Not by Might?

Deuteronomy 32:25-43
Rabbi Zweiback led an adventure into many topics this week at Torah Study.

There is a new focus in this part of the Song of Moses – it switches in v. 26 from a focus on the history of their relationship with God to a focus on their enemies. There is a definite concern about ‘what others would say’ if there is any doubt about God’s power. There is the emphasis on “not by might and not by power, but by God’s spirit” will they prevail.

This led to a discussion of different theologies offered within the Torah. And the sociological view vs the theological view.

And then the philosophy of Rabbi Akiva: “Everything is determined and yet you have free will.” (the 'God wanted you to say that' theory)

So is everything that happens because God makes it happen? Probably not, but there are those who do believe that way. Some might say we have to learn from the bad things that happen. Some of the early Rabbis said that the land was taken away because of our sins and they thought that the early Zionists were heretics. They also would have thought that the Macabees were wrong to use might and power to fight the Hellenist Romans in 165 BCE.

Hannukah Theology was discussed:
This is why the Rabbis set the Haftorah for Hanukkah to include the message that the Macabees won by “Spirit and not by might”.
It is (in R. Yoshi’s terms)
“the little jar that could” vs “the military victory over the Hellenists”
and he noted that in Israel they tend to celebrate the military victory much more than the ‘miracle’ of the oil. We also noted that the story of this victory is not in the Bible... But that was canonized before the destruction of the Temple so it was not a decision of the rabbis who emphasized the ‘miracle’ rather than the ‘might’ in this victory.

This led to the question: Does God take sides in human wars?

And that led to the question: How does God ‘talk to us’?

And that led to the reminder that there are no more prophets. This helps avoid the temptation to believe in false prophets.

And that led to the comment that Jews pray less than any other religion. (maybe because we say that God doesn’t talk back?) But we are a people of the Book and stress that the way to know God is to study. (reinforced by Maimonades) And that is our tendency. But some feel that spirituality is still a key goal.

We covered a lot of territory in that hour last week – I hope I covered it in this summary!

References from the lesson:
R. Yoffie’s sermon at the Biennial