Description: Section II - Chapter 1
Derech Hashem
Section II Chapter 1
The concept of ‘hashgachah,’ means that Hashem pays attention, and orchestrates and directs, manipulates and steers the world according to His wishes. This is something that is clear from a logical standpoint. Hashem created each one of His creations for a purpose, and they all have a part to play in that plan, and each one was designed, both the spiritual and physical beings, with attributes and abilities according to that plan. If so, its the natural conclusion that Hashem will continue to guide the world so that His plan is realized, and all creations work according to the design He designed for them.
As we have explained in Chapter 5 of Section I, the world begins from a spiritual source, and then transforms into the physical, in a process known as ‘hishtalshelus.’ Hashem guides the world through this process, and gives each power what it needs to realize its purpose in creation.
However, humankind is unique in that we possess bechirah – we have free choice. He can choose to perfect himself or choose the opposite. In this respect a man causes things to happen and change in the world, and is not a passive player. If so, the kind of ‘hashgachah’ that there is for men is different than the hashgachah for the other creations.
This is the concept of hashgachah klalis versus hashgachah pratis. Being that a person can affect and change the world with his actions, words, or thoughts, Hashem pays attention to everything a person does. According to what a person does, Hashem will guide his life, whether his actions were good or bad. This entails that Hashem not only takes into account and is mashgiach on his actions, but also on the ramifications of his actions. Who did he affect and what did he do? Hashem will treat him as he has done – midah kneged midah. But this is only by mankind who has free choice and can make change in the world.
All other parts of creation which don’t have free choice, are led and guided by Hashem as well but this only means that Hashem sees to it that they stick to their role and act according to their abilities. This is the concept of Hashgachah Klalis, where their individual actions and roles don’t change anything, because they don’t choose what they do, they act according to their nature, and Hashem just sees to it that they should do so. But a human has Hashgachah Pratis, where Hashem pays attention to detail – to each action they take and its full repercussions, and then acts accordingly.
Derech Hashem
Section II Chapter 1
The concept of ‘hashgachah,’ means that Hashem pays attention, and orchestrates and directs, manipulates and steers the world according to His wishes. This is something that is clear from a logical standpoint. Hashem created each one of His creations for a purpose, and they all have a part to play in that plan, and each one was designed, both the spiritual and physical beings, with attributes and abilities according to that plan. If so, its the natural conclusion that Hashem will continue to guide the world so that His plan is realized, and all creations work according to the design He designed for them.
As we have explained in Chapter 5 of Section I, the world begins from a spiritual source, and then transforms into the physical, in a process known as ‘hishtalshelus.’ Hashem guides the world through this process, and gives each power what it needs to realize its purpose in creation.
However, humankind is unique in that we possess bechirah – we have free choice. He can choose to perfect himself or choose the opposite. In this respect a man causes things to happen and change in the world, and is not a passive player. If so, the kind of ‘hashgachah’ that there is for men is different than the hashgachah for the other creations.
This is the concept of hashgachah klalis versus hashgachah pratis. Being that a person can affect and change the world with his actions, words, or thoughts, Hashem pays attention to everything a person does. According to what a person does, Hashem will guide his life, whether his actions were good or bad. This entails that Hashem not only takes into account and is mashgiach on his actions, but also on the ramifications of his actions. Who did he affect and what did he do? Hashem will treat him as he has done – midah kneged midah. But this is only by mankind who has free choice and can make change in the world.
All other parts of creation which don’t have free choice, are led and guided by Hashem as well but this only means that Hashem sees to it that they stick to their role and act according to their abilities. This is the concept of Hashgachah Klalis, where their individual actions and roles don’t change anything, because they don’t choose what they do, they act according to their nature, and Hashem just sees to it that they should do so. But a human has Hashgachah Pratis, where Hashem pays attention to detail – to each action they take and its full repercussions, and then acts accordingly.