law is that divorce can only take
place by means of a document which can serve as evidence," He
shall write her a bill of divorcement" (Deut. xxiv. 1). There are
frequently occasions for suspicion of adultery and doubts
concerning the conduct of the wife. Laws concerning a wife
suspected of adultery (sotah) are therefore prescribed (Num. v.):
the effect of which is that the wife, out of fear of the" bitter
waters," is most careful to prevent any ill-feeling on the part of her
husband against her. Even of those that felt quite innocent and safe
most were rather willing to lose all their property than to submit to
the prescribed treatment: even death was preferred to the public
disgrace of uncovering the head, undoing the hair, rending the
garments and exposing the heart, and being led round through the
Sanctuary in the presence of all, of women and men, and also in
the presence of the members of the Synhedrion. The fear of this
trial keeps away great diseases that ruin the home comfort.
As every maiden expects to be married, her seducer therefore is
only ordered to marry her: for he is undoubtedly the fittest husband
for her. He will better heal her wound and redeem her character
than any other husband. If, however, he is rejected by her or her
father, he must give the dowry (Exod. xxii. 15). If he uses violence
he has to submit to the additional punishment," he may not put her
away all his days" (Dent. xxii. 29).
The reason of the law concerning marrying the deceased brother's
wife is stated in the Bible (Dent. xxv. 5). It was a custom in force
before the Law was given, and the Law perpetuated it. The
ceremony of halizah (ibid. 6, seq.)," taking off the shoe," has been
introduced, because in those days it was considered disgraceful to
go through that ceremony, and in order to avoid the disgrace, a
person might perhaps be induced to marry his deceased brother's
wife. This is evident from the words of the Law:" So shall it be
done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. And
his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his
shoe loosed" (Dent. xxv. 9). In the action of Judah we may
perhaps notice an example of a noble conduct, and uprightness in
judgment. He said:" Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed:
behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her" (Gen. xxxviii.
23). For before the Lawgiving, the intercourse with a harlot was as
lawful as cohabitation of husband and wife since the Lawgiving; it
was perfectly permitted, nobody considered it wrong. The hire
which was in those days paid to the harlot in accordance with a
previous agreement, corresponds to the ketubah which in our clays
the husband pays to his wife when he divorces her. It is a just
claim on the part of the wife, and the husband is bound to pay it.
The words of Judah," Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed,"
etc., show that conversation about sexual intercourse, even of that
which is permitted, brings shame upon us; it is proper to be silent
about it, to keep it secret, even if the silence would lead to loss of
money. In this sense Judah said: It is better for us to lose property,
and to let her keep what she has, than to make our affair public by
inquiring after her, and bring still more shame upon us. This is the
lesson, as regards conduct, to be derived from this incident. As to
the uprightness to be learned therefrom, it is contained in the
words of Judah when he wanted to show that he had not robbed
her, that he has not in the least departed from his agreement with
her. For he said," Behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found
her." The kid was probably very good, therefore he points to it,
saying," this kid." This is the uprightness which he had inherited
from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob : that man must not depart from
his given word, nor deviate from what he agreed upon; but he must
give to others all that is due to them. It makes no difference
whether he holds a portion of his neighbour's property as a loan or
a trust, or whether he is in any other way his neighbour's debtor,
owing him wages or the like.
The sum which the husband settles upon his wife (ketubah) is to be
treated in the same way as the wages of a hired servant. There is
no difference whether a master withholds the wages of a hired
servant, or deprives his wife of that which is due to her; whether a
master wrongs a hired servant, and brings charges against him with
the intention to send him away without payment, or a husband
treats his wife in a manner that would enable him to send her away
without the payment of the promised sum.
The equity of the statutes and judgments of the Law in this regard
may be noticed in the treatment of a person accused of spreading
an evil report about his wife (Dent. xxii. 13, seq). There is no
doubt that the man that did this is bad, does not love his wife, and
is not pleased with her. If he desired to divorce her in a regular
manner, there is nothing to prevent him, but he would be bound to
give her what is due unto her; but instead of this," he gives
occasion of speech against her" (ibid. xxii. 14), in order to get rid
of his wife without paying anything; he slanders her, and utters
falsehood in order to keep in his possession the fifty shekels of
silver, the dowry fixed in the Law for maidens, which he is obliged
to pay unto her. He is therefore sentenced to pay one hundred
shekels of silver, in accordance with the principle," Whom the
judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour"
(Exod. xxii. 9). The Law is also analogous to that about false
witnesses, which we have explained above (chap. xli. p. 195). For
he intended to cheat her of her fifty shekels of silver, he must
therefore [add fifty, and] pay her a hundred shekels. This is his
punishment for withholding from her her due, and endeavouring to
keep it. But in so far as he degraded her, and spread the rumour
that she was guilty of misconduct, he was also degraded, and
received stripes, as is implied in the words," and they shall
chastise him" (Dent. xxii. 15). But he sinned besides in clinging to
lust, and seeking only that which gave pleasure to him: he was
therefore punished by being compelled to keep his wife always,"
he may not put her away all his days" (ibid. 19): for he has been
brought to all this only because he may have found her ugly. Thus
are these bad habits cured when they are treated according to the
divine Law; the ways of equity are never lost sight of; they are
obvious and discernible in every precept of the Law by those who
consider it well. See how, according to the Law, the slanderer of
his wife, who only intended to withhold from her what he is bound
to give her, is treated in the same manner as a thief who has stolen
the property of his neighbour; and the false witness (Dent. xix. 16,
seq.) who schemes to injure, although the injury was in reality not
inflicted, is punished like those who have actually caused injury
and wrong, viz., like the thief and the slanderer. The three kinds of
sinners are tried and judged by one and the same law. See how
wonderful are the divine laws, and admire His wonderful deeds.
Scripture says:" The Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways
are judgment" (Deut. xxxii. 4), i.e., as His works are most perfect,
so are His laws most equitable; but our mind is too limited to
comprehend the perfection of all His works, or the equity of all His
laws: and as we are able to comprehend some of His wonderful
works in the organs of living beings and the motions of the
spheres, so we understand also the equity of some of His laws; that
which is unknown to us of both of them is far more than that
which is known to us. I will now return to the theme of the present
chapter.
The law about forbidden sexual intercourse seeks in all its parts to
inculcate the lesson that we ought to limit sexual intercourse
altogether, hold it in contempt, and only desire it very rarely. The
prohibition of pederasty (Lev. xviii. 22) and carnal intercourse
with beasts (ibid. 73) is very clear. If in the natural way the act is
too base to be performed except when needed, how much more
base is it if performed in an unnatural manner, and only for the
sake of pleasure.
The female relatives whom a man may not marry are alike in this
respectthat as a rule they are constantly together with him in his
house: they would easily listen to him, and do what he desires;
they are near at hand, and he would have no difficulty in procuring
them. No judge could blame him if found in their company. If to
these relatives the same law applied as to all other unmarried
women, if we were allowed to marry any of them, and were only
precluded from sexual intercourse with them without marriage,
most people would constantly have become guilty of misconduct
with them. But as they are entirely forbidden to us, and sexual
intercourse with them is most emphatically denounced unto us as a
capital crime, or a sin punishable with extinction (karet), and as
there is no means of ever legalizing such intercourse, there is
reason to expect that people will not seek it, and win not think of
it. That the persons included in that prohibition are, as we have
stated, at hand and easily accessible, is evident. For as a rule, the
mother of the wife, the grandmother, the daughter, the
granddaughter, and the sister-in-law, are mostly with her; the
husband meets them always when he goes out, when he comes in,
and when he is at his work. The wife stays also frequently in the
house of her husband's brother, father, or son. It is also well known
that we are often in the company of our sisters, our aunts, and the
wife of our uncle, and are frequently brought Up together with
them. These are all the relatives which we must not marry. This is
one of the reasons why intermarriage with a near relative is
forbidden. But according to my opinion the prohibition serves
another object, namely, to inculcate chastity into our hearts.
Licence between the root and the branch, between a man and his
mother, or his daughter, is outrageous. The intercourse between
root and branch is forbidden, and it makes no difference whether
the male element is the root or the branch, or both root and branch
combine in the intercourse with a third person, so that the same
individual cohabits with the root and with the branch. On this
account it is prohibited to marry a woman and her mother, the wife
of the father or of the son; for in all these cases there is the
intercourse between one and the same person on the one side and
root and branch on the other.
The law concerning brothers is like the law concerning root and
branch. The sister is forbidden, and so is also the sister of the wife
and the wife of the brother; because in the latter cases two persons
who are considered like root and branch, cohabit with the same
person. But in these prohibitions brothers and sisters are partly
considered as root and branch and partly as one body; the sister of
the mother is therefore like the mother, and the sister of the father
like the father, and both are prohibited: and since the daughter of
the parent's brother or sister is not included in the number of
prohibited relatives, so may we also marry the daughter of the
brother or the sister. The apparent anomaly, that the brother of the
father may marry a woman that has been the wife of his brother's
son, whilst the nephew must not marry a woman that has been the
wife of his father's brother, can be explained according to the
above-mentioned first reason. For the nephew is frequently in the
house of his uncle, and his conduct towards the wife of his uncle is
the same as that towards his brother's wife. The uncle, however, is
not so frequent in the house of his nephew, and he is consequently
less intimate with the wife of his nephew; whilst in the case of
father and son, the familiarity of the father with his
daughter-in-law is the same as that of the son with the wife of his
father, and therefore the law and punishment is the same for both
[father and son]. The reason why it is prohibited to cohabit with a
menstruous woman (Lev. xviii. 19) or with another man's wife
(ibid. 20), is obvious, and requires no further explanation.
It is well known that we must not indulge in any sensual
enjoyment whatever with the persons included in the above
prohibitions: we must not even look at them if we intend to derive
pleasure therefrom. We have explained this in" the laws about
forbidden sexual intercourse" (Hilkot issure biah, xxi. 1-2), and
shown that according to the Law we must not even engage our
thoughts with the act of cohabitation (ibid. 19) or irritate the organ
of generation; and when we find ourselves unintentionally in a
state of irritation, we must turn our mind to other thoughts, and
reflect on some other thing till we are relieved. Our Sages (B.T.
Kidd 30b), in their moral lessons, which give perfection to the
virtuous, say as follows:" My son, if that monster meets you, drag
it to the house of study. It will melt if it is of iron; it will break in
pieces if it is of stone : as is said in Scripture, ' Is not my word like
a fire ? saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in
pieces ? '" (Jer. xxiii. 29). The author of this saying thus exhorts
his son to go to the house of study when he finds his organ of
generation in an irritated state. By reading, disputing, asking, and
listening to questions, the irritation win certainly cease. See how
properly the term monster is employed, for that irritation is indeed
like a monster. Not only religion teaches this lesson, the
philosophers teach the same. I have already quoted verbatim the
words of Aristotle. He says:" The sense of touch which is a
disgrace to us, leads us to indulge in eating and sensuality," etc. He
calls people degraded who seek carnal pleasures and devote
themselves to gastronomy: he denounces in extenso their low and
objectionable conduct, and ridicules them. This passage occurs in
his Ethics and in his Rhetoric.
In accordance with this excellent principle, which we ought strictly
to follow, our Sages teach us that we ought not to look at beasts or
birds in the moment of their copulation. According to my opinion,
this is the reason why the cross-breeding of cattle is prohibited
(Lev. xix. 19). It is a fact that animals of different species do not
copulate together, unless by force. It is well known that the low
class of breeders of mules are regularly engaged in this work. Our
Law objected to it that any Israelite should degrade himself by
doing these things, which require so much vulgarity and
indecency, and doing that which religion forbids us even to
mention, how much more to witness or to practise, except when
necessary. Crossbreeding, however, is not necessary. I think that
the prohibition to bring together two species in any kind of work,
as included in the words," Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an
ass together" (Deut. xxii. 10), is only a preventive against the
intercourse of two species. For if it were allowed to join such
together in any work, we might sometimes also cause their
intercourse. That this is the reason of the commandment is proved
by the fact that it applies to other animals besides ox and ass; it is
prohibited to plow not only with ox and ass together, but with any
two kinds. But Scripture mentions as an instance that which is of
regular occurrence.
As regards circumcision, I think that one of its objects is to limit
sexual intercourse, and to weaken the organ of generation as far as
possible, and thus cause man to be moderate. Some people believe
that circumcision is to remove a defect in man's formation; but
every one can easily reply: How can products of nature be
deficient so as to require external completion, especially as the use
of the fore-skin to that organ is evident. This commandment has
not been enjoined as a complement to a deficient physical
creation, but as a means for perfecting man's moral shortcomings.
The bodily injury caused to that organ is exactly that which is
desired; it does not interrupt any vital function, nor does it destroy
the power of generation. Circumcision simply counteracts
excessive lust; for there is no doubt that circumcision weakens the
power of sexual excitement, and sometimes lessens the natural
enjoyment: the organ necessarily becomes weak when it loses
blood and is deprived of its covering from the beginning. Our
Sages (Beresh. Rabba, c. 80) say distinctly: It is hard for a woman,
with whom an uncircumcised had sexual intercourse, to separate
from him. This is, as I believe, the best reason for the
commandment concerning circumcision. And who was the first to
perform this commandment? Abraham, our father! of whom it is
well known how he feared sin; it is described by our Sages in
reference to the words," Behold, now I know that thou art a fair
woman to look upon" (Gen. xii. 11).
There is, however, another important object in this commandment.
It gives to all members of the same faith, i.e., to all believers in the
Unity of God, a common bodily sign, so that it is impossible for
any one that is a stranger, to say that he belongs to them. For
sometimes people say so for the purpose of obtaining some
advantage, or in order to make some attack upon the Jews. No one,
however, should circumcise himself or his son for any other reason
but pure faith; for circumcision is not like an incision on the leg, or
a burning in the arm, but a very difficult operation. It is also a fact
that there is much mutual love and assistance among people that
are united by the same sign when they consider it as [the symbol
of] a covenant. Circumcision is likewise the [symbol of the]
covenant which Abraham made in connexion with the belief in
God's Unity. So also every one that is circumcised enters the
covenant of Abraham to believe in the unity of God, in accordance
with the words of the Law," To be a God unto thee, and to thy
seed after thee" (Gen. xvii. 7). This purpose of the circumcision is
as important as the first, and perhaps more important.
This law can only be kept and perpetuated in its perfection, if
circumcision is performed when the child is very young, and this
for three good reasons. First, if the operation were postponed till
the boy had grown up, he would perhaps not submit to it.
Secondly, the young child has not much pain, because the skin is
tender, and the imagination weak: for grown-up persons are in
dread and fear of things which they imagine as coming, some time
before these actually occur. Thirdly, when a child is very young,
the parents do not think much of him: because the image of the
child, that leads the parents to love him, has not yet taken a firm
root in their minds. That image becomes stronger by the continual
sight; it grows with the development of the child, and later on the
image begins again to decrease and to vanish. The parents' love for
a new-born child is not so great as it is when the child is one year
old; and when one year old, it is less loved by them than when six
years old. The feeling and love of the father for the child would
have led him to neglect the law if he were allowed to wait two or
three years, whilst shortly after birth the image is very weak in the
mind of the parent, especially of the father who is responsible for
the execution of this commandment. The circumcision must take
place on the eighth day (Lev. xii. 3), because all living beings are
after birth, within the first seven days, very weak and exceedingly
tender, as if they were still in the womb of their mother; not until
the eighth day can they be counted among those that enjoy the
light of the world. That this is also the case with beasts may be
inferred from the words of Scripture:" Seven days shall it be under
the dam" (Lev. XXii. 27), as if it had no vitality before the end of
that period. In the same manner man is circumcised after the
completion of seven days. The period has been fixed, and has not
been left to everybody's judgment.
The precepts of this class include also the lesson that we must not
injure in any way the organs of generation in living beings (ibid.
xxii. 24). The lesson is based on the principle of" righteous statutes
and judgments" (Dent. iv. 8): we must keep in everything the
golden mean; we must not be excessive in love, but must not
suppress it entirely; for the Law commands," Be fruitful, and
multiply" (Gen. i. 22). The organ is weakened by circumcision,
but not destroyed by the operation. The natural faculty is left in
full force, but is guarded against excess. It is prohibited for an
Israelite" that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member
cut off" (Dent. xxiii. 2), to marry an Israelitish woman: because
the sexual intercourse is of no use and of no purpose; and that
marriage would be a source of ruin to her, and to him who would
claim her. This is very dear.
In order to create a horror of illicit marriages, a bastard was not
allowed to marry an Israelitish woman (ibid. xxiii. 3): the adulterer
and the adulteress were thus taught that by their act they bring
upon their seed irreparable injury. In every language and in every
nation the issue of licentious conduct has a bad name; the Law
therefore raises the name of the Israelites by keeping them free
from the admixture of bastards. The priests, who have a higher
sanctity, are not allowed to marry a harlot, or a woman that is
divorced from her husband, or that is profane (Lev. xxi 7): the
high-priest, the noblest of the priests, must not marry even a
widow, or a woman that has had sexual intercourse of any kind
(ibid. xxi. 14). Of all these laws the reason is obvious. If bastards
were prohibited to marry any member of the congregation of the
Lord, how much more rigidly had slaves and handmaids to be
excluded. The reason of the prohibition of inter-marriage with
other nations is stated in the Law:" And thou take of their
daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after
their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods"
(Exod. xxxiv. 16).
Most of the" statutes" (hukkim), the reason of which is unknown
to us serve as a fence against idolatry. That I cannot explain some
details of the above laws or show their use is owing to the fact that
what we hear from others is not so dear as that which we see with
our own eyes. Thus my knowledge of the Sabean doctrines, which
I derived from books, is not as complete as the knowledge of those
who have witnessed the public practice of those idolatrous
customs, especially as they have been out of practice and entirely
extinct since two thousand years. If we knew all the particulars of
the Sabean worship, and were informed of all the details of those
doctrines, we would dearly see the reason and wisdom of every
detail in the sacrificial service, in the laws concerning things that
are unclean, and in other laws, the object of which I am unable to
state. I have no doubt that all these laws served to blot out wrong
principles from man's heart, and to exterminate the practices
which are useless, and merely a waste of time in vain and
purposeless things. Those principles have turned the mind of the
people away from intellectual research and useful actions. Our
prophets therefore describe the ways of the idolaters as follows:"
(They go) after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver; for
they are vain" (I Sam. xii. 21):" Surely our fathers have inherited
lies, vanity and things wherein there is no profit" (Jer. xvi. 19).
Consider how great the evil consequences of idolatry are, and say
whether we ought with all our power to oppose it or not! Most of
the precepts serve, as has been stated by us, as a mere fence
against those doctrines [of idolatry], and relieve man from the
great and heavy burdens, from the pains and inflictions which
formed part of the worship of idols. Every positive or negative
precept, the reason of which is unknown to thee, take as a remedy
against some of those diseases with which we are unacquainted at
present, thank God. This should be the belief of educated men who
know the true meaning of the following divine dictum:" I said not
unto the seed of jacob, Seek me in vain" (Isa. xlv. 19).
I have now mentioned all the commandments of these fourteen
classses one by one, and pointed out the reason of each of them,
with the exception of a few for which I was unable to give the
reason, and of some details of less importance; but implicitly we
have given the reason even of these, and every intelligent reader
will easily find it.
The reasons of the Precepts are now complete.
CHAPTER L
THERE are in the Law portions which include deep wisdom, but
have been misunderstood by many persons.; they require,
therefore, an explanation. I mean the narratives contained in the
Law which many consider as being of no use whatever; e.g., the
list of the various families descended from Noah, with their names
and their territories (Gen. x.): the sons of Seir the Horite (ibid.
xxxvi. 20-30): the kings that reigned in Edom (ibid. 31, seq.): and
the like. There is a saying of our Sages (B.T. Sanh. 99b) that the
wicked king Manasse frequently held disgraceful meetings for the
sole purpose of criticising such passages of the Law." He held
meetings and made blasphemous observations on Scripture,
saying, Had Moses nothing else to write than, And the sister of
Lotan was Timna" (Gen. xxxvi. 22) ? With reference to such
passages, I will first give a general principle, and then discuss
them seriatim, as I have done in the exposition of the reasons of
the precepts.
Every narrative in the Law serves a certain purpose in connexion
with religious teaching. It either helps to establish a principle of
faith, or to regulate our actions, and to prevent wrong and injustice
among men; and I will show this in each case.
It is one of the fundamental principles of the Law that the Universe
has been created ex nihilo, and that of the human race, one
individual being, Adam, was created. As the time which elapsed
from Adam to Moses was not more than about two thousand five
hundred years, people would have doubted the truth of that
statement if no other information had been added, seeing that the
human race was spread over all parts of the earth in different
families and with different languages, very unlike the one to the
other. In order to remove this doubt the Law gives the genealogy of
the nations (Gen. v. and x.), and the manner how they branched off
from a common root. It names those of them who were well
known, and tells who their fathers were, how long and where they
lived. It describes also the cause that led to the dispersion of men
over all parts of the earth, and to the formation of their different
languages, after they had lived for a long time in one place, and
spoken one language (ibid. xi.), as would be natural for
descendants of one person. The accounts of the flood (ibid.
vi.-viii.) and of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (ibid.
xix.), serve as an illustration of the doctrine that" Verily there is a
reward for the righteous; verily He is a God that judgeth in the
earth" (Ps. lviii. 12).
The narration of the war among the nine kings (ibid. xiv.) shows
how, by means of a miracle, Abraham, with a few undisciplined
men, defeated four mighty kings. It illustrates at the same time
how Abraham sympathized with his relative, who had been
brought up in the same faith, and how he exposed himself to the
dangers of warfare in order to save him. We further learn from this
narrative how contented and satisfied Abraham was, thinking little
of property, and very much of good deeds; he said," I will not take
from a thread even to a shoe-latchet" (Gen. xiv. 23)
The list of the families of Seir and their genealogy is given it the
Law (ibid. xxxvi. 20-36), because of one particular commandment.
For God distinctly commanded the Israelites concerning Amalek to
blot out his name (Dent. xxv. 17-19). Amalek was the son of
Eliphas and Timna, the sister of Lotan (ibid. xxxvi. 12). The other
sons of Esau were not included in this commandment. But Esau
was by marriage connected with the Seirites, as is distinctly stated
in Scripture: and Seirites were therefore his children: he reigned
over them; his seed was mixed with the seed of Seir, and
ultimately all the countries and families of Seir were called after
the sons of Esau who were the predominant family, and they
assumed more particularly the name Amalekites, because these
were the strongest in that family. If the genealogy of these families
of Seir had not been described in full they would all have been
killed, contrary to the plain words of the commandment. For this
reason the Seirite families are fully described, as if to say, the
people that live in Seir and in the kingdom of Amalek are not all
Amalekites: they are the descendants of some other man, and are
called Amalekites because the mother of Amalek was of their
tribe. The justice of God thus prevented the destruction of an
[innocent] people that lived in the midst of another people
[doomed to extirpation]: for the decree was only pronounced
against the seed of Amalek. The reason of this decree has already
been stated by us (p. 205)
The kings that have reigned in the land of Edom are enumerated
(Gen xxxvi. 51, seq.) on account of the law," Thou mayst not set a
stranger over thee, which is not thy brother 11 (Deut. xvii. 15). For
of these kings none was an Edomite; wherefore each king is
described by his native land; one king from this place, another
king from that place. Now I think that it was then well known how
these kings that reigned in Edorn conducted themselves, what they
did, and how they humiliated and oppressed the sons of Esau. Thus
God reminded the Israelites of the fate of the Edomites, as if
saying unto them, Look unto your brothers, the sons of Esau,
whose kings were so and so, and whose deeds are well known.
[Learn therefrom] that no nation ever chose a foreigner as king
without inflicting thereby some great or small injury upon the
country. In short, what I remarked in reference to our ignorance of
the Sabean worship, applies also to the history of those clays. If the
religious rules of the Sabeans and the events of those days were
known to us, we should be able to see plainly the reason for most
of the things mentioned in the Pentateuch.
It is also necessary to note the following observations. The view
we take of things described by others is different from the view we
take of things seen by Us as eye-witnesses. For that which we see
contains many details which are essential, and must be fully
described. The reader of the description believes that it contains
superfluous matter, or useless repetition, but if he had witnessed
the event of which he reads, he would see the necessity of every
part of the description. When we therefore notice narratives in the
Torah, which are in no connexion with any of the commandments,
we are inclined to think that they are entirely superfluous, or too
lengthy, or contain repetitions; but this is only because we do not
see the particular incidents which make those narratives
noteworthy. Of this kind is the enumeration of the stations [of the
Israelites in the wilderness] (Num. xxxiii.). At first sight it appears
to be entirely useless; but in order to obviate such a notion
Scripture says," And Moses wrote their goings out according to
their journeys by the commandment of the Lord" (ibid. ver. 2). It
was indeed most necessary that these should be written. For
miracles are only convincing to those who witnessed them; whilst
coming generations, who know them only from the account given
by others, may consider them as untrue. But miracles cannot
continue and last for all generations; it is even inconceivable [that
they should be permanent]. Now the greatest of the miracles
described in the Law is the stay of the Israelites in the wilderness
for forty years, with a daily supply of manna. This wilderness, as
described in Scripture, consisted of places" wherein were fiery
serpents and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water"
(Deut. viii. 115): places very remote from cultivated land, and
naturally not adapted for the habitation of man," It is no place of
seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates, neither is there
any water to drink" (Num. xx. 5):" A land that no man passed
through, and where no man dwelt" (Jer. ii. 6). [In reference to the
stay of the Israelites in the wilderness], Scripture relates," Ye have
not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink" (Deut.
xix. 5). All these miracles were wonderful, public, and witnessed
by the people. But God knew that in future people might doubt the
correctness of the account of these miracles. in the same manner
as they doubt the accuracy of other narratives; they might think
that the Israelites stayed in the wilderness in a place not far from
inhabited land, where it was possible for man to live [in the
ordinary way]; that it was like those deserts in which Arabs live at
present; or that they dwelt in such places in which they could
plow, sow, and reap, or live on some vegetable that was growing
there; or that manna came always down in those places as an
ordinary natural product; or that there were wells of water in those
places. In order to remove all these doubts and to firmly establish
the accuracy of the account of these miracles, Scripture
enumerates all the stations, so that coming generations may see
them, and learn the greatness of the miracle which enabled human
beings to live in those places forty years.
For this very reason Joshua cursed him who would ever build up
Jericho (josh. vi. 26): the effect of the miracle was to remain for
ever, so that any one who would see the wall sunk in the ground
would understand that it was not in the condition of a building
pulled down by human hands, but sunk through a miracle. In a
similar manner the words," At the commandment of the Lord the
children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord
they pitched" (Num. ix. 18), would suffice as a simple statement
of facts; and the reader might at first sight consider as unnecessary
additions all the details which follow, viz.," And when the cloud
tarried long. . .
And so it was when the cloud was a few days. . . . Or whether it
were two days," etc. (ibid. ix. 19-22). But I will show you the
reason why all these details are added. For they serve to confirm
the account, and to contradict the opinion of the nations, both of
ancient and modern times, that the Israelites lost their way, and did
not know where to go; that" they were entangled in the land"
(Exod. xiv. 3): wherefore the Arabs unto this day call that desert
Al-tih," the desert of going astray," imagining that the Israelites
erred about, and did not know the way. Scripture, therefore, dearly
states and emphatically declares that it was by God's command
that the journeyings were irregular, that the Israelites returned to
the same places several times, and that the duration of the stay was
different in each station; whilst the stay in one place continued for
eighteen years, in another place it lasted one day, and in another
one night. There was no going astray, but the journey was
regulated by" the rising of the pillar of cloud" (Num. ix. 17).
Therefore all these details are given. Scripture dearly states that
the way was near, known, and in good condition; I mean the way
from Horeb, whither they came intentionally, according to the
command of God," Ye shall serve God upon this mountain"
(Exod. ii. 12), to Kadesh-barnea, the beginning of inhabited land,
as Scripture says," Behold, we are now in Kadesh, a city in the
uttermost of thy border" (Num. xx. 16). That way was a journey of
eleven days; comp." Eleven days' journey from Horeb, by the way
of mount Seir, unto Kadesh-barnea" (Deut. i. 3). In such a journey
it is impossible to err about for forty years: but Scripture states the
cause of the delay.
In like manner there is a good reason for every passage the object
of which we cannot see. We must always apply the words of our
Sages:" It is not a vain thing for you" (Deut. xxxii. 47), and if it
seems vain, it seems your fault.
CHAPTER LI
THE present chapter does not contain any additional matter that
has not been treated in the [previous] chapters of this treatise. It is
a kind of conclusion, and at the same time it will explain in what
manner those worship God who have obtained a true knowledge
concerning God; it will direct them how to come to that worship,
which is the highest aim man can attain, and show how God
protects them in this world till they are removed to eternal life.
I will begin the subject of this chapter with a simile. A king is in
his palace, and all his subjects are partly in the country, and partly
abroad. Of the former, some have their backs turned towards the
king's palace, and their faces in another direction; and some are
desirous and zealous to go to the palace, seeking" to inquire in his
temple," and to minister before him, but have not yet seen even the
face of the wall of the house. Of those that desire to go to the
palace, some reach it, and go round about in search of the entrance
gate; others have passed through the gate, and walk about in the
ante-chamber; and others have succeeded in entering into the inner
part of the palace, and being in the same room with the king in the
royal palace. But even the latter do not immediately on entering
the palace see the king, or speak to him; for, after having entered
the inner part of the palace, another effort is required before they
can stand before the king-at a distance, or close by -- hear his
words, or speak to him. I will now explain the simile which I have
made. The people who are abroad are all those that have no
religion, neither one based on speculation nor one received by
tradition. Such are the extreme Turks that wander about in the
north, the Kushites who live in the south, and those in our country
who are like these. I consider these as irrational beings, and not as
human beings; they are below mankind, but above monkeys, since
they have the form and shape of man, and a mental faculty above
that of the monkey.
Those who are in the country, but have their backs turned towards
the king's palace, are those who possess religion, belief, and
thought, but happen to hold false doctrines, which they either
adopted in consequence of great mistakes made in their own
speculations, or received from others who misled them. Because of
these doctrines they recede more and more from the royal palace
the more they seem to proceed. These are worse than the first
class, and under certain circumstances it may become necessary to
day them, and to extirpate their doctrines, in order that others
should not be misled.
Those who desire to arrive at the palace, and to enter it, but have
never yet seen it, are the mass of religious people: the multitude
that observe the divine commandments, but are ignorant. Those
who arrive at the palace, but go round about it, are those who
devote themselves exclusively to the study of the practical law:
they believe traditionally in true principles of faith, and learn the
practical worship of God, but are not trained in philosophical
treatment of the principles of the Law, and do not endeavour to
establish the truth of their faith by proof. Those who undertake to
investigate the principles of religion, have come into the
ante-chamber: and there is no doubt that these can also be divided
into different grades. But those who have succeeded in finding a
proof for everything that can be proved, who have a true
knowledge of God, so far as a true knowledge can be attained, and
are near the truth, wherever an approach to the truth is possible,
they have reached the goal, and are in the palace in which the king
lives.
My son, so long as you are engaged in studying the Mathematical
Sciences and Logic, you belong to those who go round about the
palace in search of the gate. Thus our Sages figuratively use the
phrase:" Ben-zoma is still outside." When you understand Physics,
you have entered the hall; and when, after completing the study of
Natural Philosophy, you master Metaphysics, you have entered the
innermost court, and are with the king in the same palace. You
have attained the degree of the wise men, who include men of
different grades of perfection. There are some who direct all their
mind toward the attainment of perfection in Metaphysics, devote
themselves entirely to God, exclude from their thought every other
thing, and employ all their intellectual faculties in the study of the
Universe, in order to derive therefrom a proof for the existence of
God, and to learn in every possible way how God rules all things;
they form the class of those who have entered the palace, namely,
the class of prophets. One of these has attained so much
knowledge, and has concentrated his thoughts to such an extent in
the idea of God, that it could be said of him," And he was with the
Lord forty days," etc. (Exod. xxxiv. 28); during that holy
communion he could ask Him, answer Him, speak to Him, and be
addressed by Him, enjoying beatitude in that which he had
obtained to such a degree that" he did neither eat bread nor drink
water" (ibid.); his intellectual energy was so predominant that all
coarser functions of the body, especially those connected with the
sense of touch, were in abeyance. Some prophets are only able to
see, and of these some approach near and see, whilst others see
from a distance : comp." The Lord hath appeared from far unto
me" (Jer. xxxi, 3). We have already spoken of the various degrees
of prophets; we will therefore return to the subject of this chapter,
and exhort those who have attained a knowledge of God, to
concentrate all their thoughts in God. This is the worship peculiar
to those who have acquired a knowledge of the highest truths; and
the more they reflect on Him, and think of Him, the more are they
engaged in His worship. Those, however, who think of God, and
frequently mention His name, without any correct notion of Him,
but merely following some imagination, or some theory received
from another person, are, in my opinion, like those who remain
outside the palace and distant from it. They do not mention the
name of God in truth, nor do they reflect on it. That which they
imagine and mention does not correspond to any being in
existence: it is a thing invented by their imagination, as has been
shown by us in our discussion on the Divine Attributes (Part 1.
chap. 1.). The true worship of God is only possible when correct
notions of Him have previously been conceived. When you have
arrived by way of intellectual research at a knowledge of God and
His works, then commence to devote yourselves to Him, try to
approach Him and strengthen the intellect, which is the link that
joins you to Him. Thus Scripture says," Unto thee it was showed,
that thou mightest know that the Lord He is God" (Dent. iv. 35);"
Knowtherefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the
Lord He is God" (ibid. 36):" Know ye that the Lord is God" (Ps.
c. 3). Thus the Law distinctly states that the highest kind of
worship to which we refer in this chapter, is only possible after the
acquisition of the knowledge of God. For it is said," To love the
Lord your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all
your soul" (Deut. xi. 13), and, as we have shown several times,
man's love of God is identical with His knowledge of Him. The
Divine service enjoined in these words must, accordingly, be
preceded by the love of God. Our Sages have pointed out to us that
it is a service in the heart, which explanation I understand to mean
this: man concentrates all his thoughts on the First Intellect, and is
absorbed in these thoughts as much as possible. David therefore
commands his son Solomon these two things, and exhorts him
earnestly to do them: to acquire a true knowledge of God, and to
be earnest in His service after that knowledge has been acquired.
For he says," And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of
thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart ... if thou seek him,
he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee
off for ever" (1 Chron. xxviii. 9). The exhortation refers to, the
intellectual conceptions, not to the imaginations: for the latter are
not called" knowledge," but" that which cometh into your mind"
(Ezek. xx. 32). It has thus been shown that it must be man's aim,
after having acquired the knowledge of God, to deliver himself up
to Him, and to have his heart constantly filled with longing after
Him. He accomplishes this generally by seclusion and retirement.
Every pious man should therefore seek retirement and seclusion,
and should only in case of necessity associate with others.
Note.-- I have shown you that the intellect which emanates from
God unto us is the link that joins us to God. You have it in your
power to strengthen that bond, if you choose to do so, or to weaken
it gradually, till it breaks if you prefer this. It will only become
strong when you employ it in the love of God, and seek that love: it
will be weakened when you direct your thoughts to other things.
You must know that even if you were the wisest man in respect to
the true knowledge of God, you break the bond between you and
God whenever you turn entirely your thoughts to the necessary
food or any necessary business; you are then not with God, and He
is not with you: for that relation between you and Him is actually
interrupted in those moments. The pious were therefore particular
to restrict the time in which they could not meditate upon the name
of God, and cautioned others about it, saying," Let not your minds
be vacant from reflections upon God." In the same sense did David
say," I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my
right hand, I shall not be moved" (Ps. xvi. 8): i.e., I do not turn my
thoughts away from God; He is like my right hand, which I do not
forget even for a moment on account of the ease of its motions,
and therefore I shall not be moved, I shall not fail.
We must bear in mind that all such religious acts as reading the
Law, praying, and the performance of other precepts, serve
exclusively as the means of causing us to occupy and fill our mind
with the precepts of God, and free it from worldly business; for we
are thus, as it were, in communication with God, and undisturbed
by any other thing. If we, however, pray with the motion of our
lips, and our face toward the wall, but at the same time think of
our business; if we read the Law with our tongue, whilst our heart
is occupied with the building of our house, and we do not think of
what we are reading; if we perform the commandments only with
our limbs, we are like those who are engaged in digging in the
ground, or hewing wood in the forest, without reflecting on the
nature of those acts, or by whom they are commanded, or what is
their object. We must not imagine that [in this way] we attain the
highest perfection; on the contrary, we are then like those in
reference to whom Scripture says," Thou art near in their mouth,
and far from their reins" (Jer. xii. 2).
I will now commence to show you the way how to educate and
train yourselves in order to attain that great perfection.
The first thing you must do is this : Turn your thoughts away from
everything while you read Shema. or during the Tefillat, and do
not content yourself with being devout when you read the first
verse of Shema, or the first paragraph of the prayer. When you
have successfully practised this for many years, try in reading the
Law or listening to it, to have all your heart and all your thought
occupied with understanding what you read or hear. After some
time when you have mastered this, accustom yourself to have your
mind free from all other thoughts when you read any portion of the
other books of the prophets, or when you say any blessing; and to
have your attention directed exclusively to the perception and the
understanding of what you utter. When you have succeeded in
properly performing these acts of divine service, and you have
your thought, during their performance, entirely abstracted from
worldly affairs, take then care that your thought be not disturbed
by thinking of your wants or of superfluous things. In short, think
of worldly matters when you eat, drink, bathe, talk with your wife
and little children, or when you converse with other people. These
times, which are frequent and long, I think must suffice to you for
reflecting on everything that is necessary as regards business,
household, and health. But when you are engaged in the
performance of religious duties, have your mind exclusively
directed to what you are doing.
When you are alone by yourself, when you are awake on your
couch, be careful to meditate in such precious moments on nothing
but the intellectual worship of God, viz., to approach Him and to
minister before Him in the true manner which I have described to
you-not in hollow emotions. This I consider as the highest
perfection wise men can attain by the above training.
When we have acquired a true knowledge of God, and rejoice in
that knowledge in such a manner, that whilst speaking with others,
or attending to our bodily wants, our mind is all that time with
God; when we are with our heart constantly near God, even whilst
our body is in the society of men: when we are in that state which
the Song on the relation between God and man poetically
describes in the following words:" I sleep, but my heart waketh: it
is the voice of my beloved that knocketh" (Song v. 2) :-then we
have attained not only the height of ordinary prophets, but of
Moses, our Teacher, of whom Scripture relates :" And Moses
alone shall come near before the Lord 11 (ibid. xxxiv. 28):" But as
for thee, stand thou here by me" (Dent. V. 28). The meaning of
these verses has been explained by us.
The Patriarchs likewise attained this degree of perfection; they
approached God in such a manner that with them the name of God
became known in the world. Thus we read in Scripture:" The God
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.... This is My
name for ever" (Exod. iii. 15). Their mind was so identified with
the knowledge of God, that He made a lasting covenant with each
of them :" Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob," etc.
(Lev. xxvi. 42). For it is known from statements made in Scripture
that these four, viz., the Patriarchs and Moses, had their minds
exclusively filled with the name of God, that is, with His
knowledge and love; and that in the same measure was Divine
Providence attached to them and their descendants. When we
therefore find them also, engaged in ruling others, in increasing
their property, and endeavouring to obtain possession of wealth
and honour, we see in this fact a proof that when they were
occupied in these things, only their bodily limbs were at work,
whilst their heart and mind never moved away from the name of
God. I think these four reached that high degree of perfection in
their relation to God, and enjoyed the continual presence of Divine
Providence, even in their endeavours to increase their property,
feeding the flock, toiling in the field, or managing the house, only
because in all these things their end and aim was to approach God
as much as possible. It was the chief aim of their whole life to
create a people that should know and worship God. Comp." For I
know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him" (Gen. xviii. 19). The object of all their labours was to
publish the Unity of God in the world, and to induce people to love
Him; and it was on this account that they succeeded in reaching
that high degree; for even those [worldly] affairs were for them a
perfect worship of God. But a person Eke myself must not imagine
that he is able to lead men up to this degree of perfection It is only
the next degree to it that can be attained by means of the
above-mentioned training. And let us pray to God and beseech
Him that He clear and remove from our way everything that forms
an obstruction and a partition between us and Him, although most
of these obstacles are our own creation, as has several times been
shown in this treatise. Comp." Your iniquities have separated
between you and your God" (Isa. lix. 2).
An excellent idea presents itself here to me, which may serve to
remove many doubts, and may help to solve many difficult
problems in metaphysics. We have already stated in the chapters
which treat of Divine Providence, that Providence watches over
every rational being according to the amount of intellect which
that being possesses. Those who are perfect in their perception of
God, whose mind is never separated from Him, enjoy always the
influence of Providence. But those who, perfect in their knowledge
of God, turn their mind sometimes away from God, enjoy the
presence of Divine Providence only when they meditate on God;
when their thoughts are engaged in other matters, divine
Providence departs from them. The absence of Providence in this
case is not like its absence in the case of those who do not reflect
on God at all: it is in this case less intense, because when a person
perfect in his knowledge [of God] is busy with worldly matters, he
has not knowledge in actuality, but only knowledge in potentiality
[though ready to become actual]. This person is then like a trained
scribe when he is not writing. Those who have no knowledge of
God are like those who are in constant darkness and have never
seen light. We have explained in this sense the words:" The
wicked shall be silent in darkness" (I Sam. ii. g), whilst those who
possess the knowledge of God, and have their thoughts entirely
directed to that knowledge, are, as it were, always in bright
sunshine; and those who have the knowledge, but are at times
engaged in other themes, have then as it were a cloudy day: the sun
does not shine for them on account of the cloud that intervenes
between them and God.
Hence it appears to me that it is only in times of such neglect that
some of the ordinary evils befall a prophet or a perfect and pious
man: and the intensity of the evil is proportional to the duration of
those moments, or to the character of the things that thus occupy
their mind. Such being the case, the great difficulty is removed
that led philosophers to assert that Providence does not extend to
every individual, and that man is like any other living being in this
respect, viz., the argument based on the fact that good and pious
men are afflicted with great evils. We have thus explained this
difficult question even in accordance with the philosophers' own
principles. Divine Providence is constantly watching over those
who have obtained that blessing which is prepared for those who
endeavour to obtain it. If man frees his thoughts from worldly
matters, obtains a knowledge of God in the right way, and rejoices
in that knowledge, it is impossible that any kind of evil should
befall him while he is with God, and God with him. When he does
not meditate on God, when he is separated from God, then God is
also separated from him; then he is exposed to any evil that might
befall him; for it is only that intellectual link with God that secures
the presence of Providence and protection from evil accidents.
Hence it may occur that the perfect man is at times not happy,
whilst no evil befalls those who are imperfect; in these cases what
happens to them is due to chance. This principle I find also
expressed in the Law. Comp." And I will hide my face them, and
they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall betall
them: so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come
upon us, because our God is not among us ?" (Dent. xxxi. 17). It is
dear that we ourselves are the cause of this hiding of the face, and
that the screen that separates us from God is of our own creation.
This is the meaning of the words:" And I will surely hide my face
in that day, for all the evils which they shall have wrought" (ibid.
ver. 18). There is undoubtedly no difference in this regard between
one single person and a whole community. It is now clearly
established that the cause of our being exposed to chance, and
abandoned to destruction like cattle, is to be found in our
separation from God. Those who have their God dwelling in their
hearts, are not touched by any evil whatever. For God says:" Fear
thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God"
(Isa. xli. 10)." When thou passest through the waters, I will be with
thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee" (ibid.
xlii. 2). For if we prepare ourselves, and attain the influence of the
Divine Intellect, Providence is joined to us, and we are guarded
against all evils. Comp." The Lord is on my side; I will not fear;
what can man do unto me ?" (Ps. cxviii. 6)." Acquaint now
thyself with him, and be at peace" (job XXiL 2 1); i.e., turn unto
Him, and you will be safe from all evil.
Consider the Psalm on mishaps, and see how the author describes
that great Providence, the protection and defence from all mishaps
that concern the body, both from those that are common to all
people, and those that concern only one certain individual; from
those that are due to the laws of Nature, and those that are caused
by our fellow-men. The Psalmist says :" Surely he will deliver
thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome
pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his
wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow
that flieth by day" (Ps. xci. 3-5). The author then relates how God
protects us from the troubles caused by men, saying, If you happen
to meet on your way with an army fighting with drawn swords,
killing thousands at your left hand and myriads at your right hand,
you will not suffer any harm; you will behold and see how God
judges and punishes the wicked that are being slain, whilst you
remain unhurt." A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand
at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine
eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked" (ibid.
vers. 7, 8). The author then continues his description of the divine
defence and shelter, and shows the cause of this great protection,
saying that such a man is well guarded" Because he hath set his
love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high,
because he hath known my name" (ibid. ver. 14). We have shown
in previous chapters that by the" knowledge of God's name," the
knowledge of God is meant. The above passage may therefore be
paraphrased as follows:" This man is well guarded, because he
hath known me, and then (bi cbashak) loved me." You know the
difference between the two Hebrew terms that signify" to love,"
ahab and hasbak. When a man's love is so intense that his thought
is exclusively engaged with the object of his love, it is expressed in
Hebrew by the term hashak.
The philosophers have already explained how the bodily forces of
man in his youth prevent the development of moral principles. In a
greater measure this is the case as regards the purity of thought
which man attains through the perfection of those ideas that lead
him to an intense love of God. Man can by no means attain this so
long as his bodily humours are hot. The more the forces of his
body are weakened, and the fire of passion quenched, in the same
measure does man's intellect increase in strength and light; his
knowledge becomes purer, and he is happy with his knowledge.
When this perfect man is stricken in age and is near death, his
knowledge mightily increases, his joy in that knowledge grows
greater, and his love for the object of his knowledge more intense,
and it is in this great delight that the soul separates from the body.
To this state our Sages referred, when in reference to the death of
Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, they said that death was in these three
cases nothing but a kiss. They say thus: We learn from the words,"
And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab
by the mouth of the Lord" (Deut. xxxiv. 5), that his death was a
kiss. The same expression is used of Aaron:" And Aaron the priest
went up into Mount Hor . . . by the mouth of the Lord, and died
there" (Num. xxxiii. 38) Our Sages said that the same was the
case with Miriam; but the phrase" by the mouth of the Lord" is
not employed, because it was not considered appropriate to use
these words in the description of her death as she was a female.
The meaning of this saying is that these three died in the midst of
the pleasure derived from the knowledge of God and their great
love for Him. When our Sages figuratively call the knowledge of
God united with intense love for Him a kiss, they follow the
well-known poetical diction," Let him kiss me with the kisses of
his mouth" (Song i. 2). This kind of death, which in truth is
deliverance from death, has been ascribed by our Sages to none
but to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The other prophets and pious
men are beneath that degree: but their knowledge of God is
strengthened when death approaches. Of them Scripture says," Thy
righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be
thy reward" (Isa. lviii. 8). The intellect of these men remains then
constantly in the same condition, since the obstacle is removed
that at times has intervened between the intellect and the object of
its action: it continues for ever in that great delight, which is not
like bodily pleasure. We have explained this in our work, and
others have explained it before us.
Try to understand this chapter, endeavour with all your might to
spend more and more time in communion with God, or in the
attempt to approach Him; and to reduce the hours which you spend
in other occupations, and during which you are not striving to
come nearer unto Him. This instruction suffices for the object of
this treatise.
CHAPTER LII
WE do not sit, move, and occupy ourselves when we are alone and
at home, in the same manner as we do in the presence of a great
king; we speak and open our mouth as we please when we are with
the people of our own household and with our relatives, but not so
when we are in a royal assembly. If we therefore desire to attain
human perfection, and to be truly men of God, we must awake
from our sleep, and bear in mind that the great king that is over us,
and is always joined to us, is greater than any earthly king, greater
than David and Solomon. The king that cleaves to us and embraces
us is the Intellect that influences us, and forms the link between us
and God. We perceive God by means of that light that He sends
down unto us, wherefore the Psalmist says," In Thy light shall we
see light" (Ps. xxxvi. g): so God looks down upon us through that
same light, and is always with us beholding and watching us on
account of this light." Can any hide himself in secret places that I
shall not see him ?" (Jer. xxiii. 24). Note this particularly.
When the perfect bear this in mind, they will be filled with fear of
God, humility, and piety, with true, not apparent, reverence and
respect of God, in such a manner that their conduct, even when
alone with their wives or in the bath, will be as modest as they are
in public intercourse with other people. Thus it is related of our
renowned Sages that even in their sexual intercourse with their
wives they behaved with great modesty. They also said," Who is
modest ? He whose conduct in the dark night is the same as in the
day." You know also how much they warned us not to walk
proudly, since" the fulness of the whole earth is His glory" (Isa.
vi. 3). They thought that by these rules the above-mentioned idea
will be firmly established in the hearts of men, viz., that we are
always before God, and it is in the presence of His glory that we go
to and fro. The great men among our Sages would not uncover
their heads because they believed that God's glory was round them
and over them; for the same reason they spoke little. In our
Commentary on the Sayings of the Fathers (chap. i. 17) we have
fully explained how we have to restrict our speech. Comp." For
God is in heaven and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be
few" (Eccles. v. i).
What I have here pointed out to you is the object of all our
religious acts. For by [carrying out] all the details of the prescribed
practices, and repeating them continually, some few pious men
may attain human perfection. They will be filled with respect and
reverence towards God; and bearing in mind who is with them,
they will perform their duty. God declares in plain words that it is
the object of all religious acts to produce in man fear of God and
obedience to His word-the state of mind which we have
demonstrated in this chapter for those who desire to know the
truth, as being our duty to seek. Comp." If thou wilt not observe to
do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou
mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, the Lord thy God"
(Dent. xrvffi. 58). Consider how clearly it is stated here that the
only object and aim of" all the words of this law" is to [make
man] fear" the glorious and fearful name?' That this end is
attained by certain acts we learn likewise from the phrase
employed in this verse:" If thou wilt not observe to do . . . that
thou mayest fear?' For this phrase clearly shows that fear of God is
inculcated [into our hearts] when we act in accordance with the
positive and the negative precepts. But the truths which the Law
teaches us-the knowledge of God's Existence and Unitycreate in us
love of God, as we have shown repeatedly. You know how
frequently the Law exhorts us to love God. Comp." And thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might 11 (Deut. vi. 5). The two objects, love and
fear of God, are acquired by two different means. The love is the
result of the truths taught in the Law, including the true knowledge
of the Existence of God; whilst fear of God is produced by the
practices prescribed in the Law. Note this explanation.
CHAPTER LIII
Tnis chapter treats of the meaning of three terms which we find
necessary to explain, viz., hesed (" loving kindness" ), mishpat ("
judgment" ), and zedakah (" righteousness" ).
In our Commentary on the Sayings of the Fathers (chap. v. 7) we
have explained the expression hesed as denoting an excess [in
some moral quality]. It is especially used of extraordinary
kindness. Loving-kindness is practised in two ways: first, we show
kindness to those who have no claim whatever upon us; secondly,
we are kind to those to whom it is due, in a greater measure than is
due to them. In the inspired writings the term hesed occurs mostly
in the sense of showing kindness to those who have no claim to it
whatever. For this reason the term hesod is employed to express
the good bestowed upon us by God :" I will mention the
loving-kindness of the Lord" (Isa. lxiii. 7). On this account, the
very act of the creation is an act of God's loving-kindness." I have
said, The Universe is built up in loving-kindness" (Ps. lxxxix. 3):
i.e., the building up of the Universe is an act of loving-kindness.
Also, in the enumeration of God's attributes, Scripture says:" And
abundant in loving-kindness" (Exod. xxxiv. 6).
The term zedakah is derived from zedek," righteousness": it
denotes the act of giving every one his due, and of showing
kindness to every being according as it deserves. In Scripture,
however, the expression zedakah is not used in the first sense, and
does not apply to the payment of what we owe to others. When we
therefore give the hired labourer his wages, or pay a debt, we do
not perform an act of zedakah. But we do perform an act of
zedakah when we fulfil those duties towards our fellow-men which
our moral conscience imposes upon us: e.g., when we heal the
wound of the sufferer. Thus Scripture says, in reference to the
returning of the pledge [to the poor debtor]:" And it shall be
zedakah (righteousness) unto thee" (Deut. xxiv. 11). When we
walk in the way of virtue we act righteously towards our
intellectual faculty, and pay what is due unto it; and because every
virtue is thus zedakah, Scripture applies the term to the virtue of
faith in God. Comp." And he believed in the Lord, and he
accounted it to him as righteousness" (Gen. xv. 6):" And it shall
be our righteousness" (Dent. vi. 25).
The noun mishpat," judgment," denotes the act of deciding upon a
certain action in accordance with justice which may demand either
mercy or punishment.
We have thus shown that zesed denotes pure charity; zedakah
kindness, prompted by a certain moral conscience in man, and
being a means of attaining perfection for his soul, whilst mishpat
may in some cases find expression in revenge, in other cases in
mercy.
In discussing the impropriety of admitting attributes of God (Part
L, chap. liii., seq.), we stated that the divine attributes which occur
in Scripture are attributes of His actions; thus He is called hasid,"
kind," because He created the Universe; zaddik," righteous," on
account of His mercy with the weak, in providing for every living
being according to its powers; and shofet," judge," on account of
the relative good and the great relative evils that are decreed by
God's justice as directed by His wisdom. These three names occur
in the Pentateuch:" Shall not the judge (shofet) of all the earth,"
etc. (Gen. xviii. 25):" Righteous (Xaddik) and upright is he" (Dent.
xxxii. 4):" Abundant in loving-kindness" (hesed, Exod. xxxiv. 6).
We intended in explaining these three terms to prepare the reader
for the next chapter.
CHAPTER LIV
THE term hokmah (" wisdom" ) in Hebrew is used of four
different things
(1) It denotes the knowledge of those truths which lead to the
knowledge of God. Comp." But where shall wisdom be found ?"
(job xxviii. 12):" If thou seekest her like silver" (Prov. ii. 4). The
word occurs frequently in this sense.
(2) The expression hokmah denotes also knowledge of any
workmanship. Comp." And every wise-hearted among you shall
come and make all that the Lord hath commanded" (Exod. xxxv.
10);" And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin" (ibid.
ver. 25).
(3) It is also used of the acquisition of moral principles. Comp."
And teach his senators wisdom" (Ps. cv. 22):" With the ancient is
wisdom" (job xii. 12): for it is chiefly the disposition for acquiring
moral principles that is developed by old age alone.
(4) It implies, lastly, the notion of cunning and subtlety; comp."
Come on, let us deal wisely with them" (Exod. i. 10). In the same
sense the term is used in the following passages :" And fetched
thence a wise woman" (2 Sam. xiv. 2):" They are wise to do evil"
(Jer. iv. 22). It is possible that the Hebrew hokmah (" wisdom" )
expresses the idea of cunning and planning, which may serve in
one case as a means of acquiring intellectual perfection, or good
moral principles; but may in another case produce skill in
workmanship, or even be employed in establishing bad opinions
and principles. The attribute hakam (" wise') is therefore given to a
person that possesses great intellectual faculties, or good moral
principles, or skill in art: but also to persons cunning in evil deeds
and principles.
According to this explanation, a person that has a true knowledge
of the whole Law is called wise in a double sense: he is wise
because the Law instructs him in the highest truths, and secondly,
because it teaches him good morals. But as the truths contained in
the Law are taught by way of tradition, not by a philosophical
method, the knowledge of the Law, and the acquisition of true
wisdom, are treated in the books of the Prophets and in the words
of our Sages as two different things; real wisdom demonstrates by
proof those truths which Scripture teaches us by way of tradition.
It is to this kind of wisdom, which proves the truth of the Law, that
Scripture refers when it extols wisdom, and speaks of the high
value of this perfection, and of the consequent paucity of men
capable of acquiring it, in sayings like these:" Not many are wise"
(job xxxii. 9):" But where shall wisdom be found" (ibid. xxviii.
12) ? In the writings of our Sages we notice likewise many
passages in which distinction is made between knowledge of the
Law and wisdom. They say of Moses, our Teacher, that he was
Father in the knowledge of the Law, in wisdom and in prophecy.
When Scripture says of Solomon," And he was wiser than all
men" (I Kings v. 11), our Sages add," but not greater than Moses"
: and the phrase," than all men," is explained to mean," than all
men of his generation" : for this reason [only]" Heman, Chalcol,
and Darda, the sons of Mahol," the renowned wise men of that
time, are named. Our Sages further say, that man has first to render
account concerning his knowledge of the Law, then concerning the
acquisition of wisdom, and at last concerning the lessons derived
by logical conclusions from the Law, i.e., the lessons concerning
his actions. This is also the right order: we must first learn the
truths by tradition, after this we must be taught how to prove them,
and then investigate the actions that help to improve man's ways.
The idea that man will have to render account concerning these
three things in the order described, is expressed by our Sages in the
following passage:" When man comes to the trial, he is first
asked, 'Hast thou fixed certain seasons for the study of the Law ?
Hast thou been engaged in the acquisition of wisdom ? Hast thou
derived from one thing another thing?"' This proves that our Sages
distinguished between the knowledge of the Law on the one hand,
and wisdom on the other, as the means of proving the lessons
taught in the Law by correct reasoning.
Hear now what I have to say after having given the above
explanation. The ancient and the modem philosophers have shown
that man can acquire four kinds of perfection. The first kind, the
lowest, in the acquisition of which people spend their days, is
perfection as regards property; the possession of money, garments,
furniture, servants, land, and the like; the possession of the title of
a great king belongs to this class. There is no close connexion
between this possession and its possessor; it is a perfectly
imaginary relation when on account of the great advantage a
person derives from these possessions, he says, This is my house,
this is my servant, this is my money, and these are my hosts and
armies. For when he examines himself he will find that all these
things are external, and their qualities are entirely independent of
the possessor. When, therefore, that relation ceases, he that has
been a great king may one morning find that there is no difference
between him and the lowest person, and yet no change has taken
place in the things which were ascribed to him. The philosophers
have shown that he whose sole aim in all his exertions and
endeavours is the possession of this kind of perfection, only seeks
perfectly imaginary and transient things; and even if these remain
his property all his lifetime, they do not give him any perfection.
The second kind is more closely related to man's body than the
first. It includes the perfection of the shape, constitution, and-form
of mans body; the utmost evenness of temperaments, and the
proper order and strength of his limbs. This kind of perfection
must likewise be excluded from forming our chief aim; because it
is a perfection of the body, and man does not possess it as man, but
as a living being: he has this property besides in common with the
lowest animal; and even if a person possesses the greatest possible
strength, he could not be as strong as a mule, much less can he be
as strong as a lion or an elephant; he, therefore, can at the utmost
have strength that might enable him to carry a heavy burden, or
break a thick substance, or do similar things, in which there is no
great profit for the body. The soul derives no profit whatever from
this kind of perfection.
The third kind of perfection is more closely connected with man
himself than the second perfection. It includes moral perfection,
the highest degree of excellency in man's character. Most of the
precepts aim at producing this perfection; but even this kind is
only a preparation for another perfection, and is not sought for its
own sake. For all moral principles concern the relation of man to
his neighbour; the perfection of man's moral principles is, as it
were, given to man for the benefit of mankind. Imagine a person
being alone, and having no connexion whatever with any other
person, all his good moral principles are at rest, they are not
required, and give man no perfection whatever. These principles
are only necessary and useful when man comes in contact with
others.
The fourth kind of perfection is the true perfection of man: the
possession of the highest , intellectual faculties: the possession of
such notions which lead to true metaphysical opinions as regards
God. With this perfection man has obtained his final object; it
gives him true human perfection; it remains to him alone; it gives
him immortality, and on its account he is called man. Examine the
first three kinds of perfection, you will find that, if you possess
them, they are not your property, but the property of others;
according to the ordinary view, however, they belong to you and to
others. But the last kind of perfection is exclusively yours; no one
else owns any part of it," They shall be only thine own, and not
strangers' with thee" (Prov. v. 17). Your aim must therefore be to
attain this [fourth] perfection that is exclusively yours, and you
ought not to continue to work and weary yourself for that which
belongs to others, whilst neglecting your soul till it has lost entirely
its original purity through the dominion of the bodily powers over
it. The same idea is expressed in the beginning of those poems,
which allegorically represent the state of our soul." My mother's
children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the
vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept" (Song i. 6).
Also the following passage refers to the same subject," Lest thou
give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel" (Prov.
v. g).
The prophets have likewise explained unto us these things, and
have expressed the same opinion on them as the philosophers.
They say distinctly that perfection in property, in health, or in
character, is not a perfection worthy to be sought as a cause of
pride and glory for us: that the knowledge of God, i.e., true
wisdom, is the only perfection which we should seek, and in which
we should glorify ourselves. Jeremiah, referring to these four kinds
of perfection, says:" Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth
glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me" (jer. ix. 22,
23). See how the prophet arranged them according to their
estimation in the eyes of the multitude. The rich man occupies the
first rank; next is the mighty man; and then the wise man; that is,
the man of good moral principles: for in the eyes of the multitude,
who are addressed in these words, he is likewise a great man. This
is the reason why the three classes are enumerated in this order.
Our Sages have likewise derived from this passage the
above-mentioned lessons, and stated the same theory that has been
explained in this chapter, viz., that the simple term hokmah, as a
rule, denotes the highest aim of man, the knowledge of God; that
those properties which man acquires, makes his peculiar treasure,
and considers as his perfection, in reality do not include any
perfection: and that the religious acts prescribed in the Law, viz.,
the various kinds of worship and the moral principles which
benefit all people in their social intercourse with each other, do not
constitute the ultimate aim of man, nor can they be compared to it,
for they are but preparations leading to it. Hear the opinion of our
Sages on this subject in their own words. The passage occurs in
Bereskit Rabba, and runs thus," In one place Scripture says, 'And
all things that are desirable (hafazim) are not to be compared to
her' (Prov. viii. 11); and in another place, 'And all things that thou
desirest (hafazeha) are not to be compared unto her '" (ibid. iii.
15). By" things that are desirable" the performance of Divine
precepts and good deeds is to be understood, whilst" things that
thou desirest" refer to precious stones and pearls. Both-things that
are desirable, and things that thou desirest -- cannot be compared
to wisdom, but" in this let him that glorieth glory, that he
understandeth and knoweth me." Consider how concise this saying
is, and how perfect its author; how nothing is here omitted of all
that we have put forth after lengthy explanations and preliminary
remarks.
Having stated the sublime ideas contained in that Scriptural
passage, and quoted the explanation of our Sages, we will now
complete what the remainder of that passage teaches us. The
prophet does not content himself with explaining that the
knowledge of God is the highest kind of perfection: for if this only
had been his intention, he would have said," But in this let him
who glorieth glory, that he understandeth and knoweth me," and
would have stopped there; or he would have said," that he
understandeth and knoweth me that I am One," or," that I have not
any likeness," or," that there is none like me," or a similar phrase.
He says, however, that man can only glory in the knowledge of
God and in the knowledge of His ways and attributes, which are
His actions, as we have shown (Part 1. liv.) in expounding the
passage," Show me now thy ways" (Exod. xxxviii. 13). We are
thus told in this passage that the Divine acts which ought to be
known, and ought to serve as a guide for our actions, are, hesed,"
loving-kindness," mishpat," judgment," and zedakah,"
righteousness." Another very important lesson is taught by the
additional phrase," in the earth." It implies a fundamental
principle of the Law: it rejects the theory of those who boldly
assert that God's providence does not extend below the sphere of
the moon, and that the earth with its contents is abandoned, that"
the Lord hath forsaken the earth" (Ez. viii. 12). It teaches, as has
been taught by the greatest of all wise men in the words," The
earth is the Lord's" (Exod. ix. 29), that His providence extends to
the earth in accordance with its nature, in the same manner as it
controls the heavens in accordance with their nature. This is
expressed in the words," That I am the Lord which exercise
loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth." The
prophet thus, in conclusion, says," For in these things I delight,
saith the Lord," i.e., My object [in saying this) is that you shall
practise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
In a similar manner we have shown (Part I. liv.) that the object of
the enumeration of God's thirteen attributes is the lesson that we
should acquire similar attributes and act accordingly. The object of
the above passage is therefore to declare, that the perfection, in
which man can truly glory, is attained by him when he has
acquired-as far as this is possible for man-the knowledge of God,
the knowledge of His Providence, and of the manner in which it
influences His creatures in their production and continued
existence. Having acquired this knowledge he will then be
determined always to seek loving-kindness, judgment, and
righteousness, and thus to imitate the ways of God. We have
explained this many times in this treatise.
This is all that I thought proper to discuss in this treatise, and
which I considered useful for men like you. I hope that, by the help
of God, you will, after due reflection, comprehend all the things
which I have treated here. May He grant us and all Israel with us to
attain what He promised us," Then the eyes of the blind shall be
opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped" (Isa. xxxv.
5):" The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;
they that dwell in the shadow of death upon them hath the light
shined" (ibid. ix. 1).
God is near to all who call Him, if they call Him in truth, and turn
to Him. He is found by every one who seeks Him, if he always
goes towards Him, and never goes astray.
AMEN.
END.