[Avodah] question on the Mei Shiloach

[David Riceman]

RBW:

<<In parshat Behar, the Mei Shiloach writes that we learn from Shabbat 
(the small oat (sign)) that God is the "poel" of everything and that 
nothing will come of the actions of people. Shmitta (the large oat) 
teaches us there is no power besides God.

  When he says that nothing will come out of the actions of people, what 
does he mean by that? Would anyone disagree?>>

I have a friend (who sometimes comments on this list) who claims that 
the Mei HaShiloah is a determinist.

I have only a casual acquaintance with the book myself, but my 
impression is different.  I think he thinks the world is run by patterns 
(a la MaHaRaL) rather than by cause and effect.

If my friend is right then all rishonim disagree.  If I'm right then 
most rishonim disagree.

David Riceman