Test 1 Flashcards
(37 cards)
What year was Ramchal born in?
1707
What is the name of the book Ramchal wrote?
Derech Hashem
Where was Ramchal born and where did he die (and what age)?
Born in Padua, Italy, died in Acco, Israel at age 39.
What did Ramchal teach at his yeshivot?
Kaballah (mysticism)
What made Ramchal so special?
- He was a brilliant student
- Was only taught by hand selected teachers
- Wrote over 20. books (most of which are philosophic)
Ramchal describes G-d as _____________
Infinate
Why is the concept of G-d being infinite hard for humans to comprehend?
Because we are used to seeing things that have a definitive start and end.
What is G-d compared to in terms of appearance and why?
Laws of physics. We cannot see the actual force, rather we can see the impact the force has on us.
What is the difference between G-d creating things and humans creating things?
G-d creates things willingly from desire
Humans create things with objects
How does Rambam compare trying to picture G-d?
Picturing G-d is like reading in the dark. Not only can you not read it, it can also damage your eyes if you try. It is damaging to think of these things too often.
What is the steady state model?
The model that states that the earth has always existed and will always exist.
What is the single start model? What is another name for it.
This model (aka. the big bang theory) states that the universe began as just a single point and then expanded outward and grew to what it is right now.
Which model does Judaism believe in?
Single start model - the world was created and is being actively sustained by G-d.
How does Ramchal describe “perfect”?
Not a positive attribute, rather a lack of limitation.
What is an example of something being “perfect”?
A perfect meal (nothing else you can add), a circle (cannot get more circular).
What is relative perfection?
When something is perfect in comparison to something else that is not as good (ie, a good car compared to a bad car is perfect, but there are still even better cars that exist).
What is absolute perfection?
When something cannot be any better.
What physical traits do we assign with G-d?
None. We view G-d as a force (we don’t see it, we just see the effect it has).
What other term can we use to describe G-d?
“An angry storm”
In Jewish thought, what does G-d do to do good?
He puts Himself in everyone else.
What is embarrassing bread?
When a person is unhappy accepting an enormous gift from someone else for free.
What does G-d do to combat the feeling of embarrassment when accepting gifts?
G-d gives humans free will so they can do good and feel that they deserve things. G-d realized that for Mankind to truly accept the “Good” that is given, they must feel they own it + it’s truly theirs.
Why is it important to accept gifts even if you don’t want to? Give an example
Because the person whom you provided the service to will feel inadequate or uneven. For example, if you help an elderly move furniture in her house and you refuse to take her gift, you are making her feel ashamed and embarrassed.
What is the reward for following the mitzvot?
You will become immortal like G-d, and when your body dies, your soul will enter עולם הבא and eventually your soul will reconnect with your body.
