This semester, I'm taking a class on civil liberties and we've been discussing the idea of whether there are, in fact, absolute moral values in the world, or whether morals are relative to different cultures. I believe the Jewish faith dictates that there ARE absolute morals, and that they are laid out for us in the Torah. One of the questions on my last test was particularly interesting and required me to make a research phone call to my rabbi, so I thought I'd share it (and my answer) with you and see if anyone has other opinions:
QUESTION: Religious people ascribe a number of characteristics to G-d, a few of them being: omnipotence, omniscience, and compassion. How is this possible with the huge presence of evil in the world?
MY ANSWER: I divide the evils of the world into two categories: disasters caused or permitted by man and natural disasters. The horrors in the first category -- that of the Holocaust and Darfur, of scandals, murders, and crime -- are tests from G-d which force humans to be moral and to deal with each other fairly and justly. The question in these situations is not, “why didn’t G-d do something?” but in stead “where was humanity?” Bridges collapsing and airplanes breaking down also fit this category of human negligence or error because, however horrible they are, they cause people to be more cautious in securing people’s safety in the future.
The question is more difficult for natural disasters: tsunamis, malaria, accidental and pre-mature deaths. Harold Kushner offers an answer in his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1981). Kushner’s belief, and one that I accept, is that this type of natural evil is not an issue of G-d’s lack of compassion. In order for G-d to have created the world in which we live, one of spontaneity and free choice, randomness is, to some extent, necessary. Randomness is necessary for chemistry and astronomy. Entropy, a disordered and unpredictable collision of molecules, allows us to have the basic elements of our universe and all celestial objects. Isn’t it logical that randomness is also necessary in nature and the growth of bacteria which leads to diseases? You may think that this level of randomness in the world detracts from G-d’s “omnipotence.” However, I believe that in order for G-d to give us the world in which we live, there were sacrifices of direct control that She needed to make.
What do you guys think?
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The First Entry
I guess I'm the first one to take the plunge. Typical me. To make this easier on myself, I will break my post up into topics.
1. Alex as a Jew
I would be remissed if I did not begin my self description by mentioning that I am a firm believer in a deeply religious lifestlye. That is to say that amidst everything else that may be going, my commitment to studying Torah and doing mitzvot comes first and foremost. I relate to my Judaism both practically through a strictly Orthodox lifestyle, and socially and culturally. I live in a manner that matches up with my beliefs, yet I find extra rewards in "living Jewish". These rewards come in the form of Jewish friends, Jewish food, Jewish music (yes.... I do like that stuff), and generally feeling part of a larger unified whole.
2. Alex as a Person
So basically, when people ask me "Who are you?", I feel like I am faced with an overly complicated question. How can I encapsulate my essence in a few descriptions? I can try my best to give over some traits and explanations... and hope for the best. I am very loud, social, and outgoing. Walking down the halls of my school, I am always singing some rediculous song at the top of my lungs. I've got an amazing and vast group of friends, who I'm always hanging out with. We build off each other's creativity, cynicism, humor, and boldness. It's nice. In addition to me being all "go getter" type, I'm also quite introspective. I always think there's a deeper meaning to things, and often try to have meaningful conversations with people. Some people think its me romanticizing things.... I don't necessarily disagree. But I think it all comes together to make a pretty good guy who tries hard.
3. Alex as someone who is involved in a lot of stuff
Resume time? I am incredibly involved in my school, where I serve as President of the Yeshivat Rambam Student Council, was president of Honor Society, lead role in the school play, sing tenor in the High School Boys' acapella, and teach a Public Speaking and Leadership elective to Middle Schoolers. I also run a national project with two of my friends called America Eats for Israel. Check out the website for info on this project which helps raise money for charity (www.americaeatsforisrael.org). Other than that I participate in and used to run youth minyan at Congregation Shomrei Emunah each week, and enjoy volunteering for organizations including Chai Lifeline (working with terminally ill children and their families) and Yachad (working with young adults who have mental disabilities). I was a CSI:Baltimore Fellow in its first year, and currently serve on the Associated's Teen Leadership Council. I also take a whole bunch of hard classes in school. No biggy.
4. Alex as that guy who is being honored
Some people see me as someone who is doing a pretty good job at trying to succeed. In all honesty, I think I just do a really good job of making people think I'm good at stuff. I am driven to continually grow and make the best out of every moment, but I am just incredibly fortunate to have been bestowed with so many great opportunities by God. He has surrounded me with wonderful parents (shout out to you guys!), siblings (Brother, sister and brother-in-law with cute as anything niece), extended family, and of course so many friends. He has given me a few a talents here and there, and has provided me with everything I need to succeed. So its a no brainer that I have tried to make the best of all that I have been given. Maybe that's why I'm being honored. Because I try hard. Either way, I hope that Jews for Judaism's award is just a gateway to continued involvement and leadership in the Jewish community.
5. Alex of the future
While I'm still unsure about college plans (April 1st is decision day!), I will be taking a gap year to study Torah/Talmud in Israel before going to a University. I will be studying in Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, and using the year to absorb the holiness of Israel and its Torah while taking some time off to consider what my true goals and aspirations are for the future. Career-wise I'm looking into some form of Law school with an ultimate goal of moving towards business consulting. I hope to continue to stay involved in the Jewish community at large as a leader.
1. Alex as a Jew
I would be remissed if I did not begin my self description by mentioning that I am a firm believer in a deeply religious lifestlye. That is to say that amidst everything else that may be going, my commitment to studying Torah and doing mitzvot comes first and foremost. I relate to my Judaism both practically through a strictly Orthodox lifestyle, and socially and culturally. I live in a manner that matches up with my beliefs, yet I find extra rewards in "living Jewish". These rewards come in the form of Jewish friends, Jewish food, Jewish music (yes.... I do like that stuff), and generally feeling part of a larger unified whole.
2. Alex as a Person
So basically, when people ask me "Who are you?", I feel like I am faced with an overly complicated question. How can I encapsulate my essence in a few descriptions? I can try my best to give over some traits and explanations... and hope for the best. I am very loud, social, and outgoing. Walking down the halls of my school, I am always singing some rediculous song at the top of my lungs. I've got an amazing and vast group of friends, who I'm always hanging out with. We build off each other's creativity, cynicism, humor, and boldness. It's nice. In addition to me being all "go getter" type, I'm also quite introspective. I always think there's a deeper meaning to things, and often try to have meaningful conversations with people. Some people think its me romanticizing things.... I don't necessarily disagree. But I think it all comes together to make a pretty good guy who tries hard.
3. Alex as someone who is involved in a lot of stuff
Resume time? I am incredibly involved in my school, where I serve as President of the Yeshivat Rambam Student Council, was president of Honor Society, lead role in the school play, sing tenor in the High School Boys' acapella, and teach a Public Speaking and Leadership elective to Middle Schoolers. I also run a national project with two of my friends called America Eats for Israel. Check out the website for info on this project which helps raise money for charity (www.americaeatsforisrael.org). Other than that I participate in and used to run youth minyan at Congregation Shomrei Emunah each week, and enjoy volunteering for organizations including Chai Lifeline (working with terminally ill children and their families) and Yachad (working with young adults who have mental disabilities). I was a CSI:Baltimore Fellow in its first year, and currently serve on the Associated's Teen Leadership Council. I also take a whole bunch of hard classes in school. No biggy.
4. Alex as that guy who is being honored
Some people see me as someone who is doing a pretty good job at trying to succeed. In all honesty, I think I just do a really good job of making people think I'm good at stuff. I am driven to continually grow and make the best out of every moment, but I am just incredibly fortunate to have been bestowed with so many great opportunities by God. He has surrounded me with wonderful parents (shout out to you guys!), siblings (Brother, sister and brother-in-law with cute as anything niece), extended family, and of course so many friends. He has given me a few a talents here and there, and has provided me with everything I need to succeed. So its a no brainer that I have tried to make the best of all that I have been given. Maybe that's why I'm being honored. Because I try hard. Either way, I hope that Jews for Judaism's award is just a gateway to continued involvement and leadership in the Jewish community.
5. Alex of the future
While I'm still unsure about college plans (April 1st is decision day!), I will be taking a gap year to study Torah/Talmud in Israel before going to a University. I will be studying in Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, and using the year to absorb the holiness of Israel and its Torah while taking some time off to consider what my true goals and aspirations are for the future. Career-wise I'm looking into some form of Law school with an ultimate goal of moving towards business consulting. I hope to continue to stay involved in the Jewish community at large as a leader.
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