Free Will & Hashem’s Plan
Question
Todah!
Upon reading Parshat Vayechi, I have stumbled upon a question that I don’t know the answer to and would love to hear a rabbi’s perspective on.
In Vayechi, Yosef’s brothers fling themselves upon in apology after Israel’s death, and are terrified that now after their father died, Yosef will punish them and seek revenge for their wrongdoing. Yosef says something along the lines of “What you did was not for good, but Hashem intended it to be so.”
This got me thinking though about free will and Hashem’s plan. If humans have free will and operate autonomously then how do our actions fit in G-d’s greater plan? Or rather how we can we see and find Hashem and his hand in the choices we have and make, good or bad. I am confused on this because it seems to be a bit contradictory of how we can have both: Hashem’s big picture and our own volition to act as we please (within mitzvot of course)?
Thank you in advance.
Upon reading Parshat Vayechi, I have stumbled upon a question that I don’t know the answer to and would love to hear a rabbi’s perspective on.
In Vayechi, Yosef’s brothers fling themselves upon in apology after Israel’s death, and are terrified that now after their father died, Yosef will punish them and seek revenge for their wrongdoing. Yosef says something along the lines of “What you did was not for good, but Hashem intended it to be so.”
This got me thinking though about free will and Hashem’s plan. If humans have free will and operate autonomously then how do our actions fit in G-d’s greater plan? Or rather how we can we see and find Hashem and his hand in the choices we have and make, good or bad. I am confused on this because it seems to be a bit contradictory of how we can have both: Hashem’s big picture and our own volition to act as we please (within mitzvot of course)?
Thank you in advance.
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
While we generally focus on questions in Jewish law, I will share with you that the Mishna (Avot 3:15) says: 'Everything is foreseen, yet the choice is given.' This means that although everything is already determined, we are given the freedom to decide, and the reward and punishment will be determined based on what we choose to do.
While there are other approaches to "free choice" and "divine providence" the teaching of this Mishna is a good place to start.
Comments
Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)
