What is the Jewish belief on free will?

Question

I was wondering if anyone knew what the thoughts on this was. I've been sudying the holocaust in a class, and someone brought that up. Asked about it. I have to admit, I don't know, and I was really curious about how the religion views it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

According to the Talmud, the repository of Jewish oral tradition, God controls everything except for "fear of heaven". We understand this to mean that God controls everything except for personal choices which reate to good vs. evil.

Some people, such as Maimonides, understand this in a very broad sense - virtally all decisions made by people can somehow, perhaps indirectly, be said to be about good vs. evil.

Answer 2

first off "David" dont quote the Talmud if you have never read it before in your life.

Judaism most crtianly believes in free will. Where do you think the rest of the world got if from?

The belief in Free will (Hebrew: bechirah chofshith בחירה חפשית, bechirah בחירה) is axiomatic in Jewish thought, and is closely linked with the concept of reward and punishment, based on the Torah itself: "I [God] have set before you life and death, blessing and curse: therefore choose life" ( Deuteronomy, 30:19).

Free will is therefore discussed at length in Jewish philosophy, firstly as regards God's purpose in creation, and secondly as regards the closely related, resultant, paradox. The topic is also often discussed in connection with Negative theology, Divine simplicity and Divine Providence, as well as Jewish principles of faith in general.

Answer 3

Man has free agency, and this is a concept that came into Christianity. It makes a lot of sense, you know. It's a very existential thing, and it makes me feel good.

Answer 4

It exists, and is the main difference between humans and angels.

Answer 5

the Talmud gaves the Jew full reign of free will and nothing that he does is considered a wrong act of free will when it applies to the Goyim(Gentiles)