Subj : The universe
To   : Bob Eyer
From : Joshua Lee
Date : Sat Dec 23 2000 06:33 pm

-=> Bob Eyer wrote to Todd Henson <=-

I usually don't discuss Jewish mystical theology with those
not qualified to recieve it, but I'll do so a little, on a
very philosophical level, here; only as neccesary to explain
existing questions.

 BE> But the concept of cause has no meaning unless it occurs in the
 BE> world of appearance, i.e.  in the universe.  Therefore no
 BE> empirical meaning can be attached to the question "What caused the
 BE> universe to exist?" There is no logically possible way to answer
 BE> such a question.

Jewish mysticism refers to spiritual universes created (that
continue to exist) before this one in order to create this one,
and coincidentally, from what I understand, the first thing
emmenated (but so close to G-d that it's closely identified
with him as a form of attribute, as it were - a sefira) was
simple divine will itself; or cause. Thus, cause was emmenated
before the material universe, known as "the world of action";
so the entire problem you stated is avoided.

This is why the Rabbis stated that there are ten sayings
that created the universe, even though there are only nine times
that the Torah says "and G-d said", the tenth, explains the
Gemara, is "in the beginning", which is the "hidden saying". Jewish
mystical writings identify this with the divine will, the
hidden sefira.

 BE> But it had no cause.  It began, simpliciter.

Atheists keep forgetting that Ocham was a theist.

                       JBL

.... Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah
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