Who’s Doing? Mine or God’s?
In Judaism, one of the most difficult concepts to understand is the paradox of Divine foreknowledge and our free-will. Typically, this question is understood as a purely philosophical one. However, there is a strong psychological side to it as well.
The issue is not simply about Hashem’s knowledge of the future. It is also about how we understand our own ability to do and accomplish in the first place. Is it me doing and accomplishing? Or is it Hashem?
When we think of ourselves as the doers, we will take full responsibility. While this is extremely positive, it can be a breeding ground for arrogance and hubris.
On the other hand, if we see ourselves as pawns in the hands of a Higher Power, we may lose all motivation to work and advance.
The larger philosophical question is beyond this essay, but I would like to try and address the psychological side.
Let us imagine a long-distance truck driver. We can divide his job into three parts. In step one, the truck is loaded. Here he does nothing, he simply opens the truck so that others can fill it.
Step two is the long-distance driving. Here the trucker is one hundred percent in charge; this is his domain. The final step in this process is parking at the (un)loading dock, where the truck will be unloaded.
Our lives are a mission that can be divided into the same three stages. In stage one, we receive a charge from Hashem. That charge includes life, energy, and the talents we need to complete our task. Here it is obvious that we are not in the driver’s seat.
Stage two encompasses all our doing. In this phase we are in the driver’s seat, and therefore fully responsible. It is easy to feel completely independent; however, we must not forget our point of departure. Our very life and ability to do, is a constant gift from above.
In stage three, we arrive. We have completed the task. In retrospect, our journey was not merely a scenic drive. Looking back, we can see how every road, every turn, brought us closer to our destination and purpose.
These three stages apply to not only to our lives, but also to the individual challenges we face along the way.
The Sfas Emes explains the opening words of this week’s parashah, “When you go out to war against your enemies, and Hashem will deliver him into your hands — v’shavisa shivyo — and you will capture a captive,” to reflect this very idea.
Our “enemy” is the enemy within — our evil inclination. When we go out into the battle of life, remember, it is Hashem who is delivering your enemy into your hands.
Now that we have been victorious, it is time to return (v’shavisa) the victory to its true source — Hashem. When we have completed this three-stage process, it is time for a new adventure. Hashem gives us new energy to successfully journey beyond the next horizon.
