Jewish Free Will

In an era of predictive ideology, Judaism maintains that humans are endowed with free will.

From the beginning of biblical time, man has struggled to break his binding ties in order to become free, independent, and fully human.

Modern thinkers have addressed the free will problem by questioning the authority of science, acknowledging the limits of freedom, and asserting the transcendent importance of choice.

According to some Hasidic thinkers, human free will is an illusion; God causes all human actions.

Medieval commentators suggested justifications for God's hardening Pharaoh's heart.

In the Middle Ages, Jewish thinkers struggled to reconcile God's knowledge of the future with human choice.

Biblical and rabbinic sources stress both divine determinism and human freedom.

The Bible records several problematic instances of God hardening human hearts, seemingly stripping them of free will.

Can we choose our way?

Responses to Jewish Free Will Problem. Jewish Free Will. Jewish Choice and Determinism. Jewish Ideas and Beliefs.