Rav Menachem Schneerson Igros Kodesh #1:94): I. The view of the Baal Shem Tov: Providence applies to every event that affects man as well as inanimate matter, plants, and animals… As explained by our master, the Baal Shem Tov, not only are all the particular activities of that which has been created determined by providence but this providence is the life-energy of the created being and maintains its existence. Moreover, every particular movement of that which has been created has a connection to the intent of the creation as a whole…. The movement of one blade of grass is part of what G-d’s intent is for the creation as a whole…
First, isn't this already a Gemara that tells us that there is no blade of grass that doesn't have an angel watching over it and telling it to grow?
ReplyDeleteSecond, isn't it interesting that this whole providence thing breaks down when it comes to the State of Israel which seems to exist despite God for this crowd?
Not gemora but a medrash whicjh says the mazzal controls everything
DeleteBereishis Rabbah (10:06) There is not a single herb but has a constellation in heaven which strikes it and says, ‘Grow,
Chinuch (#169): There are some groups that believe that Providence applies to every living creature - both man and animal. There are also those who extend Providence further and say it applies to every entity in the world - living or non-living. In other words they say that the smallest entity only moves as response to G-d’s will and decrees. They go so far as to say that even when a single leaf falls off a tree that G-d decreed that it should fall. That it is impossible that its falling be delayed and advanced by an instant. However such a belief is ridiculous - extremely far from human intelligence. There are also evil groups that assert that there is no such thing as Providence for anything in the world whether for people or the rest of living creatures. This view is the view of heretics and it is evil and bitter. However we Jews believe that Providence applies to living creatures only in general – other than man.
DeleteMoreh Nevuchim (03:17): My belief concerning this fundamental principle of Providence is not based upon intellectual speculation and proofs but rather what is clearly the view found in the Torah and that of our prophets. This view is less bizarre and closer to reason than the other views I have described. I believe that Providence in this world i.e., that which is beneath the sphere of the moon only exists for man and not for other creatures. It is only for man that his circumstances and the good and evil that happen is according to absolute justice as it says All His ways are judgment (Devarim 32:4). But in regards to the rest of living beings and surely in regards to plants and other things, my view is that of Aristotle. I do not believe at all that a particular leaf falls because of providence, nor that a particular spider eats a particular fly because of a decree from G d that He wishes this to happen. Nor do I believe that the gnat that is killed by Reuven’s spitting is because of a Divine decree that the spittle should fall on it. I don’t believe G d that decrees that a particular worm should be eaten by a particular fish. All these cases occur simply because of pure chance - just as Aristotle asserted. Providence, in my opinion and according to what I see, is a function of the Divine overflow. Intelligence is the indicator or whether there is an attachment to this overflow. … Only intelligent beings are attached to this overflow are thus also attached to Providence and have their deeds judged as to reward and punishment….
DeleteMoreh Nevuchim (03:18): We have just explained that Providence exists only for man and not any other creatures because it only applies to intelligent beings… Consequently the degree of providence will depend on how prepared his physical matter is and his level of learning - assuming as I do that providence is a function of intelligence. In other words providence is not the same for all people but rather is directly proportional to their perfection. According to this speculation, providence for prophets should be extremely great and should be a function of their level of prophesy. Similarly the providence for good and pious people should be a reflection of their degree of goodness and piety… In contrast fools and rebels, to the degree that they lack this Divine overflow their status is debased and at the extreme they become like animals He is comparable to the beasts who perish (Tehilim 49:13). That is why it is a relatively minor thing to kill evil people and in fact capital punishment for them is a Divine commandment. This idea that Providence varies according to the level of perfection of the individual is one of the most fundamental principles of the Torah….Concerning the differential providence for pious men and degenerate fools (Shmuel I 2:9): He will guard the feet of His pious ones while the wicked will be silenced in the darkness because a man will not prevail with strength. The verse informs us that the reason that some individuals are saved from disaster while others aren’t is not because of their physical strength and natural dispositions. Rather it depends upon their degree of perfection and deficiency, i.e., their nearness or distance from G d… There are innumerable verses which indicate this principle that providence is proportional to perfection and piety. There are also philosophers e.g., Plato who agree with this principle…
DeleteMeshech Chochma (Shemos 13:9): Providence is manifest for each Jew according to his spiritual level as the Rambam explains in Moreh Nevuchim (3:18): Providence is not equal for everyone but rather is proportional to spiritual level. Consequently, the Providence for the prophets is extremely powerful each according to their level of prophecy. The Providence for the pious and saintly is according to their level of perfection. In contrast, the fools and the rebels lacking spirituality are in essence in the same category as animals… This concept that Providence is proportional to spiritual level is one of foundations of Judaism…
DeleteShomer Emunim (2:81) Nothing occurs by accident, without intention and Divine Providence. This is learned out from the verse; ‘And I will walk with you in chance (be’keri).’ From this we see that even the state of apparent ‘chance’ is actually Providence. “But that does not apply to the non-human species...whether this ant will be trodden upon or saved. There is no special Providence for animals and certainly not for plants and minerals, as they are governed by species and not individuals. Whatever occurs to individual animals, plants and objects is purely by chance, and not by Divine Decree – unless it is ultimately connected to humankind
DeleteChofetz Chaim (Shem Olam 1:3): G d appoints a mazel to supervise everything single thing as it says every blade of grass as a mazel above. This mazel is the source of its sustenance and causes it to grow. Nevertheless a person should not think that G d takes away His providence and leaves everything under the control of mazel and that the mazel is an independent power. This is not so since only G d Himself is charge of both the Heavens and the earth. .. Mazel is just an agent and G d will alter the mazel when necessary as we found by the redemption from Egypt…
DeleteIs the Vilna Gaon no longer relevant amongst the Litvish world?
DeleteHe rarely gets a mention. Maybe because his ideas were so different from Hareidim today?
The Vilna Gaon is not recorded as expressing views on every topic. I could not find a comment regarding this topic
DeleteFair enough.
DeleteBut he rarely gets messed these days, and usually it's just about how Rav Chaim is related to his student r haim of volozhin
Excuse the typo above - I meant to say he rarely gets MENTIONED these days. Must be the autocorrect on my treifphone.
DeleteSo a fish, or a lizard, senses a small invertebrate or insect, and eats it.
ReplyDeleteHow do you determine whether this is providence or not? Hashem created the food source - ie little insects, to feed larger animals. Was the fly or insect just there by chance? Or is it that a certain proportion of insects are created to feed birds, reptiles etc, and so in a range of severa square meters that the lizard walks he will statistically find some, or will move to another place. The lizard has some instinct, intelligence to hunt, and sense where there might be prey.
regarding providence - many bnei basar are materially successful - whilst pious people are poor. Tehillim is largely a lamentation of how the wicked prosper and are unharmed, whilst the righteous suffer.
There's a story cited by r Norman lamm in his book "faith and doubt" about the Gra. The Gra had maggdim (mystical visitors).
ReplyDeleteOnce a savant approached the Gra and told him that last he had been visited by Elijahu hanavi (which in fact is what happened).
The Gra banished the savant.