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<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>I have been bothered by an idea that is not clear in my
mind and could be on a fault line between heretical and permissible, or could
actually be emes, but I am not sure where it lies or even if it is well
thought out. If anyone can shed some light ...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>Basic hashkafa dictates the fundamental reason for
the creation and existence of the universe is the desire by HKB"H to exercise
his hatava which requires a recipient. HKB"H is outside of zeman and He and his
ratzon are never changing and "eternal" [for lack of a better word - quotes
because this word implies time]. This requires that the existence of
creation be always present [to comply with His ratzon to be maitiv] and
"eternal" despite parshas Bereishis that seems to imply otherwise?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>Perhaps this is delving into areas beyond human ken that
we should not ask about [ma lefnim uma lachor]. Perhaps this is part of the
reason not to translate the word bereishis in the sense of chronological order
but as "beshvil reishis" as per rashi and the medroshim. What bothers me is that
this notion leads to an "eternal universe" which seems rather "heretical."
Perhaps this is part of the Rambam's thinking in Moreh when he says he could
live with the idea [as per Aristo] of an eternal universe [ie, it is not
heretical]? If the above is true, then being "eternal" is not a unique property
of HKB"H since the universe shares that quality, <STRONG>the essential
difference is who is the primal cause [borei] and what is the consequence
[nivra]. </STRONG>Therefore "bereishis" is telling us not of a beginning but of
who is the primal cause. But we creatures who per force are subject to time
must see bereishis from a temporal perspective. Is it possible to
understand Bereishis in this manner or is this creeping into the heretical? Can
anyone be marchiv on these thoughts or are they off the derech?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>Kol Tuv</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>Chaim Manaster</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>