FREE CHOICE

The parasha states a surprising verse: “When you have children and grandchildren, and have been long in the land and become corrupt… Hashem will scatter you among the nations.” This raises a question: If it was foreseen that they would sin and go into exile, how could Israel have chosen otherwise?

The Ramban explains that this was a warning, not a decree that Israel would sin. Still, Chazal say the verse hints to a prophecy about the time of exile, which requires explanation.

This is understood by reflecting on the purpose for which Hashem created the world. The purpose of creation is to benefit man, by allowing him to delight in Hashem and enjoy the radiance of His Presence. For this good to be complete, man was commanded to withstand the tests of this world, so he would receive Hashem’s goodness by merit, like a worker receiving wages, not like a poor man receiving charity. In this way, man becomes somewhat similar to his Creator, whose goodness is intrinsic and not received from others. The perfection of giving is when the giver makes the recipient as similar to himself as possible.

We must distinguish between knowing what someone will do and determining what he will do. The King of the world knows in advance what a person will choose, but He does not determine it for him. This is what the Talmud says: “Everything is in the hands of Heaven except fear of Heaven.” This seems puzzling, since Hashem wants man to follow the right path. Why, then, did He leave fear of Heaven specifically in man’s hands? Because only by leaving fear of Heaven to human choice can man choose good or evil, fulfilling the purpose of creation: to benefit man in return for his deeds.

Now it is clear: knowledge and determination are two different matters. Man is the one who chooses and determines what he will do, and he deserves reward for struggling against his evil inclination.

This can be compared to an experienced teacher who knows his students well and understands how much each one is likely to invest in his studies. One day, he gives them an assignment with valuable prizes according to their level of effort. As he speaks, he thinks: this student will surely invest this much and receive a small prize; that one will invest more; and another will certainly work far harder than the rest and receive first prize. Later, everything happens exactly as he expected. Does the student not deserve the prize because the teacher knew in advance? Of course he does. The prize is for his effort, even if the teacher foresaw it.

So too, since the purpose of creation is to benefit man according to his effort in overcoming his inclinations, this purpose is fulfilled even though Hashem knows in advance what each person will do and receive. Creation was made so man would receive reward for his labor, not charity without doing anything. This is the deeper meaning of the Mishnah: “Everything is foreseen, yet permission is granted.”

In conclusion, every person has free choice, through which he merits the great reward reserved for those who do Hashem’s will. We have already been assured that Hashem does not give a person a test he cannot withstand, as it says, “You can rule over it,” provided he chooses to engage in Torah. Through this, each person receives strength and courage to fight and defeat the evil inclination, so that it will be good for him in this world and the next.